Heritage Centres Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 October 2016

Tuesday, 25 October 2016

Questions (379)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

379. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she is satisfied with the proposed purchase of the site of the Mary Robinson Centre from a director of the Victoria House Foundation which will run the centre; if she is further satisfied with the cost of the project to the State; if she is satisfied with the manner of its funding and the financial aspects of the running of the project into the future; if she has discussed the project with the Taoiseach or his Department; and if so, the elements that were discussed and the stage of the project at which were they discussed. [31505/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Mayo County Council is the project promoter of the Mary Robinson Centre in Ballina. My Department received a formal request for funding towards the Centre from Mayo County Council in July 2015. In February 2016, my Department offered a capital grant in principle to Mayo County Council of up to €2.0 million in respect of the Mary Robinson Centre in Ballina. The grant is to be used as a contribution towards the cost of construction and is not for the purpose of purchasing property. The offer is subject to conditions that apply to all capital grants and these must be met in advance of payment of the grant. Mayo County Council has accepted the offer and the conditions.

As the project was approved in the context of the Revised Estimates, it would have been subject to consideration of Government in the normal way.