Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

244. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht whether all aspects of the 1916 commemorations have been agreed with the various local and national voluntary and statutory bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32693/15]

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

The Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme was launched in the National Museum, Collins Barracks, on 31^stMarch 2015 and planning is well underway in relation to the activities, events and initiatives set out under each of the seven strands of the programme. 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. Officials in the 2016 Project Office in my Department have undertaken an extensive consultation process across the Government, State agency and community and voluntary sectors to progress the development of detailed plans for 2016 and the response has been very positive. In particular, the Deputy may wish to note that the 'Community Participation' strand of the programme is being led by local authorities across the country. Each local authority has appointed a steering committee and a dedicated co-ordinator to drive plans to commemorate the centenary of the 1916 Rising at county level in line with the national plans for 'Ireland 2016'. Local authorities have led an extensive programme of local consultation with interested groups and community organisations, historical societies, schools and youth organisations, relatives of those who took part in the events of 1916, and other interested parties to facilitate and assist in the development of initiatives for 2016. Sporting bodies and other community and voluntary organisations such as the GAA, Credit Unions and Tidy Town Committees will also play a key role.

I very much appreciate the enthusiasm with which local authorities and local communities have engaged with this process. To date, over 83 public consultations, facilitated by the local authorities, have taken place nationwide. Arising from this, 31 individual local authority plans will be launched in October. I have allocated €1 million in 2015 in current funding to support this process.

Meetings have also taken place with other key Departments, agencies and interested parties and my Department's Ireland 2016Project Office is engaging with bodies such as the National Cultural Institutions, the Arts Council and the Heritage Council to ensure that a comprehensive and diverse programme for 2016 is developed. My Department is also engaging actively with representatives of the various relatives groups, as well as with individual relatives, to hear their views on the overall programme and to ensure that they will have a central role in a number of the key State events.

Further information in relation to the various events, activities and initiatives taking place in each county will be detailed in the upcoming county plans and will be available online at my Department’s dedicated website.