There is much to appreciate about the announcement of a link between the Dublin-based Irish Times and the Belfast-based website The Detail.

It brings together old and new media. It crosses the Irish border. It underlines the importance of investigative journalism. And it reminds us of the growing value of data journalism.

The Detail is a not-for-profit outlet, founded in 2011, to investigate issues of public interest. Some of its biggest projects, such as the religious makeup of schools in Northern Ireland and the impact of the abortion laws on both sides of the border, have been published by the Irish Times.

Now the paper is planning in the coming months to work with The Detail on investigations into health care, the criminal justice system and the problems faced by children across the island.

News of the deal coincides with The Detail’s decision to recruit more journalists to join a team that has won recognition for its data journalism with awards from from the Royal Statistical Society, the Online Media Awards and the Northern Ireland Media Awards.

Funding comes from philanthropic, public and private sources, with investment from its parent company, Below The Radar, the Big Lottery in Northern Ireland, Atlantic Philanthropies and the Community Relations Council.

Steven McCaffery, The Detail’s editor, said: “We are looking forward to working with the Irish Times on projects that will cover issues that are vitally important to the lives of people, north and south.”

And Kevin O’Sullivan, editor of the Irish Times, spoke of his paper’s delight at “deepening our relationship with The Detail... especially data-driven stories and investigations that are relevant in an all-Ireland context.”

If you are interested in joining The Detail, then you’ll need to have worked as a journalist for a minimum of three years. Applicants need to go here for more details and application form.