Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2017
665. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the National Museum of Ireland's Museum of Country Life in Castlebar has the necessary funding and resources to remain open to the public and provide a high-quality of service for the next five years. [13322/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Museum of Ireland is currently engaged in a master planning process for all its sites including the Museum of Country Life. This process has included consultations in recent months with staff as well as with local stakeholders on the future direction of the Museum of Country Life and how best to enhance and expand the Museum's presence there.
I will continue to be supportive of the Chair and the new board in implementing change in the museum, as well as preparing new plans to improve the museum's services to the public over the coming years.
Since 2015, I have obtained significant additional resources for our national cultural institutions including the National Museum. In the last Budget, I obtained an extra €2 million across the Cultural Institutions of which €650,000 was allocated to the National Museum. This confirms my commitment towards progressively increasing funding for the arts and culture as the economy improves.
