Joanna Byrne (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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483. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment for details and costings on a possible annual commemorations programme to replacement the decade of centenaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37475/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Decade of Centenaries Programme was the cross-government approach to ensure that the significant centenaries between 2012-2023, were remembered appropriately, meaningfully and with sensitivity.

This period included the centenaries of many significant events that had a permanent and transformative effect on the nation including the 1916 Rebellion, the Partition of Ireland, the War of Independence and the Civil War.

There was significant investment from the government to ensure appropriate programming. This was at all times within established commemoration principles laid down by the Expert Advisory Group and in consultation with the All-Party Consultation Group on Commemorations.

The Decade of Centenaries Programme marked a distinct and unique period in our history. Following the conclusion of the Programme, it was recognised that people still wanted to explore their history and mark significant local anniversaries. There was also still considerable interest from stakeholders to maintain the good will and momentum build by the Programme.

In December 2023, the Government agreed to adopt a supportive and facilitative approach to the next phase of Commemorations while not recreating the Decade of Centenaries Programme in scope or scale, and in the context of the annual budget and resources available.

There has been continued current and capital investment by my Department in Commemorations since the conclusion of the Decade of Centenaries Programme. This included an annual current budget of €1.5m in 2024 and again this year. There has also been capital investment to the sum of €1.3m in 2024 to support legacy projects from the Decade of Centenaries Programme including the Trinity College led Beyond 22 project and the creation of the 20th Century History of Ireland Galleries by the National Museum of Ireland.

For the last two years these budget allocations have supported new commemorative projects but also key legacy projects from the Decade of Centenaries Programme including the RIA Local Historian Bursary and the continuation of the Local Authority Community Grant Scheme, which sees a collaborative approach to commemorations between the State, Local Authorities and community groups.

In May, I brought a Memo to Government announcing the formation and membership of a new Commemorations Advisory Committee which shows the commitment of this Department to commemorations. This committee, which recently held its first meeting, will provide expert and independent advice to the Government and other key stakeholders. Principles for commemorations will also be created by the group to assist and guide the State’s approach to future commemorations beyond the events of the Decade of Centenaries in line with the commitments set out in the Programme for Government.

This new phase has seen the extension of the scope of commemorations so that many historical events and themes can now been remembered using the successful and respectful commemorative structure. This has been warmly welcomed by stakeholders and has introduced new and engaging events and initiatives including the upcoming commemorative programme for Daniel O’Connell.

Plans are already underway for a number of diverse commemorative anniversaries in the coming years including the annual National and International Famine Commemorations, the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence and the centenary of the Dromcollogher Cinema fire in 2026.

I recognise that there will need to be continued investment in commemorations by my Department and this will be dealt with in the annual Budget and Estimates process.