Ms Sheila Pratschke:

We have a big concern with reaching out to the entire country. We have developed a good working relationship with the 34 local authorities. We have developed a number of touring schemes which included, most recently, a joint North-South touring scheme. Obviously the scheme can grow further and we feel that we can do so only in partnership. Local authority funding for the venues is critical. In tandem with such funding, the Arts Council can support many groups, theatre groups, exhibitions, dance, etc. to travel to the four corners of Ireland. Within our limited means - having suffered fairly severe funding cuts - the policy is to continue to build on that foundation.