Last year, I established a 2016 project office in my Department which has responsibility for co-ordinating and leading on all activities relating to the development and implementation of the Ireland 2016 initiative, which is focused on the commemoration of the centenary of the events of the 1916 Easter Rising. The initiative will also reflect on the legacy of that period and look towards our future, based around the themes set out in the Government's framework plan. I have secured a dedicated allocation of €4 million in current funding to support the development in 2015 of the Ireland 2016 initiative. This allocation will be used to engage with and support a wide range of activities and events by interested groups, including local community groups and the arts, as well as Irish language and educational projects. Details of individual allocations from this €4 million are currently being finalised. The allocation of €4 million is in addition to the capital provision of €22 million, which will be allocated in 2015 to a number of flagship commemorations projects. I also secured €2 million in additional funding for the Arts Council for its commemoration programme in preparation for 2016. The national cultural institutions have also been preparing their plans for Ireland 2016, which will be supported both from their own resources and from additional allocations to be provided by my Department.
Some €1 million of the current funding allocation of €4 million for 2015 will be to be distributed across all local authorities. The purpose of this funding allocation is to support engagement and facilitation within local communities to generate awareness of the Ireland 2016 initiative and the commemoration of the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising, and to support each local authority in developing and delivering a plan for a suitable programme of events and initiatives to take place at a county level in line with the national plans for Ireland 2016. Local authorities will be notified of individual allocations very shortly.
To date, expenditure of more than €2 million has been incurred across the 2016 programme. This includes expenditure on capital projects, as well as the current and administrative costs arising. It does not include expenditure incurred by other key Departments and offices such as the OPW and the Department of Defence.