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The Minister for the Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys TD, has today (Tuesday) announced a €300 million cultural and heritage investment programme, under the Government’s Exchequer Capital Investment Framework 2016-2021, to protect, promote and develop our culture and heritage.

Key highlights include:
· Cultural Infrastructure – €70 million to support the development of arts and cultural infrastructure including funding for our National Cultural Institutions, a new €18 million package of investment in regional arts and cultural centres and projects at the National Archives and the National Concert Hall which are being funded under the Government’s Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme,
· The Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme - €30.8 million in total is being allocated to projects being delivered as part of Ireland 2016, which includes the visitor and commemorative centres at the GPO, Moore Street and the new Tenement Museum
· Heritage investment - €56.5 million in supports for heritage initiatives over the period 2016-2021
· Peatlands Restoration - €9 million over the duration of the framework to restore peatlands

Speaking today, Minister Humphreys said:
“I have consistently made the argument that as the economy improves we must invest in our culture and heritage. This €300 million investment package will provide an important boost to the arts and cultural sector.

“A key element of the programme is a new €18 million investment programme in arts and cultural centres across the country. This will allow for a grant scheme worth €3 million to be rolled out for each year of the plan and will provide much needed investment in regional arts and cultural centres. Arts centres are important focal points in so many communities, and I know that many of them are in need of repairs and will warmly welcome this investment.

“The Ireland 2016 Centenary programme is my main priority for the year ahead. The investment package includes more than €30 million for capital projects which will being are delivered as part of Ireland 2016, such as the National Concert Hall and National Archives, Teach an Phiarsaigh and the Tenement Museum. It also includes funding for the acquiring of Nos 14-17 Moore Street, and the development of a commemorative centre at the site.

“Our built and natural heritage will also benefit; a total of €56.5 million will be invested in heritage over the period of the framework. This includes €9 million to continue the programme of peatlands restoration and more than €22 million will be invested in built heritage initiatives.

“The Capital Investment Framework announced today is consistent with the Government’s plans to promote regional economic growth, jobs and recovery. The arts, cultural and heritage sectors are very important in this regard, as investment in the arts contributes so positively to the wellbeing and vibrancy of communities across the country, while boosting tourism and local employment opportunities.”

Note for Editors:

The Capital Plan:
The Capital Plan presents the Government’s framework for infrastructure investment in Ireland over the period 2016 to 2021. The Plan is fiscally sound and prioritises spending on those areas of greatest need as the economy continues its strong recovery. The considerable improvement in the public finances has allowed the Government to increase the level of expenditure on capital infrastructure gradually over the course the next six years, in a way that is sustainable and long term in its design and focus. The scale and profile of the Exchequer component of the Capital Plan has been developed with reference to the Government’s present medium term economic growth forecasts and is fully consistent with Ireland’s fiscal targets over the coming years.

Further details on arts, cultural and heritage investment:
The framework provides for an overall capital envelope of €30.8m for next year for the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, the Government's wide ranging national commemorative programme initiative. The funding provided will allow for the completion of the ‘Permanent Reminders’ projects, such as the GPO Interpretative & Exhibition Centre, Teach an Phiarsaigh, the Tenement Museum and Richmond Barracks, as well as other capital projects, including major projects at the National Concert Hall and the National Archives.

There is also provision for the development of a 1916 Commemorative Centre at the National Monument at 14-17 Moore Street to enhance and complement the GPO project and for a number of other important commemorative projects.

Funding will also provide for the development of Cultural Infrastructure, including the National Cultural Institutions, regional arts and cultural centres and the Cork Event Centre. The aggregate funding for this purpose, including projects funded under the Government’s commemorations initiative, will total some €70m over the period 2016-2021.

Funding of €56.5m will be allocated to the Department's Heritage programme over the period 2016-2021 including €9m will for Peatlands Restoration. This will allow for the restoration of peatlands to their natural state as part of an overall Peatlands Strategy and with a view to meeting EU obligations in this regard.

The balance of funding will provide for North-South initiatives in the waterways sector; supports for the film and television industry and support of enterprise activity and associated employment in Gaeltacht areas.