§ 14. Mr. CryerTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what projects in Northern Ireland are currently in receipt of financial support from the International Fund for Ireland.
§ Mr. StanleyThe International Fund for Ireland is administered by an independent board appointed by her354W Majesty's Government and the Government of the Irish Republic. Details of applications for assistance and awards made are a matter for the board. A copy of the fund's press notices of 27 August and 10 December 1987 detailing programme allocations of £47.9 million and particular projects it is supporting, together with a copy of the fund's annual report, are available in the Library.
§ 34. Mr. CorbettTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what financial contributions have been made by Her Majesty's Government to the International Fund for Ireland since its inception.
§ Mr. StanleyNone, because Her Majesty's Government already contribute very large sums through public expenditure programmes to the economic and social development of Northern Ireland.
The International Fund for Ireland is a vehicle for providing supportive Governments in other countries with the means of expressing their support in a practical way for a programme of economic and social development which was envisaged in article 10(a) of the Anglo-Irish Agreement.
However, the cost of the accommodation and secretarial services necessary for the proper functioning of the fund, together with its general administrative and organisational expenses, are met jointly by the Governments of the United Kingdom and Ireland. Her Majesty's Government's contribution to these costs in the current financial year is estimated as £45,000.