PRESS RELEASE

12/07/2005

Welfare groups in Britain get €7m to help emigrants - Kelleher

Cork North-Central Fianna Fáil TD Billy Kelleher has urged voluntary welfare groups in Britain to put unprecedented funding of €7 million to full use in ongoing efforts to ease the plight of Irish emigrants.

These grants will support 125 projects involving 102 organisations in Britain.

Deputy Kelleher said the money - a 61% on the final amount distributed in 2004 - will contribute to the the salaries of front-line advice workers in Irish welfare organisations who work tirelessly to look after the Irish diaspora.

‘Helping Irish people abroad - including those from Cork - to improve their life skills and employment prospects and to deal with issues concerning housing, benefits entitlements and health are crucial areas of advice and assistance offered by these workers.

‘This support - which the Government has allocated this week through the Díon (“shelter”) fund - will be an enormous boost to that task. The €7 million allocated to the fund this year is nine times greater than the amount given in 1997 (€761,843). 

‘This announcement accounts for the bulk of this year’s allocation to the Díon fund, with the amount remaining being distributed in a further round of grants later this year,’ said Deputy Kelleher.

The Fianna Fáil TD said the Irish Government has given financial support through the Díon fund to voluntary agencies providing advice and welfare services to vulnerable Irish emigrants in Britain since 1984.  

‘The primary focus of Díon grants must continue to be to support employing professional workers. But we must not forget capital projects in emigrant centres such as new kitchens or TV rooms, as well as cultural and other activities which help foster community contact and support among the Irish abroad.

‘Over €29 million has been allocated to the Díon fund since 1984. I am proud of that record and I will keep fighting to deliver further increases in this vital funding for our own people abroad. We must never allow ourselves to forget them - just as they will never forget their roots in Ireland,’ said Deputy Kelleher.

ENDS