Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The announcement that Limerick was to be the City of Culture was a huge boost to Limerick. It is an opportunity for the city to showcase its cultural, artistic and sporting heritage and to showcase Limerick as a tourist destination at home and abroad. However, the issue of funding could put the project in jeopardy, if the project is not supported by central Government inasmuch as possible. There is no indication from the Government on the funding to be allocated. The Minister has mentioned that he cannot pre-empt the budget, but without confirmation of funding, how can the arts community and the local authority make concrete plans? Does the Minister agree that it is nearly impossible to plan for such an important and significant event in three months? People in Limerick are very annoyed. The city of Derry knew what funding it would have two and a half years before the start of the event. I wonder if the Minister can try to pre-empt the decision on the amount of funding to be allocated.

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