I propose to take Questions Nos. 284 and 285 together.
My officials continually liaise with the National Cultural Institutions and my Department is fully briefed on the challenges that the NCIs face with respect to collections storage. Under the National Development Plan, my Department's sectoral plan - Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018 - 2027 - provides for the investment of €460m in the capital redevelopment of the National Cultural Institutions over the period 2018 to 2027.
Under this plan it is intended to upgrade and extend the institutions’ buildings and facilities in line with international museum standards and to provide for enhanced collection storage facilities, along with expanded learning and exhibition spaces, visitor facilities and other needs identified by the NCIs.
These projects are being planned, implemented and evaluated in line with the Public Spending Code and best practice guidance outlined in the Capital Works Management Framework published by the Office of Government Procurement. While the majority of these capital projects are moving through preliminary stages, a number of projects are at implementation stage or are nearing implementation stage. When the capital projects are complete it is expected that this investment will fully address any deficits in relation to storage.
My Department engages with the OPW on a regular basis with regard to the implementation of this plan and the possibility of shared storage arrangements is being considered as part of this process.
