Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on the extended opening hours of the National Museums during the summer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41135/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Extending the opening hours of national cultural institutions is an essential innovation in developing access and attracting wider audiences. More flexible opening hours reflect the changed lifestyles for those who wish to visit our National Cultural Institutions, and especially the national museums and galleries.

The extended and more flexible opening hours at our national cultural institutions during 2008 was highly successful and welcomed by visitors to these venues.

In 2008, funding was specifically provided for the introduction of extended opening hours. The tighter budgetary outlook in 2009 and the consequent allocations to the cultural institutions, in particular with regard to pay, is likely to have some impact on the general ability to deliver extended opening hours. My Department will, however, seek to consolidate the opening hours improvements of 2008.