Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 121 together.

Funding of the Arts Council, as with all Departments 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 multi-annual budgets, having met with the council on a number of occasions. I appreciate the need for stability in budgeting that such a measure would provide, but my Department, like other Departments, must work within the annual current expenditure budgets provided through the Estimates process. However, I will continue to pursue this issue with my colleague, the Minister for Finance.

By any standards the Arts Council has seen dramatic increases in its funding allocation in recent years, increasing by over 72% from €47.67 million in 2002 to €82.102 million this year. These are significant amounts of taxpayers' money in any context which have effectively transformed the arts by facilitating increased access and participation in the full spectrum of art forms throughout the country.

The Government's sustained commitment to the arts is evidenced by these substantial increases in funding, including supplementary funding of €5 million at the end of 2007. Specifically, this level of funding has enabled the Arts Council to dramatically increase both the number of organisations it supports and the level of funding it provides. In 2006, the Arts Council supported 330 regularly-funded organisations which employ 2,000 people; 170 festivals; 251 artists, through bursaries and the Cnuas provided to members of Aosdána; and 41 artist-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, opera and a community music scheme.

This Government is committed to supporting the arts and will continue to work with the Arts Council as part of this programme.

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