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Atlantic Philanthropies' Chuck Feeney in NI grants Chuck Feeney donates almost £25m to NI education and health
(about 11 hours later)
A US billionaire philanthropist is providing grants in Northern Ireland for shared education, dementia care and early years learning. A US philanthropist has donated almost £25m to shared education, dementia care and early years learning programme in Northern Ireland.
Additional matched funding will be provided by Stormont departments. Chuck Feeney, an Irish-American billionaire businessman, is providing the money through his Atlantic Philanthropies foundation.
Details of the money, expected to be in the region of £60m, will be confirmed by the first and deputy first minister on Wednesday. His donation will go towards a £58m investment in the three programmes.
It is thought half of this will come from Atlantic Philanthropies, set up by Chuck Feeney. The remainder of the investment, £33m, is being funded by the Northern Ireland Executive.
The Irish-American made his money in duty free shopping, and pledged to give away his entire fortune in his own lifetime. Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers jointly announced details of the funding at an event in Belfast's Crescent Arts Centre.
Mr Feeney, 83, does not own a home or a car and wears a $15 (£9) watch. First Minister Peter Robinson said: "Aimed at helping those most in need, these three new projects will help provide support for people with dementia and their carers.
The largest proportion of the funding will go towards shared education in Northern Ireland, expected to be £25m. "They will help deliver improved services for parents facing difficulties and provide schools with the resources that they need to increase shared education among our young people."
Atlantic Philanthropies has been funding the shared education programme in Co Fermanagh for the last five years. Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said: "Although the £58m is coming from different sources we all share a common aim - to make a tangible difference to the lives of the people who need it most.
"We must address the needs of all of our citizens, in particular those suffering disadvantage and those on the margins of society," he added.
Mr Feeney set up his Atlantic Philanthropies foundation in 1982 and has spent the last 30 years donating billions to good causes around the world.
The 83-year-old Irish American made his fortune in duty free shopping, and pledged to give away his entire fortune in his own lifetime.
He is known for his frugal lifestyle - he does not own a home or a car and wears a $15 (£9) watch.
Atlantic Philanthropies has been funding a shared education programme in County Fermanagh for five years.
The organisation's aspiration is that it will become the norm for Protestant and Catholic children across Northern Ireland to be educated together "rather than the exception."The organisation's aspiration is that it will become the norm for Protestant and Catholic children across Northern Ireland to be educated together "rather than the exception."
Part of the grant will go towards additional support for youth mentoring, parenting programmes, home visits and early education. The first and deputy first ministers both paid tribute to his foundation's long-standing support to the region.
Funding will also be provided to improve dementia care, support and raising public awareness. Mr Robinson said: "I commend Atlantic Philanthropies for committing £25m to this programme and I thank them for the unceasing work and significant investment they have provided over the last number of years, both in Northern Ireland and overseas, to improve the lives of those most disadvantaged."
Mr McGuinness said: "I thank Atlantic Philanthropies who have made a colossal contribution to our journey to build a more equitable society protecting rights and strengthening democracy.
"These projects will have a significant impact on the quality of people's lives, now, and for years to come. The legacy will be a brighter future for the most vulnerable people in our community."
Last month, the foundation gave almost 15m euros (£11.9m) for dementia care and research in the Republic of Ireland, matched by the government.Last month, the foundation gave almost 15m euros (£11.9m) for dementia care and research in the Republic of Ireland, matched by the government.
Over 30 years, Mr Feeney's foundation has given $6.5bn (£4bn) to help disadvantaged and vulnerable people.Over 30 years, Mr Feeney's foundation has given $6.5bn (£4bn) to help disadvantaged and vulnerable people.
Atlantic Philanthropies is now making a final round of grants.Atlantic Philanthropies is now making a final round of grants.