James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 11: To ask the Minister for Tourism; Culture and Sport if, in view of the campaign carried out by the National Campaign For the Arts in promoting a positive message about the role of the arts as an agent of recovery, and the meeting they undertook with 75 members of the Oireachtas up to Friday 17 September 2010, her plans to capitalise on this momentum and ensure that it is reflected in the December budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36790/10]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 16: To ask the Minister for Tourism; Culture and Sport the steps she is taking to preserve funding in the crucial area of arts and culture in the forthcoming budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36696/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Question Nos. 11 and 16 together.

I wish to reassure Deputies that the Government appreciates the importance of the arts, culture and creative industries to Irish society and to our economy. We are conscious not only of the role of the sector in providing vital opportunities for self-expression and participation but also of the economic potential of the arts and creative industries. We are determined to do our best to provide the conditions in which creative expression can flourish and are committed to enhancing access to the arts for people of all ages and income levels. My policy on the arts, culture and film sectors reflects Government policy in this area as set out in the programme for Government. This policy is to promote and strengthen the arts in all its forms, increase access to and participation in the arts, make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life and maximise the potential for cultural tourism.

I am committed to supporting the crucial constituent sectors of arts and culture and the Government will continue to fund those sectors within limited available financial resources. Decisions regarding funding, whether within my Department's Vote or on the part of other relevant Departments will, however, have to be taken in the context of the ongoing Estimates and budget preparation process and in the light of the target aggregate Exchequer savings to be achieved for 2011. I would like to acknowledge the concerns raised by the recent campaign for the arts and to affirm my commitment to maximising the position and status of the arts in society.

Unusually for protestors, I have to commend those who participated in the public display of arts activities on 17 September last. This was undertaken by the National Campaign for the Arts and even included many Members of this House. The campaign helped to highlight the value, importance, contribution and community reach of the arts not only to the economy and to our social life but also to raising the national spirit. The arts help to define what we are, both as a community and on the world stage. I intend to do everything in my power to build on the passion displayed by the campaign and to ensure the continued vitality of this sector.

I reiterate that the arts are important from both an economic and a social point of view and I will ensure that this importance is highlighted in the decisions which must be taken to determine the 2011 allocation for arts and culture. As Minister, I will put forward the strongest possible case that I can for the sector and advocate continuing State support for it.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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I agree that the campaign was very successful, and participants met with 83 Members, with approximately 11,000 e-mails sent out to support the campaign. The first element of the campaign looked to retain Arts Council funding at current levels. The Minister has already indicated she cannot give any guarantees in that respect but I am sure she will make a really strong case for the retention of the funding. I remember when the funding was cut by €5 million in 2002, the process was upset and it took the Arts Council and related organisations a long time to recover from that.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I want to bring in a few Deputies as we are up against time.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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An expert was brought over from England who proved conclusively that there is an economic multiplier with investing in the arts. Other countries which have gone through tough times like us have invested in the arts and it has proven to be very beneficial.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I accept all the arguments made by the group. The campaign was designed not just to protect the budget but also to inform public opinion and unite all the arts groups. They had not done this in the past but they were challenged to do so by the McCarthy report last year, and this has been a benefit both to the groups and everybody else. Instead of seeing each other as competitors, the groups saw themselves as complementary to each other, with a great service done to themselves and society in general as a result. The other factor which benefited their campaign significantly was the Farmleigh process. A global network focused on culture and its importance to the economy has raised the arts to a new level.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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I agree with the Minister's comments on the protection of the arts and Deputy Deenihan's contribution. It is important in a cultural way, as the people engaged in the arts do so because they love it rather than it being a job. They want to do it and beyond almost any other profession they have a total commitment to the sector. As I mentioned when discussing the arts exemption, many of these people are poorly paid. Another significant point is the number who are employed in the area and the spin-off to the economy. I urge that the money be protected in the budget. It is a soft target and I am concerned that it might suffer as a result.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I echo the comments of the two previous speakers. I know the Minister is going to Ballaghaderreen tomorrow morning to talk about the creative economy. In light of the fact that research from the Western Development Commission has shown that 4,475 businesses are in the creative economy in the western region, employing 11,000 people, as well as the impact of the Farmleigh process and the Your Country, Your Call competition, will the Minister carry out an economic assessment of the impact of the arts on the economy? It would support the argument to ring-fence the funding.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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We do not need to carry out such an assessment as we recognise that approximately 50,000 people are employed in the sector, either directly or indirectly. It is about the economy and the contribution to society. I will certainly be making that case for the budget. I am going to Ballaghaderreen in the morning to speak about culture, the European Market for Tourism at lunch and the GAA All-Stars tomorrow night. It is a great job.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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That is before going to Wexford.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Yes.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I hope the Minister does not go on a solo run.