25 Mr. Timmins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will devise a grant system to assist Irish cultural groups, such as musicians, groups of dancers and singers, who travel abroad to promote Irish cultural activities on a voluntary basis. [12192/96]

I am glad to tell the Deputy that a system exists within my Department through which grants are made available to assist Irish cultural groups or individual performers and artists travelling aboard.

This enables the Department to initiate or support financially projects of merit in other countries, enhancing our image and reputation abroad and promoting mutual knowledge and understanding with other countries. In 1996, the amount available through my Department for this purpose is £510,000.

Decisions on grants to be made are normally taken on the basis of recommendations by the Cultural Relations Committee, a volutary advisory body of persons of distinction in the artistic and cultural fields.

The availability of such potential support for cultural promotion abroad is quite widely known.

Applicants may obtain information and submit their requests through the cultural section of the Department of Foreign Affairs.