Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Heritage, tradition and culture are not the exclusive preserve of a few, nor to be found only within institutions. These festivals are essential to community life. They thrive and develop among people shaped by their diverse interests and enthusiasms. I am very pleased to provide supports for such events.

Other supports are provided by my Department. We also operate schemes to support links and strengthen exchanges in relation to culture, heritage and history with counterpart groups in Northern Ireland. Completing our suite of small grant schemes, there are two others that are worthy of mention: the scheme supporting the mobility in Ireland of the collections of the national cultural institutions and the scheme supporting the development of regional and local museums. I place particular importance on these schemes because they are of significant value to the community activities that they support. My officials will get back to the Deputy on any other issues or ideas he has raised.

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