Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 May 2004
89 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in regard to the Taoiseach’s statement to the Dáil on 10 March 2004, he will give the number of development officers placed in Irish emigrant communities abroad; the regions to which they have been appointed; the funding or resources available to the development officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14547/04]
View answerIn 2003, 16 welfare organisations in Britain, primarily in London, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Northampton, received Dion grants totalling €584,359 as contributions towards the salaries of development workers. In addition, my Department provided €150,000 to the Federation of Irish Societies in Britain last year to support a five year capacity building project. This project involves the creation of three posts for community development regional workers, one covering London and the South East, one covering the Midlands and the West and the third covering the North and the East. A further €270,000 is earmarked for this project in 2004.
In the US and Australia, my Department provides funding to voluntary organisations that provide support to Irish immigrants in those countries. The grants are allocated to the organisations rather than to the development workers and it is not possible, therefore, to specify the funding available to the development officers in each case.
