Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2023
313. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media what supports could be provided to a museum (details supplied) to ensure it can continue to operate considering the bleak financial situation it faces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33519/23]
View answerThe network of local and community museums is a very important element of the heritage and culture sector, interpreting many aspects of local history and providing access to the culture and traditions of life in Ireland. I am aware that the constraints on travel during the COVID pandemic and the more recent escalation of utility costs has brought unprecedented challenges to the continued operation of several of these local and community museums. Their necessary responses vary greatly and have included changes to seasonal opening, revised access hours, utility costs reduction measures and other initiatives. In this context, the challenging situation at Museum to which the Deputy refers has been brought to the attention of my Department but there are no schemes to respond to this sort of contingency situation through ongoing subvention. In the event of viable proposals for the sustainable future operation of the Museum in question, officials from my Department would be available to meet with the local authority or the Old Drogheda Society to review the situation. As the Deputy is aware, the resources available to the Department are limited and allocation is prioritised towards strengthening infrastructure and capacity in museums and bodies rather than subsidising their operations on a continuing basis. In the event of development proposals emerging for the Museum to which the Deputy refers, my Department operates a Regional Museum Exhibition Scheme which provides support for capital works that would enhance the exhibition/display facilities within the museum or promote access to the museum. The objective is to assist museums in presenting national or local culture through exhibition programmes for both locals and visitors alike. This Scheme operates on a matched funding basis (75:25), where 25% of the proposed costs must be provided by the applicant.Full details of the scheme including eligibility requirements are available on my Departments website www.gov.ie/en/service/676e1-regional-museum-exhibitions-scheme/. Funding available under this scheme is capped at €15,000. The scheme for 2023 is now closed.
