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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 Jun 1984

Vol. 352 No. 5

Written Answers. - Funding for Voluntary Groups.

344.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the special funding that has been made available to voluntary groups and bodies engaged in promoting understanding and reconciliation between all creeds and classes, particularly young people in both parts of this island.

A fund to promote North-South and Anglo-Irish co-operation was established in 1982 under the vote of my Department. This fund was established to assist organisations involved in reconciliation both within Ireland and between Britain and Ireland. Four organisations have benefited this year. £40,000 has been allocated to Co-operation North, £20,000 to the Glencree Centre for Reconciliation, £20,000 has been made available to the Irish School of Ecumenics and £10,000 to the Between organisation in Cork.

In addition, new schemes have been set up under the auspices of other Government Departments and agencies. The Department of Labour in co-operation with the National Youth Council of Ireland administers a north-south youth exchange scheme whereby grants are paid to eligible youth groups which are affiliated to the national governing bodies of youth organisations to help defray the cost of accommodation and travel when visiting their colleagues North or South. The amount spent in 1983 was £20,000. The Youth Employment Agency has approved grant assistance towards the establishment of a trainee exchange programme by the youth and community exchange trust. In the first year, £55,000 is being made available towards the cost of administering the trust. Support for the exchange programme will be available from AnCO and from the Department of Economic Development in Belfast through the payment of the operational expenses of the scheme.

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