Mr. Feargal Ó Coigligh:

The Arts Council is the arm of the State which is there to provide funding support for the arts at all levels. The Department provides capital support primarily. The West Cork Arts Centre is an example of a major investment by the Department in recent years. The other arm of the State which the Department supports is local government to strengthen the role of arts, culture and creativity in the local government sector. That is where we are trying to focus a great deal more attention to utilise the resources the Arts Council is providing. We seek to bolster creativity and culture at local level. It is only a small amount of money when it is divvied up between 31 local authorities, but they also have a role to play.