Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister spoke about the €5 million assigned to Creative Ireland. When we get into the nitty-gritty, we see that no money was actually set aside for the delivery of Creative Ireland in terms of programming. What is the Minister hoping to do in terms of setting aside actual funding for the delivery of Creative Ireland? How much does she intend to apportion to each of the pillars, of which there are five.

The Arts in Education Charter contains lots of proposals, ambitions and actions. What funding does the Minister intend to set aside to deliver the charter? The local arts in education partnership is the model that is recommended in the charter. That will involve a conversation. I compliment the Minister on engaging with the Department of Education and Skills. Perhaps, more importantly, the Department of Education and Skills is engaging with the Minister. This relationship must be cemented. If we are serious about arts in education, it is the only way it can done otherwise services will be duplicated. What are the Minister's plans for local arts in education partnerships? Will money be set aside for that scheme which is clearly set out in the Arts in Education Charter?

Will the Government recommit to investing in local authorities over the coming years and will it ensure that the arts budget is ring fenced as non-discretionary funds. As the Minister and I know from being members of local authorities, they are discretionary funds and there is always a battle over how much is put into the local arts office. It is really important that the funding is ring-fenced as non-discretionary funding. Is the Government committed to doing that?

My final question relates to the cultural organisations and creative industries across the country that are doing so much. In many cases, these are not being supported by the LEOs because those offices cannot provide support. Does the Minister have plans to give them that opportunity and to see to it that the LEOs can support these organisations and industries, which create many types of employment?