Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

A total of 154 staff are currently working in my Department. Of this figure, 44 staff are working in the National Archives which is part of my Department and a further 30 work in the divisions with responsibility for arts, culture and the film sectors. In 2010, these divisions manage a budget of €153 million and undertake functions in regard to ongoing policy formation, financial supports, staffing and oversight to achieve these objectives.

The areas managed include the eight major national cultural institutions, as well as provision of ongoing support to a number of smaller cultural organisations. The divisions also have an oversight and management role in relation to the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board, Culture Ireland as well as EU-related aspects of these areas.

Under its arts capital schemes, including ACCESS, the Department manages funding allocated for the capital development of more than 120 high standard facilities throughout the State, including integrated arts centres, theatres, galleries, studios, and creative and performance spaces. In this manner the Department provides the bulk of capital funding for building and refurbishing arts facilities, while the Arts Council provides the ongoing revenue support for many of the facilities. Staff are also engaged in a number of specific projects, including support for the National Archives in its introduction of the highly successful on–line census for 1901 and 1911. Culture Ireland continues to ensure the ongoing promotion of Irish artists worldwide with the aim of generating goodwill and influence for Ireland and highlighting the strength of Irish culture and creativity.

In the year since the Farmleigh global forum took place there has been a recognition of the central role Ireland's artistic and cultural strengths play in building our reputation globally, and on the benefits that flow for Irish trade and investment.

I believe in the role which the arts, culture and creative sectors can play in the development of society and assure the House that I will do everything I can to support them.

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