Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
2811. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 21 of 21 June 2018, the date on which the performance delivery agreement in relation to the contribution of €15 million by her Department to Galway 2020 is expected to be finalised; the details of the agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33234/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2812. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the detail of all moneys drawn down by and advanced to Galway 2020 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33235/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2813. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the provision of €15 million by her Department to Galway 2020 is contingent on funding secured from other sources; if so, the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33236/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2814. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the value of the contribution by the EU to the Galway 2020 project; if the provision of these moneys is contingent on funding secured from other sources; if so, the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33237/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2820. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of the funding from other sources in relation to Galway 2020 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33243/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2822. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the shortfall in funding for Galway 2020 of €5.45 million in 2017 and €5.08 million to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33245/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra2823. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the breakdown of the €5.49 million budget in respect of marketing for Galway 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33246/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 2811 to 2814, inclusive, 2820, 2822 and 2823 together.
In 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. 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 of €15m represents the largest single contribution to the overall cost of Galway 2020 as the European Capital of Culture. The Government's contribution is provided as part of a suite of co-funding arrangements to deliver the programme outlined by Galway 2020. 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. Galway 2020, as part of its bid for the title of European Capital of Culture, also set out plans to apply for funding for projects under a number of EU programmes such as Creative Europe, Erasmus+, Europe for Citizens, Horizon 2020 and LIFE. At present, Galway 2020 aim for a total EU contribution of €3m to the programme.
As outlined in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 21 of 21 June 2018, 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 breakdown of specific budget items and planned expenditures for Galway 2020 are a matter for the Board of Galway 2020.
A performance delivery agreement for the provision of the balance of the €15m grant to be paid to Galway 2020 is currently being drawn up by officials of my Department in consultation with Galway 2020. The performance delivery agreement will address the roles and responsibilities of the Department and Galway 2020 in the provision and expenditure of the grant, as well as the key deliverables and performance indicators attached to the drawdown of the grant, and monitoring and reporting arrangements.
It is intended to finalise the agreement over the next two months.
