Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to Question 6 today. I am committed with my Government colleagues to ensuring that the commemorations to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising will be inclusive, appropriate and respectful.

As I have previously outlined to the House, the commemorations to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising will be a major event in a programme that has been developing since 2012 to commemorate the key events leading to the proclamation of the Irish Republic. These have included:

- the introduction and progress of the third Home Rule Bill in the Westminster Parliament;

- the formation of Volunteer movements;

- the 1913 Lockout and the role of suffragettes; and

- the outbreak of World War I.

In the coming year, alongside the continuing experience of World War I, the programme will address the Cultural Revival in Ireland, which reflected the strengthening sense of national identity and determination to achieve autonomous government.

As part of the 2016 commemorations, arrangements have been made for a number of flagship capital projects for which funding of €22 million is being provided in 2015. These projects include the new GPO visitor facility, the restoration of Kilmainham Courthouse, a dedicated facility for the Military Pensions Archive at Cathal Brugha Barracks, the provision of visitor facilities at Pearse's Cottage in Ros Muc, refurbishment works at Richmond Barracks and the development of a Tenement Museum in Dublin - as well as the commencement of refurbishment and development works at the National Archives and the National Concert Hall's Kevin Barry Rooms.

This capital programme will be complemented by an integrated national plan focused on the 2016 Commemorations, for which an allocation of €4 million is being provided to my Department in 2015. This allocation will help support a wide range of activities and events by interested groups, including local community groups and the arts. There will also be a special emphasis on education projects, as recommended by the Expert Advisory Group. There will also, of course, be an appropriately solemn component to the commemoration.

My Department has been working to finalise the draft programme for 2016, which it is intended to publish in the coming weeks to allow for widespread public consultation. The overall programme will be brought forward in partnership with government departments, State agencies, local authorities and other key players, including 1916 Relatives' Groups.

I will be keen to encourage and facilitate the involvement of ‘ground-up’ initiatives to ensure local communities can put their own shape on the commemorations as we move towards 2016. This process will build on the contacts that have been made, as part of the ongoing commemorative programme since 2012, with a wide range of bodies and community groups throughout the country, who are already engaged in preparing their own projects and contributions to the 2016 commemorations.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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25. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the 1916 commemorations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36524/14]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to Question 6 today. I am committed with my Government colleagues to ensuring that the commemorations to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising will be inclusive, appropriate and respectful.

As I have previously outlined to the House, the commemorations to mark the centenary of the Easter Rising will be a major event in a programme that has been developing since 2012 to commemorate the key events leading to the proclamation of the Irish Republic. These have included:

- the introduction and progress of the third Home Rule Bill in the Westminster Parliament;

- the formation of Volunteer movements;

- the 1913 Lockout and the role of suffragettes; and

- the outbreak of World War I.

In the coming year, alongside the continuing experience of World War I, the programme will address the Cultural Revival in Ireland, which reflected the strengthening sense of national identity and determination to achieve autonomous government.

As part of the 2016 commemorations, arrangements have been made for a number of flagship capital projects for which funding of €22 million is being provided in 2015. These projects include the new GPO visitor facility, the restoration of Kilmainham Courthouse, a dedicated facility for the Military Pensions Archive at Cathal Brugha Barracks, the provision of visitor facilities at Pearse's Cottage in Ros Muc, refurbishment works at Richmond Barracks and the development of a Tenement Museum in Dublin - as well as the commencement of refurbishment and development works at the National Archives and the National Concert Hall's Kevin Barry Rooms.

This capital programme will be complemented by an integrated national plan focused on the 2016 Commemorations, for which an allocation of €4 million is being provided to my Department in 2015. This allocation will help support a wide range of activities and events by interested groups, including local community groups and the arts. There will also be a special emphasis on education projects, as recommended by the Expert Advisory Group. There will also, of course, be an appropriately solemn component to the commemoration.

My Department has been working to finalise the draft programme for 2016, which it is intended to publish in the coming weeks to allow for widespread public consultation. The overall programme will be brought forward in partnership with government departments, State agencies, local authorities and other key players, including 1916 Relatives' Groups.

I will be keen to encourage and facilitate the involvement of ‘ground-up’ initiatives to ensure local communities can put their own shape on the commemorations as we move towards 2016. This process will build on the contacts that have been made, as part of the ongoing commemorative programme since 2012, with a wide range of bodies and community groups throughout the country, who are already engaged in preparing their own projects and contributions to the 2016 commemorations.