Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)

I am acutely conscious of the value of the arts, culture and creative sectors to the tourism industry and of their overall potential as important contributors to sustainable economic recovery. Arising from the considerable level of investment and support provided by the State through Departments and their relevant agencies to the arts and culture areas, significant social, cultural and educative benefits have been brought to communities, large and small, around the country. As well as improving the overall fabric of our communities, such supports have acted as catalysts in driving the tourism potential and returns in every area of the country.

I am committed to developing culture and heritage as key drivers for Irish tourism, contributing, as they did, an estimated €2 billion to the Irish economy last year, with research showing that cultural visitors spend almost twice as much as city-break visitors. Furthermore, overseas visitors experience high levels of satisfaction with what Ireland has to offer. Almost four out of every five overseas visitors cite interesting history/culture as a motivation for choosing Ireland for a holiday, making it a viable area for the growth in visitor numbers and revenue.

Government policy on the arts will continue to be enabled and implemented through the agencies and institutions within my Department's ambit, namely the Arts Council, the Irish Film Board and Culture Ireland, as well as the cultural institutions.

Funding is provided by my Department and by these agencies for a number of cultural events, programmes and initiatives throughout the year, which are specifically aimed at promoting and highlighting our cultural heritage and cultural activities.

The Arts Council, for instance, is heavily involved in supporting the programming element of many festivals, small and large, throughout the country. Many of these events are also funded by Fáilte Ireland. As has been well documented, these events provide a vital and welcome opportunity to display and participate in the cultural and artistic talents of our communities and, equally importantly, provide stimulating unique attractions for our visitors to enjoy.

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For it is these artistic and other events, whether traditional music, art exhibitions, or a poetry festival, to mention but a few, that demonstrate our Irishness, our differences, and the reason we think visitors should come here.

Within my Department support is provided for Culture Night, when arts and cultural organisations throughout the country extend their opening hours to provide the public with increased free access to the various collections, workshops and other events hosted by the organisations. Another initiative launched by my Department, the cultural technology grant scheme, aims to use a variety of the best new and existing technology methods to deliver a promotional, educational or information product to promote the Irish arts, culture and creative sectors. Funding in excess of €1 million was provided under this scheme to 25 projects to showcase the best of our Irish art, music, culture and heritage in the most exciting, innovative and dynamic ways.

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