Millions more pumped into promoting reconciliation in North

Over £10m (€10.8m) more is being pumped into promoting reconciliation and peace building in the North by the International Fund for Ireland.

The Fund announcement today came as the province showed its abhorrence at the recent murders of a policeman and two soldiers by dissident republicans at silent vigils in Belfast, Derry and Newry.

Almost £4m (€4.3m) will be used to promote sharing in education and £1.9m (€2.05m) to phase two of an existing scheme aimed at increasing the number of pupils taught in cross-community classes and to enable teachers, governors and parents from both communities to work collaboratively.

Another £1m (€1.08m) is going towards a shared education scheme in Co Fermanagh and almost £900,000 (€972,000) towards developing sharing in education for approximately 30 schools in the North Eastern Education Board area of the province.

IFI chairman Denis Rooney said: “The Fund is unapologetically focused on reaching out to young people and our investment in sharing in education is a testament to this.

“The next generation must view learning and living together as the norm if we are to take the monumental step towards our goal of a strong, sustainable and lasting peace for everyone across the island of Ireland.”

Money for the fund is donated by the US, Canada, EU, Australia and New Zealand.