Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There were a few questions from the Deputy. The last question she asked related to Galway 2020. I expanded on a question to Deputy Heydon already. As I stated earlier, my Department has a key role in ensuring the success of Galway 2020 and I will do all I can to ensure parties work together and see that it is a success. I can reassure the Deputy in that regard. We are in close contact with the chair and we very much welcome the new chief executive officer as well.

The Deputy and I have spoken many times in the Dáil and on Question Time about Creative Ireland and the Arts Council. Creative Ireland is not intended as alternative funding to the Arts Council. Creative Ireland has a budget of €6 million and the Arts Council has €68 million. There is no question of Creative Ireland in any way undermining what the Arts Council does, nor should it. It is a cross-Government policy and it aims to put creativity at the heart of policy-making, as the Deputy knows. The Arts Council is at arm's length and makes its own decisions, and it is important it has the opportunity to carry out its roles through funding from my Department. I am looking at what I am going to be in a position to give the council. I do not know what that is as of yet.

As I stated, I will announce a number of creative partnerships as well and they will be aimed at developing some of the objectives of creativity, well-being, innovation and cross-Government objectives. The Deputy also mentioned small funding and festivals. Creative Ireland funding for local communities comes directly through local authorities. This Department does not make local decisions relating to that funding. It is a matter for the local authority or cultural teams. It should be noted that this cuts across heritage, culture and library services. The aim is to broaden not just the arts but the funding that complements the Arts Council support to local authorities as well.

The Deputy mentioned the Creative Schools programme and the idea is to build on and expand it over the coming years. It has been very welcome across the sector. As I mentioned in my opening statement, 150 schools were selected for the pilot and these schools have approximately 38,000 pupils. It is a diverse range of schools.