Written Answers Nos. 1-47
28. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the studies she plans to undertake in relation to the feasibility of extending Erne navigation from Belturbet to Killykeen and Killeshandra, County Cavan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19998/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWaterways Ireland manages and maintains the navigation on the River Erne in County Cavan as part of the Shannon – Erne Waterway. Waterways Ireland public jetties are provided in both Belturbet and Kilconny and the navigation channel is provided with navigation markers and signage as and where required. The upper limit of the managed navigation on the River Erne is currently just below Erne Bridge between Belturbet and Kilconny.
I have been informed by Waterways Ireland that a number of studies have been undertaken since the late 1980’s to examine the feasibility of extending the navigation upstream from Belturbet to Lough Oughter. The results of these studies have not been taken forward due to budgetary constraints, extent of assessments required, anticipated impacts on the designated habitat, constraints on works due to environmental legislation, and the remit of Waterways Ireland.
While there are no plans currently for a navigation extension scheme, Waterways Ireland have advised me that there may be potential in the waters of the Lough Oughter area being promoted as a distinct Blueway as Blueways Ireland (National Trails Office, Canoeing Ireland and other state bodies) is currently considering the establishment of Blueways beyond the Waterways Ireland network of inland waterways.
To this end Waterways Ireland has met with the Chief Executive of Cavan County Council, Council officials and elected representatives concerning Blueways developed successfully on the Waterways Ireland network and to advise on possible ways forward.
Waterways Ireland is happy to support Cavan County Council with advice should it decide to develop a Blueway on the River Erne from Belturbet to Killykeen and Killeshandra.
Questions Nos. 29 to 31, inclusive, answered orally.
32. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an dtabharfaidh sí cur síos ar na pleananna atá aici scéim na mbóithre áise a chur ar bun an athuair do bhóithre nach bóithre contae iad, bóithre áise a fhad le tithe agus feirmeacha, i gceantar na Gaeltachta amháin; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [19976/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFaoi Scéim na mBóithre Áise de chuid na Roinne, a bhfuil tagairt déanta di ina cheist ag an Teachta, chuirtí airgead ar fáil do na húdaráis áitiúla ar mhaithe le obair dheisiúcháin a dhéanamh ar bhóithre beaga faoi leith sa Ghaeltacht.
Le go mbeadh bóthar cáilithe chun críche na scéime ba ghá roinnt coinníollacha faoi leith a bheith comhlíonta, ina measc; gur bóthar é nach raibh faoi chúram an údaráis áitiúil ábhartha agus gur bóthar é a bhí ag freastal ar theach amháin ar a laghad móide gabháltas talún nach le húinéir an tí é. Bhí sé mar choinníoll faoi leith chomh maith nach raibh aon gheata transna an bhóthair a thabharfadh le tuiscint don saol fodhlach go raibh cosc orthu an bóthar a úsáid. Mar is eol don Teachta tá an scéim ar fionraí le tamall de bhlianta anois.
Tuigtear go gcuimsítear feabhas ar bhóithre den chineál atá luaite faoi Scéim Feabhsúcháin Áitiúil atá faoi stiúir na Roinne Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail.
34. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the schemes available to support built heritage projects in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19983/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe protection and management of our architectural heritage is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation as are the roles of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners.
Financial support for the protection of architectural heritage is provided by my Department through a number of schemes. These schemes are administered via the local authorities.
The Built Heritage Investment Scheme is a scheme for the repair and conservation of protected structures (i.e. structures on the local authority Record of Protected Structures). The Scheme is designed to leverage private capital for investment in a significant number of labour-intensive, small scale conservation projects across the country and to support the employment of skilled and experienced conservation professionals, craftspeople and tradespersons in the repair of the historic built environment. €2m has been provided for the Built Heritage Investment Scheme 2018. 370 projects have been approved for funding, including five projects in County Louth with aggregate grant aid of €50,000.
