asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the Government's consideration of its contribution to the celebration of the millennium. [17639/98]
Ceisteanna—Questions. - Millennium Projects.
Jimmy Deenihan
Ceist:16 Mr. Deenihan asked the Taoiseach if he will outline Government plans for the provision of major millennium projects; the expected distribution of these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18693/98]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 15 and 16 together.
The National Millennium Committee, which I chair, will have its first meeting on Thursday, 19 November. The committee is to examine and make recommendations on a small number of capital projects of national signficance which have been proposed as millennium projects. In addition, it will examine and recommend a system for supporting, including funding, commemorative projects at a community, local, county or regional level to provide local communities, including in areas of social disadvantage, with an opportunity to participate in the commemoration of the millennium.
A total of £30 million of Exchequer funding is to be made available over the years 1999 and 2000 towards the cost of projects for inclusion in the Government's programme to mark the new millennium. A total of £27 million of this funding has been designated for capital projects. It is the Government's intention that this £30 million will act as a lever on other sources of cofunding from the corporate and private sectors, thus potentially making up to £60 million available for millennium projects.
The work of the National Millennium Committee will be supported by a small millennium office to be established within the Department of the Taoiseach. This office will also be responsible for the co-ordination of the Government's overall millennium programme. An announcement giving details of the National Millennium Committee will be made shortly.
The Minister of State said some projects have already been earmarked. What projects are they? He also referred to national projects and community projects. How will the £30 million be distributed between the two?
Some of the money will be for community projects and some will be allocated to a small number of national projects. No division has been decided. The first meeting of the committee to examine this will take place tomorrow. I hope to announce the membership of that group then. I am still waiting for final acceptances.
The Minister of State referred to national projects that are earmarked.
No projects have been earmarked. The gross cost of the unsolicited suggestions for millennium projects which have been received in the Department of the Taoiseach comes to more than £300 million.
Are they all in south Kerry?
I hope so, and perhaps in north Kerry.
Do not be surprised.
That era is over. Dick is no longer there.
The Gort fire brigade is now located in Tralee, Deputy Quinn.
Welcome back to stroke politics; C. J. Haughey is alive and well.
Where is the president of the Deputy's party?
He is not before a tribunal.
The Members must allow Deputy Deenihan to ask his question.
With regard to the composition of the committee, will its members come from various parts of the country or will it be Dublin-based?
The committee will be representative of arts, heritage, business, sports and so forth. A second group comprising senior officials will operate parallel to the national committee. The committee will be nationally representative.
On what date will the programme be announced? What is the reason for the delay in making appointments to the committee and in it commencing its business? The Government's intent to establish the committee was announced before the summer recess. Will the Minister of State assure the House that the projects to be selected for the millennium will be made known before the year 2001?
They will be made known well before that date.