Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the Deputy's question about the arts, I want to reiterate the central role of the arts and the fact the Government remains fully committed to supporting the arts, culture and heritage sectors. I agree entirely with what she has to say about the contribution of the arts to our economy and to our international reputation. The reconfiguration of the Department of the arts and the wider responsibility in regard to rural affairs does not represent in any way a downgrading of the arts, and I want to be very clear about that. The programme for Government contains a number of commitments to the arts, including a specific commitment to progressively increase funding for the arts, including for the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board, as the economy grows. As the Deputy is well aware, the outgoing Government was very committed to the arts and made a number of very significant capital investments in the arts, including an investment of €30 million at the National Gallery, an €8 million expansion project at the National Archives and a €10 million renovation project, which has been long awaited, will get under way at the National Library. It should be noted that the investment in the National Gallery was given at a time when the public finances were still in a very fragile state.

Funding for the Arts Council, the Irish Film Board and the national cultural institutions has been increased over the last two years. It is worth noting that the investment in the arts has continued and increased as the economy has improved. A great deal of work has been done on drafting the first ever national cultural policy, Culture 2025, which the Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, hopes to publish shortly. It will be a boost to the arts community in that there will be a very well laid out arts strategy following a great deal of consultation. Importantly, there will also be a new investment programme for regional arts centres which will amount to €18 million over the next six years. That will make a significant contribution to the provision of arts in the community at local and regional level.

On the Deputy's question on Ministers of State, that is a decision for the Taoiseach which I understand will be made later this week. I have no doubt the priority the Government gives to the arts will be reflected in those appointments.

On the Deputy's question on the environment, the areas of climate change, air quality, the EPA and waste management are now the responsibility of the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Denis Naughton, while the other areas of housing, planning and so on remain with the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Simon Coveney.

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