The newly formed Irish government will increase funding for the Shared Island Fund by a further €1 billion up to 2035 to further “reconciliation, mutual respect and growth”.
Staff in the shared island unit within the Department of the Taoiseach will be increased while each department will be asked to come forward with ideas for new and relevant projects.
The government has also committed to broadening funding for research bodies or institutions with an independent cross-border studies agenda.
Work on the Narrow Water Bridge close to Warrenpoint will continue while the government is promising to work with the Executive to deliver the A5.
This will “further enhance road connectivity to and from the north west” while the government also wants to establish an air link between Dublin and Derry.
Collaboration on healthcare, research, training and education is also included in the programme with the aim to improve “health outcomes for everyone on the island of Ireland”.
The government will fund students from the north to participate in the Erasmus education programme in the south and other parts of the EU while also advocating for the UK’s re-entry into the system.
It will also commission a North-South statistical series to provide comparable data on economic activity, public expenditure and wider social and economic measures, including education, housing and health outcomes
Funding will be increased for the Touring of Work Scheme to facilitate regional presentations of professional productions and extend access to arts organisations and venues in Northern Ireland.