Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The aim of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme is to have a rich diversity of programmes and events, complementary and additional to formal State occasions, which will run throughout 2016. In this regard, I am committed, together with my Government colleagues, to ensuring that the commemorations to mark the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising will be inclusive, appropriate and respectful.

The Community Participationstrand of the programme is being led by local authorities across the country and I have been working closely with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Alan Kelly, T.D., in this regard. Each local authority has appointed a steering committee and a dedicated 'Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme' co-ordinator, to support engagement and facilitation within local communities to generate awareness of the national programme; and to develop and deliver 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. A series of public meetings in each county has taken place, at which members of the public came together to hear about Ireland 2016, meet those involved in their community, and to explore and learn about how they can get involved. In support of this effort, I have provided €1m, divided equally between the local authorities, to drive programme development at local level.

Each local authority has developed its own systems for inviting proposals from members of the public who are seeking funding for events relating to the centenary commemorations. Interested parties can contact the local co-ordinator in their local authorities in the first instance. Contact details can be found on the website . The decision-making process in this instance is a matter for the local authorities involved.

Comprehensive county plans detailing the centenary commemorations to be held in each local authority area are scheduled to be released in early October.