Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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112. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the International Fund for Ireland has decided not to support the Wider Horizons Project that has over the past 25 years brought more than 17,000 unemployed persons both Catholic and Protestant from the north to Pittsburgh and elsewhere in the USA to live and learn together; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21088/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The International Fund for Ireland is an Independent International Organisation and it would be inappropriate for me to comment on a decision of its Board. The Wider Horizons Programme was one of very many successful programmes that the Fund supported over that time. All of these programmes would not have been possible without the support of the international donors to the Fund, the United States, the European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand to whom we should all be very thankful. I understand the Fund is operating with significantly reduced resources and this, coupled with changes in Northern Ireland, requires it to adapt its approach. Regrettably despite the remarkable progress made to secure peace on the island of Ireland, some work is still required in those communities that have not previously, or only partially, engaged in peace building and reconciliation activities. Based on the need for this additional intervention the Fund has developed a strategic framework for the period 2012-2015 which has three specific elements which will target very specific areas and groups with a view to embedding the Peace Process in communities that to date have not fully engaged with it. I understand that the Fund will formally launch its new strategy shortly and I will arrange for a copy to be furnished to Deputy Martin