Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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54. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the financial allocation being provided under the Reconciliation Fund for 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37910/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Reconciliation Fund, administered by my Department, was established in 1982 to support civil society organisations in creating a better understanding between the people and traditions of the island of Ireland, and also between Ireland and Britain. The Reconciliation Fund has supported almost 3,000 projects with more than €65 million in grant funding since then.

The overall budget for the Reconciliation Fund this year is €7.045m (up from €2.7 million in 2018) and the Programme for Government has committed to further increase this over the lifetime of the Government.

Earlier this month, I announced funding of over €4 million to date to over 170 projects that will be delivered by organisations working primarily in Northern Ireland, between and across communities and traditions, across a wide range of sectors – from education and culture, to legacy and community; from women to youth, to policy and academia. A full list of these successful organisations will be published on the Department's website in due course.

Last week, I announced a public consultation on the development of a new Reconciliation Fund Strategy. I am encouraging all those with an interest in the work of the Reconciliation Fund to submit their views by 1^st August. This is their chance to input into and shape this work.

A core aim of the new policy is to respond to the changing needs in the peace and reconciliation sector, as well as to reinforce the successful partnerships which have been forged in the past. I plan to launch the new strategy in the autumn.