Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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355. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to provide an update on funding allocations from the 2015 €9 million investment scheme for arts and cultural centres including which arts and cultural centres will be upgraded. [18363/16]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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356. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if additional arts funding is being made available as part of the capital investment framework 2016-2021. [18364/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 355 and 356 together.

In terms of capital investment in the arts, I announced a new €9 million investment scheme for arts and cultural centres to run over the next three years, focused on upgrading the existing stock of such centres around the country. The funding is being made available as part of the Government’s Capital Investment Framework 2016-2021. It is my priority to target investment at existing facilities, to bring the current stock of arts centres up to standard. My Department is finalising the guidelines and application forms in relation to the scheme which I intend to open for applications very shortly.

In addition there are a number of significant capital projects underway for the National Cultural Institutions, including:

- The National Gallery of Ireland:A major renovation project is ongoing on the historic Dargan and Milltown wings of the gallery. This work is nearing completion and it is hoped that they will reopen to the public in Q1 2017. This is expected to cost in the order of €33m.

- The National Archives: Phase one of a building development plan for the Archives Bishop Street headquarters is due to go to tender shortly. This first phase will cost approximately €8m and will significantly increase the Archives storage capacity in the Bishop Street premises.

- The National Library of Ireland: I announced last year a €10m investment in the National Library's historic Kildare Street building. The OPW are currently working with the NLI and my Department to develop a design for the building, which will enhance the storage facilities and public spaces in the building.

The capital needs of other national cultural institutions are also being considered, and will be prioritised as resources permit.