Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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206. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress in respect of the preparation of the 1916 commemorations; the extent to which events in Dublin and throughout the country will be co-ordinated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17158/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme was launched on 31 March 2015. One of the core objectives of the programme is to encourage and facilitate participation by, and the inclusion of, the citizens of Ireland to the greatest extent possible in the programme of events to commemorate this significant centenary.

The programme is underpinned by five intersecting and overlapping themes: Remembering, Reconciling, Presenting, Imagining and Celebrating. The programme comprises seven strands: State Ceremonial, Historical Reflection, An Teanga Bheo, Youth and Imagination, Cultural Expression, Community Participation and Global and Diaspora. It outlines a range of activities and events already planned under each of the seven strands and full details about the work being undertaken under each strand is outlined on the website .

The development of the centenary programme has been informed by the Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations, the All-Party Consultation Group on Commemorations and an extensive consultation, engagement and planning process, which has already been underway for several months and will continue until the end of this year. The purpose of the process is to inform, to stimulate debate and discussion about the events of 1916 and to foster programme initiatives. The consultation process involves a range of Government Departments and agencies, relatives, local authorities, local community groups, schools and universities, the Diaspora, historians and historical societies, as well as interested individuals and organisations. The strength of local community involvement and the unique perspectives and creative ideas of the participating groups and citizens will ensure that the significant events of 1916 will be brought to life and made interesting and relevant for people of all ages on the island of Ireland and abroad.

Some of the events and projects detailed in the programme are Dublin-based, particularly some of the State ceremonial events, given the very significant role that key buildings and locations in Dublin played in the 1916 Easter Rising. However, it should also be noted that Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme is very much a national programme and a range of events is planned across the country for 2016, including a number of State ceremonial events.

In addition, the Community Participation programme strand will be led by local authorities and I have allocated funding of €1 million in 2015 to support this overall process. A series of public meetings is currently being undertaken in each county, at which members of the public can come together to hear about Ireland 2016, meet those involved in their community, and to explore and learn about how they can get involved. I have requested that local authorities 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 county plans. Each local authority is expected to publish its plans in October 2015.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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207. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the Gallipoli centenary is likely to receive particular mention at this year's national day of commemoration at Kilmainham, Dublin 8; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17159/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Various events commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli Campaign were held on the 25 and 26 April 2016 last. The Tánaiste, Minister Alex White and Minister of State Ó Ríordáin attended the Dawn Service, hosted by the Australian Ambassador at the Military Cemetery, Grangegorman on Saturday the 25th. I attended the Service of Remembrance organised by the New Zealand Ireland Association at Christchurch on Sunday the 26th, where I laid a wreath on behalf of the people of Ireland, in memory of those who served and died in that campaign. I also hosted a reception afterwards in Dublin Castle on behalf of the Government.

The annual National Day of Commemoration Ceremony held annually at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Dublin, as well as other locations across Ireland, honours all those Irishmen and Irishwomen who died in past wars or on service with the United Nations.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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208. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she expects to be in a position to convey events relating to 1916 to young persons, through schools or otherwise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17160/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that that the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme was launched by Government on 31st March. The Youth and Imagination strand of the programme places children and young people at the heart of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme. It provides a platform to our children and young people to articulate their views on the events and ideals of 1916. Through creative and innovative initiatives, children will be guided upon a journey to explore the aspirations and principles of the participants in the Rising. They will be inspired to reflect on the ideals of the Proclamation and, in an action-learning context, to write their own new proclamation for 2016, to reflect the values, hopes and dreams of their generation.

Work will continue with the Thomas Meagher Foundation, which has been engaged in the provision of the National Flag to secondary schools around the country. In addition, special flag ceremonies will be held at which the National Flag will be presented to every national school in the country by a member of the Defence Forces. Drama, film, art and music will all feature prominently in the Youth and Imagination strand of the programme so that learning moves from the remote pages of history books to become real, vivid and inviting.

Children and young people will also be encouraged under the ‘1916 Ancestry Project’ to look to the past, tracing a family tree back to 1916 and exploring what life was like during that time. Intergenerational and community learning will be central to this journey of discovery and children will be invited to engage with local historical societies, active retirement groups and relatives of those who fought in the Rising, as well as exploring the abundance of online and archival material available.

Proclamation Day will take place on 15th March 2016. The day will begin with the raising of the National Flag, followed by a reading of the Proclamation. Schools will use this occasion to display the results of their own proclamation for a new generation and 1916 Ancestry Projects, as well as other arts and drama initiatives.

A widespread consultation process with children and young people across a range of age groups will take place this year, led by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, on the theme of “Imagining our Future”. This will include consultation in relation to the dedicated children’s day planned for the 2nd April 2016 in memory of the children who died during the Rising.