Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1114: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to support training and professional development for the performing arts by creating, enhancing and extending modules of in-service training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29364/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1115: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to support measures that are child centred in arts and cultural programmes and develop and enhance child centred policies that impact throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29365/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1116: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to increase funding to the Arts Council for education initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29366/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1117: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to promote an appreciation of and engagement in arts and culture from early education through to all levels of education levels by the implementation of a comprehensive national strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29367/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1118: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made in regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to encourage and support the strategic development of the arts in local communities, both geographic and communities of interest, for the disadvantaged and for minority groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29368/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1119: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to encourage, promote and foster volunteerism in the arts, drawing on the successful development of volunteerism in sports here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29369/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1120: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to ensure that arts venues are adequately funded to facilitate activities and to maximise community use and accessibility for all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29370/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1121: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to encourage partnerships between local authorities, central Government, relevant local community groups and the Arts Council with a view to funding arts locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29371/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1122: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to develop a new policy to create and sustain employment in the arts, particularly arts employment that can market, operate and develop local arts infrastructure here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29372/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1123: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to provide new tax and other incentives aimed at making cultural and educational philanthropy more attractive and to help those working in the arts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29373/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1124: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to encourage the full participation of the private and corporate sector in supporting the development of arts infrastructure and arts programmes and services here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29374/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1125: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made in relation to the Programme for Government commitment to continue to support the development of the traditional arts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29375/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1126: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to create a new combined cultural visa and work permit that simplifies and speeds up entry by incoming artists and groups to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29376/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1127: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to ensure that dynamic incentives remain available to the film and television sector and develop bilateral agreements to maximise the potential of Section 481; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29377/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1128: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to continue the examination of fiscal incentives to encourage investment in the indigenous film industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29378/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1129: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to provide multi-annual funding to the Arts Council that identifies key areas for development either for organisations or key strategies in the arts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29379/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1130: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to ensure that the increased level of arts activity is sustained and developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29380/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1131: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to ensure that cultural institutions here are developed to their highest potential by capital investment in storage, presentation and digitisation of national treasures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29381/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1132: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to digitise the collections of the National Library, the National Gallery, the National Museum and the National Archives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29382/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1133: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to establish a museum of Irish literature in Parnell Square, Dublin 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29383/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1134: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to place the National Theatre, the Irish Museum of Modern Art and the National Concert Hall on a statutory footing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29384/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1135: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to complete the construction of a new National Theatre and a new National Concert Hall; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29385/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1136: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to begin a programme to digitise all State papers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29386/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1137: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to complete phases II and III of the National Museum and Collins Barracks and complete phases II and III of the National Gallery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29387/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1138: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to establish a national sports museum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29388/08]

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1139: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the progress made regarding the commitment in the Programme for Government to roll out ACCESS II; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29389/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1114 to 1139, inclusive, together.

The five-year programme for Government includes a series of commitments which relate to the responsibilities of my Department and its Agencies for achievement in the period up to 2012. I am pleased to say that action is being taken in a progressive and gradual manner in these areas to ensure these targets are met in the lifetime of the Government. A comprehensive statement is set out below as a schedule to this reply outlining the position on the issues raised by the Deputy.

The Arts

This Government is committed to implementing a range of steps for the Arts which will see participation broaden and deepen in the next five years.

Arts and Education

We will:

Support training and professional development for the performing arts by creating, enhancing and extending modules of in-service training.

Support measures that are child centred in arts and cultural programmes and develop and enhance child centred policies that impact throughout the country.

Increase funding to the Arts Council for education initiatives.

Promote an appreciation of and engagement in arts and culture from early education through to all education levels through the implementation of a national comprehensive strategy.

Progress to date:

The Department of Education and Science is the lead Department for developing the arts in education.

The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism is actively considering the recommendations of the report of the Special Committee on Arts and Education, in consultation with the Department of Education and Science and the Arts Council in the context of the Estimates allocations for 2009 and beyond.

Arts and Participation

We will:

Encourage and support the strategic development of the arts in local communities, both geographic and communities of interest, for the disadvantaged and for minority groups.

Progress to date:

The Department supports the provision of new arts facilities around the country through the Arts and Culture Capital Enhancement Support Scheme (ACCESS). The ACCESS scheme is a key element in the Government's regional arts strategy and has greatly improved participation in the arts for large numbers of people, of all ages, nationwide. The scheme has been widely acknowledged as a significant intervention in the provision of quality cultural spaces. Under the scheme, funding is provided towards integrated community art centres, theatres and galleries as well as art studios and other arts production, creative and performance spaces.

