Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2004
294 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the estimated number of Irish persons assisted by Irish welfare agencies based in the UK, through DÍON funding in 2003; if he expects that this figure will increase in 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27059/04]
View answer295 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the funding that has been given since 1997 to voluntary organisations working with Irish-born emigrants based in Scotland and Wales; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27060/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 294 and 295 together.
In 2003, an estimated 37,000 Irish people benefited from services provided by Irish and non-Irish organisations in Britain which have been grant aided by the Government through DÍON funding. I am pleased to note that DÍON funding has more than quadrupled in the past five years. This year's initial allocation to the fund was €3.57 million. An additional €1 million was allocated by my Department for emigrant services in the course of this year, most of which is being directed to the DÍON fund. I am confident that the significantly increased funding secured for this year together with the inclusion of a number of new projects for funding will result in an even greater number of Irish people benefiting from the support of these organisations this year.
Research into the patterns of Irish emigration show that large numbers left Ireland for Britain in the post-1945 period, particularly in the 1950s. Most of these people settled in England, particularly in the greater London area, the west midlands including Birmingham and Coventry, as well as in cities in the north west such as Manchester. Most welfare groups which focus on the needs of Irish people are based in London and the other main centres of Irish communities in England. Since 1997 only one organisation in either Scotland or Wales has made an application for DÍON funding. The organisation in question was OGWR, a housing association in Wales, and it received a grant of IR £5,000 in 2002.
I want to see DÍON funding extending beyond its traditional points of concentration in England. To this end, I have asked the embassy in London and the consulates in Edinburgh and Cardiff as well as the director of the recently established Irish abroad unit to stimulate an awareness of the DÍON fund in Britain within the Irish community and the voluntary sector. This process will allow the needs of the Irish community, especially its more vulnerable members to be identified and our support targeted effectively at groups working to meet these needs.
