Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

I understand the sum in question is €60,000.

The allocation under the regional development programme was €865,000 in 2006; €950,000 in 2007; and €1.25 million in 2008. This year, at the completion of that programme, there will be a full-year cost of €1.46 million. The reason for the increase is that this was a rolling programme of regional centres being opened by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. If a person was employed in September last year, for example, full-year funding must be provided this year. Given that the programme was agreed four or five years ago, it did not appear in the freedom of information request regarding the funding sought by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for 2009. This funding was requested and granted some years ago.

The total allocation, therefore, was €1.47 million in 2006; €1.58 million in 2007; €1.91 million in 2008; and €2.18 million for 2009. The 2009 figure includes the €60,000 for Brú Ború and the final instalment of increases under the regional development programme. The total increase is some €270,000 this year. I will send the tables to the Deputy but I am not sure what amount it received in capital spending. Some of the €3 million that was allocated to my Vote has been transferred in the Revised Estimates to the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism. I do not have figures available on whether this represents an increase or a decrease on last year's capital allocation. The Deputy will have to contact that Department.

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