A total of 120 projects across the country have been supported under the scheme, many of which were community based arts groups.

In addition, the Department provided the Arts Council with additional funding to set up a music instrument purchase scheme for community groups. The Arts Council has commissioned Music Network to undertake an action pilot project on support to community organisations in the acquisition of instruments. €500,000 is available under this scheme in 2008.

Introduced in 2002 the Arts Council's Programme "Artist in the Community" matched artists with community groups and building on this success, an enhanced and extended "New Communities Residencies" Programme is to be introduced in 2009 and 2010. The Department has committed financial support for a new series of books (The Bridges Book Series) aimed at today's multi-cultural society in Ireland. Funding for the Arts Council has also facilitated a new pilot touring initiative, increased funding programmes for arts organisations and, through its Regularly Funded Organisations initiative, provided greater stability for a wider range of organisations.

Arts activity and infrastructure has increased dramatically in recent years, and substantial local energy for the arts now allows for greater scope and vision than ever before. Geography is no longer a barrier to accessing the arts: every county has at least one dedicated arts building and local authorities and others are making it easier for all to engage with artists and the arts as part of everyday life.

Encourage, promote and foster volunteerism in the arts, drawing on our successful development of volunteerism in sports.

Progress to date:

Responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved primarily to the Arts Council, and the Council is the principal agency through which State funding is channelled to the arts. Under the Arts Act, 2003, the general functions of the Council include the following:

to stimulate public interest in the arts;

to promote knowledge, appreciation and practice of the arts;

to assist in improving standards in the arts.

Volunteerism is critical to the success of many of the arts organisations supported by the Arts Council and they place great value on the role and contribution of their volunteers. This is particularly the case in areas such as Arts Participation, YPCE (young people, children and education) and Festivals, which involve people of all ages, abilities and ethnicities and make a distinctive contribution to the life and identity of communities throughout Ireland. All arts organisations funded by the Arts Council are managed by voluntary boards, which bring expertise and leadership that are highly valued by the arts community. The total budget for Arts Participation, YPCE and Small Festivals in 2008 was over €7 million.

Ensure that arts venues are adequately funded to facilitate activities and to maximise community use and accessibility for all.

Progress to date:

The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism provides the bulk of capital funding for building and refurbishing arts facilities, mainly in the not for profit sector, while the Arts Council provides the ongoing revenue funding for many of the facilities. To date this capital funding has been delivered through the ACCESS scheme (Arts and Culture Capital Enhancement Support Scheme) and facilities that have been funded include integrated arts centres, theatres and galleries, as well as arts studios and creative and performance spaces. The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, working with local authorities, is currently supporting the development of an audit of arts facilities throughout the country.

The ACCESS I & II and other capital programmes provided for in the National Development Plan continue to provide capital funding for arts venues throughout the country, with the aim of creating a top class arts infrastructure nationwide for the benefit of all citizens. These facilities conform to spatial and artistic strategies, while guaranteeing optimal access to the arts for all. A total of almost €86m has been granted to 120 projects across the country under the ACCESS schemes. Eighty projects were allocated funding of €42.5m under the ACCESS II scheme and many of these projects are under construction, while the great majority of the 40 projects grant aided under ACCESS I are now fully operational.

In addition to the ACCESS schemes over €66m has been invested in Other Capital Projects many of which have now been completed or are nearing completion, such as Wexford Opera House €26m, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann €17m, the Gaiety Theatre €7.8m, the Irish Chamber Orchestra €2.6m and many other smaller projects throughout the country that are ongoing at present.

Revenue support for arts venues is provided through the Arts Council. Every county now has at least 1 arts centre. Subvention from the Arts Council to 62 venues in 2008 was at a level of €8,385,000. These venues range from the largest capacity, Cork Opera House — 1100 seats, to the New Theatre in Dublin — 75 seats.

Arts and Investment

We will:

Encourage partnerships between local authorities, central government, relevant local community groups and the Arts Council with a view to funding arts locally.

Progress to date:

The Arts Council has worked well to develop the arts at a local level. It has worked strategically with local authorities for 23 years in developing the arts at local level and the focus was on embedding arts expertise at the heart of the local authority service. Each of the 34 local authorities in Ireland employs a full-time Arts Officer. In many instances local authorities lead in providing a broader Arts Service, employing several specialist arts staff in addition to the Arts Officer.

