Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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249. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the outcome of applications under streams A and B of the cultural capital scheme including that of a centre (details supplied) will be announced. [41712/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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This Cultural Capital Scheme 2019-2022 focuses on enhancing the existing stock of arts and culture centres that operate as not-for-profit organisations throughout the country and that have a clearly defined arts and culture focus. The Scheme builds on the success of the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016-2018 which saw grants allocated to 134 organisations in 26 counties to refurbish and enhance their facilities. This funding is provided from a €40m capital investment allocation for local arts and culture infrastructure contained in Project Ireland 2040.  One of the features on this iteration of the investment programme is the emphasis on the reduction of carbon footprints to dovetail with the Government’s climate change commitments.

Assessment and final decision on applications under Streams A & B of the Cultural Capital Scheme 2019-2022 were delayed as a result of COVID-19 as my Department opened up a specific COVID-19 related scheme Stream D, a further stream of funding under this overall scheme.  These assessments are nearing completion and announcements will be made over the coming period. 

I understand that the centre to which the Deputy refers, submitted an incomplete application under Stream A of the Cultural Capital Scheme.  In August this year, this centre along with other similarly incomplete applications were given the opportunity to address the oversight.  The responses to this process will be examined in due course and decisions relayed to the organisations concerned.  

Under Stream D, capital funding is provided to assist in the re-opening of theatres, arts centres and culture venues as part of Project Ireland 2040. The measures are designed to support arts and culture facilities in preparation for staff, artists and audiences returning to venues to reopen in line with the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business as well as the Return to Work Safety Protocols. The scheme allows organisations to undertake necessary capital adaptations to their buildings so that they comply with the HSE COVID-19 related public health protection measures. Further details of these schemes along with eligibility criteria and other information, can be found at this link