Emigrant Support Programme grants announced

The government of Ireland have announced their Emgirant Support Programme grants for 2023.

A total of £6,230,284 has been disbursed among 107 organisations.

The biggest award goes to the London Irish Centre in Camden which gets £713, 230.

There are 16 organisations getting more than £100,000.

Here are the top 16 grants.

1.    London Irish Centre – £713,230 

2.    Irish in Britain £400,000 

3.    Irish Community Care – £397,025 

4.    Birmingham Irish Association £285,684 

5.    Leeds Irish Health and Homes £252,500 

6.    Irish Community Care Manchester £245,500 

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7.    Irish Cultural Centre Hammersmith £235,000 

8.    Irish Community Services £234,000 

9.    Luton Irish Forum £209,855 

10.            Ashford Place £204,180 

11.            Icap £201,338 

12.            Irish Elderly Advice Network £163,000 

      (also – Irish Pensioners’ Choir £10,500) 

13.            Southwark Irish Pensioners £150,726 

14.            The Traveller Movement £134,000 

15.            Lewisham Irish Community Centre  £105,313 

16.            The Emerald Centre £100,755 

Ireland’s Diaspora Minister Seán Fleming TD met members of the Irish community in Britain at the Embassy of Ireland to disburse £6.23 million in grants under the annual Emigrant Support Programme.

The largest single grant, by far, went to the London Irish Centre in Camden which received more than £700,000.

Mr Fleming said the Irish community in Britain “is still the largest Irish-born community outside of Ireland”.

He continued: “It is so important that the Irish Government, on behalf of the Irish people, continues to support our communities across England, Scotland and Wales and stays connected to Irish people who have made their home in Britain.

“There is virtually no aspect of British life that has not been enriched by contributions from the Irish community, whether it is through sport, music or community life.

“The Irish Government remains committed to supporting and engaging with the fantastic Irish community in Britain, as it has done since 1984.”

Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs, which is in charge of the grants, says more than £32m has been given to Irish orgnisations in Britain in the past five years.

It says the main focus for funding under the Emigrant Support Programme remains frontline welfare service providers that support elderly Irish emigrants, and other vulnerable members of our communities worldwide. 

It adds: “In more recent years the programme has also recognised the importance of strong and active Irish communities, funding projects which foster a sense of community, promoting vibrant networks and a sense of Irishness among the Irish abroad.”

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