Grants to emigrant advice organisations based in Ireland

Mr Dermot Ahern T.D., Minister for Foreign Affairs, today announced grants totalling €225,000 to three organisations in Ireland engaged in emigrant services.  The organisations are ÉAN, Emigrant Advice and the Safe Home Programme.

In announcing these grants, the Minister expressed his great regard for “the valuable work of these organisations in providing pre-departure information, assisting returning emigrants and enhancing coordination between emigrant organisations at home and abroad.  We very much appreciate their critical contribution to supporting our emigrant community.”

The Minister added that “these grants form part of a wider picture of support for our partners in the voluntary sector who are working to help Irish emigrants.  The round of grant applications from organisations in Britain and elsewhere is under-way and I look forward to making further announcements on funding in the coming months.”

The Minister reiterated the Government's strong commitment to supporting emigrant services, emphasising that “funding has never been higher.  This year my Department's budget for this important area has reached the unprecedented amount of €8.27 million.  This is a clear reflection of the Government's strong commitment to supporting Irish people living abroad, in particular the more vulnerable members of our emigrant community.”

Note for Editors:

Government funding for emigrant services continues to rise significantly.  In 2005 Department of Foreign Affairs funding in this area has reached €8.27 million, representing an increase of 63% on 2004.

The grants announced today are to three organisations based in Ireland.  They are:

- ÉAN, which is receiving a grant of €100,000, up from €40,000 last year (+150%);
- Emigrant Advice, which is receiving a grant of €65,000, up from €35,488 last year (+83%); and
- Safe Home Programme (specifically its project to attend to emigrants living outside of Britain), which is receiving a grant of €60,000, up from €25,000 last year (+140%).

ÉAN (www.emigrantnetwork.ie) is a Dublin-based organisation that draws together statutory and voluntary agencies as well as individuals and academics interested in emigration from Ireland and return migration to Ireland.  Its membership includes many of the welfare organisations in Britain, the US and elsewhere engaged in the provision of front line services to Irish emigrants.  It has heretofore been funded by another Government Department.

Emigrant Advice (www.emigrantadvice.ie) is a programme of CROSSCARE, the Dublin Diocesan Social Care Agency.  It is engaged in the provision of information to those involved in migration decisions or experiences.  Many of its clients are migrants in vulnerable circumstances.  The Department of Foreign Affairs grant supports the development of its outreach programme, aimed at reaching vulnerable people who may consider emigration.  The increased funding is to support expanded services.

Safe Home Programme (www.safe-home-ireland.com) is based in Mulranny, Co. Mayo and aims to assist older Irish emigrants to return to live in Ireland and to provide information to those who may be considering a return to Ireland.  It was established in 2000 by Dr Jerry Cowley T.D..  Safe Home is a recipient of Díon funding towards its work with our community in Britain.  Díon grants are made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs following the recommendations of the Díon Committee.  In 2004 Safe Home received a Díon grants totalling to €132,000.  That Committee is currently considering applications for 2005 grants.  In addition to Díon funding for its work with emigrants in Britain, Safe Home last year received a grant of €25,000 to support its work with emigrants in countries other than Britain.  Today's grant of €60,000 is towards this specific work and is separate from its application for Díon funding towards its work in Britain.

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