Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the proportion of his capital budget for 2008 which has been exhausted to date; the projects which have been prioritised and progressed under the 2008 spend; if he will provide a progress report in relation to committed capital projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34149/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The capital expenditure allocation to the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism in 2008 was €276.87 million. In addition, there was a deferred surrender amount of €25.181 million which was carried over from 2007, giving a total of €302.051 million available to the Department in 2008.

In July 2008, some €3.9 million of the capital allocation was surrendered as part of savings required by the Government. These savings are being made in the programmes for cultural projects and in the allocation to Fáilte Ireland in respect of tourism product development. The net result of these changes is to reduce the 2008 capital allocation to €272.97 million in addition to the deferred surrender amount, giving a total of €298.151 million for 2008.

This amount, which includes the capital carryover from 2007, is distributed among the various programmes as follows: €116 million to the Lansdowne Road stadium project; €58 million in respect of grants to sporting organisations and the provision of sports and recreational facilities; €37 million to cultural infrastructure; €20 million for grants under the local authority swimming pool programme; €20 million to the Irish Film Board; €16 million to Fáilte Ireland, of which €15 million is in respect of tourism product development; €4 million to the national sports campus; €8 million to Horse Racing Ireland; €2 million to Bord na gCon; €5 million to the Arts Council; €5 million to the National Museum; €2 million to the National Library; and €4 million for a range of programme areas, including the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Chester Beatty Library, National Concert Hall, Crawford Art Gallery, National Archives and dormant accounts funding to support sport in disadvantaged areas.

At the end of September 2008, a total of €192.32 million had been expended. This amounts to 65% of the revised allocation for 2008. I expect the entire 2008 capital budget to be expended by the year end.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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It is difficult to digest all the figures provided. With only €192 million of the Department's annual capital budget expended so far, does the Minister expect the entire amount to be spent by the end of the year? Will all the promised projects be completed, particularly in respect of cultural institutions? I am anxious that capital expenditure is maintained this year and next year because every year it appears that part of the annual allocation is pushed into the following year's allocation. While this gives the appearance that substantial sums are being expended, only a fraction of the annual allocation is spent.

As the Minister will agree, maintaining current levels of capital expenditure is particularly important for economic reasons, notably, to support employment in the construction industry and avail of the excess capacity and cheaper prices which will be available in the sector. The primary reason for maintaining capital expenditure is to ensure we invest in the cultural institutions to support the arts and tourism.

I am particularly concerned that we are falling behind in the area of cultural institutions, many of which are at risk. The National Library's book collection is being held in what is effectively a fire hazard. The National Archives is located in a biscuit factory, while the museum artefacts in the Irish Museum of Modern Art and the National Museum are at risk of being lost or destroyed as a result of the failure to spend the funds allocated. Will the Minister give an assurance that capital expenditure will be spent and building projects will proceed, particularly in the case of our cultural institutions where the works are badly needed to maintain and preserve what we have as opposed to expand or improve facilities?

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I do not agree that large chunks of the allocation are not being used every year. The capital programme of the Department has expanded significantly in recent years and the full allocation has been expended. The carryover, a relatively small sum, usually arises because the Department is waiting for invoices to be submitted before it can pay bills. This occurs when projects are nearing completion and some of the organisations drawing down the money may not be in a position to finalise their business in time. This is the reason for the small annual carryover. My detailed reply listed capital allocations in all subheads, both large and small.

Some of the programmes to which the Deputy alluded and in which issues have arisen are handled by the Office of Public Works. While the Department and OPW work together to organise the capital programme, funding for some projects comes from the latter's budget.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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While I appreciate that much of the work is processed by the Office of Public Works, the OPW appears to be swamped and projects are falling behind schedule. For example, the Natural History Museum has been closed for more than 18 months following the collapse of a set of stairs, an incident which placed people and not only artefacts at risk. It does not make sense that there is still no sign of work starting on the building. Is the Minister in a position to request that projects such as this where the facility is closed are prioritised?

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Yes, it is possible for me to do so. There is no conflict between the Department and the Office of Public Works, which have a good working relationship. There is, however, competition for resources on all fronts. A specific and complex problem, which goes beyond the initial incident when stairs collapsed, has arisen in the Natural History Museum. The project in that case will be substantial and will be completed over the next few years.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The project was in planning prior to the collapse of the stairs.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Yes, it is in planning. The Department has been in discussions to try to manage the opening of the facility in the foreseeable future. That is the current position.