Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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233. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be examined. [5307/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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As part of my Department's sectoral response to COVID-19, an Audience Re-engagement scheme for small, regional and specialised museums was launched in 2020.  Under that scheme, an allocation of €6,900 was awarded to the museum to which the Deputy refers. However, the museum was not in a position to draw this funding down.

My Department has recently written to the museum in question outlining further possible funding opportunities which may arise through my Department in 2021 which would include the following schemes:

- The Regional Museum Exhibition Scheme provides grants for capital works which enhance the exhibition/display facilities within the museum or which promote access to the museum. Full details of last year’s scheme including eligibility requirements are available at https://www.gov.ie/en/service/676e1-regional-museum-exhibitions-scheme/.Funding available under this scheme is capped at €15,000. 

- The Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools Scheme. This Scheme is designed to support local cultural festivals and summer schools which are not in receipt of other central Government monies and which may not be eligible under funding criteria for larger scale events. Funding available under this scheme is typically capped at €5,000.Full details of last year’s scheme are available at

- The Co-operation with Northern Ireland Funding Scheme. Funding available under this scheme is capped at €15,000. Full details of last year’s scheme are available at

- The Mobility of Collections Scheme to support greater regional and local access to material held in the National Collections.  Full details of the scheme can be found at

It is currently envisaged that all above four schemes will launch in the first quarter of this year. All schemes are subject to a competitive assessment process. It may be useful for a museum representative to monitor my Department's website and apply upon announcement of the schemes.

Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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234. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to business owners in the tourist sector who do not own rateable premises that are facing into a second peak season under Covid-19 restrictions; and if further financial supports are being considered. [5386/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Budget 2021 provided a significant package of tax and fiscal measures to build the resilience of the economy and to help vulnerable but viable businesses across all sectors. A key measure in  the Budget was the provision of an additional €55m in Business Continuity funding to support strategic tourism businesses, to be administered by Fáilte Ireland.

The Scheme will contribute to the fixed costs of identified strategic tourism businesses that are not eligible for CRSS to support their survival.  It will provide an equitable level of payment to the CRSS for qualifying businesses such as tourism attractions, activity providers, caravan and camping sites and others.

I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for further details on the scheme.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.