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

We have been able to increase funding to arts organisations every year for the past three years, for example, the Arts Council, the Irish Film Board and cultural institutions. The arts were impacted upon by the economic downturn and the difficult time that we went through, but I am glad that we have been able to improve funding year on year. Through the Creative Ireland programme, we are putting culture and creativity at the heart of Government policy and Irish society. We have been able to introduce a number of initiatives that will benefit artists.

The Deputy mentioned the statistics. Our national statistics need to be improved if we are to make meaningful comparisons and an accurate input into EUROSTAT. Working on statistics takes resources though, and my focus has been on directing our resources towards supporting arts and cultural activities. I am committed to examining the issue of statistics, however, because Ireland does not have accurate data.

Through Creative Ireland, we are putting culture and creativity at the heart of Irish society. Under the five pillars, we will work with children and communities, work on investing in our cultural institutions, work on investing in and promoting media production, and project our image globally. A great deal is happening in this sector, which the sector welcomes, but there is always more to do. I will be making the case for the arts in the upcoming budget negotiations.

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