Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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31. To ask the Taoiseach the level of funding under the national development plan provided under the shared island Initiative; if it is proposed to extend the range of projects eligible for consideration; and if he will ensure that the needs of Border communities North and South which were most disadvantaged over the years by the ongoing troubles will be given particular consideration for investment under the different schemes of this important Initiative. [43945/25]

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Government, through the Shared Island Initiative, is putting a sustained focus on building a shared, reconciled future for all communities on the island, and has driven a step change in island-wide investment cooperation.

The Programme for Government sets out an ambitious agenda for building a shared island, backed by a doubling of the resourcing available to the Shared Island Fund by a further €1 billion out to 2035, and this commitment is reflected in the National Development Plan 2025 Review.

The Shared Island strategic investment priorities set out in the National Development Plan 2021-2030 will continue to be implemented and are now expanded with objectives and commitments under the Programme for Government 2025. Shared Island investment is integrated with delivery of the Government’s overall public investment objectives including on Transport and Energy Infrastructure, Climate Action and Biodiversity Conservation and Competitiveness.

Government Departments have been tasked to bring forward further new Shared Island project proposals this year that can deliver strategic all-island investment and cooperation over the next five years.

This agenda is taken forward on a whole of Government basis and working through all-island partnerships, with Northern Ireland Executive and UK Government counterparts and with Local Authority, Education and Civil Society partners.

Earlier this year, on 25 February, the Government announced over €50 million from the Shared Island Fund for new programmes to run over 2025-2030 on sustainable tourism; arts and cultural heritage; civic society cooperation; and community-led nature restoration.

This includes up to €23 million towards a Shared Destinations programme to develop sustainable tourism amenities across the border region. With the iconic Narrow Water Bridge under construction, we are now supporting Tourism Agencies and Local Authorities to collaboratively develop the tourism opportunities this will bring for Carlingford Lough and the surrounding region. We are also investing in new amenities and promotion of the Cuilcagh Lakelands Geopark and the Sliabh Beagh region.