Government announces funding for 10 new Shared Island projects
By Jonathan McCambridge, PA
Funding for 10 new cross-border projects has been announced by the Government through its Shared Island programme.
More than €50 million will be committed for the schemes, which include a new Dublin to Derry air service to start next year.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the projects would “improve people’s lives and strengthen connections across the island of Ireland”.
The projects announced following a meeting of the Cabinet on Tuesday are:
– €14 million for a new media initiative taken forward by Coimisiún na Meán.
– €5.9 million to develop cross-border emergency management capacity on flood response and technical rescue operations.
– €6 million for a new programme to engage with communities and the diaspora on the island’s heritage and culture.
– €14.5 million for an expanded Creative Ireland-Shared Island programme and for arts projects.
– €2 million to enable a new Dublin-Derry public service obligation air service to start in 2026.
– €2 million for a new greenways development fund.
– €6.4 million for a cross-border pilot regional cooperation programme on tackling Bovine TB.
– €2.3 million for commercialising research.
– €1.8 million to the All-Ireland pollinator plan.
– €1 million for the cross-border Partnership for Employment Services.
Mr Martin said: “A new Shared Island media programme will be launched next year to support sustained cross-border journalism and more programming content so that we can all know and understand more of what is happening and why it matters, north and south, not just at times of crisis, but every day.
“Fire and emergency services from north and south will deepen their co-operation to enhance capacity and training on management of flooding events and on technical search and rescue operations, building on our proud tradition of mutual support, and acting on the crucial need to plan for and respond to major emergencies together on this island.”
He added: “We are also establishing a new air link between Dublin and Derry, resourcing an expanded Creative Ireland-Shared Island programme and arts projects, supporting development of new cross-border greenways, and deepening co-operation in a number of areas with the Northern Ireland Executive.
“The Government has also today set out our Shared Island investment priorities across all sectors as part of the reviewed National Development Plan, backed by our total 2 billion euro commitment to the Shared Island Fund out to 2035.
“This is the Shared Island Initiative in action – working with ambition to establish greater connectivity, deepen co-operation and strengthen island-wide community understanding – to create a shared future together.”
Tanaiste Simon Harris said: “This investment further demonstrates our commitment to building a prosperous and more equal shared island for all.
“The funding announced today will ensure better outcomes for people in their daily lives, connecting people and places, co-ordinating emergency responses, protecting people’s livelihoods, enhancing people’s health and well-being, protecting our nature habitats and environment, and more.”
