Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)

As I said a while ago, I understand Dunamaise Arts Centre is due to bring forward an application. It was to bring this forward in September, I think, but it has been delayed for some reason. Once that application is brought forward, it can be assessed. The important thing in the wider scheme for these centres is we will have an arts capital scheme that is the first of its kind, as soon as we have eligibility and a process in place. That has to be approved by the Minister for public expenditure before it can be formally launched. Regional centres and smaller centres around the country do not get as much money as some of the larger ones, especially those based in Dublin, and the national cultural institutions, which are wholly dependent on the State. These centres will have access to smaller levels of funding that can do the things the Deputy was talking about such as sound desks, lighting, improvements to seating and ticket offices, IT enhancements and all that.

We will not be able to do everything. I imagine we will be inundated in year one but if we are I hope that will form the blueprint for us to have a bigger budget from the Department of public expenditure in future years.

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