Funding Allocated To Irish Community Organisations In Australia

(SANEPR.com) January 4, 2009 -- The Irish Abroad Unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs this week announced grants totalling over AUD300k to four Irish community organisations in Australia which are engaged in the provision of support and advisory to Irish emigrants.

Minister Killeen said that thousands of young Irish men and women, including many from County Clare, had recently travelled to Australia in search of work.

“Irish people, unable to secure employment at home, are travelling in increasing numbers to Australia in search of work. Because the places that Irish people traditionally emigrated to, such as England and America, are also in recession it looks as if Australia will remain the destination of choice for many more Irish people. Therefore, it is important that the Government provides financial aid to community and welfare organisations who work with Irish emigrants in Australia,” he said.

Minister Killeen continued, “At a time of worldwide economic difficulty I believe that it is more important than ever that we do not forget those who left Ireland for Australia in years past and who may now be in need of our support, particularly the elderly. In many cases they would over the years have sent financial remittances back home and it is only right that we now do our part to ensure that their needs are attended to".

Minister Killeen noted, “Irish Government funding for organisations providing emigrant services to Irish people living in Australia has risen significantly in recent years. This announcement of grants totalling AUD303,500 represents an increase of 37% on the 2007 total of AUD221,500.”

Under the funding announcement, grants have been allocated to Australian-Irish Welfare Bureau NSW (AUS104k), Irish Australian Support Association of Queensland (AUS70k), Australian-Irish Welfare Bureau Wollongong (AUS20,500) and Australian Irish Welfare Bureau Victoria (AUS109,000).

“The organisations funded provide a range of services to vulnerable members the Irish community in Australia, particularly the elderly, including drop-in centres and community outreach programmes. They have a very tangible and positive impact on the lives of those they reach and I am delighted that the Government is in a position again this year to provide some financial support,” concluded Minister Killeen.

The Irish Abroad Unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs, which administers the Government's emigrant support programme, was established in 2004 on foot of the Report of the Task Force on Policy regarding Emigrants. Its role is to strengthen the relationship between Ireland and Irish people living overseas and to provide support to organisations working with Irish emigrant communities.

-ENDS-

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
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