Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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105. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for an overview of PEACEPLUS to date; the specific benefits for Donegal arising from PEACEPLUS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16088/25]

Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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135. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for an update on the progress made on the cross-Border 2021-2027 PEACEPLUS programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16071/25]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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159. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the funding committed to date under PEACEPLUS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16067/25]

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 105, 135 and 159 together.

The PEACEPLUS programme has a total value of €1.1 billion and is funding projects across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland, including Donegal, until 2029. PEACEPLUS is co-funded by the Irish Government, the European Commission, the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive.

My Department has Member State responsibility for PEACEPLUS, working with the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland, and is joint sponsor for the Special EU Programmes Body, which manages the PEACEPLUS programme.

PEACEPLUS builds on the work of previous North South PEACE and INTERREG programmes, and was developed between 2019 and 2022, informed by two rounds of public consultation, including consultation in County Donegal.

Programme rollout is progressing well, with most investment areas over-subscribed. As at 28 March 2025, 96 projects have been awarded PEACEPLUS funding to the value of €869.5 million, representing around 81% of the total programme value.

PEACEPLUS is funding regional development projects across a diverse range of investment areas, including skills, education, transport, and socio-economic regeneration. This funding will benefit people right across the programme area, including in Donegal and the structure of the programme means that there are multiple opportunities for Donegal to benefit from PEACEPLUS.

Donegal County Council was approved for a funding allocation of €7.6 million for its PEACEPLUS Action Plan, which will deliver 32 projects, centered around 3 core themes: Community Regeneration and Transformation; Thriving and Peaceful Communities; and Building Respect for all Cultural Identities. This Plan was co-designed with local communities and will support projects across all electoral areas in Donegal, to ensure that the benefit reaches to all parts of the county.

The Riverine Community Park Project, developed by Donegal County Council in partnership with Derry City and Strabane District Council, has been awarded €16.7 million of PEACEPLUS funding. This project will transform 30 acres between Lifford and Strabane into a biodiverse shared parkland with a community pavilion and accessible play spaces, connected by a cross-border footbridge.

I would also like to draw your attention to the Small Grants/Changemaker Grants element of PEACEPLUS. These Grants are geared towards smaller organisations and will provide grants of between €10,000 and €100,000 to cross-border or cross-community projects. The Changemaker Grants are due to launch in the coming weeks. I would urge community groups in Donegal to consider applying for Changemaker Grant funding.