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The Welsh Government has announced £3.2m will go towards repairs at both the National Museum Cardiff and the National Library of Wales.

Concerns have been raised over recent months that a leaky roof at the museum left Wales’ national collections at risk, while there were also worries about the potential impact of budget cuts to the sector.

Announcing the funding, Lesley Griffiths, Wales’ cabinet secretary for culture, said the Welsh Government had listened to these concerns.

Ms Griffiths also announced £500,000 to improve storage facilities and protect important collections at local and independent museums and archives across Wales.

Funding will also continue to be invested in the redevelopment of Amgueddfa Cymru’s Llanberis site, which will create opportunities for greater and improved access in north Wales to the national collection.

The Welsh Government has said it is also working closely with Amgueddfa Cymru and the National Library of Wales to develop plans to address the wider maintenance issues at the National Museum in Cardiff and the library’s building in Aberystwyth over the coming years.

Ms Griffiths said: “Our museums, archives and galleries are vital parts of cultural life in Wales and today’s announcement will help protect them and their collections for the benefit of people across Wales, now and in the future.

“We have had to make some difficult decisions and choices, but we have listened and the priority at this time must be helping to safeguard our cultural institutions be they large or small, national or local.”

She added: “We have been honest about the financial challenges we’re facing, however, this does not stop us being ambitious for the sector.

“The investment we’re continuing to make and our consultation on draft priorities for culture over the next six years show the importance this Welsh Government places on culture.

“We must continue to work together to safeguard our cultural institutions.”

The investment was welcomed by Jane Henderson, president of the Federation of Museums and Art Galleries of Wales.

Ms Henderson said: “These objects and collections combine to tell the histories of people and their communities, which together tell a powerful story of a nation built from many parts.”

Amgueddfa Cymru’s chief executive, Jane Richardson, said: “We are so pleased that Welsh Government are providing additional funding to start critical maintenance work at National Museum Cardiff.

“The museum is over 100-years-old and was specifically built to house and showcase Wales’ very special national collection.”