Lough Neagh Catchment Water Quality programme (2027-30)
| Sector | Environment, Climate, and Bioeconomy |
| Partners | |
| Shared Island Investment | €33m |
About the Project
A €33 million contribution from the Shared Island Fund will support a new cooperative Lough Neagh Catchment Area Water Quality (LNWQ) programme.
This follows on from discussion at North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) Plenary and Environment Sectoral meetings of the severe ecological issues seen in Lough Neagh and its catchments and the agreement at the NSMC Plenary of 8 April 2024 to share learning, expertise and research.
The LNWQ programme will be overseen by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and his Executive counterpart on water policy, the Northern Ireland Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, with related contributions from their respective Departments - over €10 million from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and over €13 million from the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Northern Ireland over 2027-2031.
The programme will increase each Administration’s overall resource commitments to improve water quality across each jurisdiction, providing over €56 million in total to enhance environmental protection and restoration through interventions at farm and catchment levels.
The LNWQ programme will provide for the implementation of physical measures along with resourcing, knowledge-exchange and collaboration to support necessary action to improve water quality in the Lough Neagh catchment and address the significant ecological challenges affecting the area.
Funding of €20 million under PEACEPLUS is also contributing to water quality and management projects on a cross-border basis and for Lough Neagh Catchments.