Fiach MacConghail (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yes, but is the €1 million already spent in 2012 or will it be spent in 2013? These are clarifications.

The baseline figure for Arts Council funding is €63 million. The Minister mentioned having to look for an 8% cut. Can he give the top end percentage cut for which the council, and therefore arts organisations, should be prepared? We might not be able to get an exact figure and we might have to wait for the budget but can we get the headline figure? The Minister invited us to give our opinions on how the ever-decreasing resources might be spent and I urge him to spend most of the money on the living arts. There are some capital requirements but the majority of the money should be spent on arts organisations and groups, whether on traditional music or other art forms, and on the presentation of work for the here and now that will ultimately support not only our communities but also The Gathering.

I welcome the Minister's initiative on income streams. He has consistently been supportive and taken a lead in philanthropic policy in the Department. I was sorry to miss the conference in Smock Alley Theatre but I was in the United States to raise funds for the Abbey Theatre. Can the Minister confirm the amount that has been set aside for the philanthropic initiative and can the committee know what subhead that comes under in order that we can look at both 2013 and 2014?

I assume subhead A7 outlines some of the necessary capital funding and the valuable work of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, which I welcome. Are there any other arts bodies included in the subhead that receive current funding?