There was a boost for sports, heritage and culture yesterday when the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern, announced the highest funding ever for 142 organisations providing support and advisory services benefiting Irish people and communities in Britain.
Announcing that he expected the Dion Grants this year to reach £6 million (€8.7 million), the Minister told a reception at the Irish Embassy that this represented an increase of a quarter on last year's funding and double the amount available in 2004.
Mr Ahern said the Government continued to attach the highest priority to supporting the more vulnerable members of the Irish community in Britain, and welcomed the work being done to assist older members.
"Their needs, and the importance of meeting them, are a clear priority. Many of the organisations receiving funding this year cater for the elderly, ranging from informal community networking for senior citizens to professional organisations that offer a range of services." The Government would continue to support Irish organisations in this invaluable work, he said.
The Minister also noted with satisfaction that more organisations in more places were being supported this year, many for the first time. The additional funding meant a much wider range of initiatives could be supported including community organisations active in social, heritage and sporting areas.
While the bulk of the funding (77 per cent) continued to go to welfare projects, significant funding was also being directed at sporting groups, particularly the GAA, which is receiving £250,000 in grants to organisations and clubs promoting Gaelic games in Britain.
Following lunch at the embassy, Mr Ahern travelled to Arlington House, in Camden, north London, which opened as a hostel for working men in December 1905 and is marking its centenary year this year.
It continues as an important resource for the homeless in London, providing accommodation for 220 men, a third of whom are Irish.