27 Mr. Leonard asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the number of projects approved by him in counties Cavan and Monaghan under the cultural development incentives schemes which were advertised in 1996. [1957/97]

A total of 147 applications were received by the Minister under phase II of the cultural development incentives scheme which he advertised on 15 November 1996. Of the 147 applications received by the Minister, two applications were in respect of projects in County Cavan and four applications were in respect of projects in County Monaghan. The Minister has taken decisions as to the allocation, in principle, of grant assistance to a number of the 147 applications received by him. The applications submitted in respect of projects in counties Cavan and Monaghan have not been successful at this stage.

However, in anticipation of the possibility that some of the applications which have received offers, in principle, of grant assistance under phases I and II of the scheme will not go ahead within the timescale of the current round of Structural Funds, the Minister is drawing up a stand-by list of projects that may be considered for assistance in due course in this eventuality. The Minister hopes to be in a position to make his decisions on the projects to be included on that list shortly.