DEVLINS WELCOMES
FUNDING FOR IRISH
COMMUNITY GROUPS
IN BRITAIN
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Councillor Cormac Devlin (FF) has welcomed the funding announced by Minsiter for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern TD of €10 million for Irish Community Groups in Britain.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Dermot Ahern T.D., has announced grants of €9.89 million (Stg£6.67 million) to 130 organisations in the voluntary sector that work with the Irish community in Britain. The particular focus of the funding is to support the services that help the more vulnerable members of the Irish community there.
The bulk of the funding (79%) will go to Welfare projects, including significant funding for projects providing services for the elderly Irish and also to support the provision of mental health services for those vulnerable members of the Irish community in Britain.
In announcing the grant allocations, Minister Ahern emphasised the particular priority which he attaches to supporting projects that benefit older Irish people:
“Assisting the older members of our community in Britain is a clear priority. Many of the organisations receiving funding this year cater for the elderly, ranging from informal community networking groups for senior citizens to professional organisations that offer a range of services.”
These grant allocations are a clear reflection of the Government's strong commitment to the welfare and enhancement of our community in Britain. We are determined to maintain and develop this substantial level of support in future years”.
Commenting on the distribution of grants, the Minister said:
“I am delighted that the extra funding available for Emigrant Services has allowed for a broadening of both the range and geographical spread of eligible projects, with increased applications from Scotland, Wales and the North of England.
While the primary emphasis of funding continues to be on supporting projects that promote the welfare of the elderly, homeless and vulnerable, I am pleased that additional funding has also made it possible to support a number of heritage and cultural projects which are vital to the development of community networks and which help to foster community spirit. Altogether over €1.2 million is being granted to organisations providing a range of activities in these areas, to demonstrate support for a positive and dynamic community spirit.”
Minister Ahern expressed his deep appreciation of the work and dedication of the Díon Advisory Committee – an advisory Committee on welfare issues for the Irish in Britain – for the time and effort they have spent in providing their advice and expertise on the large number of grant applications received.
Note for Editors:
These grants account for the majority of this year’s allocation to Irish community organisations in Britain.
Since 1984 the Government has given financial support to voluntary agencies providing advice and welfare services to vulnerable Irish emigrants in Britain. Close to €50 million has been allocated to Irish community groups since then, with 84% of this amount allocated since 2000. Recipient organisations provide advice, counselling and support services for Irish people in need in Britain.
Priority targets for funding are services that support the elderly, the homeless and people affected by illness or substance misuse problems, as well as services for the Traveller community. However, the eligibility criteria have been expanded to allow consideration of cultural, heritage, sporting and other activities which help to foster community contact and support. Further decisions on capital grant allocations are currently under consideration and will be announced later in the year.
Government funding for emigrant services continues to rise significantly. In 2007 a figure of €15.165 million has been allocated for emigrant services worldwide, compared to €12 million in 2006 - an increase of 26%. While most of the available funding is directed to organisations in Britain, grants are also extended to groups in the USA, Australia, Canada, Argentina, South Africa and Zimbabwe as well as to a number of organisations in Ireland engaged in activities that support Irish emigrants.
Grants: Britain July 2007
Name of Organisation Stg£
/ Euro:
Acton Homeless Concern 40,350/59,866
Batley IDL 2,500/3,709
Benefits Advice Shop 4,700/6,973
Birmingham Irish Community Forum Ltd 142,749/ 211,794
Blackfriars Advice Centre 37,891/56,218
Bolton Irish Community Association Ltd 10,000/14,837
Brent Adolescent Centre 23,756/35,246
Brent Irish Advisory Service (BIAS) 145,000/215,134
Brian Boru IDL Club 28,700/42,582
Broadway Homelessness & Support 35,000/51,929
Camden Women's Aid 39,598/58,751
CARA Irish Housing Association Ltd 85,244/126,475
Causeway Irish Housing Association Ltd 16,328/24,226
Celtic & Irish Cultural Society 14,300/21,217
Central Eltham Youth Project (CEYP) 25,000/37,092
Conradh na Gaeilge (Craobh Phádraig Mhic Phiarais) 28,230/41,884
