Vol. 555 No. 3
178 Mr. O'Dowd asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there will be extra resources allocated from his Department to Drogheda in consideration of the massive population increase that now makes Drogheda the largest town in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18545/02]
The Department of Foreign Affairs does not have programmes which deal specifically with demographic change. However as the Deputy is no doubt aware, my Department has responsibility for the reconciliation fund for North-South and Anglo-Irish co-operation. The purpose of the fund is to assist organisations involved in reconciliation work and efforts to create better understanding between people in both parts of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain. I assure the Deputy that any applications from the Drogheda area which meet the eligibility requirements of the fund will receive due consideration.
