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

I do not know where the Deputy came upon the figure of €70 billion to which she referred in her question. As I indicated, the allocation under the MEDIA and Culture programmes for 2007 to 2013 was some €1.1 billion, with €1.8 billion earmarked for the period from 2014 to 2020. I am very much engaged in the discussions on this programme with fellow member states. A proposal has come from the Commission to which the European Parliament must respond, after which a compromise will have to be reached. I am hopeful that an agreement might be reached during Ireland's Presidency and that the proposed allocation of €1.8 billion will be forthcoming.

It has come to my attention that we have not drawn down as much funding under this programme as we have under, for example, the Common Agricultural Policy. One of the reasons Irish groups and organisations might not have applied for grant aid from Europe under the programme is that the application process is complex. Another factor is that in recent years, before the collapse of the economy, there was generally sufficient State funding, including increased funding for the Arts Council up to 2008. We have done much better in respect of the MEDIA programme, not least because of the efforts of a very effective organisation called MEDIA Desk Ireland. The organisation has been highly effective in encouraging the industry to apply for funding under this programme. In this regard, I acknowledge the work done by Siobhán O'Donoghue and others.

While Irish organisations were not as successful in securing funding under the cultural programme, some organisations have secured funding and improvements have been made in the past year, with increases recorded in the number of applications submitted and the number of organisations receiving funds. One of the major challenges facing Irish organisations is the requirement to find partners in other countries. While it may be easy to find a partner in Northern Ireland, in cases where five or six partners are required organisations must find partners in countries on mainland Europe. It is easier for organisations located on the Continent, whether in the central and eastern European countries which acceded to the European Union in recent years or western European member states, to find partners because many of these countries share borders with other member states. This requirement places Irish organisations at a disadvantage.

I will seek to have a more accessible application form introduced for the new programme. I will also ensure the criteria are properly interpreted and assistance is provided to those applying under the programme. I have discussed this matter with the Arts Council and will certainly make it a priority. Given the likelihood that national funding for the arts will reduce in the coming three years, we must avail of every other source of funding. Organisations need to fully capitalise on this programme.

See this speech in context