Survivors of mother and baby homes living in Britain will be among those to benefit from a £5 million support package for Irish community groups.
Announcing the new funding in London on Thursday, Minister of State for the Diaspora Colm Brophy said it be distributed to 99 organisations across Britain.
“In addition to the traditional project supports, I am particularly glad to be able to make a contribution to those organisations that work with survivors of the mother and baby homes resident in Britain. This new funding is in addition to that being considered in the broader redress scheme,” he said.
Mr Brophy also announced the extension of Ireland’s EU Digital Covid Travel Certificate to cover vaccinated Irish passport holders resident in Britain.
He said the reopening of travel between Britain and Ireland was especially welcome for Irish people abroad who wish to come home for Christmas this year.
“The sacrifices and sadness of so many in our Diaspora who have not been able to travel home to visit family and friends for so long is something I am deeply conscious of.
“For that reason, I am pleased to confirm the extension of Ireland’s Digital Covid Travel Certificate to include Irish Passport holders in the UK. This will facilitate travel across Europe for our British based Diaspora,” he said.
