Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 14: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on offering departmental support in extending a scheme such as Dublin City Council's passport for leisure scheme nationwide in view of the report, In the Frame or Out of the Picture, by the National Economic and Social Forum which shows that persons over 45 are more likely to attend no arts events at all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10835/08]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that the scheme referred to by the Deputy is a broad-based scheme aimed at encouraging the over 55's to avail of and participate in the various sports, art, culture and other facilities operated by or in conjunction with Dublin City Council. I commend Dublin City on this initiative and would hope to see other local authorities follow suit, particularly in the context of publicly funded and subsidised venues and facilities. There are no plans at present to introduce such a scheme within my Department's remit.

I should point out to the Deputy, however, that it is Government policy to provide free admission to the National Collections held by the National Cultural Institutions within my Department's remit, including the National Library of Ireland, National Museum of Ireland, National Gallery of Ireland, Irish Museum of Modern Art, the Chester Beatty Library, and the Crawford Art Gallery, Cork. I should also point out that outreach programmes are operated by some of these institutions in which those in the over 40s age bracket can participate. My Department is currently working on a plan for Culture Day in 2009 when access to cultural and arts events will be either free or reduced.