Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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1038. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding available for committees-organisations towards 1916 centenary celebrations; when this funding will be available; the way groups may apply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49505/14]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I secured an amount of €4 million in current funding in the Revised Estimates for 2015 to allow for the roll out of an integrated plan – Ireland 2016– with a special focus on commemorating the centenary of the 1916 Rising. This funding is in addition to the capital provision of €22 million to be allocated in 2015 to a number of flagship commemorations projects, including

- the development of a permanent exhibition space and interpretative centre at the GPO;

- the renovation of Kilmainham Courthouse to enhance the visitor experience at Kilmainham Gaol;

- the provision of a permanent visitor facility at Cathal Brugha Barracks for the Military Service Pensions Archive;

- the development of visitor facilities at Teach an Phiarsaigh, Ros Muc;

- renovation works at Richmond Barracks;

- the development of a Tenement Museum in Dublin; and

- the restoration of the Kevin Barry rooms in the National Concert Hall.

It is my intention to allocate the current provision of €4 million in a manner that will help support a wide range of activities and events by interested groups, including local community groups, as well as the national cultural institutions and education sectors. A widespread public consultation process is now underway, the aim of which is to encourage and facilitate the involvement of ground-up initiatives in the wider commemorative programme. Groups and individuals will be encouraged to work with existing structures, including local authorities, to develop their own ideas for commemorating 1916. My Department's 2016 Project Team will be working closely with stakeholders to facilitate this engagement.