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

The overall allocation for my Department's Vote group, including the Vote for the National Gallery of Ireland, in the recently published budget Estimate for 2014 amounts to €245.7 million. This is a reduction of just under €17 million on 2013 and includes a reduction of some €2.21 million in respect of the EU Presidency cultural programme, which is now completed, and internal departmental administrative efficiencies of some €1.752 million. The remaining reduction of €13 million will be applied across my Department's programmes in a manner that maximises the value for money in this area from what is still a very substantial level of funding. For example, funding of the arts will still exceed €2.3 million per week in 2014.

In addition, the published allocation will be supplemented in 2014 by a number of measures announced on budget day by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. These include €6 million for the Limerick National City of Culture 2014; €6 million to fund a number of 1916 commemoration projects; and €5 million for the traditional skills and buildings at risk jobs leverage scheme 2014. This will be directed at renovation projects for buildings which are protected. In that context, I am satisfied that the overall level of resources available to my Department next year will continue to allow it to support arts and culture, maintain our built and natural heritage, develop our language and Gaeltacht areas, and support island communities and the North-South implementation bodies under its aegis.

The final allocation for my Department will be set out in the forthcoming revised Estimates volume, due to be published before the end of the year. I will make a judgment at that time on which programmes and projects will be prioritised, having regard to the additional funding announced on budget day, as well as the reductions that necessarily have to be made as part of my Department's contribution to the overall fiscal consolidation.

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