Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Has the Minister refused a request this year from the Heritage Council for a modest increase of €2.5 million in its budget? The background to this debate is the meeting of the Oireachtas committee earlier this week in which we looked at the value for money report on the work of the Arts Council. It is difficult to quantify and produce data in respect of the value of this work, even though it is clear there is value in it. In the area of heritage, however, there are clear data available which suggest that public investment in the built heritage and in the works being undertaken by the Heritage Council delivers a dividend for the State. The figures suggest that every €1 spent by the Department through the Heritage Council generates €4.40 in tourism revenue for the State. When the Heritage Council looks for more money it is looking for further investment to generate product for the State.

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