Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2015
659. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the financial support available to local authorities to ensure the Ireland 2016 county plans are delivered, given the extraordinary response from local authorities to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43792/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the 'Community Participation' strand of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, over 84 public consultations, facilitated by the local authorities with the support from my Department, have taken place nationwide. The response has been enthusiastic from all local authorities and each of the local authorities has now developed a rich and diverse series of events and projects that will take place around the country next year. I was very pleased to participate with An Taoiseach and other Government colleagues at the official launch on 8 October last of the 31 individual county plans arising from this process. I allocated €1 million in current funding in 205 to support local authorities in this process, and on 25 October 2015, I joined the Taoiseach for the announcement of a further €3 million funding package in conjunction with the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and IPB Insurance. This three-fold increase in funding will help to develop and realise the plans being coordinated at a county level across the country. My officials have notified the local authorities of their increased allocation for 2016, and I am confident that this funding will help to maximise participation in the Ireland 2016 programme throughout each county.
The local authorities are now in the process of organising individual launches, including a wide variety of events, lectures and opportunities for the public to get involved with the programme. Further information in relation to the various events, activities and initiatives taking place under each of the above strands, including the 31 county plans launched in October, can be found on my Department’s dedicated website at www.ireland.ie.
