Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

431. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress of the investment in Pearse's Cottage, Rosmuc which was included in the Government stimulus programme this year; and if there will be further opportunity for public consultation on the plans for the important heritage building. [31583/14]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy is aware, under the Capital Stimulus Package announced in the Budget, funding of €6m was provided in 2014 in respect of the 1916 Commemorations Programme. A number of flagship capital projects come under the scope of this programme, including Kilmainham Courthouse, the GPO, the Military Pensions Archives and Teach an Phiarsaigh. As part of this programme, an allocation of €0.5m has been provided in my Department's Vote in 2014 to advance the development of a cultural centre at Teach an Phiarsaigh in Ros Muc. Furthermore, the Deputy will also be aware that the Government recently announced as part of the Phase 4 Infrastructure Stimulus an allocation of €22 million in 2015 for the Commemorations Programme. This funding will help, inter alia, to finance the costs associated with the flagship commemoration projects in 2015, including Teach an Phiarsaigh.

The development of a cultural centre at Teach an Phiarsaigh is being progressed by a steering group comprising the various stakeholders, including Údarás na Gaeltachta, Galway County Council, the Office of Public Works, Fáilte Ireland and my own Department. The project has been developed through a collaborative process with all stakeholders with regard to linguistic, social, sustainable and economic considerations. I understand that all the stakeholders have indicated their full support to ensuring that the project is brought to fruition. With regard to the progress made to date, an economic appraisal of the project has been prepared and procurement of the various services for the project is under way.

In addition to being one of the flagship projects of the Commemorations Programme, I am advised that the project location has been chosen by Fáilte Ireland to be a key 'discovery point' on the Wild Atlantic Way project. I am also advised that Teach an Phiarsaigh is afforded special recognition in Fáilte Ireland's Connemara Destination Plan and Connemara Driving Tour and is a key component of its strategy to develop the tourism sector in Connemara.