Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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377. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if funding is available to open an arts centre in Tralee, County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8652/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I recently announced details of more than €9 million in capital funding for existing dedicated arts and culture centres across the country. This capital scheme is the most significant investment in arts and cultural centres in a decade and will target investment at a range of different facilities, including arts centres, theatres, galleries and museums, as well as artists’ studios and creative spaces. This kind of investment is at the centre of what I am trying to achieve through the Creative Ireland Programme and the Action Plan for Rural Development.

The arts and capital grants scheme is focused on existing infrastructure and does not fund the setting up of new centres. This would be a matter in the first instance for the local authority.

It should be noted that my Department already provides annual current funding to Siamsa Tíre in Tralee. €310,000 has been allocated in 2017. In addition, capital funding of over €230,000 has been provided since 2009. Siamsa Tíre describes itself as “one of the busiest theatres and arts centres in the country".