Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It will be an investment in the long-term asset of the cultural base. On a year to year basis, as the Deputy knows, this has been a very difficult financial year. We did not have significant sums of money available to us. Nonetheless, the allocation to the Arts Council was increased by €9 million, while funding for the Irish Film Board was increased by 9%. Significant initiatives are being taken across the arts. The ambition of the Taoiseach is that we should develop along the line of strategies, in particular the Creative Ireland concept, whereby we view the arts as an important asset for the people and a major part of the way in which young people are educated. There is a commitment to the arts which has been matched on the capital side and, in so far as is possible, the current side. It will be backed up by the ten-year capital programme for which I know the Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys, has very ambitious plans.

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