Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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162. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide an update on discussions with the chief executive officers of local authorities regarding the commemoration of the Easter Rising in 1916 and the organisation of centenary events; and the strategies being developed at the local level for same.. [5514/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I have had very positive engagement with the local authorities in relation to the development of commemoration plans at local level for 2016. I have met with the County and Cities Management Association (CCMA) and have written to request each local authority chief executive to lead the development of 2016 initiatives in their own counties. The Ireland 2016Project Team in my Department has also met with local authority chief executives around the country to discuss their input. Local authorities are appointing steering groups to help to develop and drive their county programmes, as well as Ireland 2016co-ordinators, who will be the focal points of contact and co-ordination. Public meetings will be undertaken in each county where members of the public can come together to hear about Ireland 2016, meet those involved in their community, and explore and learn about how they can get involved.

Local authorities have been requested to consult widely with local interest groups and community organisations, historical societies, schools and youth organisations, other stakeholders and members of the authority in relation to the selection of initiatives and development of plans.

I have also provided an allocation of €1 million in 2015 to be distributed across all local authorities. The purpose of this funding allocation is to

-support engagement and facilitation within local communities to generate awareness of the Ireland 2016initiative and the commemoration of the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising; and

-support each local authority in developing and delivering a plan for a suitable programme of events and initiatives to take place at a county level in line with the national plans for Ireland 2016.

Local authorities will be notified of individual allocations very shortly.