Martin Brady
Question:251 Mr. M. Brady asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the funding, if any, from the Department which is available for transport museums. [5198/98]
Written Answers. - Transport Museums.
There are no specific funds available to my Department to provide funding for transport museums. Funding is primarily for the cultural institutions under the direct aegis of my Department. These institutions are in the main created by, or recognised in statute, or bodies established by Government. The main source of public funds for other types of museums would be provided by the Heritage Council for heritage projects. The council has powers to provide advice and assistance — including financial assistance — in relation to the protection, preservation and promotion of the physical and moveable heritage. The Deputy will appreciate, however, that I have no function in relation to decisions by the council on the disbursal of its funds.
While I have no direct function in the provision of funding for transport museums outside the remit of the National Museum of Ireland I am committed to the medium and long-term development of a policy in relation to local and regional museums, including the transport museum sector.