Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 17 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 5

Written Answers. - Millennium Celebrations.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

157 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the funds, if any, available from Government in relation to millennium festivals; if so, the headings under which an application can be made; and the amount of money allocated to this fund at national level. [4492/99]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid)

Millennium Festivals Limited is a company limited by guarantee whose main objective is to enhance a number of key selected festivals, for the purpose of celebrating and commemorating the millennium with the intention of increasing overseas visitor numbers. The establishment of eligibility criteria for festival support is a day to day operational matter for the board of Millennium Festivals Limited, and not one in which my Department has a role.

I provided £500,000 to Millennium Festivals Limited to fund their activities in 1998 and I have allocated £2.5 million for 1999. In addition, the National Millennium Committee, under the chairmanship of Minister of State, Deputy Séamus Brennan, recently approved an allocation of £1 million in funding for Millennium Festivals Limited.