Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 216: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans to encourage the development of local community support facilities such as community centres or theatres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48095/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the discussions he has had with those involved in the promotion of the arts at local level in County Kildare (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48118/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 220: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the discussions he has had with those involved in the promotion of the arts at local level with a view to establishing local theatres (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48119/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 216, 219 and 220 together.

Responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is primarily devolved to the Arts Council. The allocation to the Council in 2010 is €69.15 million. Under the ACCESS programme, my Department is responsible for the provision of capital monies for arts centres, theatres, museums and so forth. In 2008 and 2009 alone, €52m was paid in respect of such facilities. A further €16m is provided in the 2010 Estimates for regional arts capital projects. While no new round of the ACCESS programme has been launched it is my intention to have such a launch as soon as the overall budgetary situation improves.