Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government established the Shared Island Fund in Budget 2021, providing ring-fenced resourcing for delivery of the all-island investment commitments and objectives set out in the Programme for Government and the National Development Plan 2021-2030 (NDP).

The Shared Island Fund aims to create a more prosperous, connected and sustainable island. Under the NDP it has a funding envelope of €500 million between 2021 and 2025. The Fund provides significant new, multi-annual capital funding for investment on a strategic basis in collaborative North/South projects that will support the commitments and objectives of the Good Friday Agreement.

My Department in consultation with the Department of the Taoiseach manages draw down from the Shared Island Fund consistent with the capital allocations and commitments set out under the NDP. The total allocations set out for the Shared Island Fund in the NDP are increasing from €100 million in 2023 to €150 million in 2024, allowing for more projects to be supported next year.

Work is continuing in all Departments to develop new Shared Island investment, policy and co-operation projects, to implement Programme for Government objectives and revised NDP priorities on Shared Island. This is overseen by an inter-Departmental Group convened at Assistant Secretary General level and chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach.