John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

An application for funding was received from this project under the Arts and Culture Capital Enhancement Support Scheme II, better known as ACCESS II. This is the successor to the highly successful ACCESS I scheme, introduced in August 2001, which allocated funding of almost €43 million to 40 projects nationwide.

ACCESS has been widely acknowledged as a significant intervention in the provision of high quality arts and culture infrastructure around the country. Under the new scheme, 70% of the funds will be directed towards the enhancement and refurbishment of existing facilities, with 30% available for new facilities.

An independent selection committee has just completed the assessment of the applications and has, in recent days, completed its report for my consideration. I am currently examining this report and hope to make an announcement regarding the successful applicants shortly.

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