Vol. 549 No. 4
245 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands the number of county or regional museums in existence; the number proposed in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7064/02]
My statutory functions in relation to county museums in Ireland are set down in section 68 subsection (2)(a) of the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997. Under this section of the Act the Director of the National Museum of Ireland may, with my consent, designate museums in the ownership and control of local authorities that meet certain standards to hold and display archaeological objects. To date ten county museums have been designated.
Under the Arts and Culture Enhancement Support Scheme, ACCESS, funding has been earmarked for a number of museums. When these projects have been completed, these museums, if eligible, may apply for designation under the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997.
