Mayo Emigrant Liaison Committee has secured £12,000 in Government funding to run an inaugural seminar in the Welcome Inn, Castlebar, on Tuesday, September 18th. The seminar's aim is to highlight the needs of both emigrants abroad and those who have opted, or wish, to return home.
"Project Ireland 2001" has also secured a week's holiday in Mayo for 100 needy emigrants and their organisers.
The seminar will be officially opened by the President, Mrs McAleese. Speakers include Mr Dermot Ahern, Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, former EU commissioner Mr Padraig Flynn, and Mr James Maloney, chairman of Mayo County Council.
FAS, the Western Health Board, the VEC and returned emigrants will also provide input.
The speakers will be followed by an open forum and relevant information will be available at stands on which officials will answer queries.
The Mayo branch of the Irish Emigrant Liaison Committee was established in September 1999. The general aims of the committee are "to give recognition to the past contribution of all Irish emigrants to their homeland . . . to raise awareness of their needs" and "to target these needs as effectively as possible".
The committee's establishment of a support group for returned emigrants has helped to highlight the difficulties experienced by those returning to Ireland. The project aims to alleviate some of these problems and to heighten public awareness of the nation's "moral debt".
A packed programme has been organised for the 100 emigrants and their organisers who will stay for one week in the Western Pride Holiday Village, Ballinrobe. The group comprises a crosssection of needy emigrants who come from Leeds, Birmingham, Manchester, Coventry and the Simon Community in London.
The group will travel to Knock for a special ceremony to honour the late Father Joe Taafe, former director of the Irish Welfare Centre in Birmingham. Their holiday also includes a visit to Ballintubber Abbey, a cruise on the Corrib and a tour of Hennigan's Heritage Farm in Killasser. Funding for the holiday has been raised through sponsorship and private donations. For further information, telephone 094-38937.