Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 April 2025
177. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Taoiseach those areas that will be supported by newly announced shared island funding; those who will be eligible to apply for funding; when applications for such will open. [19886/25]
View answerOn 10 April, I announced the new phase of the Government’s Shared Island Initiative in a keynote address to the 4th Shared Island Forum.
Our Programme for Government sets out an ambitious agenda for building a shared island, backed by a further €1 billion commitment to the Shared Island Fund out to 2035.
On 25 February, the Government announced over €50 million from the Shared Island Fund for new programmes over 2025-2030 on: sustainable tourism; arts and cultural heritage; civic society cooperation; and community-led nature restoration.
In addition, we have introduced targets for all Government Departments to bring forward new cooperation proposals that will implement our commitment to more strategic all-island investment and cooperation over the next five years.
Shared Island Fund allocations are made by the Government and taken forward by line Ministers and their Departments, working with Northern Ireland Executive and UK Government counterparts, and with local authority, education and civil society partners across the island.
Allocations are made to enable progress with priority projects and programmes that deliver on our Shared Island investment commitments and objectives under the programme for Government and National Development Plan.
Information on Shared Island funding programmes, including application dates and requirements, is published by the responsible line Department or Agency and an overview of all programmes is at www.gov.ie/sharedisland.
