Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue today welcomed the announcement by the Taoiseach Micheál Martin of five successful Donegal projects awarded funding under the Shared Island Local Authority Development Funding Scheme.

More than €4.3m has been allocated to 15 lead Local Authorities in the South, working in partnership with 9 Councils in Northern Ireland to develop collaborative cross-border investment projects over the next 12 months.

Donegal County Council is involved with five projects to a total amount of €976k.

The successful Donegal projects will support partnerships right along the Donegal border with Northern Ireland.

Among the projects being funding is a feasibility study for the Slí Cholmcille pilgrimage route between Donegal County Council and Derry City and Strabane District Council which the Minister visited earlier this year.

Commenting, the Minister said The Shared Island project is really important in fostering partnerships throughout our island.

“These five projects in Donegal are a terrific example of what can be achieved when we work together positively for all the people in our cross border counties.

“I thank all the employees and volunteers involved with these projects,” he said.

The scheme, which is funded by the Shared Island Fund and managed by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, enables Local Authorities North and South to progress feasibility and development work on new joint investment projects which deliver local and regional development goals.