I am grateful to the Deputy for raising this matter. As she said, St. Michan's Church is one of Dublin's oldest and most popular sites which each year attracts thousands of people from all over the world to its famous vault and other historical artefacts. I am grateful to her for drawing our attention to some of the more important personages, on both sides of the dock, associated with it.
Before dealing with the matter in detail, I express the absolute disgust I felt on hearing of the damage caused to this fine church when vandals set fire to the vault some months ago. It is my hope that the perpetrators of this vile crime will be brought to justice in the near future.
An application has recently been submitted to me in respect of renovation works to the church to include re-slating of the roof, replacement of the ceiling in the main church and repair and replacement of the floors in the church's tower. This application was submitted under phase II of the cultural development incentives scheme which I am administering under the EU Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-9. I am glad, therefore, to have this opportunity to outline the position not only with regard to the St. Michan's Church project but with regard to all applications submitted to me under this phase of the scheme. In the spirit in which the Deputy has brought this matter to my notice, I will look at the issue of possible co-operation with my ministerial colleague. I will ask him to review the issue of joint assistance.
It is my understanding that the Heritage Council recently received a request for financial assistance for renovation works to St. Michan's and in response informed the applicants that specific heritage grant schemes are being formulated with a view to their launch in March. It is my understanding that the council also advised that if an application for grant assistance in respect of St. Michan's is received at that time, it will be considered together with any other applications received. The Deputy will appreciate that the Heritage Council is independent in its assessment of grant applications and the award of grants.
With regard to the application for funding submitted to me, the Deputy will be aware that the cultural development incentives scheme is designed primarily to assist the four main categories of the visual and performing arts — art centres, museums, theatres and galleries. During 1996, I approved 25 projects for funding under phase I of the scheme. On 15 November, I invited applications for phase II of the scheme. The closing date for receipt of completed applications was 10 January by which time a total of over 140 completed applications seeking grant assistance in excess of £60 million, including that in respect of the St. Michan's Church project, had been lodged with my Department. The Deputy will appreciate in light of the foregoing that some difficult decisions will have to be made by me with regard to projects to which funding will be offered.
The applications lodged with my Department will be the subject of a detailed assessment process. As with the first phase of the scheme, I have engaged the expertise of a number of State agencies to assist in this process. I have asked An Chomhairle Ealaíon to carry out detailed artistic examinations of applications for projects such as art centres, galleries, theatres etc. The Heritage Council will carry out a similar exercise in respect of museums and other heritage-type projects, including the St. Michan's Church project. This process is under way but given the quantity and quality of applications I have received I do not expect it to be completed until late March-early April.
Once the assessment process I have outlined is complete all applications will be considered in detail by the advisory committee for the scheme. The brief of the advisory committee is, following consideration by it of all the assessments completed by An Chomhairle Ealaíon and the Heritage Council, to make recommendations to me on the projects it feels merit funding. As with the first phase of the scheme, the advisory committee will consist of representatives of my Department who will chair the committee, the Department of Tourism and Trade, An Chomhairle Ealaíon, the Heritage Council, the County and City Managers' Association and the general Council of County Councils.
In relation to the St. Michan's Church project, while I am aware that this project and many of the other projects submitted to me are in a position to commence work should an offer of funding be made — this is an important point — the Deputy will appreciate that I cannot make a decision on individual applications in isolation from the remainder. All applications, however, submitted to me under phase II of the cultural development incentives scheme will be receiving urgent attention in coming weeks and I will announce details of my decision on successful projects as soon as possible.
I share the Deputy's views on the importance of St. Michan's and will indulge in conversations with ministerial colleagues or other agencies which might be of assistance to a project about which there is general public concern.
