Written question asked by Gregory Campbell (Democratic Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 24 May 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 5 June 2006. It was answered by Maria Eagle (Labour) on Monday, 5 June 2006 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Murals

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure is taking to assist communities in promoting cultural and historic artistic murals to replace those of a militaristic and paramilitary type.

Answer: The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is taking forward a project entitled ““Re-imaging Communities”” which will focus on the replacement of paramilitary murals and other offensive items with new and more positive imagery. The priority areas are housing estates, peace lines and interface areas and derelict public spaces throughout Northern Ireland. The Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure has secured £2 million for this project over the period 2006-08. The Arts Council is seeking additional funding from other sources.The Arts Council is also delivering a project entitled ““If Walls Could Talk””. The aim of this project is to transform the peace line along Cupar Way into a world-class exhibition space for public art and to stimulate the development of arts in the Shankill area. This project is due to commence in 2006-07 and £170,000 per annum is available over two years.The Ulster Scots Agency encourages communities to engage in promoting cultural and historic artistic murals to replace those of a militaristic and paramilitary type and the Agency will consider applications for financial assistance where there is an Ulster Scots theme.

Secondary information