The Structures at Risk Fund enables conservation works to heritage structures in both private and public ownership, which are protected under the Planning and Development Acts and are deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration. €1,324,000 has been provided for the Structures at Risk Fund 2018. 76 projects across the country have been approved for funding, including four projects in County Louth aggregating €120,000 in grant aid.
Details of all projects funded under both schemes are available on my Department’s website and all local authority websites. While the closing date for the 2018 schemes has now passed, my Department remains in contact with local authorities throughout the year to ensure the best use of funding, including by reallocating unused funding where, for example, projects do not go ahead.
My Department has provided €350,000 of funding to the OPW in 2018 to assist in the conservation and presentation of historic buildings and national monuments in State ownership. My Department’s National Monuments Service also works in close collaboration with the OPW on survey, excavation and research work to optimise the protection, management, interpretation and presentation of national monuments in State care.
The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection and preservation of the built heritage. It is primarily a matter for the Heritage Council to decide how its funding should be allocated across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports annually, having regard to competing priorities for limited resources. Grant schemes for 2018 are advertised by the Heritage Council on its website www.heritagecouncil.ie.
In terms of funding for future years, Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018 – 2027 represents a major capital investment scheme of close to €1.3 billion in funding over the next 10 years. In addition to many other significant initiatives, this plan will see increased investment in protecting and celebrating our built heritage across the country. More details on the commencement and completion dates for projects and programmes, as well as the timing of the expenditure in relation to them, will emerge as we go through the process of appraisal and planning as required under the Public Spending Code.
35. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the additional facilities that may be required at the National Concert Hall, NCH, if the recommendations of the Boaden report in respect of the future of the National Symphony Orchestra is implemented; the way in which the funding will be provided to facilitate the NCH in enabling such a transfer to take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20005/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I stated in my reply to the Priority Question No 1 earlier today, both the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment and I have welcomed the recommendations of the RTÉ report in relation to the provision of orchestral music.
The report has recommended that the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra should be a national cultural institution in its own right, or within the National Concert Hall. It should be noted that the National Symphony Orchestra has been located in the National Concert Hall since it opened in 1981 and it provides the backbone to the Hall's orchestral music programme. Therefore, there is no change in venue required for any organisational change.
I have also recently announced a major €78m plan to redevelop the National Concert Hall as part of the Government's capital investment plan for Culture, Language and Heritage. This includes provision of a larger hall and proper rehearsal facilities for the National Symphony Orchestra. There is now an opportunity for the National Symphony Orchestra to play an even stronger role in the cultural life of the national as part of these wider developments.
Officials in our Departments have been asked to advance the recommendations of the report as a matter of priority. This will require intense engagement between both our Departments and RTÉ, and with the National Concert Hall. The concerns of employees of the orchestras will be to the forefront of considerations and there will need to be significant engagement with them in this regard.
I expect to bring an early report to Government to chart a way forward including the steps which will be needed to address the recommendations.
36. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the public consultation into the way in which the significant events of the 1918 to 1923 period will be appropriately remembered will report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20142/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Decade of Centenaries public consultation process was launched by my predecessor, Minister Heather Humphreys T.D. in October of last year. The original closing date for receipt of submissions was 31st January 2018 and this was subsequently extended to 28th February.
The objective of this process was to give interested parties the opportunity to submit their views and ideas around how the events between 1918 and 1923 might be appropriately and respectfully remembered, in line with the principles expressed in the Second Statement of the Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations. I was very encouraged by the response - 73 submissions were made, with 20 of these coming from local authorities.
The Government will continue to be supported in its approach to remembering the significant historical events between 1918 and 1923 by the guidance of the Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations, chaired by Dr Maurice Manning and by the All Party Consultation Group on Commemorations once established. The Expert Advisory Group has considered all of the submissions received and is now formulating the guidance that it will provide to Government to inform the State's approach to the remembrance of significant historical events and themes over the remainder of the Decade. I expect this to be provided to me in the coming weeks.
