Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 December 2014
505. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the Government's plans to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Rising; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44838/14]
View answerI have secured an amount of €4 million in the Budget for 2015 to allow for the roll out of an integrated plan focused on commemorating the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising. It is my intention to allocate the current provision of €4 million in a manner that will help to support a wide range of activities and events by interested groups, including local community groups and the arts sector. There will also be a special emphasis on education projects, as recommended by the Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations. A widespread public consultation process is now underway, the aim of which is to encourage and facilitate the involvement of ground-up initiatives in the wider commemorative programme.
A number of solemn State events will take place in 2016 to commemorate the events that took place during the 1916 Easter Rising. On Easter Saturday, 26 March 2016, there will be a remembrance ceremony at Arbour Hill followed by a special State reception for the 1916 relatives. On Easter Sunday, 27 March 2016, there will be a wreath-laying ceremony at Kilmainham Gaol in the morning, followed by a formal State parade to be led by representatives of the relatives who fought and died in 1916. On the evening of Easter Sunday there will be a State reception in Dublin Castle. On Easter Monday there will be an interfaith service at St. Mary's Pro-Cathedral. On Sunday 24 April, the actual date of the Rising, there will be a commemoration at Arbour Hill, hosted by the Minister for Defence, and ceremonies will be held at the graves of the 1916 leaders.
In addition, a capital provision of €22 million will be allocated in 2015 to a number of flagship projects, including:
- the development of a permanent exhibition space and interpretative centre at the GPO;
- the restoration of Kilmainham Courthouse to enhance the visitor experience at Kilmainham Gaol;
- the provision of a permanent visitor facility at Cathal Brugha Barracks for the Military Service Pensions Archive;
- the development of visitor facilities at Teach an Phiarsaigh, Ros Muc;
- refurbishment works at Richmond Barracks;
- the development of a Tenement Museum in Dublin; and
- the commencement of refurbishment and development works at the National Archives and the National Concert Hall's Kevin Barry rooms.
