Written Answers. - Cultural Tourism Funding.
Ivor Callely
Question:
73
Mr. Callely
asked the
Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht
the total funding allocated for cultural tourism in each of the years 1995 to 1997; the projects that have been considered to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[12476/95]
Under sub-programme I of the European Union Structural Funds Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-99 it is envisaged that there will be expenditure of over £67 million in 1994 prices on national and regional cultural activities. This includes expenditure on developments at the major national cultural institutions as well as on regional initiatives including the establishment of a cultural development incentives scheme in co-operation with local authority and private contributions. The Deputy will be aware that in addition to national and regional cultural activities sub-programme I also includes some £58 million for heritage tourism projects within my area of responsibility.
Of the £67 million for cultural tourism approximately £2.5 million was spent in 1994 and £11.3 million is scheduled to be spent in 1995. The detailed scheduling of expenditure for 1996 and 1997 is not yet finalised.
There will be additional expenditure of £4.4 million on heritage and cultural tourism under the EU Structural Funds Community Initiative INTERREG II Programme and expenditure of £2 million under the Maritime INTERREG Programme. The phasing of this expenditure is not yet finalised.
The foregoing relates to EU Structural Funds expenditure which is fully within my area of responsibility. Cultural Tourism projects would also be eligible for funding from other sub-programmes under the Operational Programme for Tourism administered by Bord Fáilte and SFADCO. Similarly projects might also qualify under other Structural Funds Operational Programmes such as the Operational Programme for Local, Urban and Rural Development.
The figures I have mentioned above refer to capital expenditure available to me specifically for cultural tourism in the period up to 1999. The Deputy will be aware, however, that there are significant voted funds allocated for capital and current investment in arts, culture and film which all contribute to the growing tourism industry.
While the detailed allocation of all the funds available under the operational programme has not been finalised, funds have been committed at national level to the development of the National Museum at Collins Barracks and investment in a new home in Dublin Castle for the Chester Beatty Library. At regional level funds have been allocated to Galway and Longford theatres. Crawford Municipal Gallery, Cork and the Hunt Museum, Limerick.
The Deputy will be aware that I have invited proposals for consideration for funding under the Cultural Development Incentives Scheme. "The Arts Plan 1995-97" prepared by An Chomhairle Ealaíon obtained the broad support of all sides of the House when it was debated here on 6 April and 11 May. In reviewing the current arts infrastructure in the State, the plan identifies priority zones and centres of excellence as the focus of particular attention. The priority zones are the counties of Laois, Wicklow. Donegal, Longford, Westmeath, Offaly, Leitrim, Tipperary and Roscommon and the centres of excellence are the cities of Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford.
In order to be consistent with the objectives of "The Arts Plan 1995-97". I have decided to examine applications under the cultural development incentives scheme from the priority zones and centres of excellence initially. To date, no decisions have been made with regard to the individual projects to receive allocations under this scheme.
