Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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62. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to expand the arts and culture capital scheme as mentioned in the national development plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10026/18]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Arts and Culture Capital Scheme which is running from 2016 to 2018 is focused on the refurbishment and enhancement of the existing stock of arts and culture facilities throughout the country.  To date, funding of €10.214m has been allocated to 134 projects under three complementary grant streams. This is the most significant investment in cultural infrastructure in a decade with funding provided to a range of facilities, including arts centres, theatres, galleries and museums, as well as artists’ studios and creative spaces. A full list of all successful projects is available on my Department’s website at the following link www.chg.gov.ie/arts/creative-arts/grants-and-funding/.

The National Planning Framework and National Development Plan - Ireland 2040 launched on 16 February 2018 by An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar T.D., recognises the value and importance of our culture, language and heritage as an integral part of Irish life.  In these areas, the headline announcement from the launch is a €1 billion investment in Culture and Heritage over the 10 year period of the plan including;

- €460 million for our National Cultural Institutions,

- €265 million for cultural and creativity investment programme, and

- €285 million for natural and built heritage.

Incorporated in the Plan is the expansion of the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme.  I will shortly launch my Department's sectoral plan entitled Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage.  This will cover the Department's investment programme in greater detail as part of the State's overall plan.  In due course, details of further grant schemes under the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme will be announced in parallel with an application process which will be similar to the application processes operated in 2016 and 2017.