In 2007 local authorities spent in excess of €36m on the arts, demonstrating the huge commitment that is being made at local level to arts development. Under a provision of the Arts Act 2003, local authorities are required to prepare and implement plans for the development of the arts within their functional areas, and in so doing to take account of government policies on the arts. Many local authorities had already established a track record in planning for the arts and, in several cases, are now on their third such strategy. Local authorities now offer leadership in areas such as youth arts, inter-generational arts, traditional arts, festivals, arts in health and arts in education and new multi-agency partnerships are emerging at local level. In most cases, guided by Strategic Policy Committees with a Cultural remit, local authorities now plan in a strategic and considered fashion for the development of the arts at local level, aided importantly, as the result of extensive public consultation and are consequently firmly rooted in local strengths and needs.

Culture Ireland is increasing international opportunities for Irish artists and arts organisations, enabling more than 1,000 Irish arts events to take place in 60 countries across five continents since its creation in 2005 as a strategic vehicle to promote Ireland as a world leader in arts and culture. Priority locations for these events include global centres of culture and business (e.g. more than 80 projects in New York), developing centres of culture and business (e.g. over 50 projects in China), centres of the global Irish diaspora (more than 500 projects in the US, Britain, Canada and Australia) and key international showcases (e.g. Edinburgh Festival, Venice Biennale). These priorities enable Culture Ireland to add maximum value to the Government's international political and economic objectives. CI-promoted Irish arts events also regularly gain high-profile coverage in key global print and broadcast media, reaching audiences of tens of millions and creating new international opportunities for Irish artists.

Ireland's position as a world leader in theatre is borne out by the award-winning success of Irish productions in Culture Ireland's annual showcase at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the largest and most competitive arts festival in the world. 2008 has been the most successful yet, with double Fringe Firsts for the Abbey's Terminus by Mark O'Rowe and Druid's New Electric Ballroom by Enda Walsh, and a Herald Angel award for Enda Walsh. The New York Times acclaimed the New Electric Ballroom as the outstanding show of the Festival. The career-changing impact is also demonstrated by last year's Fringe First winner, Druid's The Walworth Farce,whose Edinburgh success has since led to major tours to top venues in New York and London.

Develop a new policy to create and sustain employment in the arts, particularly arts employment that can market, operate and develop our local arts infrastructure

Progress to date:

The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism supports the provision of new arts facilities and maintenance of existing facilities around the country, through the Arts and Culture Capital Enhancement Support Scheme (ACCESS) and other capital projects. Some €152m has been provided in capital funding for this purpose nationwide and much employment has been created as a result. In addition the Arts Council provides revenue funding for arts venues around the country and this includes funds to employ arts managers, curators etc. Funding to the Arts Council has increased significantly in recent years increasing by 71% since 2002 from €47.67m to €81.62m in 2008.

Provide new tax and other incentives aimed at making cultural and educational philanthropy more attractive and to help those working in the arts to make a decent living. In recognition that higher economic growth can benefit the arts we will encourage the full participation of the private and corporate sector in supporting the development of our arts infrastructure, and arts programmes and services

Progress to date:

The Department is currently exploring opportunities for the arts and culture community to engage more with business and promote arts as a socially aware investment.

Continue to support the development of traditional arts

Progress to date:

The Arts Council introduced a new policy for the traditional arts in May 2005. In line with this policy, the Arts Council is implementing a three year Traditional Arts Initiative from 2005-2008. The initiative is intended to prioritise the traditional arts for a fixed period, in order to realise the ambition of fully mainstreaming the traditional arts within the Council's activities. It is designed to stabilise existing key players and consolidate a basic infrastructure for the traditional arts while allowing scope for new ideas, projects and partnerships to emerge. The Arts Council recently announced the extension of its DEIS funding scheme for the traditional arts. The Department has provided almost €17m in funding in recent years towards the capital development plan of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann.

Create a new combined Cultural Visa and Work Permit that simplifies and speeds up entry by incoming artists and groups to Ireland.

Progress to date:

Discussions have commenced with the other relevant Departments in this area — Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform and Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment.

Ensure that dynamic incentives remain available to the film and television sector and develop bi-lateral agreements to maximise the potential of Section 481.

Progress to date:

Section 481 was extended until the end of 2012 and the absolute maximum that can be raised in respect of any one film was raised from €35m to €50m in the 2008 Finance Act.

A bi-lateral film cooperation agreement was signed with New Zealand in October 2007 and negotiations are nearly complete in respect of a similar agreement with South Africa. The final arrangements for the signing of cooperation agreements with Luxembourg and Germany are currently being made.

The Irish Film Board has been requested to examine future options for bi-lateral film cooperation agreements.

