Ruairí Quinn
Question:18 Mr. Quinn asked the Taoiseach the progress to date of the millennium committee; when its proposals to mark the millennium will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17753/99]
Written Answers. - Millennium Celebrations.
Gay Mitchell
Question:19 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Taoiseach the proposals, if any, the millennium office has for Dublin. [18776/99]
Trevor Sargent
Question:20 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach if the national millennium committee is considering free public transport for the period 31 December 1999 to 1 January 2000. [19953/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 18 to 20, inclusive, together.
The progress to date of the national millennium committee is outlined in detail in the progress report which I circulated to all Members of the House on 28 September last. I intend circulating an updated version of the report to Members shortly. The national millennium committee was established in November 1998 to advise on suitable projects for inclusion in the Government's millennium programme and its work will cover the period 1999 through to the end of the year 2000.
With specific regard to Dublin, the Government on the recommendation of the committee, has to date approved over £3.75 million to the following millennium projects: £2 million towards the cost of the two flagship projects of Míle Átha Cliath – the Liffey of Lights and the Liffey Board Walk; up to £500,000 for the refurbishment of the front of the Gaiety Theatre; £300,000 to the Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery to reconstruct the Francis Bacon Studio as a centrepiece of the gallery's collection; £50,000 to the Children's Cultural Centre, The Ark, Temple Bar for a millennium music theatre show and a visual arts programme on the Nativity; £400,000 towards the new Gascoigne home for the elderly in Rathmines; £100,000 to St. Brigid's parish, Stillorgan, for its children's centre project; £100,000 for the permanent floodlighting of over 20 churches in the diocese of Dublin; £50,000 to rehang the St. George's Bells in the tower of Christ Church, Taney; and £250,000 to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to develop a community resource and sports centre at its premises in Mountjoy Square. In addition, £210,000 is to be made available to the Simon Community for a volunteers project and a refurbishment programme which will include its centre in Dublin.
Regarding activities for the New Year celebrations, there are a number of major events to take place in Dublin over the weekend of the New Year and these are outlined in the progress report. In respect of smaller projects and events for Dublin, millennium funding has been made available under the millennium recognition awards and the millennium events awards initiatives. Details of awards under these initiatives will be announced shortly.
Regarding the matter of free public transport for New Year's Eve, the national millennium committee has not received any such proposal for consideration.