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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 4 Nov 1992

Vol. 424 No. 9

Written Answers. - Emigrant Services Grant.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

16 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will increase the grant in 1993 for emigrant services in the USA.

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

41 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will increase the grant given to support those groups involved in emigration services in the USA.

Peter Barry

Ceist:

91 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will ensure that the 1993 budget contains an allocation of funds for the Irish Outreach Scheme operated by the Archdiocese of New York.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

92 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of money made available to emigrant groups in the United States in 1991 and 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 41, 91 and 92 together.

The amounts made available from the Vote for Foreign Affairs to Irish immigrant assistance groups in the United States in 1991 and 1992 were £200,000 and £500,000 respectively.

The Government are conscious that this year's grant level represented a significant reduction on last year. We fully appreciate the very valuable work being done by the immigrant assistance groups; however, our ability to provide financial assistance will continue to be constrained by the very difficult budgetary situation here.

The immigrant groups have been reassured of the Government's continuing strong support for their activities. Both the Taoiseach and I met with representatives of the various groups during our respective visits to New York in September and had very useful and constructive discussions.

The Foreign Affairs Vote for 1993 has not yet been finalised and I am therefore not in a position to make any commitments about possible allocations to individual organisations next year. However, in any future allocation of funding, I would anticipate that the important work being done by Project Irish Outreach in New York would continue to be regarded as a priority.

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