Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 October 2008
307 Deputy Michael D. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the plans he has to cut funding in respect of returning émigrés; and if he will honour the pledge made in August 2002 to provide assistance to agencies working with elderly and vulnerable Irish emigrants, or if it is planned to ignore the financial contribution which the Irish immigrant community has made over the years here. [33363/08]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is deeply conscious of the extraordinary contribution made by Irish immigrant communities to Ireland over many years. Our commitment to assisting agencies working with these communities is reflected in the unprecedented level of funding secured for emigrant services in recent years. This substantial increase has enabled my Department to provide greater financial support to organisations engaged in the delivery of key welfare, information and advisory services to our emigrant communities, and in particular the elderly and vulnerable.
In this context, my Department has provided funding to two organisations working specifically with elderly Irish emigrants considering returning to Ireland — the Safe Home Programme and the Crosscare Migrant Project. The award of a €249,900 grant in April of this year brought the Department's total funding for Safe Home since 2005 to over €900,000. I have also approved funding of €159,000 this year to support the Crosscare Migrant Project, bringing the total Emigrant Support funding awarded to the organisation since 2005 to €475,000. This substantial funding is testament to the high value which the Government places on their work.
I can assure the Deputy that the Government remains committed to supporting frontline welfare agencies and organisations. As the Deputy will appreciate, however, all grant applications for Emigrant Support funding are reviewed on their respective merits each year.
308 Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will respond to correspondence; if he proposes to increase the funding of the safe home programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33282/08]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government have progressively and substantially increased the level of funding available for emigrant services in recent years. These increases have enabled the Emigrant Support Programme, administered by the Irish Abroad Unit of my Department, to provide greater financial support to frontline welfare organisations which assist the most vulnerable members of our overseas communities, including the Safe Home Programme.
My Department continues to be very supportive of the work undertaken by the Safe Home Programme. The award of a €249,900 grant in April of this year brought the Department's total funding to the organisation since 2003 to over €1,100,000. In 2007, additional Government funding, totalling €72,000, was also awarded to the Safe Home Programme by the Department of Environment and Local Government and the Department of Social and Family Affairs. This substantial funding is testament to the high value which the Government places on the work performed by the organisation in enabling elderly Irish emigrants to return to live in Ireland.
I can assure the Deputy that the Government remains committed to supporting frontline welfare agencies and organisations. As the Deputy will appreciate, however, all grant applications for Emigrant Support funding are reviewed on their respective merits each year.
Finally, I should say that a reply has issued to the correspondence referred to in the Deputy's question.
