Vol. 469 No. 5
56 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht when an application for grant assistance will be approved in respect of Virginia Community Theatre Group, County Cavan; the amount of funding which will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17107/96]
In February 1995 an application for grant assistance in respect of the development of the Virginia Community Theatre was submitted to my Department under the first phase of the Cultural Development Incentives Scheme (CDIS). The Deputy will be aware that earlier this year, based on the recommendations of the advisory committee which I appointed to assist me with the evaluation of applications, I made decisions on projects to be assisted under the CDIS. The Virginia Community Theatre was not included in the projects to which assistance was offered. However, in considering this application I was satisfied that there was considerable merit in the proposal submitted and in informing them that their application under CDIS was unsuccessful, I suggested to the promoters that an application be made in respect of the project under the IrelandNorthern Ireland INTERREG II Programme. I also indicated that should such an application be made, I would give serious consideration to financing it from funds at my disposal under the programme. No such application has, however, been made to date.
