Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy McLellan for raising this matter this evening. I remind her that primary responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Arts Council is the national agency for funding, developing and promoting the arts in Ireland. The council was established in 1951 to stimulate public interest in and promote the knowledge, appreciation and practice of the arts. It is an autonomous body, under the aegis of my Department. The Arts Council is funded by my Department, but it is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations. This includes independence in its funding decisions. In 2014 the Arts Council will receive an allocation of €56.9 million in current and capital funding. I cannot intervene in Arts Council funding decisions. Indeed, I am statute barred from doing so.

The 2014 allocations, which were made in the difficult economic climate in which we now find ourselves, provide for almost €123 million for arts, culture and film. As well as the funding of €56.9 million to the Arts Council, other significant funding for agencies and bodies that operate under the aegis of my Department include €14 million to the Irish Film Board, €11.5 million to the National Museum and €7.5 million to the National Gallery of Ireland.

For 2014, there has been a core reduction of approximately €16.9 million, or 7%, in Exchequer funding to the Department. Therefore, difficult choices had to be made with regard to funding for 2014. Notwithstanding this, and even with a reduced departmental budget, every week more than €2.3 million will be invested in arts, culture and film this year. This allocation will help to maintain and support the important role played by the arts in innovation, cultural expression, job creation and economic recovery.

As I mentioned previously, under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations and neither I nor my Department has a role to play in its executive or funding decisions. In a wider context, the Arts Council support for a range of art forms is set out in its strategic overview document entitled Developing the Arts in Ireland: Arts Council Strategic Overview 2011-2013. This strategy document, which is available on the council's website, lays out the key strategic principles that inform the council's funding decisions.

I understand that in light of the current funding environment and the changed landscape for arts and disability practice in Ireland, the Arts Council took the decision to cease its support of the arts and disability awards with effect from January 2014. I also understand that the Arts Council has for some time been considering these supports and is exploring more effective ways of using resources so as to meet needs of the sector and ensure optimum value for money. I am informed that the Arts Council remains committed to supporting arts and disability practice and to delivering on its policy in this area. I am also informed that in 2014, notwithstanding the council's own funding reductions, it has maintained funding to Arts and Disability Ireland, the national development and resource organisation for arts and disability, at 2013 levels.

Furthermore, in addition to other supports which it offers, over 2013- 4, the Arts Council developed and invested in Ignite, a new commissioning initiative to facilitate the creation of ambitious new work by professional artists with disabilities, which represents the largest ever investment in Ireland's arts and disability sector. Ignite is managed by a partnership involving the Arts Council, Arts & Disability Ireland, Cork City Council, Galway City Council, Galway County Council and Mayo County Council.

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