Andrews discusses emigration and services for Irish emigrants abroad
Minister for Foreign Affairs, David Andrews TD, has highlighted the subject of emigration and said that services and facilities for Irish emigrants abroad should
be improved.
The Minister was speaking this afternoon with representatives of the Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas (ICPO) who, together with the Irish Episcopal Commission for Emigrants (IECE), recently published the Report "Emigration and Services for Irish Emigrants: Towards a New Strategic Plan".
Minister Andrews has instructed the Interdepartmental Committee on Emigration (ICE), which is chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs, to discuss the
Report's recommendations at its next meeting on 8 June and to report back to
him on their deliberations. The Minister said that his Department would welcome Non-Governmental Organisations becoming more involved in policy formulation with the Interdepartmental Committee on Emigration (ICE). The Minister will also discuss the Report later this week with Fr. Paul Byrne of the Irish Episcopal Commission for Emigrants (IECE).
The Minister told the group that funding for Irish immigrant organisations in the US had been increased. Speaking in New York last week, the Minister announced an increase from $253,300 up to $ 300,000. "This increase brings Government funding over ten years to almost $ 2.5 million", he said.
The meeting today also discussed human rights and issues relating to Irish prisoners overseas. The Minister said that the Human Rights Unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs monitors Ireland's obligations and the performance of other countries in relation to prison conditions, through the human rights mechanisms of the UN and the Council of Europe.
