Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

The NESF report, about which I have spoken publicly, points out that access to the arts is an issue and artistic exclusion is as painful in many ways as social exclusion. I fully accept that and intend to work towards the solutions it suggests.

Other issues arise regarding, for example, access by non-nationals to the artistic world in a strategic context. I recently published the Department's plan for 2008, which addresses in detail the issue of access in the context of opening hours, forthcoming events and what agencies are doing to ensure more structured access to the arts. That plan and the Department's strategy will continue to press for greater access to the arts.

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