Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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186. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of funding he has allocated for the City of Culture programme 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23423/13]

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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187. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will outline his plans to make Limerick Ireland's first National City of Culture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23424/13]

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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188. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in view of the closure of the Belltable, if he will outline his plans to ensure that Limerick City has a designated arts centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23425/13]

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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189. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide details of the long-term artistic and economic benefits he expects to accrue to cities that are designated cities of culture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23426/13]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos.186 to 189, inclusive, together.

Last July I announced the introduction of a new National City of Culture Initiative for Ireland. As part of this initiative a city in Ireland is selected and designated as a National City of Culture every two years, with the designation itself lasting for one calendar year. Limerick City will be first National City of Culture in 2014 giving the City an opportunity to shape and brand the new Limerick.

Limerick City is undergoing a process of profound change at present and 2014 is an important year for the city as it will be the year in which a new single local authority will be established. The Limerick Reorganisation Implementation Group (LRIG) is preparing for this change, and I believe that the designation of Limerick as a City of Culture will help to shape, brand and promote a new Limerick city.

Limerick's preparations are well underway with former European Parliament President Pat Cox leading the initiative, joined by two other internationally renowned Freemen of Limerick. These are Riverdance composer Bill Whelan and rugby international Paul O'Connell. I understand that proposals from interested applicants for 2014 are now being accepted by LRIG. Further details are available

The aim of the National City of Culture Initiative is to deliver a programme of cultural events and engagement in a city for one calendar year and to build a longer-term positive impact. The National City of Culture Initiative will seek to bring artists, arts organisations, local authorities and civic groups that are working in a city together not only through the design of a calendar of events that showcases all that the city has to offer in arts and cultural expression, but also to generate a legacy in cultural co-operation among all the citizens of the city. There are a number of excellent galleries, theatres and museums operating in Limerick and these venues will play an important role in the 2014 programme of events.

I am awaiting a proposed programme of events for 2014 from the LRIG. As soon as I have received this proposed programme, the question of funding will be considered.

An EU study in 2004 found that the designation of European Capital of Culture served as a catalyst for the cultural development and transformation of the chosen city, and it is aimed to replicate these benefits on the national stage through this initiative.