Andrews warmly welcomes new US Visa Programme
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, David Andrews, today warmly welcomed the announcement by Congressman James Walsh of the new visa based training programme for young people from Northern Ireland and the six Southern border counties.
The Minister said "This programme is a further demonstration of the US commitment to underpin the peace process with innovative and practical support for economic regeneration in the North and the border counties. The Government and its agencies will work closely with its Northern Ireland counterparts, and with the United States Authorities, in implementing the programme. The initiative will have a significant confidence building impact on the young people in the region, particularly those in disadvantaged areas."
The Minister went on to explain the purpose of this visa programme, saying "The Walsh Job and Training Visa Programme will provide for the entry of up to 4,000 young people from Northern Ireland and the six border counties into the United States each year until 2002. Those admitted will be allowed to work there for up to three years. The new skills and experience they gain while in the United States will undoubtedly enhance their future employability at home. This itself will be enhanced by the intended involvement of FÁS and T&EA, its Northern Ireland counterpart, in the implementation of the programme."
