Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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1198. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the grants that may be available under the arts and heritage umbrella for a committee trying to organise an Irish entertainment festival this summer. [21613/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Festivals which encompass arts or heritage programming may qualify for grants from certain bodies under the aegis of my Department. Primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Council has a Festival and Events Scheme and there are two calls for applications each year. Information on the funding available under this scheme can be found at . The Arts Council, although funded by my Department, is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations, and specifically in its funding decisions.

Funding for the built heritage is focused primarily on conservation and presentation of heritage structures and the State’s heritage portfolio. Support for built heritage programmes and initiatives continues to be provided by my Department via a number of schemes, which can be either directly administered or delivered through local authorities and certain agencies. The Heritage Council, which is funded by my Department, has recently awarded funding of €547,000 to 197 heritage projects nationwide under its 2015 Community-based Heritage Grants Scheme. The scheme, which supports the continuing conservation and development of Irish heritage through local community-based groups, is expected to generate total investment of more than €1 million. Further information is available at .

I understand that festivals are also supported by my colleague, Mr Paschal Donohoe, TD, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, through Fáilte Ireland. Further information in this regard is available at .

Support for festivals may also be available from the relevant local authority through its arts office and heritage office.