Ireland's Minister of State for Overseas Development Aid and Diaspora, Colm Brophy, is in New York Wednesday for a series of engagements at the United Nations Security Council, to meet Irish community organizations, and to announce funding of more than $1 million from the Irish government's Emigrant Support Programme to 24 Irish organizations in New York, the greater Tri-State Area, and Pennsylvania covering 2021-22.
Minister Brophy will take part in UN meetings focusing on conflict and illegal illegal exploitation of natural resources and he will also participate in the Security Council’s Annual Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security, which will focus on “Investing in Women in Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding."
"This is a priority issue for Ireland, including in the context of our term on the UN Security Council, where we have played a leading role," said a release accompanying the minister's visit.
Another priority covers the Irish community and Minister Brophy, at a meeting on Wednesday afternoon, will announce details of more than $1 million in new funding for the Irish community in New York, the greater Tri-State Area, and Pennsylvania.
Stated the release: "The Minister will meet local Irish Community leaders to thank them for the vital work they have done to support our Diaspora - especially the most vulnerable - over the difficult period of the Covid pandemic. The funding package will assist 24 organisations across the region and comes from the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme (ESP), run by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
"In 2021, the budget for the Emigrant Support Programme is €13,095,000. Particular priorities for this year included an emphasis on supporting organisations rebuilding their services post pandemic, as well as seeking to reach out to under-represented groups amongst our diaspora.
"Grants are focused on providing frontline welfare, information and advisory services to vulnerable Irish emigrants, to community, and capital projects.
"Funding for culture and heritage projects, including those aimed specifically at supporting the Irish language, music, the arts, highlighting the role of Irish women, diversity and encouraging intergenerational engagement among our diaspora, is also included in the package, as is support for business networks, which help Irish business people and professionals to connect with each other, and with others wishing to expand trade and investment to and from Ireland."
