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

I propose to take Question Nos. 35, 42, 43 and 101 together.

My Department has responsibility for the arts, heritage, the Irish language and the islands which I am confident will play a key role in the the country's economic recovery. Since taking office, I have met and engaged with a wide range of stakeholders across the various sectors within the remit of my Department and I know these sectors can and will continue to contribute to achieving Government objectives to support the protection and creation of jobs. While the arts, culture and creative sectors are important for the social, cultural and educative benefits they bring to communities around the country, they also constitute a significant sector of the economy, in terms of contributions to GNP and employment. As such, they can make an important contribution to sustainable economic recovery. Over 3.5 million people visited our national cultural institutions and other cultural organisations supported by my Department last year. The priority in 2011 is to ensure that what the national cultural institutions offer to the public continue to draw large numbers of visitors, both domestically and from abroad.

My Department also provides funding towards cultural initiatives aimed at enhancing the cultural tourism product and the provision of employment in the cultural tourism sector. This year Dublin Contemporary 2011 will be an internationally recognised and acclaimed contemporary art exhibition and event in Dublin and provide a highlight for cultural tourism in Ireland on a global scale. My Department continues to support the provision of genealogical research into family histories and encourage roots tourism. This is an area with huge growth potential.

Film, television and digital content production sits at the heart of the creative knowledge economy and represents an important investment proposition for Ireland. The Irish audiovisual industry can be a positive force for change and be part of a national solution to drive economic growth by providing high quality local employment; increasing inward investment; promoting "brand Ireland" and our "cultural ambassadors" who represent Ireland abroad; contributing to cultural tourism initiatives; and improving our export capacity culturally and financially.

As Minister with responsibility for heritage, Ireland's rich heritage can play a central role in national economic recovery. During my term of office I will promote the role which Ireland's heritage has to play in making Ireland an attractive destination for sustainable tourism and inward investment, both in terms of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department which operates Ireland's national parks and nature reserves and of our unique built heritage which distinguishes us and makes Ireland an attractive tourist location for both visitors and Irish people. While resources are limited, I will look to work creatively across the Government and with partner bodies such as the Heritage Council, the Irish Heritage Trust and other heritage interests in delivering high quality heritage protection and promotion.

The Deputies will be aware that Údarás na Gaeltachta, the State agency responsible for promoting the economic, social and cultural development of the Gaeltacht with the overall objective of ensuring Irish remains the main language of the region, also comes within the remit of my Department. Údarás na Gaeltachta encourages investment in the Gaeltacht through a range of incentives for new enterprises and support and assistance for existing businesses. I will be seeking to support it, within available resources, to continue its strategy of attracting new enterprises and investments and protecting existing employment in its client companies.

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