Grants to Irish community organisations in the United States and Canada and to emigrant advice organisations based in Ireland

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern T.D., today announced grants exceeding €600,000 to Irish community organisations in the United States and Canada and to two organisations based in Ireland that provide support and advisory services to Irish emigrants.

 

In announcing the grants, Minister Ahern emphasised the high priority that he attaches to developing and strengthening links with Irish communities abroad.

 

“Funding has never been higher for Irish community organisations abroad.  This is a clear reflection of the Government's commitment to the welfare of our community across the globe.  I am delighted that increased financial support has been made available to organisations in the US and Canada that support our communities there.

 

“Government funding to the Irish immigration centres in the US continues to rise very significantly. I am pleased to announce funding of US$100,000 (€75,694) to the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centres (CIIC). The CIIC was founded in 1996 by a group of Irish centres to meet the need for representatives of Irish Immigrant organisations to share information and resources. The information and advisory services that the Irish immigration centres offer are of great benefit to the more vulnerable members of our community in the US.  Their services are of particular value to the undocumented Irish whose welfare remains an issue of deep concern to the Government.  We will continue to attach the highest priority to representing their interests in the critical period ahead.”

 

The Minister was also pleased to announce funding of Can$500,000 (€324,275) to support the Ireland Park Foundation, Toronto, Canada.

 

He stated:

 

“Government support for this project represents an acknowledgement and appreciation of the role that generations of Irish, past and present, who have settled in Toronto have played in developments there and at home. The park will be an appropriate recognition of the support and assistance given by the people of Toronto to the Irish community over the years.”

 


The Minister also added:

 

“I am happy to also support two organisations based in Ireland and engaged in valuable work in assisting Irish emigrants who are considering a return to Ireland, as well as advising those thinking of living abroad.”

 

The grants announced today are to Emigrant Advice (www.emigrantadvice.ie), which is receiving a grant of €150,000 to support its pre-departure and outreach programme aimed at reaching vulnerable people considering emigration.

 

Safe Home Programme (www.safehomeireland.com), is receiving a grant of €65,000 to support it in its work assisting older Irish emigrants considering a return to Ireland.     

 

Note for Editors:

 

Government funding for emigrant services continues to rise significantly.  In 2006, Department of Foreign Affairs allocation for this area reached €12 million, representing an increase of 45% on the previous year.  In 2007 the funding for emigrant services is €15.165 million, representing an increase of 26% on 2006 and a fifteen-fold increase since 1997.

 

ENDS+++

Press Office

15 April 2007

 

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