Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 March 2015
629. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding to be provided to each local authority and other organisations to assist with the 1916 commemorations; the total funding to be provided; the criteria involved in the funding allocation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10294/15]
View answerI have secured an allocation of €4 million in current funding to support the development in 2015 of the Ireland 2016 initiative. This allocation will be used to engage with and support a wide range of activities and events by interested groups, including local community groups, as well as Irish language, educational and cultural projects. The allocation of €4 million is in addition to the capital provision of €22 million, which will be allocated in 2015 to a number of flagship commemorations projects. Within this €4m, an allocation of €1 million is to be distributed across all local authorities in 2015. The purpose of this funding allocation is to
- Support engagement and facilitation within local communities to generate awareness of the Ireland 2016 initiative and the commemoration of the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising; and
- Support each local authority in developing and delivering a plan for a suitable programme of events and initiatives to take place at a county level in line with the national plans for Ireland 2016. Local authorities will be notified of individual allocations and the recommended criteria for the inclusion of initiatives and projects in county plans very shortly.
The Government also provided an additional €2 million to the Arts Council in 2015 for an artistic programme as part of Ireland 2016. On 6 March 2015, the Arts Council announced an open call for projects which will form part of the Ireland 2016 Commemorations. Details regarding how to apply for this funding are available on the Arts Council website – www.artscouncil.ie
