€1.2 billion is to be invested in the Irish culture, heritage and language infrastructure, according to Irish government representatives.

The investment was revealed today (10 April) at the National Gallery of Ireland (NGI), as part of the government's Project Ireland 2040.

Investing in Our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018 – 2027 is a ten year plan.

€460 million is planned for Natural Cultural Institutions; €265 million is set aside for the cultural and creativity programme; €285 million is promised for natural and build heritage; and €178 million is available for the Gaeltacht, the Irish language and the Islands.

Present at the announcement event were Minister Madigan, An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, Minister for Finance & Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, and Government Chief Whip and Minister of State for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, Joe McHugh.

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Priority projects under the National Cultural Institutions Investment Programme include renovations of the National Library of Ireland, the National Archives of Ireland and the National Concert Hall; and redevelopments of the National Museum of Ireland and the Crawford Art Gallery.

Other focuses under the Heritage and Gaeltacht plans include investments in national parks and reserves, national Built Heritage, and the Gaeltacht Language Planning Process.

Speaking at the event today, An Taoiseach said: "Irish culture, music, language and art is the window through which most of the world sees us for the first time. It's central to our positive global image and reputation. Culture and creativity enriches our lives, is a substantial part of our economy employing people all over Ireland, and is a driver of tourism. For all these reasons, we have put together a ten year investment package for culture. It's fully funded and forms part of the Project Ireland 2040 plan, and goes a long way to honouring my commitment to double government spending on arts, culture and heritage over the next seven years."

"We're investing in venues, concert halls and museums where our culture is presented, around Ireland and in our cities. We're investing in local arts and culture, in our national parks and historic monuments, and digitising more national collections to ensure they can be enjoyed everywhere. And we're investing in the Irish language, inside and outside the Gaeltacht. I want to commend Minister Madigan and my other colleagues in Government for bringing these exciting plans to life."