Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is an ambitious programme to redevelop the Briery Gap and it will cost up to €4 million. Substantial funding has been put in place from a number of different sources but there is still a gap of about €1.5 million. We need somebody with deep pockets, such as the Government, to bridge a gap of that size. The county council has already committed more than €1 million to the project. The €250,000 made available by the Department is positive but it is still only 6% of the overall cost. Additional funding is needed. We understand an arts and cultural capital scheme is being discussed. Is that scheme in place? How much funding is available for the scheme?

Project Ireland 2040 is far away and we have been without the theatre and the cultural centre for several years already. Realistically, we need to move on this faster than 2040, 2030 or even 2025. Is there a scheme in place at present from which the Minister is considering funding? What kind of moneys are available in that scheme? Does the Minister have an active proposal for Briery Gap? There was great disappointment locally when the rural regeneration scheme did not provide any funding and we need to see if there is another active scheme from which the Minister might consider funding this project.

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