Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In terms of outputs, there are visitor numbers on one of the documents that we provided to the committee but I do not have it to hand. We will provide the committee with the information.

The Solas project started nine years ago. When I came into the Department in 2014 the project landed on my desk. I was left with a situation whereby €6 million had been spent on the project in Galway. A decision needed to be made and I was faced with two options. Do I refuse to give it further funding or do I consider a request for funding to finish the building in the knowledge that I knew there would have to be a fit-out? The cost involved was in the region of €1 million. I had to decide whether to spend a further €1 million and provide much needed art infrastructure in Galway. The importance of the arts to Galway was outlined earlier. The city has the Galway Film Fleadh, an arts festival and it has won the Capital of Culture for 2020. I was faced with a very difficult decision. I felt that in order to protect the €6 million that had been invested that I would approve funding of a further €1 million to finish the project.

We had a lot of conversations with Galway City Council. I was very concerned around corporate governance and my officials spoke with Galway City Council. It was agreed that the city council would project manage the remainder of the project and they had the corporate structures in place that were obviously needed in terms of this project. Galway City Council agreed and we entered into discussions with them. Please bear in mind that I have not paid out any money and I have to be satisfied that the lease of the property and the involvement of Solas must be transferred. That is in progress.