Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The question relates to a matter for which I have no statutory remit. Urban planning and the appointment referred to by the Deputy is a matter for the appropriate local authority, which in this instance is Dublin City Council.

However, I note that I provide funding to Dublin City Council towards part of the costs of the imaginative UNESCO Dublin city of literature programme. In July 2010, Dublin became the world's fourth UNESCO city of literature and part of the UNESCO creative cities network, which was launched in 2004 and includes Edinburgh, Iowa city and Melbourne. The award is a permanent designation and its realisation has been led by the city library service of Dublin City Council.

Since then, Dublin City Council, through the city library service, has led and directed the work of the Dublin UNESCO City of Literature office supported by an expanded management group and a representative steering group. Funding has been provided directly and in kind by Dublin City Council, by my Department, by Fáilte Ireland and Foras na Gaeilge. I am providing €50,000 in funding to Dublin City Council for this year's UNESCO activities.

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