Minister Martin Announces major Government Support for Irish community in the US

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Minister Martin Announces major Government Support for Irish community in the US

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Micheál Martin, T.D., has announced a further round of funding for Irish Community Projects in the United States,

$950,000 is being provided to three major Irish community development projects while a further $135,000 in grants to a number of organisations who provide frontline welfare services to Irish emigrants in the United States.

The announcement brings total Government Emigrant Support funding to Irish related organisations in the US in 2008 to over $5million.

Making the announcement Minister Martin said:

"I am announcing grants for three major Irish community development projects in San Francisco, Chicago and New York. Earlier this year, I announced funding for another major Irish community development project in Boston. Each of these projects marks a new and exciting phase in the development of the large Irish communities in these cities. The involvement of the GAA in each of the projects is pivotal given that the organisation is a key focal point for our people in the US, and it is to be praised for its work within those communities."

"These investments are a strong indication of the enormous value the Government places on supporting our people in the United States and of our firm commitment to building even closer ties with the Irish American community. It is a community to which we in Ireland have on many occasions over the years turned to for advice and practical assistance. It is also a partnership which will secure the long term future of the Irish community in America"

"I know from my own visits to the United States how committed our communities are to maintaining their own distinctive culture and tradition and their links with Ireland. I believe that there is an onus on us to assist them in their efforts. This investment represents a win- win for Ireland and our community in the US. "

"I also know how it is so important that the Irish in America have a focal point where they can meet, particularly for our older people who can so easily become isolated as their social networks splinter and sometimes disappear altogether. These are the very people who over the years would have sent substantial amounts in financial remittances back to Ireland and it is important that their contribution not be forgotten," concluded Minister Martin.

In addition to these capital and frontline services announcements, the Minister for Foreign Affairs also announced a grant for the refurbishment of a 1916 Easter Rising monument in Long Island and the payment of the $1million balance of an allocation of $2 million to the Kennedy library in Boston announced by then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern earlier this year.

Table 1: US Grants Announced by the Minister

US Capital Projects $

JFK Presidential Library and Museum, Boston 1,000,000

San Francisco GAA Facilities 500,000

Chicago Gaelic Park 250,000

Rockland County GAA 200,000

Irish Americans in Government, New York 20,000

US Emigrant Services Projects

New York Irish Centre 80,000

Ancient Order of Hibernians 20,000

Aisling Irish Centre, New York 20,000

Senior Helpline Project, New York 15,000

TOTAL €2,105,000

Table 2: Total US Grants for 2008

Note for editors:

The grants to the Irish immigration and community organisations announced total US$2,105,000, bringing the total for the year to €5,297,106. Since the establishment of the Irish Abroad Unit in 2004, the Department of Foreign Affairs has allocated more than $10 million to Irish organisations in the United States. The primary focus of the Emigrant Support Programme administered by the Unit is on supporting organisations which provide frontline welfare, information and advisory services to the most vulnerable members of our overseas communities. However, progressive increases in the budget have allowed the programme to expand. It now includes a number of capital and other projects which foster a greater sense of identity and belonging within the Irish community, including culture, heritage and sports projects. Overall, Government funding for emigrant services in 2008 was €15.183 million, representing a three-fold increase since 2004. Funding for 2009 will remain at this level.

Ends+++

4 January

Press Office