Councils to get funding for 2016 plans

LOCAL authorities, including Fingal County Council and Dublin City Council, are to get a share of

?¬1 million in funding to help mark the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Rising.

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Heather Humphreys, and Minister of State, Aodhán Ã? Ríordáin, met with the City and County Managers’ Association (CCMA) last week to discuss

‘Ireland 2016’ an initiative established to commemorate the anniversary.

Minister Humphreys said she sees local authorities as an important partner in delivering Ireland 2016.

“Through our local authorities, I want to reach out to every community in the country and facilitate local involvement in this major national initiative,

? she said.

“This is a once in a generation opportunity – across all communities and traditions – to commemorate the past, evaluate what we’ve achieved as a nation and consider what we want to do in the next 100 years.

“While there will be a series of formal State events, I also want to get schools, history groups, arts organisations, sporting organisations and a range of other groups involved at a local level.

“I am providing

?¬1 million in funding for local authorities in 2015, to allow for plans to be developed at a local level throughout this year, and in plenty of time for 2016.

?

Minister Humphries has asked the chief executive of each local authority to put a team in place to link directly with the Ireland 2016 Project Team in her department.

“The public consultation process is ongoing, and meetings will be held across the country in the coming months,

? she added.

“Members of the public can come together to hear about Ireland 2016, meet those involved in their community and explore and learn about how they can get involved,

? she added.

Minister � Ríordáin said he was pleased that the local authorities have been allocated this funding.

“It will be crucial in ensuring that all communities across the State are involved in commemorating the centenary of the 1916 Rising in an inclusive, reflective and forward-looking manner,

? he said.