John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

My Department has allocated a total of €7.85 million, comprising an original €6.35 million towards programming for the event and a further €1.5 million which I approved specifically for additional new commissions and a number of larger events with mass audience appeal. EU funding of €500,000 has been provided, the event has a sponsorship target of €3.975 million and Cork City Council is to provide €3.175 million. Cork City Council has also underwritten a further €3.175 million of Cork 2005's sponsorship target. This brings the total budget for Cork 2005 to €15.5 million All Government funding to Cork 2005 is channelled through Cork City Council. To date my Department has made payments totalling €6 million to Cork City Council in respect of Cork 2005 expenditure. In addition, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland are actively promoting Cork 2005 through all the avenues available to them.

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