Written answers

Tuesday, 9 April 2019

Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Arts and Culture Capital Scheme Funding

Photo of Tony McLoughlinTony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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656. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will correct the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 743 of 12 March 2019, in view of the fact that the information therein is inaccurate (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16106/19]

Photo of Josepha MadiganJosepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The theatre to which the Deputy refers was awarded substantial funding under the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016-2018 in February 2017 to refurbish and enhance the existing facility. As set out in my reply of 12 March 2019, all capital grants exceeding €300,000 require a legal charge on the property being developed for the amount of the grant for a period of 15 years. This charge is to protect the taxpayer's investment in the property if it was to undergo a change of use or in the event of its sale.

The Chief State Solicitors Office (CSSO) is seeking to complete the legal formalities in order that the grant can be paid to the theatre to which the Deputy refers. The CSSO has been in negotiations with both the solicitors representing the theatre and the theatre's landlord for some time now and work has progressed significantly in the last three months. At this point, the necessary Deed of Agreement has been agreed by the relevant parties and is ready to be signed and sealed by both parties. The CSSO in conjunction with the grantee's solicitors will then ensure that all the relevant legal searches are in order. The grantees solicitors must then lodge the charge in the Companies Registration Office within 21 days from date of these search results. On completion of the legal formalities which should take no more than one month, it is hoped that the theatre can then make progress on the project.

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