Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 March 2019
108. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the funding his Department or agencies under the remit of his Department have provided to projects in County Galway in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, respectively; if the funding has been allocated; if it has been drawn down in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12511/19]
View answer109. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the funding that his Department or agencies under the remit of his Department have provided to projects in County Roscommon in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019, respectively; if the funding has been allocated; if it has been drawn down in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12528/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 109 together.
My Department is responsible for two votes - Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs and Trade) and Vote 27 (International Cooperation) and administers a number of funding schemes including under Ireland's official overseas development programme, Irish Aid.
As part of Ireland’s development programme, funding is provided through the Development Education scheme for projects to promote understanding and engagement with global development and justice issues. These projects take place throughout the country, across primary, post-primary and third level education as well as in the youth, adult and community education settings. While we do not have a breakdown of the specific funding provided for projects taking place in Galway or Roscommon, information on Development Education grants is available at https://www.irishaid.ie/what-we-do/who-we-work-with/civil-society/development-education-funding/
Further information is set out in the following table.
|
2018 |
€4,530 |
Irish Aid sponsored delegates from our key partner countries to attend the International Disability Law Summer School, held by the Centre for Disability Law and Policy (CDLP) at National University of Ireland, Galway. |
|
2017 |
€10,000 |
Irish Aid supported the Climate Change Agriculture and Food Security conference in National University of Ireland, Galway. This national event focused on advancing the work of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) on climate change and agriculture and food security. |
|
2017 |
€3,845 |
Irish Aid sponsored delegates from our key partner countries to attend the International Disability Law Summer School, held by the Centre for Disability Law and Policy (CDLP) at National University of Ireland, Galway. |
|
2016 |
€4,336 |
Irish Aid sponsored delegates from our key partner countries to attend the International Disability Law Summer School, held by the Centre for Disability Law and Policy (CDLP) at National University of Ireland, Galway. |
|
2016 |
€6,000 |
Through Irish Aid funding to the Esther Ireland, NUI Galway & Saolta Healthcare Group received a grant to form a partnership with the Copperbelt University & Ndola Central Hospital, Zambia |
|
TOTAL |
€28,711 |
My Department also administers a number of schemes including under the Emigrant Support Programme and Diaspora Affairs Fund.
The Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) supports Irish people and communities overseas by funding non-profit organisations and projects. Through the ESP, the Government provides financial support to organisations engaged in the delivery of front line welfare services and community care to Irish emigrants, particularly to the most vulnerable and marginalised members of our community abroad, including the elderly. In addition, the ESP facilitates Irish Government investment in a range of cultural, community and heritage projects, which foster a vibrant sense of Irish community and identity, as well as strategic capital projects.
The smaller Diaspora Affairs budget is allocated towards projects which will have a long term positive impact on diaspora engagement, in particular for local areas.
The Department publishes the details of all grants made through the ESP and Diaspora Affairs budget, including the names of organisations and amount of funding awarded, each year on its website.
In the timeframe specified, my Department has provided funding to the following Galway-based organisations: Ireland Reaching Out; Helplink Support Services; and the Irish Workhouse Portumna. While these organisations are based in Galway, their activities funded by the Department are not confined to these areas.
- Helplink Support Services launched Cabhrú in September 2016. This is an emotional support helpline and a free online counselling service for the Irish diaspora.
- My Department also funds Ireland Reaching Out which was established in 2010 and provides an online portal to allow members of the diaspora, through genealogy, to identify and engage with the area of origin of their Irish ancestors. In 2018, Ireland Reaching Out won a competitive tender process run by my Department for a large scale diaspora engagement project, using innovative technological solutions to link the global Irish with local communities, or specific communities of interest in Ireland. The value of this tender is €250,000 per year, for two years, with the option to renew for a third year.
- The Irish Workhouse Museum in Portumna was granted funding in 2018 under the Diaspora Affairs to support a diaspora engagement event entitled, ‘The Irish Workhouse Centre – Diaspora, Our Past and our Future’.
Details of the funding awarded is set out in the following table.
|
Location |
Organisation |
Project |
Year Awarded |
Value Awarded |
Funding Stream |
|
|
|||||
|
Galway |
Ireland Reaching Out |
Ireland Reaching Out Programme |
2016201720182019 |
€150,000€78,000€79,700€250,000 |
ESPDiaspora Affairs FundDiaspora Affairs FundDiaspora Affairs Fund |
|
Galway |
Helplink Support Services |
Cabhrú |
20162017 |
€35,000€45,500 |
ESPESP |
|
Galway |
Irish Workhouse Portumna |
Diaspora: Our past and our Future event |
2018 |
€1,750 |
Diaspora Affairs Fund |
In other areas of funding the Communicating Europe Initiative had two projects in Galway which received funding in 2018, as follows:
- Junior Achievement Ireland – Europe 4U project: This involved 4 schools in Galway - €5,000
- Ballinderreen Community Centre – Pop-up Europe Project: €3,000
Under the Department's Reconciliation Fund €3,000 was provided to NUI Galway for "The Europeanisation of the Northern Ireland Peace Process” conference in 2018.
