I propose to take Questions Nos. 647 and 653 together.
The Heritage Council, which is funded by my Department, is independent in the performance of its functions. It is a matter for the Heritage Council to decide how its funding is allocated across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports.
In 2018, I allocated funding of €6.377M to the Heritage Council as part of the annual Estimates process. This represents an increase of €123,000 on the 2017 allocation, which, in turn, had been increased by over €1 million on the 2016 allocation.
The Heritage in Schools Programme is very popular and successful in raising awareness and appreciation of our national heritage.
The numbers of applications for Heritage in Schools 2018 are as follows:
|
Applications Received
|
Applications Granted
|
Applications refused
|
|
1601
|
1530
|
71
|
I am informed by the Heritage Council that the Programme is fully booked for this year. I understand, however, that the Council is examining whether it can identify further funding to allow the Programme to expand and meet increased demand. I also understand that the Heritage Council plans to develop the Programme further as part of their new Strategic Plan which will be published shortly.
More detailed information on this Programme and the Heritage Council’s other activities is available on its website www.heritagecouncil.ie or by contacting the Council directly.
