asked the Taoiseach the number of applications made to his Department for national lottery funds which have been referred to the National Heritage Council; the total value of the funds sought; the sum available from the national lottery to the council for allocation; when applicants will be informed of the decisions of the council on all applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - National Heritage Council.
3.
Approximately 120 applications and inquiries for funding from the national lottery have been referred from my Department to the National Heritage Council. In many cases the applicants did not request a specific amount but, where stated, the total request was for £5.8 million. The council have recently received £1 million from the 1989 proceeds of the national lottery, having already expended or committed £1 million from the 1987-88 proceeds of the lottery. Applications for grant assistance are considered by the council on an ongoing basis and it is not possible to give a specific decision date for any or all applications.
The vast majority of the applications referred by my Department to the National Heritage Council were either outline proposals or of a preliminary nature and, as such, did not provide enough information to allow them to be assessed. The National Heritage Council has since been in contact with most of the applicants and will continue to do so as a matter of course.
Is the Taoiseach aware that there is a lot of unease among many applicants because they do not know where they stand regarding the possibility or probability of receiving some or a substantial amount of money? Can he say when these people will be told definitely if they will get some money and, if so, what amount they are likely to receive?
It is a varied situation. Some people have sent in applications which are of a vague character and have not submitted any additional information. As many applicants as possible will be contacted by the council to let them know where they stand.
Will the Taoiseach ensure that every applicant is contacted without delay and told exactly what their status is in terms of their expectations?
I would point out that 33 applicants have not responded at all to the council. It cuts both ways.
I am more concerned about the ones who have responded and——
Who cut the other way. We will see what can be done.