The Government plans to spend £50 million financing up to three projects for the millennium. It expects that figure to be matched by funding from the private sector.
The National Millennium Committee, chaired by the Government Chief Whip, Mr Seamus Brennan, will nominate a panel of people from different sectors to choose the projects in the coming weeks. The criteria governing the millennium projects are being considered by the Government.
It is understood that it has been decided that only a small number of national projects - not more than three - will qualify for funding. The private sector will be invited to match this. Only projects which do not qualify for normal departmental funding will be eligible.
The committee has already received submissions for more than 100 projects - these would cost £300 million - in recent months. They range from plans to renew O'Connell Street, Dublin, four great forests in the provinces to a national trade and conference centre in Cork.
Other suggestions received by the Government include the building of an academy for performing arts, the renewal of the National Theatre, the development of the site of the Battle of the Boyne, a millennium arch in Dublin and a national park along the Liffey valley.
Plans have also been submitted for an Anglo-Irish millennium institute and the provision of e.mail addresses for all citizens.
Government sources are insisting that the projects chosen cannot be subject to recurring expenditure.
The millennium project plans are expected to be announced within two weeks.
