Liam Lawlor
Question:74 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the reason for increasing the allocation for funding of cultural projects at his disposal in 1997 in comparison with 1996. [4821/97]
Written Answers. - Arts Funding.
I assume the Deputy is referring to the increase in subhead C2 of my Department's Vote.
The increased funding for allocation in this subhead in 1997 in comparison with 1996 arises largely from the inclusion of a number of items for which there was no equivalent item in 1996 and from the pattern of payments for projects being assisted under the Structural Funds operational programme for tourism development.
Provisions for which there was no equivalent in 1996, or in respect of which only a very small sum was provided in 1996, are those in respect of part of the exhibition fit-out costs of the inaugural exhibitions of the new National Museum facility at Collins Barracks and for part of the equipment and fit-out costs associated with the relocation of the Chester Beatty Library to the newly converted Clock Tower building in Dublin Castle.
With regard to the allocations included in 1997 in respect of projects to be co-financed under the EU Operational Programme for Tourism 19941999 the Deputy will be aware that the first phase of projects was approved under the cultural development incentive scheme last year. Most of these projects were not in a position to undertake expenditure last year but commenced or are expected to commence in 1997 and payments will arise in respect of these during 1997. Provision is also included relating to regional projects which are being co-financed by my Department under the programme i.e. the Crawford Gallery, Cork, which will commence in 1997 and a final payment in respect of the Hunt Museum, Limerick.
Subhead C2 also provides funding in respect of various cultural projects and bodies which receive grants from my Department every year e.g. the Irish Manuscripts Commission, Marsh's Library, the Irish Architectural Archive, etc. It also provides funding for a number of other relatively small projects including the James Joyce Centre, Dublin, provision for which was included in the budget.