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

The Creative Ireland programme did not get an additional €8.5 million in the budget. The €8.5 million in current funding across the cultural sector will assist in delivering the objectives of the Creative Ireland programme, including the €3 million of that allocation which is being provided to the Arts Council. I was delighted to increase the funding to the arts sector in budget 2018. I was able to increase the funding to the arts sector and to the cultural institutions right across the board. I increased funding to the Arts Council by a further €3 million. I increased funding to the Irish Film Board and all the different agencies that fall within my remit. I am glad to say that since 2014, I have been in a position to do that. I want to be clear not to conflate the Arts Council and the Creative Ireland programme because they are separate in terms of their funding. Creative Ireland is an enabling programme. At its heart is the creative children and creative communities programmes and building and working more collaboratively with all the stakeholders.

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