Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 335: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his Department is willing to grant aid the construction or running of community-based theatres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27608/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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The ACCESS Scheme, which ran from 2001, allocated capital grants of €45.71m for the development of 44 arts and cultural facilities around the country. ACCESS was a follow on to the CDIS programme that ran from 1994 to 1999 and under which some €26 million was allocated to 38 projects. In the coming weeks I will announce details of a scheme to succeed ACCESS. Once details are announced, applications will be invited by public advertisement. Applications, including any received from community-based theatres, will be considered on their merits in line with Guidelines which will be published in advance. "Revenue" or current support for arts venues is a matter for the Arts Council.