Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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609. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding schemes available for museums for annual running costs and once off grant aid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26334/18]

Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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My Department operates a Regional Museum Exhibitions Scheme in 2018, applications for which closed on Friday 15th June. This Scheme is designed to assist local, regional and specialised museums contribute to the fabric and meaning of the Decade of Commemorations through an exhibition programme for locals and visitors alike. This will allow local and specific interpretations of historical events and their legacy and of the multiple identities and traditions which are part of the Irish historical experience. Maximum grants under this Scheme are €15,000 and the Scheme has an allocation of €150,000 for 2018.

My Department also operates a operate a Scheme of funding support for small self-contained projects which seek to enhance, celebrate or commemorate the artistic, cultural, musical, film or heritage of the Island of Ireland on a North/South basis. The Co-operation with Northern Ireland Scheme 2018 is now closed for applications and replies to applicants should issue over the coming weeks. Maximum grants under this Scheme are €15,000 and the Scheme has an allocation of €175,000 for 2018.

My Department also has a scheme to support greater regional and local access to material held in the National Collections. The Scheme is designed to fund the transport, cost of insurance and exhibiting costs for pieces from the National Collections to appropriate institutions around the country, subject to lending criteria. The 2018 allocation is €25,000 for this scheme and letters to applicants will issue shortly.

These schemes are in addition to the Capital Support Schemes and funding for Arts and Culture organisations, details of which may be found on my Department' website at www.chg.gov.ie/arts/creative-arts/projects-and-programmes/capital-support-schemes-and-funding-for-arts-and-culture-organisations/.

For general assistance, museums should contact the Heritage Officer in their relevant local authority in the first instance.