Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. It is vital in light of Brexit. In Cavan and Monaghan county councils, PEACE offices play an integral and significant role in terms of delivery of community and social projects, and there is an economic benefit for all projects that are allocated PEACE funding. PEACE workers in Cavan and Monaghan county councils, such as Jane Crudden, have been instrumental in delivering on that due to their engagement with community groups and due to the community groups having the willingness and the foresight to take on the projects.

As we know, there is huge bureaucracy involved in regard to all of these projects. It is important that community groups are not burdened with further bureaucracy when it comes to securing funding, given these issues become more complicated and complex as we go on. I ask that the Minister commit to securing further funding and that there would be a positive bias towards the Border area.

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