Austin Currie
Question:333 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the plans, if any, she has for further investment in the interpretative centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21076/97]
Written Answers. - Interpretative Centres.
Austin Currie
Question:334 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the studies, if any, which have been undertaken on the tourist value of interpretative centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21077/97]
Austin Currie
Question:335 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if there is a prototype of an interpretative centre internationally to which we might look in considering further investment in interpretative centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21079/97]
Austin Currie
Question:336 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands whether it is the Government's policy to accommodate funding privately owned interpretative centres which meet certain development objectives; if so, if there are plans to announce a scheme of grant support for these investments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21080/97]
Austin Currie
Question:337 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the funding, if any, which the Government will seek for interpretative centres in the next round of EU funding for cultural and heritage infrastructure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21081/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 333, 334, 335, 336 and 337 together.
One of the objectives in my Department's statement of strategy is to ensure that cultural tourism is promoted in a manner consistent with the primary function of conservation. The development of interpretative centres must therefore be considered in this context.
While my Department has not undertaken any formal studies on the tourist value of interpretative centres, the importance of the rich heritage on this island in relation to tourism is well established. Improved access to and presentation of, and, where appropriate, interpretation of the cultural heritage under the Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-99 both facilitates and promotes heritage tourism.
The provision of interpretative centres as part of overall heritage management strategy is primarily influenced by the specific requirements of each site. While there is no international prototype of an interpretative centre which is used for the development of interpretative centres, my Department has regard to European and other international experience in developing access to and presentation of the national heritage.
Expenditure of Structural Funds on developing and improving access to the cultural heritage and its presentation is continuing as part of my Department's programme of expenditure from Structural Funds under the Tourism Operational Programme 1994-99. I will seek further EU funding for the national heritage, including funding relating to developing access to and presentation of the heritage, for the post 1999 period.
On the possibility of funding privately-owned interpretative centres, there are no discretionary funds at my disposal for this purpose. However, the Heritage Council, which is an independent, statutory body under the Heritage Act, 1995, has powers under that Act to provide advice and assistance including financial assistance to persons and bodies in relation to the protection, preservation and promotion of the physical heritage.