Minister Cowen announces £765,520 for groups promoting Reconciliation

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Brian Cowen T.D., today announced the allocation of grants totalling £765,520 from the Department of Foreign Affairs' Reconciliation Fund. The grants were made to over 15 organisations involved in a wide range of cross-community, educational, research and outreach activities.

Announcing the grants, Minister Cowen said:

"The Good Friday Agreement recognises and values the work being done by so many organisations to develop reconciliation and mutual respect between and within communities and traditions, in Northern Ireland and between North and South, and sees such work as having a vital role in consolidating peace and political agreement.

These grants are a direct response by the Irish Government to the commitment made in the Agreement to enhance financial assistance for the work of reconciliation by these groups. I know that the unwavering commitment and personal dedication displayed by so many organisations and individuals acts as a constant source of inspiration to all the participants of the Agreement as they continue to work together to achieve its full implementation and to consolidate peace."

Note for editors:

The Reconciliation Fund, established in the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1982, provides assistance to organisations involved in reconciliation work and creating better understanding between people in both parts of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain. It was increased eight-fold in 1999 to £2 million. This is the first tranche of funding made this year. Recipients of the grants announced by the Minister today include:

Co-operation Ireland; one of the premier NGOs involved in promoting North/South links for the past 20 years: allocated £350,000.

Feile an Phobail, Belfast; promoting reconciliation among the people of West Belfast and beyond through the showcasing of cultural events within the area: allocated £110,000.

Glencree Centre for Reconciliation; providing facilities for cross-border and cross-community groups to build peace and manage conflict: allocated £100,000.

Churches in Co-operation, Derry; an inter-church organisation involving people from across the religious divide to meet local community needs: allocated £40,000.

Maiden City Festival, Derry; organised to reach out to all sides of the community through education and the promotion of cultural activities: allocated £35,000.

Naiscoil an Loiste Uir; which promotes cross-community interaction and community relations in North Belfast: allocated £30,000.

DergFinn Partnership; pivotal in advancing the reconciliation process through the provision of cross-border programmes for community workers: allocated £20,000.

Speedwell Trust, Dungannon, bringing together over 15,000 young people, and their teachers and parents annually on a cross-community and cross-border basis: allocated £16,000.

Geography Publications, UCD, for the promotion of reconciliation through academic research based around the regional history of Armagh and Tyrone: allocated £15,000.

Foyle Search & Rescue Group, Derry; committed to advancing cross-community and cross-border reconciliation through its voluntary community service: allocated £12,000.

North West Portadown Working Group; promoting economic and social prospects for the Garvaghy Road through cross-community and cross-border interaction: allocated £10,000.

Omagh Churches Forum; contributing to building mutual understanding and respect between the different churches and the communities: allocated £10,000.

Iona Trust Community Playschool, Co. Derry; providing integrated schooling to children from both communities and on a cross-border basis: allocated £7,500.

St. Mary's High School, Lurgan; to develop and maintain links with other schools, both North and South: allocated £4,000.

Limerick International Band Festival; building real friendships between bands on a cross-border basis: allocated £2,500.

Omagh Bomb Anniversary Committee, Buncrana; established to build solidarity between single identity and cross-community groups from all over Ireland, Great Britain and further afield: allocated £1,520

Ballyroan & Drumcree Friendship Group; bringing children from Drumcree to Dublin on annual holiday during July: allocated £1,000

Tipperary Peace Convention; carrying out very worthwhile activities towards the promotion of reconciliation, north and south and between Ireland and England, including the presentation of a peace award to Senator George Mitchell this summer: allocated £1,000.Top