Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Emigrant Support Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2004

Tuesday, 2 November 2004

Ceisteanna (231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241)

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

297 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to circumstances in cases in which Irish-born emigrants receive less than their full social and health entitlements; the number of Irish emigrants that are affected by this problem; the measures that have been taken to overcome this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27064/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

While I recognise fully the responsibility of the Government to our people living abroad, the welfare of those who live, work and pay taxes abroad is also, of course, a matter for the Governments and authorities in the countries of residence of the Irish people concerned. I am especially aware that some of our emigrants need help in accessing their entitlements abroad, though the exact number is not known. Some, for instance, may need the advice and even advocacy of people who are sensitive to their needs.

This year my Department's funding for emigrant support stands at some €5 million, representing an increase of two thirds over 2003. This funding is directed to organisations in Britain, the United States and Australia which provide Irish citizens with a wide range of advice, counselling and support services. These services include expert advice on entitlements to social welfare, health and housing. Many of these organisations assist Irish people in making representations directly to the appropriate authorities. I am confident that this front-line and culturally sensitive support actively helps and will continue to help many Irish living abroad to access fully their just entitlements.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

298 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has conducted research into the position of Irish-born women emigrants in the UK; if the disadvantage experienced by a section of Irish-born males in the UK as highlighted in a recent programme (details supplied) is also mirrored in Irish female emigrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27066/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

The experience of emigration has been a mixed one for Irish men and women. While many who have emigrated have prospered, emigration has presented some people with very particular difficulties. We are able to draw on a range of studies on the situation of Irish emigrants in Britain. I am aware of the difficult circumstances experienced by the individuals featured in the television programme, which the Deputy refers to in his question. A recent study published in the July 2004 edition of the Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies finds that the experiences of the single Irish men in the sample covered by the study stood out in contrast to the experiences of married people of either sex and of the single women. The study considers that the lives of these single Irish men were more difficult, both economically and emotionally. This and other studies report that many Irish women found employment in occupations such as nursing or personal services where accommodation was provided. Many of these jobs were arranged through agencies before the women left Ireland. These circumstances may have provided a certain level of social stability to the women concerned.

In contrast, many Irish men left home without a secure job and found work in the construction sector. The temporary and transient nature of work in this sector may have exacerbated for some men the stresses which emigration involved by impeding their prospects of settling in one place, within a community. People react in different ways to the stresses of emigration and can find themselves faced with problems. The agencies that offer front-line assistance and advice services to vulnerable Irish people provide, therefore, a critically important support structure. I intend to ensure that their invaluable activities, which benefit so many Irish men and women living in Britain, continue to be strongly supported by the Government. Furthermore, I have asked the DÍON committee, which advises me on Irish emigrant welfare issues in Britain, to monitor closely the needs of Irish women in Britain and keep under review whether further research should be commissioned concerning their circumstances.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

299 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the funding since 1997 that has been given to social and voluntary organisations based in the US who work with Irish emigrants; the funding that has been allocated for 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27067/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

300 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department is involved in political engagement with US authorities which seeks to regularise the status of undocumented Irish emigrants in the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27068/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

306 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of US green cards awarded to Irish-born emigrants each year since 1995 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27109/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

307 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the estimated figure of the number of undocumented Irish-born emigrants currently living in the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27110/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

308 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has held discussions with his US counterparts, to facilitate an increase in green card quotas awarded to Irish-born emigrants who wish to obtain legal residency status in the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27111/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

I propose to take Questions Nos. 299, 300 and 306 to 308, inclusive, together.

The Deputy can be assured that the Government's concern for the undocumented Irish people in the United States is raised on an ongoing basis in our bilateral contacts with the US authorities, including when the Taoiseach and my predecessor met with President Bush at the EU-US summit in Dromoland in June 2004. I welcome the various proposals on immigration reform, which have been made by President Bush and members of Congress. These initiatives reflect an awareness of the importance of addressing the situation of the undocumented in the USA in a constructive and sympathetic way. The US Congress will, of course, have to give consideration to these proposals and, realistically, it is very unlikely there will be any movement until after the Presidential inauguration in the new year.

