Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 23 Feb 1995

Vol. 449 No. 6

Written Answers. - Emigrant Services.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

46 Mr. Callely asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the particular issues or problems, if any, that have been brought to the attention of his Department in relation to the services available to Irish emigrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4160/95]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

A total of £650,000 in Government assistance was given last year to Irish emigrant advice and welfare organisations in Britain and the United States. Through the Vote for Foreign Affairs a total of £150,000 was provided to 11 organisations in the United States. The Minister for Enterprise and Employment allocated £500,000 to 36 organisations in Britain. It is envisaged that the same amounts will be allocated to emigrant groups in Britain and the United States this year.

These organisations, assisted by the Government, provide a wide range of services to emigrants. The activities and needs of the various bodies are regularly reviewed by the DÍON Committee, based in the Embassy in London, and by the immigration working committees and our missions in the United States.

Emigration issues and problems are considered by an inter-Departmental committee at home which meets regularly under the chairmanship of a senior official of my Department. One of the main problems identified by the committee is the lack of preparation undertaken by many intending emigrants, particularly those travelling to Britain, with the result that they can find themselves unable to cope with the day-to-day problems they encounter. The improvement of pre-departure advice services therefore is, one of the committee's priorities.