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Northern Ireland and Ireland
>> Regional Overview >> Northern Ireland and Ireland Overview
Previous Years' Activities
2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997
Last updated: 44
(text taken from the FY 2003 Congressional Budget Justification)
THE DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGE:
Northern Ireland and the six bordering Republic of Ireland counties have seen over 25 years of conflict, which has had negative effects economically. Long-term unemployment remains higher than the UK average and all major social and economic indicators continue to show that Catholics in Northern Ireland, while making some gains, continue to be more disadvantaged than Protestants. The pattern of residential segregation also has economic implications as people are often reluctant to travel to work in neighborhoods dominated by members of the other community.
Despite the fact that Ireland's economy is among the fastest growing in Europe, the economy of Northern Ireland and its border counties of Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan, and Louth have a high level of economic deprivation. Investment remains inadequate in Northern Ireland. Unemployment and under-employment are high, and economic opportunity is beyond the reach of many.
Support for the reconciliation of feuding factions in Northern Ireland has long been the predominant focus of U. S. assistance to Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. A breakthrough in negotiations between Protestant and Roman Catholic leaders occurred during 1998 with the Good Friday Peace Accord, raising hopes for sustained peace in Northern Ireland and surrounding of Ireland counties. That hope was reinforced in the fall of 2001when members of the Irish Republican Army began to disarm in earnest. The U.S. Government makes significant contributions to the peace process in Northern Ireland and Ireland through the International Fund for Ireland and the Walsh Visa Program as described below and in the Program Data Sheets.
INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR IRELAND: Through the International Fund for Ireland (the Fund), the United States provides economic assistance to address the concerns expressed above at the community level as the most effective means of directly reaching wards, sub-wards, and individuals in need.
The objectives of the Fund are to promote economic and social advancement, and encourage contact, dialogue, and reconciliation between Nationalists and Unionists. The Fund seeks to achieve those objectives by supporting and promoting social reconciliation through economic development in Northern Ireland and Ireland, with priority given to new investments that create jobs and reconstruct disadvantaged areas. Fund policy requires that all projects benefit both communities, and that the implementing organization must include members of both communities. The Fund has been successful in encouraging communities to take ownership of projects. The jobs and social stability that have resulted from the U.S. contribution to the Fund are a tangible expression of the U.S. policy of encouraging peace and reconciliation through economic progress.
IRISH PEACE PROCESS CULTURAL AND TRAINING PROGRAM ACT OF 1998: In October 1998, President Clinton signed the Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998 (IPPCTP), also known as the Walsh Visa Program. The law sunsets in 2005. It directs the Secretary of State and the U.S. Attorney General to establish a Program for young people who are residents of Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland to "develop job skills and conflict resolution abilities." The IPPCTP is intended to support economic regeneration and peace and reconciliation. Participants must have confirmed job offers before they enter the United States and may work here for up to 36 months. The Program includes a re-employment component to assist participants in finding jobs in their fields back home.
THE USAID PROGRAM:
FY 2002 Estimate: $30.0 million FY 2003 Request: $29.0 million ONGOING PROGRAMS FOR WHICH NO FY 2002 OR FY 2003 FUNDING IS REQUESTED: None.
OTHER PROGRAM ELEMENTS: None.
OTHER DONORS: The Fund's activities are financed through international contributions from the United States, the European Union, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. Each of the donors sends a non-voting observer to all Fund Board meetings. In 2001, the United States was the largest donor to the Fund, providing approximately 50% of total donor funding for the year.
Program Data Sheets
Country Background Information Resources
CIA Factbook National Geographic Country Maps
State Dept. Country Information
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Last Updated on: April 18, 2003 |
