Jimmy Deenihan
Ceist:5 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will respond to the representations made regarding the plight of many elderly Irish people who are living abroad.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Plight of Elderly Emigrants.
When representations are received regarding particular difficulties facing individual elderly Irish citizens abroad, the appropriate embassy is instructed to look into the situation as a matter of urgency and to offer whatever assistance and advice it may be possible to give.
On a more general level, the DÍON committee, who operate under the aegis of our embassy in London and who are in receipt of funds from the Department of Labour, give financial assistance to welfare bodies in Britain which provide services for Irish emigrants, both old and young, in that country.
I am sure the Taoiseach is aware that as many of the elderly Irish people living in the UK were not properly covered by social insurance when they were working the social welfare they are receiving now is greatly reduced. Many of these people have had to move out of their homes because they could not afford to pay the rent and are now living in hostels. Does the Taoiseach not agree that we should be giving a greater commitment to hostels such as Conway House in Quex Road in London which caters for elderly Irish people? Does he not agree that the Government erred in not sending an official Government representative to the opening of that hostel in order to show solidarity with them; even if we cannot meet the financial commitment——
This is very long question, Deputy Finucane. Please come to finality.
I am glad Deputy Deenihan went to show solidarity——
That is not a question.
I recognise the problem and the DÍON committee have identified the problems facing the elderly as one of their priorities.
(Carlow-Kilkenny): I was also going to ask about Conway House. A recent survey said that there were at least 2,000 elderly people of Irish extraction. Does the Taoiseach feel that we are making a genuine commitment to shoulder some of the responsibility that we shifted off our shoulders in earlier years now that these people are beyond the prime of life?
I accept that it is a responsibility and we are making an effort to meet that responsibility. There is always scope of course for doing more but on the other hand, unfortunately, there is quite a considerable flow of young emigrants into Britain and many of them need special attention too. I would repeat that the DÍON committee have recognised as a priority the position of these elderly people about whom the Deputies are concerned.
We all know that there are lots of young people sleeping rough, as Deputy Deenihan has said a number of times. He has referred to it as cardboard city particularly London. Would the Taoiseach consider bringing forward a Government policy whereby elderly Irish emigrants who have fallen on lean times, through drink, addiction or broken marriages, could be repatriated with Government assistance and rehoused in this country? Would the Taoiseach consider a Government policy along those lines?
I do not know that a specific policy would be of any particular assistance. What is really needed is action on the ground and such programmes are constantly being operated by the different organisations involved.