Approval of almost £10 million in funding for 276 projects in the Border counties to foster peace and reconciliation has been announced by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern. The package, part of an EU special programme for peace and reconciliation, brings to more than £30 million the total provided since 1996.
The announcement of money to go to Cos Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo was made at a ceremony in Lisdoonan, Co Monaghan, last night. It was also confirmed that the European Commission is to add a further £78 million to the programme for 1999. This was "as an immediate response to the Good Friday Agreement", said the director of the EC office in Ireland, Mr Colm Larkin.
Area Development Management (ADM) and the Combat Poverty Agency (CPA) are jointly responsible, as intermediary bodies, for administering programme funds. The programme provides funding support to projects which promote reconciliation within counties on both sides of the Border.
Initiatives such as the programme for peace and reconciliation and the good work of ADM and the CPA could "engender a spirit of trust and a sense of people working together in the interest of their common good", Mr Ahern said.