While the National Cultural Institutions (NCIs) under the aegis of my Department are independent in their management of day-to-day matters, including the loaning and dissemination of items from the National Collection under their care is actively encouraged.
Loans are demand driven and may be facilitated where bodies outside the NCIs can ensure the protection of the artefacts and items on loan. My Department runs an annual Mobility of Collections Scheme to assist with transport, insurance and exhibition costs and has, over the previous three years, supported loans from the National Collections to the Hunt Museum Limerick, The Model in Sligo, Museum Chorca Dhuibne in Kerry, Galway City Museum and Donegal County Museum. This scheme may be availed of once agreement has been reached between lending institution and borrowing organisation.