In relation to the 2018 Commemoration Programme which is already underway; this comprises four thematic strands commemorating the significant historical event which took place in 1918:
- the death of John Redmond and the decline of the Irish Parliamentary Party
- the end of World War 1
- the introduction of voting rights for women and their right to stand in Parliamentary elections
- the emergence and divergence of Irish identity in 1918.
In planning events for the remainder of the decade I am of the view that local authorities will have a key role in supporting engagement and facilitation in local communities and in developing suitable commemorative initiatives at county level and in line with the principles expressed in Second Statement of the Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations.
37. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the degree to which she continues to support, maintain, preserve and promote heritage sites throughout the country with particular reference to the need to ensure that nothing is lost that can be preserved for future generations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20075/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy role is set out in the provisions of relevant legislation, as are the roles of local authorities and the responsibilities of owners.
I recently launched Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018-2027, a major capital investment of close to €1.3 billion in funding for culture and heritage over the next 10 years. This plan will see increased investment in protecting and celebrating our built and natural heritage across the country.
Investment will include targeted supports for our built heritage such as the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Structures Fund which help the owners and custodians of our heritage buildings to protect our valuable built heritage and ensure that vital traditional building skills are not lost. A major investment programme in our National Parks is envisaged with significant investment in visitor facilities and a strong emphasis on conservation and protection of biodiversity. The investment will also enable us to make our archaeological heritage more open to everyone, through better conservation, improved facilities and access.
Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage will also support significant investment in recreational facilities including trails networks. The plan provides €60 million over 10 years for biodiversity. It is envisaged that this will be spent on maintaining and restoring important habitats such as peatlands. The funding will directly support employment in the heritage, conservation and archaeological sectors. By safeguarding and preserving our heritage sites, we will also promote tourism and sustainable regional development.
More details on the commencement and completion dates for projects and programmes, as well as the timing of the expenditure in relation to them, will emerge as we go through the process of appraisal and planning as required under the Public Spending Code. These will be designed and delivered with a strong emphasis on conservation and allow us to protect and preserve our most fragile environments and, investing in our culture, language and heritage, provide a well-being benefit for all.
Ireland’s archaeological heritage is of international significance. I am the owner or guardian of almost 1000 national monuments in State care right across the country ranging from prehistoric burial monuments, to medieval fortifications and religious sites. Our national monument portfolio also includes more modern structures such as the eighteenth-century terrace at 14-17 Moore Street. Local authorities are responsible under the National Monuments Acts for maintaining the national monuments of which they are guardians.
The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants and supports for the protection and preservation of our heritage. It is primarily a matter for the Heritage Council to decide how its funding should be allocated across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports annually, having regard to competing priorities for limited resources. Grant schemes for 2018 are advertised by the Heritage Council on its website www.heritagecouncil.ie.
38. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of vacancies on the board of the National Museum of Ireland; when she plans to fill these vacancies; the process by which the vacancies will be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19978/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 19(1) of the National Cultural Institutions Act, 1997 (the 1997 Act) provides that the Board of the National Museum of Ireland shall consist of a chairperson and not less than 13 or more than 15 ordinary members.
There are currently three vacancies, one of which is to be filled by a staff representative, on the Board of the National Museum of Ireland.
Officials in my Department are working with the National Museum of Ireland to fill these vacancies which includes the preparation of the appropriate call for expressions of interest to serve on the Board which will be advertised on www.StateBoards.ie. The posts will be advertised in the coming weeks. A panel will then be convened to review the applications received and a short list of names will be submitted to me for final selection and appointment.
The procedure for the filling of the staff representative vacancy is set out in the 1997 Act.
39. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of her Department’s post-project review on a cinema (details supplied); if the review has commenced; and if so, when it will be completed; the terms of reference for the review; the membership of the review team; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20131/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe post project review of the Pálás Cinema project will be conducted in accordance with the Public Spending Code which is managed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The Public Spending Code provides that such reviews should be undertaken once sufficient time has elapsed to allow the project to be properly evaluated with sufficient evidence of the flow of benefits/costs from it. It should be noted that while the project was completed and commenced operation in 2018, it is necessary to wait until 2019 to conduct the review to ensure that there is adequate operational data available for the analysis. This data is essential to assess the degree with which the project is meeting the objectives set for it at its outset. In line with this requirements of the Code, it is my intention that the post project review will commence in quarter one of 2019 and will be delivered within a six month timeframe.
The post project review will include the following terms of reference in respect of the review:
- the development of a logic model for the project to guide the evaluation;
- an examination of the rationale for the State’s investment in the Pálás Cinema;
- an assessment of the efficiency, effectiveness and impact of the State’s investment in the cinema based on the objectives set out for the project at its outset; and
- the identification of any learnings which may be used to improve the Department’s appraisal, management or delivery of capital projects in future.
The post project review will be conducted by the Department’s Evaluation Unit which is made up of members of the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES). It will be overseen by a Quality Assurance Group, as set out in the relevant IGEES guidance. It is intended that the members of the review team will come from within and outside the Department, including representatives with relevant expertise in the areas of evaluation, capital investment and culture.
40. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the concerns in the Irish audiovisual industry regarding the need for certainty surrounding the extension of the section 481 tax incentive in its current form beyond 2020; the danger such projects and jobs could be lost to competing locations in view of the lengthy planning horizons for film and television productions; the engagement her Department has had with the Department of Finance regarding this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19982/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra56. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the engagement her Department has had with the Department of Finance in relation to the extension of section 481 film relief; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20000/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 40 and 56 together.
The Government supports the Irish film industry through the twin approach of direct funding through the Irish Film Board and the film tax credit scheme - Section 481 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997.
Section 481 is provides a critical support for the Irish production sector, generating thousands of jobs, and providing a strong value proposition for the public purse. My Department continues to work on behalf of the sector through its engagement with key Departments including in relation to the extension of Section 481 beyond 2020.
I understand that the Department of Finance is now undertaking a full review of Section 481 in line with tax expenditure guidelines before any decision to extend the extension of tax credit is formalised. My Department is working closely with Department of Finance on an ongoing basis on the issue.
In partnership with the Departments of Communications, Climate Action and Environment and Business, Enterprise and Innovation, my Department commissioned an economic analysis of our screen based creative industries to provide an input for the development of an industry-wide long term plan for Ireland as a global hub for the production of Film, TV Drama and Animation under Pillar 4 of the Creative Ireland Programme. I intend to publish this economic report and associated plan shortly.
41. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the national commemorative events that will be taking place in Glasnevin during the remainder of 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19977/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt should be noted that Glasnevin cemetery is operated by an independent trust which organises a full programme of events throughout the year. Further details of the programme should be available from the Trust itself.
The Government, including my Department, works in close partnership with Glasnevin Trust. This includes support for specific events organised by Glasnevin Trust or as a venue to facilitate many aspects of the State's Decade of Centenaries commemorative programme. The Trust has provided a venue for a number of key State ceremonial events, most recently the centenary of the death of Thomas Ashe on 22nd September 2017.
While there are no confirmed formal State commemorative events scheduled for Glasnevin in 2018 my Department is considering the timing and format of ceremonies to mark the ending of World War I in consultation with relevant State partners. For completeness, I might add that I recently announced plans for an official commemoration in Dún Laoghaire on 10th October 2018 to mark the centenary of the sinking of the RMS Leinster and to commemorate all of those who perished in that tragedy.
42. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding provided in her Department's Estimates for 2018 for restoration work on the Ulster Canal; the works which will be undertaken with such funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19999/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWaterways Ireland is currently working on the first phase of reopening navigation from the Erne to Castle Saunderson on the Ulster Canal.
The works to complete the development are in the final phase of delivery and completion is expected in late July 2018.
