Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Nov 1999

Vol. 511 No. 6

Written Answers. - Walsh Visa Programme.

John Gormley

Ceist:

81 Mr. Gormley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will make a statement on the Walsh visa programme which will enable 12,000 young people from the Border counties to go to the United States to develop skills and conflict resolution abilities. [24485/99]

Cecilia Keaveney

Ceist:

107 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position on the Walsh Border visa programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25345/99]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 81 and 107 together.

This initial phase of the Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Programme Act, 1998, colloquially known as the Walsh visa programme, has recently been launched. Under the three years of the programme the US State Department will provide up to 4,000 non-immigrant visas per annum, each with a maximum validity of 36 months to eligible persons from Northern Ireland and the Border counties.

Under the initial phase of the programme, training and related assistance will be given by FÁS to participants from the Border counties. This assistance is targeted at people who are most at a remove from the labour market.