asked the Minister for Labour if, in view of the efforts being made by the Kerryman's Association in London in the provision of hostel accommodation for emigrants in need of shelter, he will make a substantial grant to the association to help them complete the project.
Written Answers. - London Hostel Accommodation.
62.
Grants from funds available to my Department for assisting voluntary organisations in Britain which provide welfare services for Irish emigrants are made by me on the advice of DION, the London based committee which advises me on emigrant welfare matters in Britain. The amount allocated for grant assistance was doubled from £250,000 in 1988 to £500,000 in 1989. Applications for assistance far exceed available resources. At present DION are examining a number of applications in connection with the allocation of the remainder of the 1989 funds. I understand that one of these is from the Kerryman's Association.
DION's priorities in targeting the available resources are:
(a) Those organisations employing professional workers operating front line emergency services for emigrants arriving without accommodation and/or employment;
(b) Information projects examining the needs of disadvantaged emigrants, and
(c) Ventures developing links between voluntary bodies helping Irish emigrants in Britain and local authorities and statutory agencies with responsibility for welfare and accommodation needs at local level.
I understand that DION have received several applications for projects involving a capital element similar to the one sponsored by the Kerryman's Association. It would clearly not be possible to fund all such projects from the DION grant. I know also that many voluntary groups working with and on behalf of Irish emigrants in Britain agree with DION's approach as they believe that the funding of the capital costs of accommodation provision should properly be the responsibility of the relevant local authority.