Continue the examination of fiscal incentives to encourage investment in our indigenous film industry

Progress to date:

In May 2007, with this Department's overview, the D/Finance commissioned Indecon International Economic Consultants to undertake a review of the case for improvement in respect of the Section 481 scheme, in conjunction with this Department and the Irish Film Board. Indecon's terms of reference were to identify a structured, and innovative way forward to develop and consolidate the Irish film industry, taking account of the serious international competition issues now apparent and to feed into the preparation for the Finance Bill 2008. Indecon completed their report in September 2007 and their recommendations were included in the 2008 Finance Act — Section 481 was extended until the end of 2012 and the absolute maximum that can be raised in respect of any one film was raised from €35m to €50m.

The Agencies

We will:

Provide multi-annual funding to the Arts Council that identifies key areas for development, either for organisations, or key strategies in the Arts.

Progress to date:

The funding of the Arts Council, as with all Government Departments and State agencies, is a matter for consideration under the annual budget and Estimates process. In doing so, the Government must balance competing demands from every part of our economy and society.

By any standards however, the Arts Council has seen dramatic increases in its funding allocation in recent years, increasing by over 72% from €47.67 million in 2002 to €81.62 million this year. These are significant amounts of taxpayers' money in any context and have effectively transformed the arts, by facilitating increased access to and participation in the full spectrum of art forms throughout the country. The Government's sustained commitment to the arts is evidenced by these substantial increases in funding.

Ensure that the increased level of Arts activity is sustained and developed

Progress to date:

Government Policy on the Arts is set out in the Programme for Government and is elaborated further in the Department's Statement of Strategy 2008 — 2010 and the arts plan 2008. The Government's objective is to support national economic and societal progress by enriching the quality of life of the people of Ireland, by facilitating the promotion and sustainable development of the arts and culture. To accomplish this the Government seeks to create an environment that enables arts and culture, including the Cultural Institutions, to flourish, through the provision of an appropriate legislative, policy and resource framework. The Government is committed to implementing a range of initiatives for the Arts, which will see participation, broaden and deepen in the next five years. This will be achieved through encouraging and supporting increased participation in the arts, investment in the arts sector, focussing on arts and education and ensuring that the Arts Council, the Film Board, Culture Ireland and all the national cultural institutions are appropriately resourced.

It is the Government's responsibility to ensure that the arts and culture are well funded and placed at the centre of policy making in Ireland. To this end funding for the Arts and Culture sector has increased significantly in recent years. For example funding to the Arts Council has increased by 71% since 2002 from €47.67m to €81.62m in 2008. Funding for the Arts and Culture, which includes the Arts Council, the Film Board, Culture Ireland, the National Cultural Institutions and the capital arts infrastructure programme ACCESS (Arts and Culture Capital Enhancement Support Scheme) and the National Gallery is over €220m in 2008.

National Cultural Institutions

We will ensure that our cultural institutions are developed to their highest potential by capital investment in storage, presentation, and digitisation of our national treasures.

To ensure this we will:

Begin a programme to digitise all State papers.

Digitise the national collections.

Progress to date:

The 1901/1911 census is being digitised and the Dublin records are now available online free gratis on the National Archives website. Other digitisation projects are being looked at in the National Archives. Other projects include digitisation of the Hayes series, and a project to digitise 100,000+ glass plate photographs. An extended programme of digitisation of the collections of the National Cultural Institutions, to come on stream in 2010 is provided for in the National Development Plan. A Best Practice Model for Digitisation in Ireland, will be prepared and should allow a rational and cohesive approach to all new digitisation projects.

Establish a Museum of Irish Literature in Parnell Square.

Progress to date:

No. 20/21 Parnell Square (previously the National Ballroom, located between the Hugh Lane Gallery and the Dublin Writers' Museum) has been identified for cultural use by Dublin City Council, in consultation with the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism. A Steering Committee, chaired by the Department has been established. It has been agreed to conduct a Scoping Study into the project and the Committee is finalising the Terms of Reference for that Study. Dublin City Council commissioned preliminary costings for the refurbishment of the building for a Museum of Irish Literature which were in the order of €23m — €29m. Funding is not provided for this project in NDP.

Place the National Theatre, the Irish Museum of Modern Art and the National Concert Hall on a statutory footing.

Progress to date:

The placement of the National Theatre, the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) and the National Concert Hall on a statutory footing has been overtaken by the decision of the Government to investigate the possible merger of IMMA, the National Gallery of Ireland and the Crawford Gallery Cork. This is being considered by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism at present in conjunction with the institutions concerned.

