Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the matter of reconciliation, the whole objective and aim of the funding is to foster a spirit of reconciliation in areas where that has not been possible over the years. Since the fund was first established back in 1982, over €44 million has been disbursed to approximately 2,000 projects. It is important to stress that the International Fund for Ireland is focused on reconciliation rather than bricks and mortar. The emphasis is on community relationships rather than community buildings. That is very much evidenced by the improved climate in areas of polarisation in Belfast in particular but also throughout Northern Ireland. I had the opportunity to visit a cross-community project in west Belfast a number of weeks ago. I saw at first hand the type of work that is undertaken and the value for money therefrom. Similarly, before the agreement was reached, I had the opportunity to visit a number of projects in east Belfast. The level of funding to the reconciliation fund, at €2.7 million for this year and last year, is in line with the letter of the Good Friday Agreement. We cannot take for granted the huge amount of progress that has been made since the Good Friday Agreement, but obviously there is still important work to be done on the matter of reconciliation. In that regard, as well as politicians and church leaders providing a lead role, there is also a really important role for civil society in shaping a more cohesive society in Northern Ireland.

It is important to note that there are two funding rounds annually. The closing date for the current round is 6 March 2015. I often meet groups who would like to apply for funding but who do not have the information required to do so. In that context, I repeat that the closing date for applications for the current round of funding is 6 March. I would also like to make reference to the EU INTERREG IV programme, which should come on stream by mid-2015. That will comprise a sum of €300 million, which will ensure that many projects and programmes will be funded and will be in a position to make progress.

In response to Deputy Quinn's question about value for money, there is an ongoing process of ensuring accountability through auditing and making sure that moneys are being spent in a way that will bring communities together and that will involve the type of interaction that has proved impossible in the past. We are satisfied, on the basis of the funding, that the programmes are inclusive and that progress is being made over a wide range of issues. Often progress does not happen at the speed we would wish for, and some programmes do not produce the overnight dividends that are seen with certain other projects, but undoubtedly the funding that we provide plays a very important role in shaping a more reconciled society.