To date over €2.8m has been spent on the entire Ulster Canal project. Expenditure of €1.133m is forecast to complete navigation to Castle Saunderson in 2018.
In parallel, the next phase of works on the restoration is under active consideration.
This project is important for the border region with potential to stimulate economic activity, giving a much needed boost to job creation and with the growth in water based tourism attracting help attract significant numbers of visitors to the area. This is increasingly significant in the context of Brexit.
I remain committed to the project and I am keen to build on current progress and advance further restoration of the Ulster Canal to Clones and to progress the commitments in the Fresh Start Agreement in relation to the further development of the Ulster Canal.
43. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to designate further national parks in view of the fact that Ireland has few sq. km of national parks compared to the EU average; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18007/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department manages an extensive conservation and recreational property portfolio of some 85,000 hectares. Our 6 National Parks account for circa 65,000 hectares with another almost 20,000 hectares of nature reserves and other heritage sites. The existing National Parks are managed from a conservation perspective, and attract in excess of 4 million visitors annually.
Given the resources available for capital investment within our National Parks and Nature Reserves, I am ever mindful of the need to focus on the core responsibilities relating to the management of the existing Parks and Reserves lands and have no plans at present to increase the number of National Parks in the country.
However, as part of my Department’s continuing commitment and contribution to protecting our heritage and improving our tourism and recreation product, we have been exploring ways to optimise the sustainable potential of heritage sites under our control in a way that is compatible with conservation objectives.
In this context, it should be noted that in late 2016 my Department negotiated the extension of Wicklow Mountains National Park by purchasing almost 4,900 acres of Dublin Uplands at Glenasmole in 2016 at a cost of €800,000. The purchase underpins the Government’s on-going commitment to the preservation of our natural heritage for future generations of citizens and visitors alike to enjoy.
In 2017 the entire Wild Nephin area was consolidated into the ownership of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. This creates a State – Owned wilderness project of over 11,000 hectares and aims to provide increased nature conservation benefits and biodiversity as well as enhanced recreational and social benefits through the ‘re-wilding’ of the forest which adjoins the National Park. Thanks to the acquisition, we will be returning the area to a natural wilderness state.
My Department, in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, launched a strategic partnership last year with a view to growing tourism revenues in the rural areas where the parks are located and increasing Ireland’s appeal as a recreation destination. Fáilte Ireland invested capital funding of €550,000 to kick-start the initiative. This initial funding focussed on the five National Parks and five Nature Reserves situated on the Wild Atlantic Way in addition to Wicklow Mountains National Park. The funding facilitated the undertaking of feasibility, scoping and design of tourism and recreational projects, building on the strengths of each location, as well as further promoting track and trails within our National Parks and Nature Reserves for walkers and tourists.
One of the outputs from the partnership with Fáilte is “Experiencing the Wild Heart of Ireland ”; an interpretative masterplan for the development of our National Parks and Reserves, and it is currently being finalised. This will prioritise and deliver significant investment at these important nature conservation, public amenity and tourism sites and underpins the objectives of Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage. The investment in our National Parks will create memorable and meaningful experiences of Ireland’s landscapes, wildlife and culture. This will be done though sensitive design and the development of authentic experiences, providing better access to nature and an increased understanding of society’s conservation responsibilities.
I recently launched “Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage”, a ten year plan setting out the Government’s objectives for capital investment in Ireland’s culture, language and heritage. A major investment programme in our National Parks is envisaged under this Plan with significant investment in visitor facilities and a strong emphasis on conservation and protection of biodiversity. Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage will support significant investment in recreational facilities including trails networks. These will be designed and delivered with a strong emphasis on conservation and allow us protect and preserve our most fragile environments and investing in our culture, language & heritage provide a well-being benefit for all.
