Irish tourism minister Mary Hanafin has launched a new grant scheme in a bid to encourage the use of new technology in promoting arts and culture across Ireland.

The Cultural Technology Grant Scheme will provide assistance towards projects that seek to use information and communication technologies to deliver educational or promotional products. It is hoped the initiative will help support the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport in its bid to increase artistic awareness across the country as well as recognising its economic contribution.

Hanafin said: "Ireland is already well placed as a destination for the cultural tourist and funding being provided under this scheme should help extend our existing market base for cultural tourism. "Exploiting new technology such as apps for iPhones, or web-based digital projects in order to highlight our diverse arts and culture will be at the heart of this scheme."