Written Answers. - Emigrant Support.
Trevor Sargent
Ceist:
875
Mr. Sargent
asked the
Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs
the extent of his Department's support for the work of agencies and organisations concerned exclusively or primarily with the personal and social welfare of Irish citizens living overseas or with emigrants, potential emigrants and returning emigrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[30545/00]
While there is now net migration into Ireland, a significant number of Irish people continue to leave each year. They include many qualified people, moving in search of other career options or to broaden their experiences, but also many who are less prepared and able to meet the challenges of settling in to a new environment and culture.
My Department has provided funding for a number of years to emigrant advice, to help them develop and extend their services, particularly in the area of pre-departure information and advice. Last year, a grant of £20,000 was provided. Furthermore, I announced in Budget 2000 funding of £100,000 for the development of emigrant information and advice services, the primary purpose of which is to identify and respond to the information needs of Irish people living abroad and to improve access to pre-departure advice for others who may leave in the future. In this regard, grants were approved last year to the Emigrant Advice Network, the Irish Episcopal Commission for Emigrants and the Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas.
Many young people travelling to major UK cities or to the USA remain at risk and there is a need to examine the availability, quality and effectiveness of pre-departure information and advice. Funding will be provided for essential research and for the support of pilot pre-departure advice projects.
Seminars and consultation with a variety of organisations providing services to Irish communities in both the UK and the USA have indicated a clear need for better co-ordination and further development of information and advice services and improved methods of delivering and maintaining quality information to such organisations at local level. The development of information services, both in terms of pre-departure advice or supports for Irish people living abroad, will be undertaken in consultation with relevant organisations in both the statutory and non-statutory sectors. Key projects will include the provision of information to people returning to Ireland after periods spent living and working abroad.
In 2000, I also launched the "Returning to Ireland" booklet which my Department put together for the purpose of providing a range of basic information covering matters such as housing and accommodation options, social welfare entitlements, health services and private health arrangements, education, and taxation for people who have emigrated and who are considering returning to Ireland. The booklet will also be of immense value to the wide range of organisations and centres working with the Irish community abroad.
