Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

Nobody would deny additional money has been invested in the arts in recent times and much has been achieved. However, multiannual funding was promised in the programme for Government. The Minister accepts it makes good sense and such funding is widely used in other areas, for instance, transport, for which a 15-year plan is in place. Why not provide multiannual funding for the arts? While it is a budget issue, it not only comes down to additional funding but also certainty in budgeting so that realistic planning can take place. The regularly funded organisations prepared three-year plans based on the promise in the programme for Government and the Arts Council has tried to respond. However, it is not reasonable to ask the council to provide three-year budgets when it is only guaranteed funding on an annual basis.

The Minister will accept it takes more than one year to put together productions, market them in advance and take them on tour around the country. From a tourism perspective, if people wish to market a festival, the programmes must be sent to the printers at least 12 months in advance. A soloist for a chamber orchestra must be hired 24 months in advance and the same is true for many other disciplines. The Minister must accept the multiannual programme is not only about providing additional funding but also about achieving better value for money. I ask him to consider that.

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