During his visit to the U.S. last week, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheal Martin, announced more than $1.5 million in grants for Irish immigration organizations throughout the U.S.

Sixteen organizations that work with immigrants providing pivotal support, advice and programs have each benefited from the government grants.

The total allocation is $1,518,500. This brings the total grants for all Irish immigration and community organizations in the U.S. this year to $3,163,500.

Speaking after a meeting with the community organizations in New York, the Martin said, "I am delighted to be in a position to allocate funding once again this year from the government's Emigrant Support Services grants program to frontline Irish immigration organizations in the U.S. The government remains committed to supporting Irish communities overseas, particularly the most vulnerable members of those communities."

Mentioning the various services each of the centers provides, Martin added, "The Irish immigration organizations in the U.S. provide an invaluable service to the Irish communities."

Also grateful for the work the various centers and organizations do for the undocumented, Martin said, "The undocumented status remains an issue of the highest priority for the government and which I have raised with key U.S. legislators in the course of my visit."

There was $771,000 allocated to four centers and programs in New York, with the Emerald Isle Immigration Center receiving the most grant money at $196,000.

The Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR) received $50,000 to continue its efforts to lobby on behalf of the undocumented.

Announcing the funding for ILIR Martin said, "I am determined to continue the Government's strong commitment to finding a solution for this marginalized group of Irish citizens. The allocation of further significant funding is a clear demonstration of this commitment."

In Boston the Irish Immigration Center received $200,000, and the Irish Pastoral Center received $172,000.

Further afield, the Irish Immigration and Pastoral Center (IIPC) in San Francisco received $130,000 and the Irish Immigrant Support in Chicago received $110,000.

Earlier this year, grants were approved and announced to support the Kennedy Library in Boston ($1 million); the Irish Cultural Center in Canton, Massachusetts ($350,000); the American Irish Historical Society in New York ($255,000); the Irish Arts Center in New York ($20,000) and the Annie Moore Memorial in New York ($5,000).

Since the establishment of the Irish Abroad Unit in 2004, the Department of Foreign Affairs has allocated more than $8 million to Irish community centers and organizations in the U.S.