Since the establishment of the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht in January 1993 I have initiated two new grant schemes as follows:
1. Cultural Development Incentives Scheme 1994-99. The cultural Development Incentives Scheme, which my Department is administering under the Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-99, is designed primarily to assist the four main categories of the visual and performing arts — arts centres, museums, theatres and galleries.
2. Scéim nua Labhairt na Gaeilge. Cuireadh tús leis an scéim seo sna Limistéir Ghaeltachta le héifeacht ón scoilbhliain 1993-94. Is é cuspóir na scéim ná spreagadh a thabhairt do theaghlaigh Ghaeltachta, a bhfuil daltaí dá gcuid ag freastal scoile, chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn sa teaghlach agus sa phobal i gcoitinne.
I have arranged for details of the schemes to be forwarded directly to the Deputy.
The Deputy will understand that schemes operated on a day-to-day basis by bodies and agencies under the aegis of my Department are matters for the organisations concerned.