Grants of $356,000 (€310,000) have been awarded by the Government to Irish immigrants groups in the United States.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is in New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly, announced the grants following a meeting with the Irish Immigration Working Committee.
The committee oversees the work of groups that help Irish people who get into difficulties on their arrival in the United States.
"These grant awards are a recognition of the excellent work by Irish immigration support groups across the United States in providing information, advice and support," Mr Cowen said.
The Government has allocated almost $4 million (€3.48 million) to US groups since 1990. The latest grants, which cover this year and 2004, are an increase of $56,000 (€48,700) over last year.
The centres to benefit are in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle and Washington DC.