Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)

Generally, on the arts, I strongly welcome the Minister's commitment to the basic income for artists scheme. The hope will be that the scheme will be expanded. There is still the questions of whether to welcome this scheme this year or whether it will be broadened to cover more than the current 2,000 recipients? Will the Minister comment on the commitments in the programme for Government towards an arts capital programme? I welcomed his commitment at a previous meeting of the committee to funding for amateur theatre and amateur musical theatre around the country. Does he envisage that being funded directly through his Department or through the Arts Council?