The allocation for next year will, as always, be decided through the forthcoming Estimates process in the context of which the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism has given his commitment to make the strongest possible case for increased funding for the arts. He also remains committed to funding the arts and culture infrastructure around the country as an essential means of providing access for all to the arts. The arts and culture capital enhancement support scheme, ACCESS, was launched in 2001 and is scheduled to run until the end of 2004. Under the scheme €45.71 million has been offered to the promoters of 44 projects that develop the arts and culture infrastructure, including integrated arts centres, theatres, museums and galleries as well as arts studios and other arts production, creative and performance spaces.