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The Minister for Arts, Heritage Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Heather Humphreys TD, has today (Friday) confirmed an increase of 27% in funding for cultural projects which support co-operation with Northern Ireland.

€250,000 in current funding has been allocated to supporting co-operation with Northern Ireland, including dedicated funding of €100,000 to the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland and €150,000 in funding for the Cooperation with Northern Ireland scheme, which will be launched in the first quarter of 2017.

Speaking today Minister Humphreys said:"Irish culture extends across the whole island of Ireland and my Department provides direct funding for the Cooperation with Northern Ireland scheme, which will be extended in 2017. It provides assistance for small scale cultural projects benefiting both North and South. There was a very high level of demand for the scheme in 2016 and I am sure there will be a similar appetite for the scheme when it opens in the first quarter of 2017.

“I am particularly delighted to provide a dedicated funding line for the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland, which is an ongoing peace initiative composed of exceptionally talented young musicians from all over Ireland – North and South. This time last year, the CBOI helped us set the right tone by performing the opening concert of the centenary year. It is a tremendous organisation and I am pleased to be able to increase its level of support for 2017.”