John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

I presume the Deputy is referring to the Tinteán Theatre, Ballybunion, which was awarded grant support totalling €825,235 by my Department in 2001.

To satisfy the conditions attaching to the grant, the promoters were required to provide evidence that the balance of the capital funding required to complete the project and bring it to operational status was available. That was done in 2002, when confirmation was received that the total project cost would be approximately €2,500,000, to be financed by a contribution of approximately €1,500,000 from the promoters, borrowings of €200,000, and my Department's grant of €825,000. The position was further assessed in 2003, and although costs had risen to approximately €3 million, the continued availability of the necessary finance was confirmed.

At this point the project financing comprises a contribution from the promoters in the region of €1.2 million, borrowings of €1 million, my Department's grant of €825,000 and €60,000 from Kerry County Enterprise Board. The aim of the project submitted for funding, which I understand represents phase 1 of a planned larger development, is to provide a 250-seat contemporary Irish dance theatre in Ballybunion for the development of contemporary Irish dance. The proposal also entails the provision of space for performance, training, administrative and teaching facilities.

Some €675,000 of the total grant of €825,000 has been drawn down, and as yet there has been no information from the promoters on when they envisage the draw-down of the balance of the funding.

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