Emigrant groups boosted by multi-million euro grant
More than 100 emigrant support groups across Britain were today awarded €6m from the Irish Government.
The cash boost for the Dion programme, set up to provide advice and welfare services to vulnerable Irish citizens, is a 61% increase on last year’s spending.
Dermot Ahern, Foreign Affairs Minister, said it was vital the organisations received cash to fund the work they do with the expatriate communities.
“This very significant increase follows other substantial increases in recent years. I want to see this trend continuing,” he said.
Funding for the Dion programme, now totalling €6.60m, is nine times greater than it was in 1997.
Mr Ahern, who met with emigrant groups at the Irish Embassy in London, said he wanted to thank the organisations for their dedication and sensitive assistance to Irish people in Britain.
“The shelter of community care that they offer, particularly to the more vulnerable and marginalised, provides an effective and caring support system,” he said.
“Be assured that we will continue to support you in your important work in the period ahead.”
It is hoped the increased monies will make funding available to a greater number of organisations, and widen the scope of projects that are supported.
A total of 102 groups will receive cash under the expanded Dion scheme, the highest number ever. The majority of the money will be spent on supporting frontline welfare services, but the additional funding means a number of social and cultural projects will also be assisted.