Complete the construction of (i) a new National Theatre and (ii)a new National Concert Hall.

Progress to date:

National Theatre — An interagency steering committee was established to oversee the project. The committee is chaired by the Department and comprises representatives of the National Development Finance Agency, the Office of Public Works, the Abbey Theatre and Dublin Docklands Development Authority. A project team, chaired by the Office of Public Works and comprising representatives of the same agencies as the steering group, has also been established and is overseeing the executive and procedural arrangements for holding the international design competition and advancing the PPP process. The Office of Public Works has asked the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland to organise the competition. The competition regulations are currently nearing finalisation. The technical documentation for the competition must be very carefully specified, in particular the detailed accommodation brief for the new theatre. Work on this is nearing completion.

A jury for the international design competition was appointed late last year.

In the meantime, the Office of Public Works is also working on drafting output specifications in collaboration with the Department, Abbey Theatre and National Development Finance Authority. Technical, legal, insurance and financial advisers have been appointed to guide and advise the interagency and project teams in the procurement of this project. A theatre consultant and acoustic consultant have also been appointed. Furthermore, a process auditor is in place in accordance with Department of Finance guidelines.

Progress to date:

National Concert Hall

The notice of the PPP was published and expressions of interest sought in the Official Journal of the EU on 29th May 2008. The procurement phase is being managed by the NDFA as agents of the Department, under the guidance of an Interagency Steering Committee. Expressions of interest have been evaluated and a shortlist of consortia has been decided. The competitive dialogue process began earlier this month.

Complete (i) Phases II and III of the National Museum and Collins Barracks and (ii) complete Phases II and III of the National Gallery.

Progress to date:

(i) National Museum: Natural History Museum and Collins Barracks

The provision of the new Centre Block building at the National Museum Collins Barracks and major up-grade of the Natural History Museum (included in NDP) are progressing. The proposed Centre Block at Collins Barracks will include major new exhibition galleries on two themes viz. The World Culture Gallery will display the Museum's extensive ethnographical collections and the History of Ireland Gallery will trace the major economic, social and artistic developments in Ireland from the mid-17th century onwards. It will also include a facility to exhibit the Asgard sailing ship which is undergoing conservation work at present. Construction work is scheduled to commence in February 2009. The Collins Barracks project is on target. A contractor for site investigations has been selected and will liaise with the provider of archaeology services for the site.

The National Museum has been provided with additional resources to assist in the decant of the Natural History Museum which is required prior to major works being undertaken and a suitable storage facility for the decant has been identified.

(ii) National Gallery

Progress to date:

The Office of Public Works has developed a Master Development Plan for the National Gallery of Ireland which has been approved, in principle by the Department and the Board of Governors and Guardians of the National Gallery. It will build on investment in the National Gallery Millennium Wing and will enhance the facilities at the Gallery. This plan is currently being progressed to the Planning Stage by the Office of Public Works.

Establish a National Sports Museum.

Progress to date:

The National Museum has had initial discussions with sporting organisations on the availability of memorabilia, in the context of the establishment of a National Sports Museum. The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism and the National Museum have held discussions regarding how to carry this project forward and the Museum are to prepare detailed proposals on housing the Sports Museum in Collins Barracks.

Roll out ACCESS II.

Progress to date:

The first ACCESS scheme (2001-2004) was very successful with over 40 projects nationwide receiving funding of €43m. The second round of ACCESS (2007-2009) was announced in April 2007 and a total of 67 projects were offered capital funding of €32m. The primary focus of ACCESS II is the refurbishment and enhancement of existing arts and culture facilities with 70% of the funds available for refurbishment/enhancement projects. 30% of the funding was granted to new build projects in strategic locations. Demand for funding under ACCESS II was extremely high (155 projects in all, seeking funding of the order of €200m) and in May 2008 a further €10.5m was announced for projects on the reserve list.

Funding of €81m in total is available for the ACCESS programme over the life of the National Development Plan, 2008 to 2013. Approximately €60m of this is already committed under ACCESS I and II.

The timing of the launch of the next round of ACCESS, to be called the Arts Capital Programme has yet to be decided.

Commemorations

In 2008 the Department funded the following major commemorative programmes

Hugh Lane Gallery Centenary

Bicentenary of publication of Moore's Melodies

Bicentenary of birth of William Balfe, Composer.

80th Anniversary of foundation of Gate Theatre and 20th Anniversary of staging of "Godot".

Percy French Festival

Flight of the Earls events