In brief
The Irish government will contribute €228 m (€197 m) toward improving rail services between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, with €193 m earmarked for the Londonderry‑Belfast‑Dublin rail corridor and €35 m to keep hourly trains running to Dublin until at least 2030. The money is part of the Shared Island Fund, which will support a range of cross‑border projects such as port development, Lough Neagh water quality, Ulster Canal restoration and early years educator training. Cabinet ministers approved a total of €1 bn in fund allocations, signalling a drive toward greater connectivity and economic prosperity across the island.
Irish government to contribute £197m to cross‑border rail services
The Irish government will pledge €228 million (about £197 million) to upgrade rail links between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Most of the money—€193 million (£166 million)—will fund the Londonderry‑Belfast‑Dublin corridor, while €35 million (£30 million) will keep hourly trains running to Dublin until at least 2030.
The funding comes from the final allocation of the Irish government’s Shared Island Fund, which aims to fund projects benefiting both the Republic and Northern Ireland. Representatives from both governments will work together to reduce transfer times between the three major cities—Dublin, Belfast and Derry—to improve connectivity.
Additional projects receiving funds
- €40 million (£34 million) for a port development scheme to expand capacity across the island.
- €30 million (£26 million) for the third phase of the Ulster Canal restoration, linking Clonfad to Castle Saunderson.
- €33 million (£28 million) for the Lough Neagh Catchment Area Water Quality programme to tackle blue‑green algae problems.
- €13.5 million (£12 million) for 1,000 new early‑years educator places, with 40 % earmarked for Northern Ireland, and training programmes across 10,500 early‑learning services.
- £3 million for renovating cricket facilities at Stormont, part of plans to co‑host the 2030 Men’s T20 Cricket World Cup.
Minister Micheál Martin said the government’s €377 million contribution through the Shared Island Fund will build a more connected, sustainable and prosperous island. The total government allocations from the fund now exceed €1 bn (£862 million), enhancing infrastructure and services across all communities.
