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Policy on Emigrants.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 May 2004

Wednesday, 19 May 2004

Questions (23, 24, 25, 26)

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

14 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made with regard to the implementation of the report of the inter-departmental working group considering the recommendations of the task force on policies regarding emigrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14545/04]

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Ruairí Quinn

Question:

15 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made with regard to the implementation of the recommendations of the task force on policies regarding emigrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14546/04]

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Michael Ring

Question:

20 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions he will take to implement the recommendations of the report of the task force on policy regarding emigrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14509/04]

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Willie Penrose

Question:

65 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs when the promised dedicated unit will be established within his Department to deal with the issue of Irish emigrants abroad; the number of staff that will be in the unit; the financial resources that will be available to the unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14548/04]

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Written answers

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 14, 15, 20 and 65 together.

Following receipt of the report of the task force on policy regarding emigrants, I established an inter-departmental working group to consider the task force's recommendations with a view to the submission of proposals for further action to the Government. The inter-departmental working group met on a number of occasions and it presented its report to me last November. The group endorsed the analysis and recommendations of the task force concerning the needs of Irish emigrants abroad and the needs of those departing from and returning to Ireland.

As regards the implementation of the task force report, action is currently being taken on over two thirds of the 71 recommendations contained therein. The following examples will illustrate the progress that is being made: the funding for emigrant services abroad has been brought together under the Department of Foreign Affairs; a substantial increase in funding for emigrant services has been provided in the Vote for Foreign Affairs this year; financial assistance will be provided this year by my Department for the first time to ÉAN, the umbrella group for voluntary agencies providing information and advice to potential emigrants, to enable it to provide more effective support to its member agencies; financial assistance will also be provided this year by my Department for the Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas; during my visit to Washington earlier this year, I met a number of prominent members of Congress with whom I discussed the situation and status of Irish emigrants in the US and how best to advance their situation; and the Department of Social and Family Affairs has given priority to the link between migration and social exclusion during our Presidency of the EU by organising a Presidency Conference on Reconciling Mobility and Social Inclusion.

The total allocation for emigrant services in the Vote for Foreign Affairs this year is €4 million. This represents an increase of €1 million or one third over 2003. I have decided that the greater share of this, €3.57 million, should go to the Dion fund for services to Irish emigrants in the UK, €400,000 will be allocated to Irish welfare agencies in the US and €48,000 will go to agencies in Australia.

Furthermore, a special group in the Department of Foreign Affairs, chaired by the Secretary General of the Department, is meeting on a fortnightly basis to monitor progress in implementing the recommendations.

I intend to establish a dedicated unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs when the EU Presidency is over to ensure that the Government's response to the particular needs of our vulnerable emigrants is focused and prioritised to the greatest degree possible. A final decision has not yet been taken on the level of staff or other resources that will be assigned to this unit.

In implementing the report of the task force, I have emphasised the importance of working in the closest partnership with relevant governments and, in particular, with voluntary Irish agencies at home and abroad.

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