HL Deb 12 November 2003 vol 654 cc200-1WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will make funding available for East/West school projects between Northern Ireland and Scotland similar to the Warrington Project, as required under parity of esteem guarantee for Ulster Scots in the Belfast agreement. [HL5028]

Baroness Amos

The Warrington Project (NI) was developed as a pilot project and funded from April 1998 to August 2001 through the EU Physical and Social Environment Programme (PSEP II) supported by the Department of Education in Northern Ireland. This source of funding is no longer available.

The Department of Education through its Community Relations Core Funding Scheme supports voluntary organisations, based in Northern Ireland, which are working towards the improvement of community relations among young people from different communities in Northern Ireland. Proposals designed to improve relations on a cross-border or inter-island basis will also be considered for funding, provided that they have a direct impact on community relations in Northern Ireland.