Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

The funding of the Arts Council, as with all departmental and State agencies, is a matter for consideration under the annual budget and Estimates process. In doing so, the Government must balance competing demands from every part of our economy and society. I am aware of the Arts Council's desire to have multiannual budgets, having met the Council on a number of occasions. I appreciate the need for stability in budgeting which such a measure would provide. My Department, like all other Departments, is provided with annual current expenditure budgets through the Estimates process. The programme for Government commits to providing multiannual funding to the Arts Council that identifies key areas for development, for organisations or key strategies in the arts. Multiannual current funding for the Arts Council is an issue I will pursue with my colleague, the Minister for Finance.

Funding for the council has increased by almost 68%, from €47.67 million in 2002 to €80 million in 2007. These are significant amounts of taxpayers' money in any context and they have transformed the arts, increasing access to and participation in the arts. The Government's commitment to the arts is evidenced by these substantial increases in funding. This has enabled the Arts Council to dramatically increase the number of organisations it supports and the funding it provides. For instance, in 2006 the Arts Council supported 330 regularly funded organisations, which employ 2,000 people; 170 festivals; 251 artists, through bursaries provided to members of Aosdána; and 41 artists in residence programmes, spread across hospitals, schools, communities and prisons. A number of new initiatives have been introduced by the Arts Council as a result of this additional funding, including touring, small festivals and opera. I am pursuing funding for the council in 2008, with all aspects of arts funding, as we work to conclude the 2008 Estimates process.

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