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

I will try to deal with some of the contributions of Deputies. I appreciate the comments they have made. I am delighted to inform Deputy Smyth that the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, through Creative Ireland and the Department's Gaeltacht division, is supporting Ealaíon na Gaeltachta and the Irish-language arts policy.

That kicked off last week with advertisements on TG4. Submissions are currently being sought from the public.

The Deputy also mentioned the creative schools project, an initiative of Creative Ireland. As she is aware, it is administered through the Arts Council and is going from strength to strength. Some 300 schools across Ireland are involved, with a particular focus on DEIS and special schools. As she stated, we are building on the work of others, including ETBs and the arts in education charter.

The Deputy also referred to restoring Arts Council funding to 2009 levels. I am glad to confirm that Arts Council funding in 2020 will exceed 2009 levels. Deputy Ó Snodaigh referred to the 2008 or 2009 funding figure of €81.6 million.

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