Minister Ahern announces US$1.3 million in grants to Irish community organisations in the USA

Mr Dermot Ahern T.D., Minister for Foreign Affairs, today announced grants totalling US$1.281 million to thirteen Irish Community Organisations in the USA who are engaged in the provision of support, information and advisory services to Irish emigrants in North America.

In announcing the grants, the Minister said:

“I am delighted to allocate increased funding, again this year, to the Irish immigration centres in the US. These grants reflect the Government’s continuing commitment to Irish communities abroad, particularly to supporting the vulnerable members of our community in the US. ”

In commending the work of the Irish immigration centres in the US, the Minister added:

“I deeply appreciate the work of the Irish immigration centres across the US on behalf of our most vulnerable citizens. The wide range of information, advisory and support services that the centres offer are of great benefit to the Irish community, including the elderly, in the US. They are always to the forefront in providing assistance to Irish citizens in need. Their services are of particular value to the undocumented Irish whose welfare remains an issue of the highest priority for the Government. I look forward to continuing to work with the centres on initiatives that support and sustain our community in the US” 

These grants are in addition to funding allocations made in April to the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (US$50,000) and the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centres (US$100,000) in the US. This brings total Government funding so far this year for Irish immigration organisations in the United States to US$1.431 million.     

Note for Editors

The grants to the Irish immigration centres announced today total US$1,281,180.  In addition to previous allocations to the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (US$50,000) and the Coalition for Irish Immigration Centres (US$100,000), this represents an increase of 9.8% on funding in 2006 for Irish immigration organisations in the US (US$1,302,441).   

Since 1990, the Department of Foreign Affairs has allocated over US$8 million to the Irish Immigration Centres in the United States.

Funding supports the delivery of advice and information to Irish emigrants in the US.   Particular priority is attached to supporting the work of the front line community organisations engaged with vulnerable Irish citizens, including undocumented Irish people.   Further information on the work of the immigration centres may be obtained from the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centres (info@ciic-usa.org) or directly from the centres concerned.

Overall, Government funding for emigrant services continues to rise significantly.  In 2007, Department of Foreign Affairs funding in this area has reached €15.16 million, representing an increase of 26% on 2006.  Most of this allocation is directed to groups in Britain, with the rest directed to groups in the US, Australia, Canada, Argentina and elsewhere.