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

The Arts Council is free to make its particular cuts and I cannot influence those or direct it in any way. For the past two years the Arts Council has always acknowledged that its reduction was not commensurate with other reductions. This year, unfortunately, because of so much pressure on the small budget I have, I could not do that to the same extent. However, I have tried other measures to compensate for that in certain ways. Next year, I will again do my best to reduce the impact as much as I can.

Whereas I cannot directly direct the Arts Council I will be talking to those responsible about ways we can work together to ensure economies of scale can be secured and so forth.

I take the Deputy's point. Organisations throughout the country will be challenged because of this reduction. It is important that the Arts Council in its capacity and I as Minister try to ensure that none of these organisations or individuals go out of business because of these reductions. I will do my best to advise and support people as much as possible towards ensuring that end.

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