Minister Cowen announces almost €1.5 million for Reconciliation Groups

Minister Cowen announces almost €1.5 million for Reconciliation Groups

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Brian Cowen T.D., today announced the allocation of grants totalling €1,484,250 from the Department of Foreign Affairs' Reconciliation Fund. The grants are being made to 44 organisations involved in a range of cross-community and cross-border outreach and reconciliation programmes.

Announcing the grants, Minister Cowen said:
“The Irish Government greatly values the contribution of these organisations. Their quiet determination is bringing positive change and tangible benefit to their communities. Their outreach work and community building, which continues, often in challenging circumstances, is helping to promote trust and to consolidate the peace.

These organisations need and deserve our support for their dedicated efforts. The grants awarded today are a further expression of the Government’s commitment to the values of partnership and reconciliation, which are at the heart of the Good Friday Agreement.

I am pleased, therefore, to be able to announce today the allocation of grant assistance totalling €1,484,250 from my Department's Reconciliation Fund.”

Note for Editors:

The Reconciliation Fund, established in the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1982, provides assistance to organisations involved in reconciliation work to create a better understanding between people in both parts of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain. Since 1999, the Department of Foreign Affairs has awarded grants of almost €13.8 million to some 450 groups involved in a wide range of cross-community and cross-border reconciliation and outreach activities. The grants announced today are the second tranche of the overall allocation by the Government for 2004. It is envisaged that another tranche of funding will be announced before the end of this year.
Details of the grants announced are attached.

+++ENDS
24 August 2004
Press Office

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