Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I agree with the Minister about the great success of the "Waiting for Godot" project which has been very well received around the country. However, while he says he is not directly responsible for the touring project funding, he has responsibility for the access programme and welcome hundreds of millions spent on theatres and arts facilities around the country. However, there was a purpose in building them — to fill them with art productions. The reality is that value for money is not being obtained from them and the money being spent on behalf of the taxpayer because the funding simply is not available for companies to tour. If performances of a proper standard cannot be staged for the regions, there is no point in building facilities there. We have spent the money and must now find that little extra to ensure all of the best productions — dance, opera etc. — travel around the country. There is no point in having all of them in Dublin, if we have built facilities and continue to build them around the country. They find it extremely difficult to operate to full capacity. Many are closed during the week and there is great difficulty in maintaining them because there is simply no income available. The reality is that while the Minister is not directly responsible, he does have responsibility to show value for money from what has been spent.

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