Over the period of the plan, the following projects are planned:
- Improvement of visitor facilities at Connemara and Glenveagh National Parks;
- New walking and cycling trails at Ballycroy National Park;
- Investment in outdoor recreational facilities in Killarney National Park;
- Investment in interpretation at our Nature Reserves; and
- Enhancement of the visitor experience at Wicklow National Park.
- Strategic park enhancements
So while I have no plans to expand the Park network at present, my Department is actively ensuring the preservation, protection and presentation of the assets we already own.
44. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide additional information on the provisions contained in the Investing in Our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018-2027 plan for a regional production fund aimed at assisting with the cost of filming outside counties Dublin and Wicklow. [19918/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s capital investment plan Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018- 2027 provides for funding of €200m to be invested in media production and audio visual industries through the Irish Film Board over the next 10 years which will have a positive impact right across the country.
This will assist in realising the vision under Pillar 4 of the Creative Ireland Programme to develop Ireland as a centre of excellence in media production.
Related to this my Department will soon publish the report on the “Economic Analysis of the Audiovisual Sector in the Republic of Ireland” and related Government Plan for the Audiovisual industry which will set out in greater detail how it is proposed to develop the industry further.
45. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of hares dying at coursing clubs by club in 2017 and to date in 2018; if post mortems have been carried out in all cases; the number which had pre-existing conditions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19896/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFigures available to my Department from the Irish Coursing Club indicate that during the 2016/17 and 2017/18 hare coursing seasons the number of hares that died at coursing meetings was 26 and 24 respectively. The reports generated by the Irish Coursing Club and the National Parks and Wildlife Service for the 2016/17 and 2017/18 seasons, which would include information to identify the coursing clubs where hares died and if post mortems were carried out, are available on the website of the NPWS at www.npws.ie.
46. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the All-Party Consultation Group on Commemorations will next meet; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19980/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra57. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the cross part advisory the All-Party Consultation Group on Commemorations will be re-established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19996/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra61. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the first meeting of the All-Party Consultation Group on Commemorations will take place. [20137/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 46, 57 and 61 together.
In the lead up to the State’s commemoration of the centenary of the events of 1916, the All-Party Consultation Group on Commemorations proved very constructive. The Group's input will also be beneficial in informing the State Commemorative Programme for the remainder of the Decade of Centenaries.
Last September, my predecessor Minister Humphreys, wrote to the Ceann Comhairle requesting the Business Committee to nominate Deputies and Senators to the group.
Parties in the Northern Ireland Assembly that are not represented in the Dáil or Seanad were also requested to make nominations.
Most nominations have now been received and I expect to receive outstanding nominations shortly. I will then be in a position to convene an early meeting of the Group.
47. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding allocated to Galway 2020 to date; all expenditure, including salaries and rent; the governance structures in place to monitor the expenditure and the projected further funding from her Department between now and the end of 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20130/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2014 the Government decided that Ireland should exercise its right to nominate a European Capital of Culture for 2020 and committed in principle at that time to provide €15m to the selected project. The Government's support represents the largest single contribution to the overall cost of Galway 2020 as the European City of Culture, which is €45.7m. The balance of the funding is sourced from city and county local authorities, and commitments from business and sponsorship. The EU Commission's award is €1.5m. The city of culture is being delivered by the Galway 2020 Company with a board which represents the relevant partners. My Department officials continue to work and support the Galway 2020 Company and its Board with the preparations for delivery of the programme, "Making Waves". Mr Declan McGonagle is my Department’s representative on the Board. My Department provided a first tranche of funding of €250,000 in December 2017 toward certified expenditure already incurred for Galway 2020. The audited accounts for 2017 for Galway Cultural Development and Activity Company Limited by Guarantee, the legal structure set up to undertake all the activities of Galway 2020, show total expenditure of €749,129 to end 2017 of which €229,132 was on salaries, €240,921 on overheads, including rent of €39,788 with the remaining €279,076 spend on programme costs.The balance of the €15m grant will be advanced to Galway 2020 through a performance delivery agreement which is currently being drafted.
