I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 to 147, inclusive, together.
Organisations funded under the A.6 subhead meet a specific cultural need and support the high-level goal of my Department in relation to enhancing access to the arts, culture and film sectors and recognising the social and economic role of these sectors in Ireland. The organisations in question make an important contribution to the development and promotion of Ireland's cultural tourism offering, to the benefit of both the domestic and foreign tourist, and represent an important component of the delivery of the cultural tourism commitments in the Programme for Government. Grants awarded under this subhead are for current funding.
The application and evaluation process in relation to projects funded under subhead A.6 is determined by the specific objectives of the projects themselves vis-à-vis Government arts and culture policy. For example, my Department is committed under the A.6 subhead to providing annual funding to certain cultural institutions that hold collections of moveable cultural heritage of national importance, or collections that are unique in the country. Institutions such as Archbishop Marsh's Library, the James Joyce Centre, the Hunt Museum and Foynes Flying Boat Museum receive an annual allocation of funding accordingly. Funding from the A6 subhead for the institutions and schemes is approved by me, as Minister.
Details of the funding allocations under subhead A6 in both 2012 and 2013 are available on my Department's website at http://www.ahg.gov.ie/en/Culture/Schemes/CulturalProjectsFunding/
In terms of Culture Night 2012, all allocations for funding relate to current expenditure only. The closing date for receipt of applications was March 23rd and 24 applications were received by that date. All applications underwent an assessment and evaluation process carried out within my Department in accordance with the terms of the Scheme, which are available on my Department's website at www.ahg.gov.ie/en/culture/schemes/. Decisions on the final awards were made by me, as Minister, in line with the published scheme criteria. The Scheme for Culture Night 2013 was dealt with in like manner with a closing date of April 10th 2013. The Culture Night Scheme for 2014 will shortly be announced.
In terms of the Local and Regional Museums Scheme 2013, all allocations of funding related to current expenditure only. The closing date for receipt of applications was March 28th and 37 applications were received by this date. All applications underwent an assessment and evaluation process carried out within my Department in accordance with the terms of the Scheme, which are available on my Department's website at www.ahg.gov.ie/en/culture/schemes/. Decisions on the final awards were made by me, as Minister, in line with the published scheme criteria.
Details of successful applicants and funding allocations were made available via press release on May 23rd 2013. The closing date for receipt of applications under the 2014 Local and Regional Museums Scheme is the 31st March 2014. Full details of the Scheme are available on my Department's website www.ahg.gov.ie/en/culture/schemes/ In addition to the details available on my Department's website, relevant groups and/or associations are advised of the availability of funding each year, e.g., the Irish Museums' Association, the Local Authority Museums' Network, the Local Arts Officers Network, etc. as the case may be.
