Vol. 529 No. 1
974 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will provide details of the public funding provided to a project (details supplied) in County Clare in each of the past years 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000; the reasons such funding was provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2596/01]
The International Folk Music Centre in Ennis is a major cultural and tourism project being developed by the Clare local authorities with grant-aid from my Department and from Shannon Development. Of a total commitment by my Department of £2.5 million, a grant payment of £1.2 million has been made. This payment was made in 2000 by my Department.
I have been fully supportive of this project from the outset as I recognised its immense potential to contribute to the development of our cultural heritage and the arts in the region and nationally. The centre will be dedicated to the provision of access to excellence in folk music for both visitors and the domestic audience and to the evolution of contemporary folk music.
