Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 May 2023
337. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update on the IMMA satellite museum initiative in Ballina, County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24505/23]
View answerIn 2022, IMMA, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, received a proposal for an IMMA satellite gallery in Ballina, County Mayo to support the enhancement of the cultural offering in the region.
I understand that the proposal was discussed by the IMMA Board and briefing on the matter was provided to my Department. At the time, it was noted that the annual capital funding provision to IMMA did not extend to projects of this scale and that this project was not included in the National Cultural Institutions Investment Programme under the National Development Plan. The requirement to adhere to the terms and conditions of the public spending code for all Exchequer-funded capital projects was also noted.
During this period, Government decided to suspend the IIP programme. Given this decision and on the advice of my Department, IMMA has referred the project back to the project proposers for a review of the financial considerations given the proposed project's dependence on this programme.
