A FUNDING scheme for marching bands reinstated by the DUP has awarded grants to every group that filled in the paperwork properly.
Almost £300,000 is being shared by nearly 70 groups under the initiative to pay for new musical instruments.
DUP communities minister Paul Givan revived the controversial programme on the eve of the Twelfth of July – a year after it was cut by his Sinn Féin predecessor.
He initially allocated £200,000 to the fund, but last month set aside a further £100,000.
The Arts Council, which oversaw the application process, said "no eligible bands were unsuccessful" in their bids for funding of up to £5,000.
However, a spokeswoman said 26 were not eligible due to administrative issues such as failing to submit some documents or complete forms correctly.
The Musical Instruments for Bands programme was open to marching bands as well as others such as brass bands and pipe bands.
Restoring the scheme in July, Mr Givan said it would benefit the more than 20,000 people in marching bands across the north.
"Our parading culture has been described as 'Northern Ireland's best kept secret' and the reinstatement of this funding for the purchase of musical instruments will be welcome news for those who participate in this important sector," he said.
The SDLP North Belfast MLA Nichola Mallon last month questioned the funding at a time of cuts to the Arts Council budget.
"The minister needs to clearly explain what cuts he intends to make to arts, sporting and community organisations to pay for this," she said.
Last month Mr Givan also faced questions over whether he was funding one community over others after announcing a £500,000 grants scheme at an Orange hall.
The Department for Communities insisted the funding initiative was open to a range of community halls for improvement works.
