Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 January 2010
662 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of the cuts of the Irish abroad emigrant support programme to the United Kingdom; the impacts he expects this may have on front line service provision to the Irish community in Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48549/09]
View answerThe Government has substantially increased funding for the Emigrant Support Programme in recent years; from €4.1M in 2004 to over €15M in 2009. Due to the increased budgetary pressure currently being felt across Departments, the budget allocation for the Programme in 2010 has seen a decrease of 14%, to €12.983M. While regrettable, it must be recognised that this allocation still remains significant and in excess of the levels of funding before 2007.
The majority of funding from the Emigrant Support Programme goes to support organisations which provide welfare information and advisory services to Irish citizens living abroad, particularly those who are most vulnerable and marginalised, including the elderly. The welfare of the Irish community in Britain has been a key priority of the Emigrant Support Programme, with over £37M allocated to projects in Britain since 2004, and this will remain the case.
In regard to the 2010 allocation, no decisions have been made in relation to funding for individual organisations. The 2010 on-line grant application round will take place in March and April and I will continue to prioritise the maintenance of a high level of funding to front line organisations in Britain, as well as in the US and elsewhere. Applications will be reviewed on a case by case basis and every effort will be made to ensure that resources are used in the most effective way to ensure high levels of service delivery for the most vulnerable members of the Irish community abroad.
