Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 July 2013
421. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will give a commitment that his Department will sponsor a nationwide primary and second level school project as part of the centenary celebration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36487/13]
View answer422. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the stage of his plans to commemorate the centenary of the 1916 Rising; his plans to include all the areas of national importance such as the Four Courts, the Custom House, the GPO, Beggar's Bush, Bolands Mill, Kilmainham Gaol and other such locations; if he will consider a national school project as part of the commemoration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36488/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 421 and 422 together.
The commemoration of the Easter Rising and the Proclamation of the Irish Republic will be the centrepiece of the Decade of Commemorations. I am working closely with my colleagues in Government and with the National Cultural Institution to bring forward appropriate proposals for comprehensive and authentic commemorations. The historic significance of locations and buildings in Dublin and elsewhere will be reflected in the programme, perhaps through means of commemorative exhibitions and the dedication of memorials, where appropriate.
Supported by the Advisory Group on Commemorations, a number of different educational projects relating to the Decade of Centenaries are under consideration, and details of these will be announced in due course. Currently my Department is supporting the on-line archive for the Decade of Centenaries "Century Ireland". This can be found on www.rte.ie/centuryireland. This is hugely important education and scholarship resource.
