Cathal Crowe
Question:11. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Taoiseach if he will provide an overview of the Shared Island programme since its launch in 2020; the funding provided to each project; and the initiatives supported. [37049/23]
View answerTuesday, 25 July 2023
Questions (11)
Written answers
As provided for in the Programme for Government, we are progressing the Shared Island initiative, to benefit the whole island by working with all communities and traditions for a shared future, underpinned by the Good Friday Agreement.
The Government has so far allocated almost €250m from the Shared Island Fund for all-island projects. With this resourcing we are moving ahead with long-standing commitments and new investments that meet the objectives on Shared Island under the Programme for Government and the revised National Development Plan.
On 20 June, the Government announced that a further €56m had been allocated from the Shared Island Fund, to move forward with a range of substantial cross-border investments. The major project is the commitment of €44.5m for construction of a new teaching building at Ulster University’s campus in Derry. Allocations were also agreed by Government for new all-island projects on the bioeconomy, to provide respite care for children diagnosed with cancer, and to complete the tender for the Narrow Water Bridge.
We also continue to progress the Shared Island Dialogue series with almost 3,000 citizens and civic representatives participating to date. The dialogues are considering how, in practical ways we can better share this island into the future. Most recently, a dialogue was held on 16 June at Dublin City University on the role of education in connecting communities across the island of Ireland. 150 education, civil society and political representatives from North and South participated.
On 20 June, Government also announced the establishment of a new Youth Forum as part of the Shared Island initiative. This will commence in September and hear from young people across all communities on their vision and values for the future of this island.
The Shared Island unit is commissioning a wide-ranging research programme, providing high-quality evidence and analysis on the whole island, and the opportunities and challenges around deepening cooperation and connections in the years ahead. There have been more than 20 publications to date, with work undertaken by research partners including the National Economic and Social Council, Economic and Social Research Institute, Standing Conference on Teacher Education North South, and Irish Research Council.
A full list of Shared Island Fund allocations to date is provided in tabular format below and further information on all elements of the initiative is available at www.gov.ie/sharedisland .
Tabular information:
|
Shared Island Fund allocations (€m) as at May 2023 |
€m |
|
Phases 2 and 3 of the Ulster Canal restoration contribution Taken forward by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage |
47 |
|
Narrow Water Bridge preparing and completing project tender Taken forward by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage |
5 |
|
North South Research Programme contribution (funding rounds 1 and 2, 2022-2027) Taken forward by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science |
50 |
|
All-Island Co-Centres for Research and Innovation contribution Taken forward by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science |
20 |
|
Electric Vehicle charging point scheme for Sports Clubs across the island Taken forward by the Minister for Transport |
15 |
|
Shared Island dimension to Community Climate Action Programme Taken forward by the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications |
3 |
|
Shared Island Local Authority development funding scheme Taken forward by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage |
5 |
|
All-island biodiversity actions on peatlands restoration and biosecurity Taken forward by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage |
11 |
|
Shared Island Civic Society Fund contribution Taken forward by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs |
2 |
|
Shared Island dimension to Creative Ireland and cultural heritage projects Taken forward by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media |
8 |
|
All-Island arts capital investment projects Taken forward by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media |
7.4 |
|
Cross-border tourism brand collaboration and marketing initiative Taken forward by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media |
7.6 |
|
Cross-border innovation hub Taken forward by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage |
12 |
|
Ulster University Derry campus teaching building Taken forward by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science |
44.5 |
|
All-island bioeconomy demonstrator facilities Taken forward by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine |
7 |
|
Respite therapeutic centre for children diagnosed with cancer and their families Taken forward by the Minister for Health |
2.5 |
|
Total |
€247m |