Ms Sheenagh Rooney:

The project advisory board is a high-level advisory board that provides guidance. We are only in the second round of the funding and its membership. We have adapted over time. For example, we added the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport to the board in the previous round when we saw the type of applications that were coming through because we felt we needed that expertise. While the Department to which the Deputy referred is not necessarily represented on the project advisory board, we engage with it bilaterally on the fund. If projects come through that we have particular queries on or that look like they are likely to be funded, we would seek the Department's advice and input.

The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has itself been a successful applicant, and as such it might have been fortuitous that it was not on the project advisory board.