The Irish government has allocated nearly €10 million (£8.54m) to 154 organisations working on peace and reconciliation across Northern Ireland.

Ireland's foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee announced the funding on Tuesday after meeting with some of the recipient groups in Dublin. The three-year awards come from the Reconciliation Fund, established in 1982, which has now distributed more than €67m to over 3,200 projects.

McEntee said the latest round places a particular focus on initiatives that address violence against women and girls. She argued that supporting women affected by abuse is a prerequisite for greater social cohesion in Northern Ireland.

Recipients in this area include the Falls Women's Centre for its No Woman Left Behind project, the Playhouse in Derry developing an arts response to rising levels of violence against women and girls, and the Clanrye Group's learning programme on the issue. Belfast and Lisburn Women's Aid also secured funding.

Youth work features prominently. Cathedral Youth Club in Derry has been awarded €132,468 over three years. Manager Jeanette Warke described the organisation's excitement at the news, saying the money will allow the recruitment of staff to support isolated young people and continue cross-community programmes on an interface area that has experienced sectarian attacks.

McEntee noted that some of the organisations receiving funding were active during last month's disorder in Belfast, working to reduce tensions, protect young people, and support displaced migrant families.

The Integrated Education Fund received €474,000 over three years to promote schools that bring together children, staff and governors from all religious and cultural traditions. FactCheckNI was awarded €29,000 to help the public navigate an increasingly complex information environment, while the Omagh Support and Self Help Group will receive €101,400.