Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 5 Mar 1997

Vol. 475 No. 8

Written Answers. - Departmental Projects.

Michael Finucane

Ceist:

107 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the projects funded by his Department and agencies under the aegis of his Department in County Limerick in 1995 and 1996; and the location of each project; and the grant aid involved. [6247/97]

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

Funding amounting to £1,693,738 which included a sum of £857,918 from the European regional development fund was paid in respect of the following projects-schemes in County Limerick during 1995 and 1996:

	1995	1996
	£	£
(a) Arts and Heritage Service projects
Desmond Castle, Newcastlewest	155,806*	196,354
Desmond Castle, Adare	3,548*	52,214
Extension of Navigation, Limerick City	600	2,795
Hunt Museum, Limerick	100,000	315,130
European Regional Development Fund
Hunt Museum	353,260	504,658
(b) Ciste na Gaeilge
Conradh na Gaeilge, Limerick City	—	1,500
(c) National Heritage Council projects (funded from the national lottery for the period from 1 January 1995 to 9 July 1995)
Glin Castle — Roofing		7,873

*Channelled through the Vote of the Office of Public Works.

The Heritage Council, which I appointed on 10 July 1995 under the Heritage Act, 1995, is an autonomous statutory body which has power to provide assistance — including financial assistance — and advice to persons and bodies in matters relating to its functions. A detailed list of any grants approved or paid by the statutory Heritage Council will be published in its annual reports.

The figures which I have provided above do not take account of moneys expanded or approved directly by other bodies under the aegis of my Department such as An Chomhairle Ealaíon, Bord Scannán na hÉireann or Bord na Gaeilge during the period in question. Details of grants awarded by such bodies and the location of specific projects funded are available in their annual reports.

I should point out to the Deputy that, in addition to the expenditure to which I have referred, a significant allocation of £687,500 in relation to Limerick City Gallery of Art has been approved by me under the cultural development incentives scheme but not yet expanded.