The number of Irish citizens who may be resident in the United States without the appropriate authorisation is difficult to estimate. While the United States citizenship and immigration services have estimated that the number may have declined to 3,000 in the year 2000, many of the agencies working with our emigrants regard this figure as a very low estimate indeed. Figures published by the US citizenship and immigration services report that 15,056 permanent resident cards, known widely as green cards, were issued to Irish people between 1995 and 2003. Figures for 2004 have not yet been published. A summary follows of the number of cards, which issued in each year. I stress that the Government's commitment to support efforts, which improve the circumstances of vulnerable Irish living in the USA is strong and growing. Our embassy and network of consulates in the USA work closely with voluntary Irish organisations there, which provide invaluable assistance and support to vulnerable Irish people. Since 1997, the Government has allocated some $2.9 million to these organisations. This year they received an allocation of $607,000, which represented an increase of 70% on last year. A summary follows of the grants made in each year since 1997.

I assure the Deputy that through the ongoing efforts of our embassy and my own contacts and those of my Cabinet colleagues with political leaders in the USA, I will continue to encourage and support all measures that benefit Irish citizens in that country.

Permanent Resident Cards issued to Irish Citizens, 1995-2003.

Year

Number

1995

5,315

1996

1,731

1997

1,001

1998

944

1999

812

2000

1,315

2001

1,522

2002

1,425

2003

991

Government Funding to Irish immigration centres in the United States.

Year

$

1997

253,300

1998

253,300

1999

300,000

2000

300,000

2001

600,000*

2002

300,000

2003

356,000

2004

607,000

*Includes $300,000 additional funding to those Irish organisations engaged in welfare services arising from terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

301 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department intends to establish an Internet site dedicated to the needs of Irish emigrants abroad and capable of providing both information and a link to Ireland for emigrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27069/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Many of the Irish organisations at home and abroad, which are active in the delivery of services to Irish emigrants, have established their own websites. Others have amassed a set of skills and knowledge, which would be of value to all of us with an interest in this issue. It is clearly desirable to link up the resources already available and make them more accessible. I also feel that we should be able to add to our knowledge in a way that is both efficient and effective in reaching all of the interested parties. The Internet offers us the ideal tool to do all of this. I value greatly its potential to help Irish people living abroad to feel more connected to home.

Officials of the Irish abroad unit in my Department are currently meeting a wide range of people engaged in the provision of services to our emigrants. These intensive contacts are, inter alia, deepening our knowledge of what information is already available and what areas should be developed further. In the light of these consultations, I will be happy to consider further how best to use the Internet to help meet the needs of our emigrants.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

302 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the concept of an awards scheme to recognise the service of Irish persons overseas; if he will progress this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27070/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Many Irish people who have emigrated have made, and continue to make, a distinctive and invaluable contribution to developments in their adopted countries. In doing so, they have brought great credit to themselves and to Ireland. Many have also contributed to the success story that is Ireland today. We value deeply their contribution both at home and abroad.

The matter of an awards scheme to recognise the service of Irish persons abroad arises in the context of wider discussions on a national honours system. As the Deputy may be aware, it is the Department of the Taoiseach rather than my Department, which takes the lead in this matter.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

303 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the establishment of a budget from his Department to provide financial assistance towards the cost of Irish community, cultural and sporting activities abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27071/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

This year my Department's funding for emigrant support stands at some €5 million, representing an increase of two thirds over 2003. This funding is directed to organisations in Britain, the United States of America and Australia which provide Irish citizens with a wide range of advice, counselling a and support services. By their very nature, the centres we support financially perform a critical service for their local Irish community. In addition to their advisory functions, some also act as a centre for community activities, including cultural activities. While my immediate priority is to get funding to the people and the organisations at the front line which provide invaluable services to vulnerable Irish people living abroad, I am open to considering in the future, in consultation with my colleague the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism, proposals for funding which would help Irish people living abroad to maintain and express their Irish identity.

Question No. 304 answered with QuestionNo. 296.

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

305 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties experienced by Irish citizens in obtaining copies of their birth certificates from or in late registering their birth at the General Register Office in Dublin; if there is a dedicated staff member assigned with the General Register Office to deal with Irish-born emigrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27073/04]

Amharc ar fhreagra

I am pleased to note that there is now a dedicated section within the General Register Office which deals with applications for birth certificates submitted, for example, from Irish centres in Britain.

Questions Nos. 306 to 308, inclusive, answered with Question No. 299.
Barr
Roinn