Council of Irish County Associations (London) 10,000/14,837
Coventry Irish Society 114,015/169,162
Cricklewood Homeless Concern 157,054/233,018
Derby Irish Association 10,000/14,837
Dewsbury Irish National League Club 15,000/ 22,255
Doncaster Irish Association 2,000/2,967
Eastleigh and District Irish Society 7,500/11,128
Edinburgh Cyrenians Good Food/Homeless 9,958/ 14,774
Eireanns Way 1,000/1,484
Emerald Circle Club 3,000/4,451
Equinox 27,914/41,415
Federation of Irish Societies 580,557/861,361
Feis Ghlaschú 3,000/4,451
Friends, Families & Travellers 13,087/19,417
Garngad Irish Heritage Group 3,300/4,896
GEAR Project Company Ltd 20,000/29,674
Golden Shamrock Club, Nottingham 12,049/17,877
Greenwich Irish Pensioners Association 4,000 /5,935
Halifax & District Irish Society 26,700/39,614
Halifax Irish Centre Amateur F.C. 1,000 /1,484
Halifax Irish A.R.L.F.C. 1,000 /1,484
Halifax Irish Junior F.C. 1,000 /1,484
Haringey Irish Cultural and Community Centre 132,437 /196,494
Huddersfield Irish Centre 11,110 / 16,484
Huddersfield St Patrick's Day Parade Association 8,000 / 11,869
ICAP 148,254 /219,961
IDL Club Haslingden Davitt Branch 5,760 / 8,546
IDL Club Bradford 8,500/ 12,611
Innisfree Housing Association Ltd 25,000/ 37,092
Irish Centre Housing Ltd 35,406 / 52,531
Irish Charitable Trust 122,505 /181,758
Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas 100,000/ 148,368
Irish Community Care Merseyside 231,840/ 343,976
Irish Community Care (Manchester) 169,834 /251,979
Irish Cultural Centre Hammersmith Ltd 175,000 /259,644
Irish Diaspora Foundation 35,315 /52,396
Irish Elderly Advice Network 81,313 /120,642
Irish Heritage 7,000 / 10,386
Irish History Month 15,000/ 22,255
Irish in Greenwich 155,249/ 230,340
Irish Traveller Movement in Britain 63,843 / 94,723
Irish Welfare & Info Centre (IWIC) 159,843 /237,156
Irish World Heritage Centre 37,250 / 55,267
Lancashire Federation of Irish Democ.League Club 5,000 /7,418
Leeds Gypsy & Traveller Exchange (GATE) 45,839 / 68,010
Leeds Irish Health & Homes 131,840 /195,608
Leeds St Patrick's Day Parade 7,000 / 10,386
Leicester Irish Forum 41,424 / 61,460
Lewisham Irish Community Centre 48,768 / 72,356
Lewisham Irish Pensioners Association 7,295 / 10,823
London Gypsy & Traveller Unit 65,007 / 96,450
London Irish Amateur Rugby Football Club 10,000 / 14,837
London Irish Music School 11,500 / 17,062
London Irish Pensioners Choir 2,000 / 2,967
London Irish Women's Centre 89,234 / 132,395
Luton Irish Forum 101,452/ 150,522
Manchester Irish Festival 15,000 / 22,255
Manchester Irish Language Group 700 / 1,039
Mansfield & Dukeries Association 7,800 / 11,573
Mazenod Social Community Club 6,450 / 9,570
Milton Keynes Irish Centre Limited 29,000 /43,027
New Horizon Youth Centre Ltd 35,941 / 53,325
NOAH Enterprise 141,789 /210,369
Northampton Irish Support Group 62,005 / 91,996
North Wales Irish Society 3,800 / 5,638
Nottingham St Patrick's Day Parade Association 8,000/ 11,869
Novas Ouvertures Group Ltd, Arlington House 64,578/ 95,813
Our Lady Help of Christians 55,402 / 82,199
Passage 2000 35,000/ 51,929
Pendle & District Irish Society 2,000 / 2,967
Queen's Park Senior Citizens Group 5,000 / 7,418
Rehab UK Teach na hÉireann Irish Elders Day Care Centre 74,911/ 111,144
Return to Ireland 96,000 / 142,433
Safe Start Foundation 99,000 / 146,884
Sandwell Irish Society 4,000/ 5,935
South London Irish Association 3,000/ 4,451
South London Irish Welfare Society 70,000/ 103,858
Southwark Irish Cultural & Arts Development Centre 7,000/ 10,386
Southwark Irish Pensioners Project 194,241/ 288,191
Southwark Irish Youth 12,500/ 18,546
St. Ann's Senior Citizens Club 3,000/ 4,451
St Michael's Irish Centre 71,784/ 106,504
St. Mungo's Community Housing Association 31,500/ 46,736
St Patrick's Festival Committee 6,500/ 9,644
St Patrick's Senior Tuesday Lunch Club 3,500/ 5,193
St Stephen's Irish Pensioners Project 3,000/ 4,451
St Theresa's House 29,495/43,761
Streetwork UK 30,000 /44,510
Tara Irish Pensioners 3,000 /4,451
The Connection at St Martin's 20,000 / 29,674
The Emerald Centre 40,525 /60,126
The Emerald Social Club 8,000/ 11,869
The Emerald Sports & Cultural Club 7,500/11,128
The Fireside Charity 38,669/57,372
The Halifax Irish Centre 10,000/14,837
The Hibernian Society 41,750/61,944
The Irish Arts Foundation 68,008/100,902
The Irish Chaplaincy in Britain 75,000/111,276
The London Irish Centre Charity 482,974/716,579
The Marian Senior Citizens Club 5,100/7,567
The Maya Centre 22,666/33,629
The Peckham Settlement 71,816/106,552
The Simon Community 16,170/23,991
Thursday Over 60s Club 1,000/1,484
Tyneside Irish Centre Ltd 16,000/23,739
Tyneside Irish Cultural Society Ltd 21,000/31,157
University of Central Lancaster 5,483/8,135
Yorkshire Federation of IDL Clubs 5,000/7,418
Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann - Provincial Council of Britain 134,518/199,582
Safe Home Programme Ltd 117,950/175,000
Provincial Council of Britain GAA 250,000/370,920
TOTAL 6,671,323 9,898,105
