Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will take the Deputies' comments into account. My door is open. My Department and I have an awareness of the particular theatre practitioners. I have outlined what the Government is doing. We must remember that, for decades, an artistic pursuit in this country and across the world has been incredibly difficult. If I had a magic wand, I would increase funding significantly, but I do not. However, I have secured a significant increase in funding this year for artists, primarily for the Arts Council which is at arm's length from my Department and makes its own decisions on the assistance it provides for artists. There is an investment programme of €460 million for the national cultural institutions. A great amount of good work is being done. I am acutely aware of the difficulties faced by everyone endeavouring to engage in any artistic pursuit, be it theatre, the wider field of drama, dance or music, and do all I can to assist in every way.

See this speech in context