€816,000 allocated to cross-border initiatives

A total of €816,000 is to be paid out to cross-border community groups in a range of new grants from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The money is coming from the department's Reconciliation Fund and is going to 33 different groups involved in cross-community outreach and reconciliation programmes.

Among the initiatives to benefit are the Irish Peace Institute in Limerick and the Pat Finucane Centre for Human Rights and Social Change in Derry.

Sporting organisations, arts and youth groups are also included in the list of beneficiaries.

Almost €21m has already been paid out to groups from the fund.