Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 June 2018
21. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the performance delivery agreement in relation to Galway 2020; the details of the agreement in respect of the €250,000 already advanced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27068/18]
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 €15 m to the selected project. Galway's designation as European Capital of Culture 2020, along with Rijeka, Croatia, is a great honour for Ireland and a wonderful opportunity to strengthen and promote our culture nationally and internationally.
The Government's support represents the largest single contribution to the overall cost of Galway 2020 as the European City of Culture, which is €45.7 m. 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 €1.5 m.
Galway as European Capital of Culture 2020 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.
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 spent on programme costs.
The balance of the €15 m grant will be paid to Galway 2020 through a performance delivery agreement which is currently being drawn up by officials of my Department in consultation with Galway2020. It is intended to finalise this agreement in the near future.
