Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 November 2017
172. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the expenditure on the peace and reconciliation fund and the full year cost of increasing expenditure by 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50956/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Reconciliation Fund, which is administered by my Department, was established in 1982 to support civil society organisations in creating better understanding between the people and traditions of the island of Ireland, and also between Ireland and Britain. Over €48 million has been allocated to over 2,000 projects. As part of the 2014 Stormont House Agreement, the Government committed to the continued allocation of €2.7 million annually to the Reconciliation Fund. If funding were increased in 2018 by the percentages indicated by the Deputy, the allocation would amount to:
|
If increased by: |
Amount would be: |
|
Plus 5 per cent |
€2.835 million |
|
Plus 10 per cent |
€2.97 million |
|
Plus 15 per cent |
€3.105 million |
|
Plus 20 per cent |
€3.24 million |
Any significant increases in funding would also need to take account of the level of staffing resources required to ensure the continued effective operation of the Reconciliation Fund.
More information on the Reconciliation Fund and details of the application process are available on the Department’s website: https://www.dfa.ie/about-us/funding/reconciliation-fund/.
