Vol. 481 No. 1
211 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has considered the location at Turlough House, Castlebar, County Mayo for expansion of the National Museum by housing the National Folklife Collection there including an investment of £5 million; if so, when detailed planning can commence on this important project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15732/97]
: By Government decision of 19 June 1997, a sum of £5 million was earmarked from funds available for cultural tourism purposes under the EU Structural Funds assisted Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-1999, towards the development of the Turlough Park Facility, to house the folklife collection of the National Museum of Ireland, a project into which Mayo County Council has also made a significant commitment. Details of requirements for this facility are being further examined by a firm of museum consultants, as part of an overall functional brief being prepared for the future development of the National Museum at all its locations. The detailed operational aspects of the Castlebar facility have yet to be finalised.
