Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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2. To ask the Taoiseach if his Department will consider the joint proposal from Donegal County Council and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council for financial support from the Shared Island fund to invest in important community amenities in their council areas. [66770/25]

Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)
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Our Programme for Government commits to working with local authorities across the island to advance projects on an all-island basis. This has been and remains an important feature of the Shared Island Initiative to date, including through the Shared Island Local Authority Development Scheme, and as part of the Community Climate Action and Creative Ireland programmes.

Local authorities’ knowledge of local context, delivery of local services, and strong working relationships at regional levels means they are well-placed to take forward impactful cooperation projects, working with relevant Departments and Agencies, North and South.

The Shared Island Fund supports delivery of Shared Island investment objectives, as set out in the Programme for Government, and in the National Development Plan Shared Island Sectoral Investment Plan that was published on 18 November.

Shared Island investment priorities are taken forward by Ministers and their Departments, working with Northern Ireland Executive and British Government counterparts, and with local authority, education and civil society partners across the island.

Consideration of any proposal for the Shared Island Fund is a matter for the relevant line Minister and Department in the first instance, with reference to sectoral policy, all relevant funding sources and developing impactful cooperation with Northern Ireland counterparts.

My Department’s Shared Island Unit recently met with Donegal County Council and Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, and discussed this process, and will continue to regularly engage with Local Authorities across the island on opportunities to develop and deliver projects on a cooperative basis as part of the Shared Island Initiative.