Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 February 2006
301 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress of his Irish abroad initiative; the assistance being provided to emigrant groups abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4016/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraSignificant progress continues to be made on initiatives which benefit our Irish community abroad. A particularly positive development is the very substantial level of funding now available. In 2006, the unprecedented amount of €12 million has been secured for emigrant services. This figure, which represents an increase of 45% on 2005, is a clear reflection of the Government's firm commitment to the welfare of our community abroad.
The Government greatly appreciates the invaluable work of the excellent network of community care agencies that assist Irish people abroad. Their services make a critical difference to the circumstances of many of our more vulnerable emigrants. Officials of my Department's Irish abroad unit and our embassies will continue to work closely with them so as to ensure the effective allocation of increased funding.
The needs of the Irish community in Britain, in particular older people and those at risk of social exclusion, remain a key priority. In 2005, groups in Britain received grants amounting to €7.06 million, an increase of 63% on 2004. While the primary emphasis of funding continues to be to support frontline welfare services, I am pleased that the additional funding has also made it possible to support a number of capital projects, as well as projects which foster a greater sense of community.
Another priority area is that of our undocumented community in the United States. As the Deputy is aware, the legislative debate in the United States on immigration reform has entered a critical phase. In the period ahead, I will continue to lobby strongly in support of measures which would improve the circumstances of the undocumented Irish.
During 2005, I was pleased to approve grants of €750,000 to the Irish immigration centres in the United States. The invaluable services that they provide to our community there are of particular relevance to the undocumented at this complex time of uncertainty. The high priority which the Government attaches to the issue of the undocumented is also clear from the grant of €30,000 which I recently approved to the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, a group established to mobilise grassroots support within the Irish community for immigration reform.
In 2005, I was also happy to announce increased funding to Irish emigrant groups in Australia and, for the first time, to a group in Canada which supports our older community in Toronto. Increased financial support was also directed to organisations in Ireland that are engaged in pre-departure information for intending emigrants, and assistance to emigrants returning to Ireland.
I look forward to enhancing our relationship with, and support for, our communities abroad during 2006.
302 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the situation regarding Irish illegals in the USA; his contacts with American politicians in the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4020/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government attaches the highest priority to the issue of the undocumented Irish in the United States. We raise our concerns in all of our contacts with US political leaders and emphasise the importance of addressing the situation in a positive and sympathetic way.
In raising this matter with our US contacts, we of course appreciate that immigration is a highly divisive issue. The extent of differing opinion on this sensitive matter was evident in recent debates in the House of Representatives around the passage through that House of the Sensenbrenner-King immigration Bill. This Bill, which is one of many currently before the US Congress, concentrates on enforcement and security measures, and does not propose provisions that would regularise the status of the undocumented.
The focus of the debate now shifts to the Senate, which has before it a number of bills. Of these, the approach proposed by Senators Kennedy and McCain is particularly attractive as, if adopted, it would offer the undocumented a path to permanent residency.
In all of my meetings with US contacts, including with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and with key congressional figures, most recently in Carlingford in January, I have made known our support, and the support of the Oireachtas, for the approach favoured by Senators Kennedy and McCain. Their Bill has also been strongly endorsed by the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, a group established recently to mobilise grassroots support within the Irish community in the US for immigration reform. I welcome the establishment of this organisation and recently approved a grant to it of €30,000 towards its operational expenses.
While there have been significant developments, it is clear that the legislative situation is fluid and that achieving the necessary compromise on this sensitive issue remains a formidable challenge. In this regard, I welcome the engagement of President Bush on this issue and his support for a humane approach which involves reform as well as enforcement. The Deputy can be assured that the Government will continue to lobby intensively on this issue in the critical period ahead.
