Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
584. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the total expenditure, current and capital, on local and regional museums and galleries; the way that this funding is decided upon and distributed; and if she will provide a breakdown of funding by local and regional museum and gallery for the past ten years in tabular form. [41263/22]
View answerThe funding that I allocate to local and regional museums and galleries and their projects meets a specific cultural need and supports high level goals of my Department. In particular, this funding enhances access to the arts, cultural and film sectors and recognises the social and economic role of these sectors in Ireland. At present there are 12 Regional Organisations that receive funding on a yearly basis from my Department.
Further funding, particularly for regional and specialist galleries, is provided by my Department through the Regional Museum Exhibition Scheme, a competitive scheme which provides grants for capital works that enhance the exhibition/display facilities within the museum or which promote access to the museum. Full details of the scheme including eligibility requirements are available at www.gov.ie/en/service/676e1-regional-museum-exhibitions-scheme/. Funding available under this scheme is capped at €15,000.
My Department also operates further competitive schemes, including the Mobility of Collections Scheme to support greater regional and local access to material held in the National Collections, and the Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools Scheme. The Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools Scheme is designed to support local cultural festivals and summer schools which are not in receipt of other central Government monies and which may not be eligible under funding criteria for larger scale events supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council and similar bodies. Full details of the scheme are available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/89595-small-scale-local-festivals-and-summer-schools/.
As the Deputy has requested, please see at the link a table outlining the funding per regional organisation over the last ten years.
