Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Question 8: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there is funding available to assist a person (details supplied) in the two cross-Border cross-community projects that he has undertaken and that have been crucial in promoting reconciliation and overcoming prejudice and mistrust between communities on both sides of the Border; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21688/09]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Department is not in receipt of an application from the individual in question so it is not possible to make a grant payment. I will use the occasion of the question to point out the processes.

The Department funds cross-community and cross-Border projects through its reconciliation and anti-sectarianism funds. The purpose of these funds is to assist organisations involved in reconciliation work and efforts to create better understanding between people on the island of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain.

Applications submitted to the Department are initially considered by an interdepartmental committee made up of representatives from the Departments of the Taoiseach, Foreign Affairs, Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and Education and Science. Since 1999, the Department has awarded grants totalling approximately €27 million to over 800 projects encompassing a wide range of cross-community and cross-Border reconciliation activities. Details of the application process http://www.dfa.ie/are outlined on the Department's website.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I have supplied to the details of this particular individual to the Minister of State. Is there a programme whereby if he applies, funding will be available?

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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That is precisely what I am saying. There is a process for applications, which are initially considered by an interdepartmental committee. As I have mentioned, some 800 projects have received funding. I am grateful for the details supplied by the Deputy but the individuals have not made a formal application to date. If they wish to do so, it will be considered.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Are there particular guidelines on what would qualify? Would the Minister of State give some guidance to the applicant on what he could apply under? If he does not have the information available now, perhaps he could forward it to me.

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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There are guidelines and there is an application process for the two funds available to the Department. They are outlined on the Department of Foreign Affairs website at www.dfa.ie. If the individuals mentioned by the Deputy have any difficulties or need any further clarification, my office would be delighted to provide it.