asked the Minister for External Affairs if it is proposed to introduce an emigrant welfare scheme in Great Britain; and, if so, if he will give details.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Emigrant Welfare Scheme.
1.
Our Embassy in London has had for several years a special officer whose duty is to keep contact with clubs and groups run by Irish citizens resident in Great Britain. These voluntary organisations supported by their members and friends are doing splendid work not only socially for their members but also to help Irish emigrants in need of advice and assistance.
For the last few years the Embassy has operated a scheme to pay the fare back to Ireland of Irish citizens in special need of protection who should be helped to return home. In 1967-68 fifty-seven Irish citizens and this financial year 86 were so assisted.
I should like to ask the Minister for External Affairs if he can throw any additional light on the recent statement by his colleague, the Minister for Labour, indicating—I presume at a Fianna Fáil cumann meeting—that a new scheme to assist emigrants was contemplated?
I cannot.
This is matter is of great interest in England and the various associations are looking for information on it.
This seems to be a different matter, Deputy.
Did I understand the Minister for External Affairs to say "I do not know"? Does he not know what the Minister for Labour was referring to?
Yes, I did know.
So much for Cabinet responsibility. May I ask the Minister if a Deputy is approached by the family of an emigrant whose address is not known or who is in distress of some kind, could the Deputy apply to the officer in the Embassy in London so that he might be put in contact with whichever voluntary body he thinks would be most readily available?
The Embassy stands ready to assist.