Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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176. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the support she is providing for the National Famine Memorial Day commemoration in 2016. [12389/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The annual National Famine Commemoration events, held at home and abroad, are overseen by the National Famine Commemoration Committee, of which I am chairperson. My Department works with other Government Departments and with a wide range of stakeholders to put in place appropriate annual commemorations of the Great Famine. The 2015 National Famine Commemoration was held in Newry last September, while the 2015 International Famine Commemoration was held in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada, in October. Both events were very successful and generated significant support and appreciation among the host communities.

Preparations are under way for the 2016 national and international commemorative ceremonies, which will take place later this year. Details in relation to both events will be announced shortly.

Further information regarding the National Famine Commemoration is available on the website .