Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Mar is gnáth, tá cás na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta fágtha in áit na leathphingine sa cháinaisnéis seo. In 2003, bhí cóimheas 2:1 idir mhaoiniú na Comhairle Ealaíona agus Fhoras na Gaeilge, rud atá méadaithe go cóimheas 6:1 anuraidh, fiú sular tháinig méadú 60% ar bhuiséad na Comhairle Ealaíona. D'fhéadfá comparáid níos measa fós a dhéanamh ar an gcóimheas idir mhaoiniú Údarás na Gaeltachta agus IDA Ireland agus an ról forbartha céanna ag an mbeirt acu cheana féin. Níl ach €1.5 milliún breise fógartha d'Údarás na Gaeltachta ach, níos measa fós, níl ach €700,000 breise fógartha don Fhoras Teanga seachas, mar a bhí sa bhuiséad malartach ag Sinn Féin, €4.5 milliún sa Deisceart. Is maith an rud é go bhfuil airgead sa bhreis tugtha do TG4 agus tacaímid leis sin, ach is scannal náireach é go bhfuil na coláistí samhraidh fós ag fanacht ar an gciste cobhsaíochta a bhí geallta dóibh. Níl fiú focal ráite ag an Aire Stáit faoi seo. Smaoinigh gurbh é a fhreagra ar an boycott a rinne an DUP ar na cruinnithe uile-Éireann maidir leis an teanga agus a leithéid ná neamhaird a dhéanamh don mhasla sin agus freastal ar ócáid a cheiliúir an chríochdheighilt sheicteach atá ar an tír seo go fóill an tseachtain seo caite.

I dtéarmaí arts and culture, while the Government has announced €66.7 million of new schemes and additional funding, the figures presented show the current funding has been increased by only €200,000. This means the money will have to come from cuts to other parts of the arts budget. Live entertainment funding has been slashed in half, by €25 million, at a time when the industry is struggling to recover. It is a slap in the face to commercial musicians and performers who have had little or no work for almost two years.

Where did the €25 million that was magicked up for the Minister's basic income scheme for artists come from? The figure seems to have been plucked out of thin air, given that the pre-scheme engagement with artists over who will be eligible and even what the scheme's objectives are has not started and is not due to start until November. At the Minister's press conference earlier, she stated she envisaged the scheme would amount to €325 per week for 2,000 artists. That would be great, but why will it be only 2,000 artists, given the census counts almost 8,000 workers in creative, arts and entertainment fields, and most people believe even that is an underestimate.

As bad as that is, simple maths dictates the Minister's abacus is broken to the same degree as that of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. A total of 2,000 artists receiving €325 a week for 52 weeks a year equals €33.8 million. There is something wrong with the maths, therefore, never mind the fact the scheme will include only 2,000 artists. The sum of €325 is not a living wage. If the scheme ever does see the light of day, those most in need will not be able to cover their basic living costs. It is now time, while people await sight of the scheme if it ever comes to fruition, for a scheme or a fund to help those most in need, that is, a hardship fund, which the Arts Council could manage if directed to do so by the Minister.

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