Phil Hogan
Question:480 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands when finance will be made available for the provision of an arts centre in Kilkenny City; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11947/01]
Written Answers - Arts Funding.
The Deputy will be aware that I have secured a total of £36 million of Exchequer funding for the ACCESS programme for the period 2001-04. An initial assessment of all applications received under this scheme has been completed by independent consultants and it has been determined that the arts centre in the Kilkenny City application has met the broad criteria for eligibility. This and all other eligible projects have undergone a comprehensive evaluation by an assessment committee and on the basis of this, recommendations on the projects to be supported will shortly be submitted to me for decision. On completing my examination of these recommendations I will be in a position to announce which projects I propose to approve in principle for grant aid subject, of course, to certain conditions.