Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Mar 1994

Vol. 440 No. 1

Written Answers. - Cork Theatre Subsidisation.

Michael Creed

Question:

147 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he has received correspondence from an organisation (details supplied) in County Cork seeking financial assistance towards the cost of developing a theatre; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

I have received representations on behalf of the organisation referred to by the Deputy. However, the position is that the funding for cultural purposes which is available to my Department is primarily earmarked for use by the national cultural institutions such as the National Museum, the National Library and the National Concert Hall.

I have forwarded details of the application to the Director of An Chomhairle Ealaíon asking him to consider funding. However, it should be noted, that An Chomhairle enjoys statutory independence in the disbursal of its funds. I have no function in relation to its decisions on individual grant applications.

I should add that the provision of capital for regional arts infrastructure will be considered in the context of Structural Funding under theNational Development Plan 1994-1999. Since the details of the plan are currently under discussion with the European Commission it will be some time yet before there will be final agreement on the plan's components. It will be after this process has been completed only that I will be in a position to establish precise criteria for eligibility for assistance under my capital allocations.