Ms Orlaith McBride:

We met Foras na Gaeilge approximately two weeks ago to consider how we might work together during Bliain na Gaeilge. As regards the Arts Council and artists and organisations which happen to be in Gaeltacht areas such as Ealaín na Gaeltachta, we are not investing in such organisations because they are using Irish as part of their work; therefore, we have to be very careful. That is why it was very good to meet Foras na Gaeilge to be very clear on what our respective responsibilities were and to then look at ways in which we could support each other and work together.

As regards the Irish language, the Abbey Theatre was mentioned. As members know, two years ago An Taibhdhearc brought its work to the Abbey Theatre. Anne McCabe has now been chosen for the Irish language 5x5 award as part of the Abbey Theatre's outreach projects. The Abbey Theatre is beginning to open up in that way to Irish language artists.

We do not stop funding an organisation just because it is a large client and has been in receipt of money for many years. For example, we are not going to stop funding the Irish Traditional Music Archive or the Galway Arts Festival just because they have received money for many years. If they continue to be relevant, produce work, engage with the public and be the best they can, we will continue to fund them. The issue in recent years is that new organisations have been knocking on our door but have not been able to get in because we have not had additional resources. This year we reformed our full funding framework and programmes and have two new funding schemes - strategic funding and arts grants funding. That arts grants funding scheme is being established to ensure organisations that might have received a small amount of project funding this year, that will receive none the following year and a small amount the year after that will now be able to receive funding on a more regular basis to produce work and, it is to be hoped, in a number of years a big event such as the Galway Arts Festival, the traditional music archive or the Wexford Festival Opera. However, it all depends on the available resources.