Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

Funding for my Department for 2010 is €501 million, a decrease of 7% on the 2009 figure. The tourism services budget for 2010 is over €155 million, representing an increase of 2% on 2009. The enhanced allocation for tourism for 2010 is clear recognition by Government of the important role that the tourism and hospitality sector will play in Ireland's economic recovery. A total of €22 million has been allocated for capital investment in tourism product development, a threefold increase over the 2009 level. This investment will be focussed on completing the upgrading of some major tourism attractions, developing a select number of new visitor attractions, improving infrastructure for recreational cycling, walking and water-based activities and local heritage attractions.

The 2010 allocation for the Tourism Marketing Fund is over €44 million. This will enable the level and value of investment in overseas marketing of Ireland to be maintained in real terms in 2010 as recommended in the report of the tourism renewal group. Funding to arts, culture and film for 2010 is €166 million. Within this, I am pleased to have secured over €69 million for the Arts Council which will continue to sustain the country's main arts organisations, keep regional arts and theatre venues open and support local festivals and touring initiatives.

Funding for the Irish Film Board is €19 million. The section 481 tax relief scheme for investment in film and TV production is maintained until at least 2012, underpinning the Government's commitment to the importance of our indigenous Irish film and audiovisual sector. Culture Ireland's allocation for 2010 is over €4 million. Culture Ireland and Tourism Ireland have intensified joint planning on cross-promotions in the cultural tourism field. Capital funding for arts infrastructure has been consolidated in my Department and all major arts capital projects will be completed as will regional capital projects to which commitments have been made. Day-to-day funding for the national cultural institutions is maintained at or above 2007 levels and their capital funding is maintained at 2009 levels.

The Deputy will be aware that, at the Global Irish Economic Forum held in Farmleigh in September, there was wide acknowledgement of the importance of culture in promoting Ireland abroad and developing a unique brand for the country in new markets. Internationally, the creative economy is moving centre stage and creativity is seen as a crucial bedrock, underpinning our knowledge economy. I am pleased that these significant levels of funding have been secured to support the arts next year.

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