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

I agree with the Deputy that there is a need for increased artists' studio space. In respect of rural Ireland, under the town and village enhancement scheme and the rural economic development zones, REDZ, programme, additional art spaces are being made available, and I very much welcome that. The REDZ programme was only announced yesterday. There is space in many of those projects for studios.

In terms of this city, I agree with the Deputy that it is becoming increasingly more difficult to get premises for artists and I am conscious of that. The new capital scheme provides for an investment of €9 million, with the provision of €3 million each year for the next three years. It will take some time for the relevant projects to come on stream. This is a six-year programme and, hopefully, we should have another €9 million to invest in three years' time. I have always said that as the economy improves, we will need to invest more money in the arts.

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