Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the level of funding allocated to the ACCESS programme under the national development plan which has been depleted to date; when he expects the next round of the programme to be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2333/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Arts and Culture Capital Enhancement Support Scheme, ACCESS, is a key element in the Government's regional arts strategy and has greatly improved access to and participation in the arts for many nationwide. The scheme has been widely acknowledged as a significant intervention in the provision of quality cultural spaces.

Facilities funded to date include integrated arts centres, theatres, galleries, studio, and creative and performance spaces. In this manner my Department provides the bulk of capital funding for building and refurbishing arts facilities around the country, mainly in the not- for-profit sector, while the Arts Council provides the ongoing revenue support for many of the facilities.

A total of €81 million has been included under the National Development Plan 2007 to 2013 for ACCESS. In 2007-08 grants totalling €42.7 million were allocated under the ACCESS II scheme and since the commencement of the current NDP €15.3 million has been drawn down.

While there are no plans to announce a further round of funding under the arts capital projects during 2009 the matter will be kept under review in the context of available resources.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The NDP is an historic document at this point but it allocated in the region of €83 million to the ACCESS programme. Am I correct in that?

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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It is €32.5 million in the current round.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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That is the current round but in the NDP there was just over €80 million. I understand there was €32 million and then €10 million. Is that correct?

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Yes, it was approximately €80 million.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Around the country people are asking what is to happen to the other €40 million. Is there to be an ACCESS III programme as included in the arts and culture plan?

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I am not in a position——

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I have not yet called on the Minister to respond.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The ACCESS programme has produced wonderful venues and arts centres around the country but unfortunately in many cases they are struggling. The Minister is aware of this and following the cut in the Arts Council funding the touring programme will contract, which means the venues have less opportunity to generate revenue. The Minister gives them capital revenue and when the council has the funding it gives them current revenue but there is no money for mini-capital projects such as painting, lighting, heating and sound systems and because the centres cannot generate the revenue themselves they are deteriorating for lack of maintenance. If there is any money available it should be put into these mini-capital projects to preserve what we have invested in and to offer the opportunity for some construction work around the country.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I intend, as soon as humanly and economically possible, to open the next round of ACCESS. It will not happen this year but I have not given up on opening up the third round of a successful programme. I take the Deputy's point with regard to the excellence of the facilities and the need to find mechanisms to keep them alive and operating and to deal with normal maintenance. If issues arise in that connection I will examine them.