Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2011
90 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures he will take to ensure that young persons who have to emigrate due to unemployment are assisted as far as possible to prevent them from falling into poverty and homelessness abroad and that the maximum number are enabled to return to Ireland for work and training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26084/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Emigrant Support Programme, administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, provides funding to non-profit organisations and projects to support Irish emigrant communities overseas and to facilitate the development of more strategic links between Ireland and the global Irish. Between 2004 and 2010 almost €81.5million was provided to organisations, the majority of which provide culturally sensitive, frontline welfare, information and advocacy services to Irish emigrants. In excess of €12 million is being made available to such organisations this year through the Emigrant Support Programme. In addition to the funding provided to services abroad, the Emigrant Support Programme also funds a small number of projects in Ireland, one of whom, Crosscare Migrant Project in Dublin, works with intending, existing and returning Irish migrants to assist them in accessing information and services on opportunities and entitlements, before they travel, whilst they are abroad, and on return to Ireland.
The priority of the ESP and of the organisations it supports is in assisting the most vulnerable members of Irish communities overseas. These organisations have made a substantive difference to the lives of Irish people living abroad, including through tackling social isolation, and enabling Irish emigrants to access their local, statutory entitlements.
Whilst the provision of education opportunities is not a core function of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, many of the organisations which receive funding through the Emigrant Support Programme assist Irish emigrants in accessing information on both educational and employment opportunities. FÁS, the national training and employment authority, provides an online jobs vacancy service through its Jobs Ireland Website www.jobs.ie. This site is available worldwide and can be accessed by Irish emigrants abroad seeking work in Ireland. Our Missions abroad will also provide information to Irish people wishing to access job opportunities at home.
