11 Noll 2014, 16:29
Today's meeting of the Committee on Health and Children witnessed positive and significant engagement on health issues affecting the Irish community in the United States and the United Kingdom between Minister Jimmy Deenihan TD and Irish diaspora advocates from the US and the UK.
At the Heath and Children Committee meeting today, Minister Deenihan also announced additional funding at the meeting to support a new Pieta House pilot project to be set up in collaboration with the three main Irish centres in New York. His Department is providing a grant of 90,200 dollars (€72,258) to help introduce a new pilot project in 3 of the main New York Irish centres: in the Aisling Centre, the New York Irish Centre and the Emerald Isle Immigration Centre.
The pilot project will create a \"Pieta Room\" to help people in crisis, and Pieta House will also work with the GAA to bring the Pieta \"Mind your Buddy\" campaign to GAA clubs in New York.
Those attending the meeting were: Minister of State at Departments of the Taoiseach and Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for the Diaspora Jimmy Deenihan TD; Dr Mary Tilki, Chair and Jenny McShannon, CEO, Irish in Britain; Brian O'Dwyer, New York Lawyer and activist on behalf of the Irish Community in the USA and Mike Carroll, Member of the Irish-American Bar Association of Attorneys.
Committee Chairman Jerry Buttimer, TD: “Just like the profile of Irish diaspora, the health issues facing Irish communities in the UK and the USA are varied. For example, many of the older generation who emigrated in the 1950s, 60s and 70s may now find themselves in an economically vulnerable situation with little savings to meet rising healthcare costs, while in the US, undocumented emigrants are not eligible for public assistance and routine medical procedures are not covered. Our meeting today gave us an insight into the various health issues facing Irish communities in the UK and the USA. It was a very productive and interesting meeting where we had a chance to consider what can be done to help the more vulnerable and exposed emigrants.
“We would like to thank Minister of State at Departments of the Taoiseach and Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for the Diaspora Jimmy Deenihan TD; Dr Mary Tilki, Chair and Jenny McShannon, CEO, Irish in Britain; Brian O'Dwyer, New York Lawyer and activist on behalf of the Irish Community in the USA and Mike Carroll, Member of the Irish-American Bar Association of Attorney for addressing our Committee today and for providing their perspectives on the health issues of emigrants. The meeting also gave us an opportunity to consider the Emigrant Support Programme, and its important role in supporting the health needs of vulnerable Irish communities with Minister Deenihan.”
Media Enquiries to:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
Committee Membership:
Deputies: Jerry Buttimer (Chair), Catherine Byrne, Ciara Conway (Vice-Chair), Regina Doherty, Robert Dowds, Peter M Fitzpatrick, Seamus Healy, Billy Kelleher, Eamonn Maloney, Clare Daly, Sandra McLellan, Dan Neville, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin and Robert Troy
Senators: Colm Burke, John Crown, John Gilroy, Imelda Henry, Marc Mac Sharry and Jillian Van Turnhout