Emigrant Support Programme (2010 Grant Round) 

The Department of Foreign Affairs provides financial support through its Emigrant Support Programme to organisations which are engaged in the delivery of services to members of Irish communities overseas.

The majority of funding from the Emigrant Support Programme goes to support organisations which provide welfare information and advisory services to Irish citizens living abroad, particularly those who are most vulnerable and marginalised, including the elderly. In recent years, the Programme has expanded to support capital, community and heritage projects which foster a greater sense of identity and belonging within Irish communities and strengthen their links with Ireland.

The Irish Abroad Unit works very closely with our Embassies and Consulates all over the world, particularly in those countries with the largest Irish communities - Britain, the United States, Australia, Canada and New Zealand - on the allocation and monitoring of grants made under the programme to ensure the achievement of value for money through economy, efficiency and effectiveness.

2010 Grant Round

In 2009, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Michéal Martin T.D. approved grants totalling €5 million (US$7 million) to organisations based in the US, details of which can be found here.  

Any queries on the operation of the programme in the US may be directed to the Embassy or to the nearest Consulate General in New York, Boston, Chicago, or San Francisco.

The Emigrant Support Programme 2010 Grant round opened for applications on 8th March 2010.  The deadline for applications is 15 April 2010.

Applicants are requested to read the Overview of the Emigrant Support Programme before submitting their application. 

A complete list of questions contained on the 2010 grant application form is available here.  

Proceed to the on-line application.

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Minister Martin Launches the Global Irish Network

04/02/2010

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Micheál Martin has officially launched the government’s Global Irish Network.  Speaking at the launching event in the Irish Embassy in London Minister Martin said: 

“At the Global Irish Economic Forum, I proposed that a new Global Irish Network would be established, through which Government could maintain and develop its relationship with the global Irish business community. I am now delivering on this commitment.

The establishment of The Global Irish Network will honour the Government’s commitment at Farmleigh to listen to and work with those who, though mainly resident abroad, continue to have a strong interest and stake in Ireland and its progress.”

The Global Irish Network brings together for the first time some 280 individuals from different regions and different sectors, who all share a strong connection to Ireland and have a record of high achievement in international business or have assisted in the promotion of Ireland abroad through their prominence in the cultural or sporting worlds.” 

For further details, click here.

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RTÉ Player International 

RTÉ has launched a comprehensive international online TV catch-up service (RTÉ Player) for those with an Irish connection living abroad.

Worldwide audiences can now catch-up on RTÉ Television programmes for up to 21 days through an integrated online media player.  The international version of the RTÉ Player carries a range of programmes that have been cleared for international audiences.

Content available includes all RTÉ News and Current Affairs programming (eg: Prime Time, The Frontline, Nationwide), flagship entertainment programming (eg: The Late Late Show), documentaries and a range of arts and music programming, including The View.

Subject to rights clearance in 2010, sports content available for catch-up will include League of Ireland matches and Monday Night Soccer in March.  Rugby Extra, which gives extended post-match analysis of Ireland's RBS 6-Nations matches will be available in February.  As the GAA season returns in May, The Sunday Game will be available on RTÉ Player.  There will also be basketball, boxing, greyhound racing, the RDS Dublin Horse Show and a host of special events available throughout the year.

In addition to the catch-up services, News Now, RTÉ's 24 hour live and looped online news service will be also available to global audiences.

For further details, please click here. 

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Work and travel in Ireland

In 2008 the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Micheál Martin T.D., signed an agreement with the US Government that will enable Irish and US citizens to work and travel in each other's countries for up to 12 months. The agreement reflects not only the close historical and cultural links between Ireland and the United States of America, but also the vibrancy of the modern economic and commercial relationship between our countries.

In order to qualify for the programme participants should be either in post-secondary education or have recently graduated (ie within the last 12 months).

This new programme will not affect the operation of the highly successful Student Work and Travel programme which permits students from the US and Ireland to work and travel for several months every summer. This J1 programme will continue to exist as a separate, more limited programme.

HOW TO APPLY?  

US citizens wishing to travel to Ireland under the terms of the agreement should make an application for a US Working Holiday Authorisation at the Embassy of Ireland in Washington or the Consulates General of Ireland in Boston, Chicago, New York and San Francisco. Please click here for contact details.