PRESS RELEASE05/01/2006 €12m spend on emigrants in 2006 must target most vulnerable - Kelleher Cork North-Central Fianna Fáil TD Billy Kelleher has announced that the Government is to spend €12 million on emigrant services this year - and urged that the money be targetted specifically at groups whose work focuses on looking after the elderly, the unemployed and those with alcohol or drug problems. Deputy Kelleher, who has championed the cause of Irish emigrants as a public representative, said the funding is an increase of 45pc on last year and a staggering 12 times greater than the 1997 spend. ‘Just last month, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern TD, announced grants worth more than €600,000 for emigrant services in Britain, Australia and Canada. That amount was just a tiny portion of the overall record Government spend on services for Irish emigrants in 2005. That year, some €8.2 million was spent on emigrant services, with €7 million directed towards groups in Britain. That’s an increase of 62pc on funding for 2004. ‘I have consistently made a strong case to boost funding for the extraordinary network of frontline emigrant organisations in Britain, the US, Australia, Canada and other countries. That my pleas - and those of other Fianna Fáil representatives - have been heeded is a clear indicator of the Government’s commitment to the welfare of our community abroad,’ said Deputy Kelleher, who is assistant Government chief whip. The Dillon’s Cross-based Fianna Fáil TD pointed out that last September groups working with undocumented Irish workers in the US got €750,123. ‘It is truly tragic that many of them are unable to travel home for special family occasions such as weddings, anniversaries and funerals. I believe it is our duty as politicians to press for better conditions for them in the countries they have come to call their homes. ‘The McCain-Kennedy Bill, currently passing through Congress, offers a lifeline to effect change in the US emigrant regime. We must keep pressing for its passage in the interest of our undocumented Irish people in the US - many of whom hail from Cork. ‘In the meantime, I intend to keep lobbying Minister Ahern to prudently spend all of the €12 million set aside for emigrant services this year. I will be keeping in touch with emigrant groups - particularly in the US and Britain - to ensure they have all the support they need from the Government to continue their vital work on behalf of the more vulnerable Irish people living in foreign lands,’ said Deputy Kelleher. ENDS
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