Less than eight per cent of taxpayer funding, ring-fenced for the ‘legacy’ of Galway’s European Capital of Culture (ECOC) project has been drawn down.

Galway Culture Company – the rebranded company that was responsible for delivering Galway 2020 ECOC – had drawn down €78,500 for its legacy programme, as of October.

Government had ring-fenced a total of €1m to be used to support the “strategic objectives of the legacy programme” of Galway 2020 ECOC, which was dogged by controversy.

Chief executive of the company is Marilyn Reddan Gaughan, the former County Arts Officer who was also a central figure in Galway 2020.

It has a Performance Delivery Agreement with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.

Culture Minister Catherine Martin confirmed in the Dáil to Galway West TD Catherine Connolly (Ind) that another application for a further drawdown had been lodged by Galway Culture Company with officials in her Department.

It was being “reviewed” in advance of processing, she said.

Minister Martin said there were three legacy objectives. They include: facilitating international and EU relationships and funding; supporting “place-based cultural programming”; and provision of supports “to the cultural and creative sector”.

She said the funding drawn down so far had been used for a digital arts residency programme between France and Ireland.

Pictured: Marilyn Gaughan, the Chief Executive of Galway Culture Company, was Head of Programme for Galway 2020. PHOTO: JOE O’SHAUGHNESSY.