Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The funding is primarily capital. There is also a reconciliation fund, which is administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the PEACE fund, which is quite substantial. There is more than €1 billion in the PEACE fund, €500 million in the shared island fund and a number of millions in terms of the Department of Foreign Affairs budget for reconciliation and outreach to communities, particularly disadvantaged communities. My view is that we need to do more in respect of outreach to disadvantaged communities in the North, especially in loyalist communities. When I use the term "socioeconomic", I am speaking about the levels of unemployment. That applies in regard to the nationalist communities as well. I have consistently raised with the British Government, and will continue to raise, the need for very substantial investment in the area of early school leavers, school completion, progression to further education and third level education and the creation of opportunities for employment. Many young people live in areas where this does not exist at the moment. This is one of the areas that has not been sufficiently developed in the context of the Good Friday Agreement. I have long held that view. I would like to see a commitment over and above what we are already providing in collaboration with the British Government and the Northern Ireland Executive.