€2m Shared Island Funding for Narrow Water Bridge

The Irish Government has announced €2m funding for the completion of the tender stage of the proposed Narrow Water Bridge between Warrenpoint and County Louth. It is part of €56m announced today by Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar.

In November 2022 the Government decided to proceed with a tender process for the Narrow Water Bridge project a bridge that will link Warrenpoint to County Louth via an opening bridge that will allow tall ships and yachts full access to Newry Ship Canal and the Albert Basin in the city. The Tender process was commenced by Louth County Council in April and is due to conclude in October. The project is overseen by the Department for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, working with Louth County Council and in consultation with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.

The big winner today was Derry with up to €44.5m Shared Island funding to expand Ulster University’s Derry campus. Other areas announced were a Youth Forum, agricultural and marine innovation and a children's cancer respite unit.

Youth Forum

The new Youth Forum is being organised by the Department of the Taoiseach in partnership with the National Youth Council of Ireland, as part of the Shared Island initiative. The Forum will comprise up to 80 young people, aged 18-25 from across all communities, meeting 6 to 8 times over a 12-month period at locations across the island. The first meeting will be on 8 September in Dublin Castle. 

Forum meetings will focus on themes of common interest shaped by the members. It is envisaged that the Forum will produce an outcome document to inform and inspire broader discussions on a shared future for all communities on the island of Ireland. 

Nominations to the Forum are currently being sought by the Department from youth, civic and community organisations, in cooperation with the National Youth Council of Ireland and partners in Northern Ireland. 

Bio based innovation

€7m Shared Island Funding is being allocated to the total cost for construction of two bioeconomy demonstrator facilities to support integration of bio-based innovation in the agriculture and marine sectors across the island. A facility will operate in each jurisdiction and at least 50% of Shared Island resourcing will be for project delivery in Northern Ireland. 

The Department for Agriculture, Food and Marine is bringing together the overall funding package for the project, which will be progressed through a competitive funding call later this year, run in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland.

Children's Cancer Respite and Therapeutic Centre

€2.5m Shared Island Funding is being allocated for a new respite and therapeutic centre for children diagnosed with cancer and their families from across the island.

The project is aligned with the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 and will complement and add to existing North/South cooperation on cancer care. 

inspire

Making today’s announcements, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD said “This investment in Ulster University marks a step-change in higher education in the North West. It will help to transform education in the region, and in the medium term will foster new jobs and economic growth. The new teaching and student services building will help to grow student numbers and enhance higher education. It also fulfils our commitment under the New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) agreement to invest in the Derry campus. I am also excited about the new Youth Forum which starts in September as part of the Shared Island initiative. This aims to harness the experience for young people of growing up in an era of peace, with the goal of helping them relate to and understand each other unburdened by divisions of the past. We hope their vision and values for how we share this island across all communities will inspire us all.

“The Government is keen to work with a new Executive, once formed, and with the UK Government to fund other investments that will benefit the North West and border regions, and the island as a whole.”

Deepen links

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin TD, said “The investment decisions made today under the Shared Island Initiative will further deepen the people to people links across this island, including in such important areas as health and education – things which impact so much on the day to day lives of us all.” 

“The Shared Island Initiative is forward looking and optimistic for the future of this island. I am ambitious for the island and for the Initiative, and look forward to continued investment in building a connected, prosperous and sustainable island, a great place for all the communities who call it home.”

Shared future

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O'Gorman TD, said "The Government’s Shared Island Fund is delivering on our all-island investment objectives, including to develop the bioeconomy - a key climate action area, North and South.”

“As Minister with responsibility for Youth affairs and participation, I am looking forward to the commencement of the new Shared Island Youth Forum in September, which provides a space for young people to consider their vision and values for our shared future on this island.” 

Potential

Newry and Armagh MLA Conor Murphy welcomed the funding. Mr Murphy said “Expanding the facilities at Magee will also help to strengthen cross-border education by making the Magee campus more accessible to students from Donegal, and working to deepen educational links with LYIT in Letterkenny. 

“The expansion of Magee University is a priority for Sinn Féin, and key to unlocking the huge economic opportunities that exist in the north west.

 “I also welcome the announcement that the Irish government’s Shared Island fund is investing in the tender for the Narrow Water Bridge, a respite and therapeutic centre for children with cancer and their families, a new all-island Youth Forum, and the construction of two bio-economy demonstrators.  

 “This investment by the Irish government shows the potential of what can be done to deliver on the huge economic opportunities when governments and parties work together. 

“It points up again the need to have the Executive restored now so we can work together to maximise those opportunities and potential, continue to promote regional balance and ensure that the expansion of Magee University is fully completed.”