Extra funds for emigrants, returnees and overseas prisoners
Groups working with Irish emigrants and their families are to receive extra funding of €200,000, the Department of Foreign Affairs revealed today.
The money will be used to support vulnerable people leaving Ireland, older people eager to return home and Irish prisoners overseas and their relatives.
Dermot Ahern, Foreign Affairs Minister, said he was determined to deepen relationships with Irish communities abroad.
“A particular priority is to continue and extend our support to our more vulnerable emigrants, including the undocumented in the US and older Irish people in Britain,” he said.
Three Irish-based groups will benefit from the funding. Emigrant Advice has been awarded €93,000 to support its pre-departure and outreach programme for vulnerable people considering leaving the country.
The Safe Home Programme will receive €62,000 to support its work assisting older Irish emigrants returning home, and the Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas will get €45,000 to assist Irish prisoners abroad and their families.
Funding for Irish emigrant groups around the world will this year reach €12m.
The Minister added: “Emigrant Advice and the Safe Home Programme are engaged in valuable work in assisting Irish emigrants who are considering a return to Ireland, as well as advising those thinking of living abroad.
“We are also supporting the Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas in their important work with Irish prisoners overseas and their families.”
