Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 May 2026
159. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if her attention has been drawn to a project awarded funding under the Shared Island Civic Society Fund (details supplied); the mechanisms in place to support groups in securing a home for their project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35948/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra160. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will facilitate a meeting with a group awarded funding under the Shared Island Civic Society Fund (details supplied), specifically in relation to finding a suitable place to locate their project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35949/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra161. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there is any flexibility or extensions regarding the timeframe for drawdown available to groups awarded funding under the Shared Island Civic Society Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35950/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 159 to 161, inclusive, together.
Since its launch in 2023, the Shared Island Civic Society Fund (SICSF) has provided over €5 million supporting 171 projects across the island of Ireland to encourage practical North-South cooperation and engagement. The Fund is now in its second, three-year cycle, which will run until 2027, with an annual budget of €2 million.
In relation to the specific project highlighted, in December 2025 a grant of €40,755 was awarded to the All Island World War 1 Relatives Group for the construction of a memorial sculpture. In the Letter of Offer from my Department, it was stated that the grant was being awarded on the basis of the organisation securing a permanent location for the sculpture, and that no sculpture should be commissioned until such time as a the location had been secured. The letter also stated that should a location not be secured in the 12 months of the 2025 grant round, the grant funding will be returned to the DFAT. DFAT itself has no role in securing a site.
My Department will continue to engage with the All Island World War 1 Relatives Group and will ensure that funding is disbursed promptly, if and when a site is identified by the Group.
