Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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Question 27: To ask the Minister for Tourism; Culture and Sport in view of the significant contribution of the arts and cultural sectors to tourism here and the arts and cultural sectors dependence on State funding, if he has investigated the possibility of creating a dialogue or ways of stimulating a new relationship between the arts and cultural sector and the private sector to help sustain funding. [10946/11]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I am acutely conscious of the value of the arts, culture and creative sectors to the tourism industry and of their overall potential as important contributors to sustainable economic recovery. Arising from the considerable level of investment and support provided by the State through Departments and their relevant agencies to the arts and culture areas, significant social, cultural and educative benefits have been brought to communities, large and small, around the country. As well as improving the overall fabric of our communities, such supports have acted as catalysts in driving the tourism potential and returns in every area of the country.

I am committed to developing culture and heritage as key drivers for Irish tourism, contributing, as they did, an estimated €2 billion to the Irish economy last year, with research showing that cultural visitors spend almost twice as much as city-break visitors. Furthermore, overseas visitors experience high levels of satisfaction with what Ireland has to offer. Almost four out of every five overseas visitors cite interesting history/culture as a motivation for choosing Ireland for a holiday, making it a viable area for the growth in visitor numbers and revenue.

Government policy on the arts will continue to be enabled and implemented through the agencies and institutions within my Department's ambit, namely the Arts Council, the Irish Film Board and Culture Ireland, as well as the cultural institutions.

Funding is provided by my Department and by these agencies for a number of cultural events, programmes and initiatives throughout the year, which are specifically aimed at promoting and highlighting our cultural heritage and cultural activities.

The Arts Council, for instance, is heavily involved in supporting the programming element of many festivals, small and large, throughout the country. Many of these events are also funded by Fáilte Ireland. As has been well documented, these events provide a vital and welcome opportunity to display and participate in the cultural and artistic talents of our communities and, equally importantly, provide stimulating unique attractions for our visitors to enjoy.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

For it is these artistic and other events, whether traditional music, art exhibitions, or a poetry festival, to mention but a few, that demonstrate our Irishness, our differences, and the reason we think visitors should come here.

Within my Department support is provided for Culture Night, when arts and cultural organisations throughout the country extend their opening hours to provide the public with increased free access to the various collections, workshops and other events hosted by the organisations. Another initiative launched by my Department, the cultural technology grant scheme, aims to use a variety of the best new and existing technology methods to deliver a promotional, educational or information product to promote the Irish arts, culture and creative sectors. Funding in excess of €1 million was provided under this scheme to 25 projects to showcase the best of our Irish art, music, culture and heritage in the most exciting, innovative and dynamic ways.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the Minister's reply and his commitment to the arts and culture. That is not in question. I note that the programme for Government commits the Government to working with stakeholders in the arts community to develop new proposals aimed at building private support for the arts in Ireland and exploring philanthropic sponsorship or endowment fund opportunities.

What steps has the Minister taken to end the arts sector's dependence on State funding? Will he consider engaging with the private sector on this matter? I urge the Minister to make this a priority.

Yesterday, the Government announced a jobs initiative, with particular focus on the tourism industry. Arts and culture play a hugely important role in tourism. How does the Minister think the Government's jobs initiative will boost the arts sector and attract investment for that sector?

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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The jobs initiative is very important in this area. Pay related social insurance and value added tax are major issues in paying staff at cultural and tourism attractions. I am convinced that the changes in PRSI and VAT will encourage more people to take on staff in cultural institutions and cultural attractions throughout the country. I can see the jobs initiative having a direct effect on the number of people employed in culture, attending cultural events and coming into the country.

If the travel tax issue is addressed this will bring more people into the country, as Mr. Michael O'Leary and others have promised. I hope these people will support our cultural institutions and attractions throughout the country.

What was proposed yesterday is positive with regard to cultural attractions and the arts. The arts should benefit from the initiative.