Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

While the precise detail of my Department's Vote for next year will be announced shortly, I am pleased to have this opportunity to outline to the Dáil the main features of the 2015 Estimates for my Department. My Department's total funding allocation in 2015 at €274 million has remained at the same level as in 2014. This is an achievement in itself. It is noteworthy that this is the first time since my Department was established that we have not been faced with a reduction in the level of current resources available.

In broad terms, the 2015 allocations to my Vote group are as follows - almost €154 million for arts, culture and film, including approximately €57 million for the Arts Council; over €40 million for the conservation and protection of Ireland's built and natural heritage; almost €42 million for the Irish language, the Gaeltacht and the

islands; and over €38 million for North-South co-operation, including support for two North-South implementation bodies - Waterways Ireland and An Foras Teanga. I will now talk about each of these areas in more detail.

As many Ministers have already outlined, budget 2015 is about securing the recovery. It is thanks to our economic recovery that I am standing here as the first Minister for Arts in six years who does not have to talk about severe cutbacks to the arts. A total of €154 million has been allocated to arts, culture and film, including the National Gallery, this year. For the first time in six years, our national cultural institutions have had their budgets protected. Financial support is fundamental in respecting the intrinsic value of the arts and how they contribute positively to our society, to creativity and to protecting jobs across the country. Ireland's cultural and creative industries play a major role in defining a positive image for Ireland abroad and their contribution to improving cultural tourism should not be underestimated. In 2013, over 2.4 million tickets were sold for arts venues throughout the country. There were more than 14,800 arts events in 2013. On top of that, there were more than 3.6 million visitors to the cultural institutions funded by my Department. That is why it is essential that as our economy improves, the arts and culture sectors and our artists benefit as well.

The valuable work of the Arts Council in supporting the arts throughout the country has been recognised and this is reflected in the 2015 current allocation of almost €57 million. This will enable the council to continue to support arts organisations of varying sizes - from national bodies such as the Abbey Theatre to small, locally-based groups. Culture Ireland will continue to promote Irish artists worldwide with the aim of showcasing our world-class strengths in culture and creativity. I have also maintained the budget for the Irish Film Board at 2014 levels at just under €14 million.

The film and TV sector received a positive boost in this year's budget with a firm commitment from the Minister for Finance that he will look at the new arrangements for section 481 due to come into force into January and specifically that he will examine raising the film cap beyond its current level of €50 million. This would be a major win for the sector and would help to attract further big budget productions to Ireland, which in turn would have a very positive economic spin off. I will work closely with the Minister on delivering for this sector over the coming months.

I am also pleased to have secured a 25% increase in the artists' tax exemption. This important measure recognises the invaluable contribution which arts and culture practitioners make here at home and in representing us with such great distinction abroad. On the arts capital side, a further €9 million in funding is being provided to fund the refurbishment and modernisation of the National Gallery's historic wings. This project will enable the gallery to host international exhibitions in a world-class environment.

Securing specific funding for the 2016 commemorations was a key priority for me in budget 2015 so I am delighted to have secured an additional €4 million in funding, which will allow for an integrated plan to be rolled out over 2015 to lead up to the commemorations in 2016. This will be done in partnership with Departments, State agencies, local authorities and other key stakeholders. It will allow me to extend the commemorations far beyond Dublin to inspire and empower local communities to have their say and put their own shape on how 1916 will be remembered because the impact of 1916 was felt by the entire country. I want to reach out to local communities, to relatives' groups, to young people, to artists and to educators to give them ownership of this important national event. The €4 million in funding is in addition to the €22 million capital plan for the commemorations announced earlier this year, which includes the development of a cultural-interpretative centre within the GPO, the refurbishment of Richmond Barracks and the development of 14 Henrietta Street as a centre for the exploration of tenement life in north inner-city Dublin.

Funding of some €40 million has been made available in the context of the Department's heritage programme. Funding in the area of the built heritage will support the work of the Heritage Council and its engagement with local government and communities. With regard to our natural heritage, the key outputs in 2015 will focus on the maintenance, development, management and operation of the National Parks and Wildlife Service and meeting obligations under EU directives. Turf-cutting and the protection of designated raised bogs remains a key concern for my Department and I remain determined to address this issue in a way that is fair, balanced and supportive of those affected. The Department and the Peatlands Council will continue to work closely with turf cutters who are required to cease cutting turf on Ireland's 53 special area of conservation raised bogs so as to ensure that their needs are met through compensation or through relocation to a new bog where possible.

With regard to Irish language, the Gaeltacht and the islands, a total of €41.9 million has been allocated in 2015. This includes an allocation of more than €17 million for Udarás na Gaeltachta to enable it to continue its vital work. I know my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy McHugh, addressed the House earlier about the Gaeltacht Estimate.

I am committed to developing North-South co-operation within the broader arts, heritage and commemorative activities of my Department as well as through the funding of North-South bodies. A provision of more than €38 million is made available to support the two North-South implementation bodies - An Foras Teanga and

Waterways Ireland. These budgets will be subject to the approval of the North South Ministerial Council in due course. The provision will enable Waterways Ireland to keep the waterways open for navigation during the main boating season and promote increased use for recreational purposes while developing and promoting our waterways to attract increased numbers of overseas visitors. The 2015 provision will also allow Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster Scots Agency to continue to support language and cultural organisations and schemes throughout the island.

Our arts, culture, heritage and language say so much about us as a people and our place in the world. Our culture venues bring life to our towns and cities and our festivals enliven our summer. It is worth mentioning that more than 400,000 people took part in Culture Night despite the fact that it poured rain. Our built heritage gives us a unique character, our landscapes are among the most stunning in the world and our language is a source of great pride. I am privileged to be the Minister who has stemmed the cuts in these areas. We can grow from here and I am determined to see that happen.

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