Vol. 504 No. 1
27 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands the number of heritage projects which received funds from her Department or from bodies under the aegis of her Department in the past 12 months; the number of unsuccessful applicants for funds in this period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11171/99]
As the Deputy is aware, the Heritage Council, which is an independent statutory body, has powers to provide advice and assistance, including financial assistance, in relation to the protection, preservation and promotion of the heritage. Under this remit, the council administers a community based heritage grants scheme. It should be noted that, although my Department funds the Heritage Council, I have no function in relation to decisions by it on the disbursal of grants under this scheme or any other scheme administered by the council. I was, however, pleased to be able to increase funding for the Heritage Council from £4 million in 1998 to £5.08 million in the current year, an increase of 27 per cent.
Details in relation to its heritage grants are contained in the Heritage Council's annual reports which are laid before the Oireachtas.
