Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for Tourism; Culture and Sport the number of persons working in her Department, the number with express responsibility for culture and the arts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44014/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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A total of 154 staff are currently working in my Department. Of this figure, 44 staff are working in the National Archives which is part of my Department and a further 30 work in the divisions with responsibility for arts, culture and the film sectors. In 2010, these divisions manage a budget of €153 million and undertake functions in regard to ongoing policy formation, financial supports, staffing and oversight to achieve these objectives.

The areas managed include the eight major national cultural institutions, as well as provision of ongoing support to a number of smaller cultural organisations. The divisions also have an oversight and management role in relation to the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board, Culture Ireland as well as EU-related aspects of these areas.

Under its arts capital schemes, including ACCESS, the Department manages funding allocated for the capital development of more than 120 high standard facilities throughout the State, including integrated arts centres, theatres, galleries, studios, and creative and performance spaces. In this manner the Department provides the bulk of capital funding for building and refurbishing arts facilities, while the Arts Council provides the ongoing revenue support for many of the facilities. Staff are also engaged in a number of specific projects, including support for the National Archives in its introduction of the highly successful on–line census for 1901 and 1911. Culture Ireland continues to ensure the ongoing promotion of Irish artists worldwide with the aim of generating goodwill and influence for Ireland and highlighting the strength of Irish culture and creativity.

In the year since the Farmleigh global forum took place there has been a recognition of the central role Ireland's artistic and cultural strengths play in building our reputation globally, and on the benefits that flow for Irish trade and investment.

I believe in the role which the arts, culture and creative sectors can play in the development of society and assure the House that I will do everything I can to support them.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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I thank the Minister. I believe this question was answered, more or less, in the answer to the first priority question. I emphasise that I do not, in any way, question the importance of the arts in terms of the number of people working to support them. My key question remains the same regarding accountability and policy formulation. If I may reflect on the previous question, it relates to the number of organisations and the various quangos set up over the years. I acknowledge that the Arts Council is the one substantial and significant body relating to the arts. It is very important that the arts are protected but, at the same time, when I see a figure such as 48 full-time equivalents of a staff of 154 working in the arts, I must question the value for money in terms of accountability.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I would be interested to hear from the Deputy exactly which of the quangos in my Department she feels should be removed. When we talk about any one of them on an individual basis all of us can appreciate the value of what they do. The Arts Council does what it does as does the Irish Film Board. For its size the Irish Film Board generates enormous interest in film in this country and brings a great deal of money here. I have met with producers the board has brought in from abroad. The board provides a superb programme and does superb work in promoting young Irish and independent filmmakers and attracting investment into Ireland. The same is true of Culture Ireland which is under the Department, as it were, but is separate in all the international work it does. It has outlined a programme for the United States for next year which I believe will have a significant knock-on effect, not only for culture and the arts here but in profiling a very positive image of Ireland at a time when we need to get that positive message out.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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I did not refer in particular to the arts when I referred to quangos but as the Minister raised the issue of the Irish Film Board I give the example of the gaming industry as one area in which we should take much greater interest. There is considerable potential in it and perhaps there should be a place for it. Incidentally, I do not suggest setting up another quango but if I may refer back to previous quangos there is scope, as discussed in the first priority question. I realise I am moving backwards instead of forwards on this point. In regard to tourism, for example, I will return to the Minister on this point. There is scope for reviewing exactly what is happening within the tourist industry and in the number of agencies that have responsibility for it.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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A final reply from the Minister.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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We are going over the point again but in reality there are only the two agencies. There are sensitivities given that one agency is a North-South body which has the international remit to market Ireland as an island. There is a great deal to be said for being able to go to the United States and promote Ireland as an island at peace which can attract tourists. There are particular sensitivities but the agency works very well. There is a lot to be said for being able to stand with a banner behind one showing the rickety bridge or the Giant's Causeway on the top and the cliffs of Moher on the bottom. It shows an Ireland we want to show at this stage.

Concerning film, the other issue the Deputy mentioned, the five year strategy for film and the audio-visual content sector is currently being developed. It has the potential to double the income to the country to €1 billion per annum and to employ up to 15,000 people. We are working now to finalise that and it will include all the type of work the Deputy mentioned.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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There is an urgency about the audio-visual gaming industry. There is an opportunity here which is likely to be lost if we do not grasp it and move forward very quickly.

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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That is a separate question.

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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We are finalising that strategy at present. With all the IT industries we have in the country, coupled to our imagination and the traditions we have of storytelling, art, drawing and creativity, there can be a very successful industry. There is great potential for it and that is why we are working on that strategy.