asked the Minister for External Affairs what proposals, if any, the Government have for assisting destitute Irish emigrants in Britain.
24.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Emigrant Welfare Service.
23.
asked the Minister for External Affairs whether he now proposes to provide a proper comprehensive Irish emigrant welfare service in Great Britain and, if not, why.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle. I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 24 together.
I would refer the Deputies to the reply I gave to similar questions on this subject on the 28th July last.
Has the Minister seen a report that there are quite a considerable number of Irish emigrants in Britain who are destitute and in need of help, especially in a city such as Birmingham? I wonder if they could call on the services of our officials in Britain or could something be done for them? They were driven out of this country. We must not forget them completely.
Has the Deputy finished?
Yes, I am waiting on the Minister now.
Did Deputy O'Connell drive them out?
The "Coercion Act" will drive a lot more out.
Irish people are entitled to the social services in Britain when they go there. The Deputy knows that.
How are there 7,000 or 7,500 destitute Irish mentioned in this report?
I am not responsible for what people write; I am responsible for what we do.
This is work done by social workers over there. It is a terrible reflection on us here.
Question No. 25.
Is the Minister aware——
Is the Minister listening?
——of the fact that the problem of emigrant welfare is imposing an intolerable burden on voluntary organisations, particularly in the two problem centres of London and Birmingham and would he not consider making a special subvention, which would be relatively small, to enable these voluntary associations to do the job properly?
The Dáil is already aware of the services available through the Department of External Affairs to emigrants in Britain. The Minister for Labour, at this time, is having a study of emigrants carried out.
The Minister for Labour's scheme has nothing to do with this question. The emigrant welfare service is entirely different from the scheme which the Minister for Labour is operating.
Shall I write the Deputy a postcard or shall I answer him now?
Answer the question. The Minister is sending too many postcards.
Emigrants from this country to Britain are entitled to the social services there. There is a service at our embassy for people who need it. There is a special appointment made of an official there to take care of emigrants. The Minister for Labour is having a study carried out and the Government, I presume, will be making decisions when this is available.
Question No. 25.
Is the Minister aware of the brutal fact that if an Irish person has a problem in Britain the last place he will go to is the Irish Embassy and the last people from whom he will seek assistance will be the people in the Irish Embassy?
This is not altogether borne out by the record because there is a record of help given to people which I can produce.
Would the Minister like to elaborate on that?
Question No. 25.
If the Deputy will put down a question I will give him facts.
Would Deputies allow questions to continue?