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

These savings are not factored into next year's Estimates. Also, the savings will be made when the rationalisation takes place, which will depend on the introduction of legislation. The saving I can make immediately, and I contacted the chairmen of the institutions on this, is that all directors and board members will act on a pro bono basis.

They will not pay fees to members of boards. That will save approximately €350,000. Other savings will be made when the changes take place, for example, when the boards of the National Museum and the National Library are taken over by the advisory council and the services are shared from our Department. It is hoped that savings will be made through rationalisation. The extent of these savings depends on how soon we put in place the new arrangements and when the various shared services are rolled out. As the galleries put forward the proposal on shared services, they have already agreed to it. Given the tightness of the budget, I see substantial opportunity for adding money to my philanthropy budget.

As regards funding for Europe, this was a one-off contribution for this year that we could use for next year. This money has been spent. I argued on Committee Stage of the Arts Bill 2002 that the arms length principle should be protected. I am trying to provide as much funding as I can to the Arts Council. Over the three years until last year, its funding had been substantially reduced in each budget. I arrested that trend to some extent and the cut was just 3% last year. I will do my best to limit the reduction in Arts Council funding because I realise that groups and centres in all parts of Ireland benefit from the grants it provides. These grants are allocated not on a political basis but according to criteria decided independently by the Arts Council. I am sure members will support me in minimising the reduction to Arts Council funding.