Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 March 2012
2 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding aid given to Irish emigrants living in Britain on a yearly basis from 1987 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14862/12]
View answerSince 2004, my Department has provided funding to Irish emigrants living in Britain under the Emigrant Support Programme. Prior to this Irish Government funding was referred to as the Dion fund. The emphasis of the ESP is on supporting culturally sensitive front-line welfare services, targeted at the most vulnerable members of our overseas communities. These services have made a substantive difference to the lives of Irish communities overseas (particularly in Britain and the United States), reducing homelessness, tackling social isolation, and enabling Irish emigrants to access their local statutory entitlements. Between 2004 and 2011 over €93 million has been provided under the Programme of which almost €68 million was paid to organisations in Britain. In 2011, €11.3 million was provided to support over 200 organisations in twenty countries worldwide including €7.8m in respect of 114 organisations in Britain. Recommendations for grants in Britain are agreed in conjunction with the Emigrant Services Advisory Committee (ESAC).
I am pleased that despite the difficult financial situation we face, the Government has maintained funding under the ESP at a significant level (€11.6m) for 2012. The 2012 grant round closed on 29 February and applications for funding are currently being assessed.
The table below sets out the annual breakdown of grants made since 1987 to organisations in Britain who support Irish emigrants living there.
|
Year |
Ir£ |
Stg£ |
€ equivalent |
|
1987 |
250,000 |
317,434 |
|
|
1988 |
250,000 |
317,434 |
|
|
1989 |
500,000 |
634,869 |
|
|
1990 |
500,000 |
634,869 |
|
|
1991 |
500,000 |
634,869 |
|
|
1992 |
500,000 |
634,869 |
|
|
1993 |
500,000 |
634,869 |
|
|
1994 |
500,000 |
634,869 |
|
|
1995 |
500,000 |
634,869 |
|
|
1996 |
550,000 |
698,355 |
|
|
1997 |
600,000 |
761,842 |
|
|
1998 |
613,000 |
778,349 |
|
|
1999 |
750,000 |
952,303 |
|
|
2000 |
1,015,000 |
1,288,784 |
|
|
2001 |
2,051,000 |
2,604,232 |
|
|
2002 |
2,708,000* |
||
|
2003 |
2,723,000 |
||
|
2004 |
4,333,640 |
||
|
2005 |
4,858,194 |
7,059,746 |
|
|
2006 |
6,970,154 |
10,127,024 |
|
|
2007 |
7,845,355 |
11,484,346 |
|
|
2008 |
8,092,433 |
10,222,665 |
|
|
2009 |
7,393,084 |
8,459,319 |
|
|
2010 |
6,766,928 |
8,135,669 |
|
|
2011 |
6,877928 |
7,825,234 |
|
|
Total |
82,533,459 |
*In 2002-2004 grants were approved in Euro. Since 2005 ESP grants are approved and paid out in local currency, in an effort to minimise the effect of exchange rate fluctuations.
3 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding the task force on Irish emigrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14863/12]
View answerThe Report of the Task Force on Irish Emigrants, published in 2002, proposed a wide range of measures aimed at improving the support provided by the State to Irish emigrants, including pre-departure services, and enhancing the strategic engagement between Ireland and its Diaspora.
The Report led to the establishment of the Irish Abroad Unit within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2004. This Unit has responsibility for developing Government policy towards Irish communities abroad and the wider Irish Diaspora and management of the annual Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) grant round. Since 2004, over €93m has been provided, through the Emigrant Support Programme, to Irish organisations in some 23 countries worldwide. The emphasis of the ESP is on supporting culturally sensitive front-line welfare services, targeted at the most vulnerable members of our overseas communities. These services have made a substantive difference to the lives of Irish communities overseas (particularly in Britain and the United States), reducing homelessness, tackling social isolation, and enabling Irish emigrants to access their local statutory entitlements.
The Irish Abroad Unit has also transformed the level of engagement between Ireland and business and cultural leaders within the Diaspora through the Global Irish Economic Forum and the establishment of the Global Irish Network. This is consistent with the findings of the Task Force on Irish Emigrants. I am pleased that despite the difficult financial situation we face, the Government has maintained funding under the ESP at a significant level (€11.6m) for 2012. The 2012 grant round closed on 29 February and applications for funding are currently being assessed.
