Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 November 2018
14. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 776 of 12 July 2018, if a grant scheme has been opened that would consider an application for funding to restore and maintain vintage mechanical equipment and machinery such as steam engines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47215/18]
View answerMy Department does not have a specific scheme for the restoration of vintage machinery. There could however be a possibility that equipment or machinery would be encompassed within an overall project that fulfils the criteria of the scheme. An example would be a museum in which such machinery was held. The recent Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016 - 2018 is focused on the refurbishment and enhancement of the existing stock of arts and culture facilities throughout the country. Funding of €10.214m was allocated to 134 projects under three complementary grant streams. This is the most significant investment in cultural infrastructure in a decade with funding provided to a range of facilities, including arts centres, theatres, galleries and museums, as well as artists’ studios and creative spaces. A full list of all successful projects is available on my Department’s website.
Project Ireland 2040 has given explicit recognition to the importance of our culture, language and heritage and to our sustainable development by the unprecedented commitment by Government to invest €1.2 billion over the next decade. Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018-2027 sets out the Government’s objectives for capital investment in Ireland’s culture, language and heritage. The plan sets out significant investment on a phased basis over the next 10 years including €40 million to secure existing investment in arts and culture infrastructure nationwide and ensure a regional balance. This infrastructure includes art galleries, museums, theatres and performance spaces, most of which is operated by our 31 local authorities. These play an important role in supporting and enriching rural communities. The Irish Museums Association estimates that there are approximately 230 museums throughout Ireland and these welcome over 6 million visitors annually.
The Arts and Culture Capital Scheme is making a huge difference to many individual organisations and my Department is already seeing good outcomes and receiving positive feedback. My Department is currently giving consideration to new round of grant funding for Arts and Cultural Capital to be announced in the near future.
I hope to be able to re-open the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme over the coming months.
