Tánaiste announces funding for Irish organisations in Britain

LONDON - 6 September 2012: The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Eamon Gilmore, T.D., announced the award of grants of over £5.7 million (€7.27million) to 113 organisations in Britain under the Emigrant Support Programme. 

Speaking today to a gathering of Irish community organisations in London, the Tánaiste stated that:

“These grants demonstrate the Government’s ongoing commitment to supporting the work of Irish organisations abroad, particularly those providing frontline services to the elderly, vulnerable and marginalised. I know you are all aware that this year the Emigrant Support Programme has faced a reduction in its overall budget. However, I am glad that despite this significant budgetary pressure, the Government has been able to ensure that funding for vital frontline organisations in Britain is being maintained. This underlines the value the Government, and indeed the Irish people, place on our communities here and around the world and our continuing commitment to assisting those emigrants who most need our help.” 

Since the establishment of the Emigrant Support Programme in 2004, over €70 million has been allocated in support of Irish communities in Britain. Of the total amount announced by the Tánaiste, £4.45 million (€6.6m) will go to organisations providing welfare and information services, particularly the elderly. These services range from informal community networking groups for seniors to outreach services and advice in accessing entitlements. The balance of the grants is provided for heritage, minor capital and community projects.

Of the 113 organisations being funded, the largest recipients are the Federation of Irish Societies (£475,000) and the London Irish Centre (£448,500). Eighty two organisations have received grants for amounts of less than £50,000. 

Two business networks in London have received funding in this year’s grants and the Tánaiste remarked that:

“The current wave of immigration from Ireland has added a new dynamic to the Irish community in Britain and, as is the case with earlier emigrants, the Government is committed to engaging with these new arrivals to these shores. It is in this respect that I am particularly pleased to be able to include two business networks in this round of funding.”

Our overseas Networks are a powerful demonstration of the invaluable resource that we in Ireland enjoy through our Diaspora. More important though than the presence of this resource, is the fact that our people and friends abroad remain so deeply engaged with Irish issues and willing to assist us in overcoming our challenges.

Notes for Editor

Since its inception in 2004, over €70 million has been allocated to the Emigrant Support Programme in Britain.

A full list of the grants announced to date in 2012 for British organisations is attached.  It should be noted that while the 2012 grant allocation to date (£5.7 million) is lower than in 2011 (£6.9million), grants to frontline organisations have remained close to 2011 levels. Last year’s grants included a large capital grant of £550,000 to the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith. Further announcements in respect of projects in Britain may be made later in the year. 

The emphasis of the programme’s funding in Britain, as elsewhere, is on supporting frontline welfare services.  This support has had a very tangible and positive impact on Irish communities in Britain, in particular on the lives of our vulnerable citizens, a point acknowledged by the Simon Community and the British-Irish Inter-parliamentary Body, amongst others.

Established in 1973, the Federation of Irish Societies is a national umbrella organisation which draws together Irish clubs and societies in Britain. It promotes the interests of Irish people through community care, education, culture and arts, youth and sports activities and information provision.

ESP grants to organisations in Britain are paid in sterling and the euro amounts quoted in the Press Release are based on current exchange rates and provided for information.  The final euro amount may vary depending on the exchange rates in operation on the days the grants are paid to organisations.