Funding for the Irish Centre in London
Donnellan sought financial support for the new Irish Centre, citing its work with Irish people unable to find employment at home. The Minister praised the Centre and said assistance was under active examination, but gave no decision date.
I cannot understand the inconsistency of the Chair in this matter. The Chair got my name eventually even though I have a question tabled. I should like to ask the Minister to outline the amount of financial aid he is giving towards the building of the new Irish Centre in London. Is the Minister aware of the amount of good work being done by the organisation in London for people who cannot find employment here? Is the Minister further aware of the list of promises made by Irish politicians from both sides of the House, but more so by Fianna Fáil, of financial aid towards the cost of erecting a new Irish Centre in London? Is he aware that the people who perform these good deeds on behalf of the Irish community are completely frustrated by the lack of thought and attention being given to their cause by the Government?
Comment on this
I have no objection to answering the Deputy's question but I am in the Chair's hands. The Government and I are aware of the good work being done in the Irish Centre and we appreciate it. It is for that reason that the Government are actively considering ways and means of providing assistance, apart from the other areas of social assistance the Government are proposing to apply. It is not a simple matter of just transferring funds, because other problems arise in that context. I want to assure the Deputy and all concerned that this matter is under active examination. I welcome the Deputy's concern, because it gets us back to the young people as distinct from statistics.