Written Answers. - Departmental Funding.
Derek McDowell
Question:
215
Mr. McDowell
asked the
Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands
the projects in the national development plan for which funding has been provided as part of the 2002 abridged Estimates or announced in the Budget Statement; the level of funding provided; the nature of the works; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[32368/01]
Capital funding in respect of national development plan projects has been made available from my Department's 2002 allocation as follows:
|
Subhead
|
|
000
|
|
C2
|
Cultural Projects
|
1,510
|
|
C3
|
Cultural Development
|
7,000
|
|
E
|
Scéimeanna Feabhsúcháin
|
7,488
|
|
H2
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta
|
16,000
|
|
H3
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta
|
16,200
|
|
N2
|
Irish Film Board
|
10,665
|
|
S
|
National Parks & Wildlife Service
|
9,183
|
|
T
|
Waterways Ireland
|
10,400
|
|
U
|
Historic Properties
|
8,211
|
|
V
|
National Monuments
|
11,834
|
|
W
|
Oileáin
|
5,800
|
|
Total
|
|
104,291
|
Some 1.51 million is provided as NDP funding for cultural projects, C2. This will be used to enhance facilities at the following national cultural institutions; The National Library of Ireland, The National Museum of Ireland, The National Concert Hall, The Irish Architectural Archive and Wicklow Gaol.
Some 7 million of NDP funds has been provided for 2002 for projects under the Arts and Cultural Capital Enhancement Support Scheme, ACCESS, for cultural development, C3, which is to operate over the period 2001-04. The list of projects being funded is as follows – the specific draw down for each project will depend on its progress during the forthcoming year – Letterkenny Arts Centre, Greencastle Museum, The Courthouse Arts Centre, Leitrim, Dundalk Townhall Theatre and Basement Gallery, Sligo County Museum, Visual Arts Centre, Carlow, Music Centre Ennis, Ennistymon Artists Studios, The Mall Arts Centre, Cork, Martin Valley Sculpture Park, Cork, Liberty Corner Arts and Dance Centre, Dublin, Gate Theatre, Dublin, Ballyfermot Arts Centre, Daghda Dance Company, Limerick, Navan Arts Centre, Thurles Arts Centre, Lismore Heritage, Waterford, Wexford County Museum, Gorey Little Theatre and Bray Arts Centre.
Under Scéimeanna Feabhsúcháin, an allocation of 6.98 million of NDP funds has been provided for 2002 for the improvement of strategic roads and village renewal in the Gaeltacht. A list of projects being funded will not be available until a programme of works is agreed with the relevant local authorities in the new year but they will include improvement to non-national roads and village renewal in Galway, Donegal, Mayo, Kerry, Cork, Waterford and Meath. An allocation of 508,000 has also been provided for the improvement and development works at Baile Fuar Uisce which includes remedial work on the existing pier, construction of new storm wall and removal of rock and silt.
The allocations under subheads H2 and H3, some 32.2 million, will fund Údarás na Gaeltachta's development work under the national development plan, in particular under the following measures; finance for industry, land and buildings and human resources.
The many specific projects under these measures are approved on a case by case basis and are implemented over a period of years. The national development plan for the Gaeltacht calls for the creation of 5,600 new jobs over the seven years to 2006, an average of 800 per year, which is being achieved to date.
Under N2, Irish Film Board, 10.665 million has been allocated to Bord Scannán na hÉireann – the Irish Film Board – in 2002 to provide for development and production loans to the indigenous film industry. Productions will be allocated funding as applications are received during 2002, so it is not possible to list the projects at this stage. Funding under the NDP will also provide support for film training needs in association with Screen Training Ireland.
In relation to subhead S, National Parks and Wildlife, 9.183 million is provided for in 2002. The principal projects planned for 2002 include the restoration and reopening of Doneraile Court, County Cork, the acquisition of a site for a visitor-study centre at Clara Bog, County Offaly, and the construction of a visitor centre for the Mayo National Park at Ballycroy. The balance of funding will spent on smaller capital projects, including some at other national parks visitor facilities, and on SAC compensation payments.
Under subhead T, an amount of 10.4 million is provided to Waterways Ireland for the waterways development programme. The allocation will allow for the provision of new and upgraded facilities across the navigation network including the provision of new jetties, moorings and marina facilities and also the continuation of the programme of restoration of the Royal Canal and landscaping of the canals. The Inland Waterways to benefit under the NDP are The Royal Canal, the Grand Canal, The Barrow, The Shannon, and The Shannon Erne.
Under subhead U, historic properties, an allocation of 8.211 million has been made for 2002. The main projects under this heading are Castletown House, County Kildare, restoration, Botanic Gardens, Dublin, restoration of Palm House and St. Stephen's Green, Dublin, footpaths-Wolfe Tone entrance.
Under subhead V, national monuments, a sum of 11.834 million is provided for 2002. Work will continue on a number of projects which commenced during 2001 including the development of the Mainguard in Clonmel, County Tipperary, and the ongoing restoration and improvement works at Clonmacnoise, County Offaly. New projects scheduled to commence in 2002 include the re-roofing of Drumacoo Mausoleum, County Galway and the development of a visitor facility at Quin Abbey, County Clare.
Under subhead W, Oileáin, 5.8 million is provided for in 2002. The programme of works in relation to the Island harbours and piers for 2002 has not yet been finalised. It is envisaged that further projects will be selected and work will commence on them during 2002. Work to improve marine landing facilities on the mainland serving Tory Island and Inishbofin, Magheraroarty Pier, has commenced, and will continue in 2002.
