Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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49. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for the Ireland 2016 centenary programme; if the programme of events will continue for the remainder of 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13261/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme is the centrepiece of the Decade of Centenaries and has been met with widespread support across all sectors of our society. The Programme is a year-long initiative, with a huge diversity of programmes and events running throughout 2016, to commemorate the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising.

The Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme has engaged our communities at home and abroad in an unprecedented way and I believe strongly that the benefits at community level, and indeed nationally, should not be underestimated. The inclusive nature of the Programme has enabled citizens to re-engage actively with our history and has encouraged them to consider the future of their communities, as they look back, and reflect upon, the events of 100 years ago that led to the birth of our democratic State.

While a large number of key events took place around the Easter period, the Programme will continue through the remainder of 2016 and there are a number of exciting and innovative programmes and initiatives planned, including many activities at local level.

Reimagineis the final phase of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme – the third component of the overall Remember, Reflect, Reimaginetheme. The objective of the Reimaginephase is to create an enduring impact and long-term legacy of 2016, building on the momentum and very positive public responses to the Remember andReflectphases of the Centenary Programme. The Programme for a Partnership Governmentcommits to continuing to commemorate the most significant events in the history of this State, ensuring that these commemorations are inclusive, and enhance our understanding of our shared history, particularly among children and young people, so that they have a meaningful and lasting impact. I am confident that our citizens will continue to engage energetically with these issues as we move into the final phase of the Programme.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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50. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the centenary funds dedicated to the 2016 programme will be ring-fenced for the purpose of arts, heritage and culture in budget 2017. [13193/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, which was launched last year, is a wide-ranging year-long series of events, which has been hugely successful to date in engaging citizens right around the country. In this regard, I secured an allocation of €18.1m in current funding for 2016 to support centenary events, both at home and abroad.

Since my initial appointment as Minister with responsibility for the arts, I have succeeded in securing increased funding for the sector year on year. The Programme for a Partnership Governmentcontains a very important commitment to work to progressively increase funding to the arts, including the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board, as the economy continues to improve. I can assure the Deputy that I will be engaging with my colleagues in Government and with the Oireachtas to seek to advance this commitment in the context of the forthcoming estimates and budgetary processes.