David Andrews
Question:137 Mr. Andrews asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the progress, if any, of the cultural aspects of the operational programme for tourism 1994 to 1999. [10338/96]
Written Answers. - Tourism Operational Programme.
Funds totalling some £21 million have been approved or earmarked to date in respect of projects supported by Structural Funds under Measure I of the Sub Programme 1 (Natural/Cultural Tourism) of the EU Operational Programme for Tourism, 1994-1999. Included in this funding are developments of major regional cultural projects at Galway Theatre, Longford Theatre, the Hunt Museum in Limerick and the Crawford Gallery, Cork totalling some £5.3 million.
In the case of the Cultural Development Incentives Scheme operated under this measure, I have to date approved in principle the funding of eight projects which — will involve investments of almost £8 million and, subject to satisfactory resolution of outstanding issues, grant offers totalling just over £5.5 million in EU and Exchequer funding towards these projects will be made. I expect to be in a position to approve in principle the bulk of the balance of the funding available under this particular scheme in the near future with the remainder to be allocated under a final call for applications to be announced later.
The national cultural institutions will also benefit from allocations under this Measure. In the case of the Chester Beatty Library, some £3 million has been expended in the restoration and extension of the Clock Tower at Dublin Castle to house these collections. I have also given approval in principle for funds of £7.5 million in EU an allocation towards the construction of a major extension to the National Gallery of Ireland which is estimated to cost £12.5 million. The balance of the cost will be raised by the gallery itself.
I envisage that the remainder of the funds available under this measure will be allocated to major projects such as the National Museum at Collins Barracks, the National Library, the Irish Museum of Modern Art and the National Concert Hall etc.