Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2017
485. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of funding for the Centre for Cross Border Studies; the funding it has received in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37813/17]
View answer486. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that funding from the Northern Executive for the Centre for Cross Border Studies has been halted due to the lack of a functioning Executive; if he has been in contact with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland regarding same; his plans to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37814/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 485 and 486 together.
I am very familiar with the work of the Centre for Cross Border Studies which has an excellent track record for encouraging the development of North-South co-operation. I am very pleased that my Department, through our Reconciliation Fund, has provided over €230,000 to the Centre since 2001.
The Centre for Cross Border Studies is currently being funded for a project to develop their existing “Border People” website which provides citizens in both Ireland and Northern Ireland with practical information regarding cross-border mobility issues as well as the likely implications of Brexit on the border region.
Cross border work such as this is crucial for the border economy and for the island as a whole to benefit from the gains of the peace process. Building and maintaining relationships, and working in a spirit of co-operation, North and South, is also key to mitigating the negative impacts of Brexit for our people, and the Centre for Cross Border Studies is also playing an important role in that work.
I have recently received correspondence from the Director of the Centre for Cross Border Studies in Armagh about the funding of the Centre and this is currently under consideration in my Department. I have not discussed this specific matter with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
|
Year |
Amount |
Project Title |
|
2014 |
€10,000 |
“The Sir George Quigley Memorial Project: Prospects for the All-Island Economy 2020 and Beyond” |
|
2015 |
€50,000 |
“Border People Project” |
|
2015 |
€10,000 |
“2016 Annual CCBS Conference: Bordering Between Unions – What Does the UK Referendum on Europe Mean for Us?” |
|
2017 |
€8,400 |
“Border People Project” |
Detailed lists of the Reconciliation Fund grants awarded are available on the Department’s website www.dfa.ie/about-us/funding/reconciliation-fund/.
