Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The arts and disability awards Ireland, ADAI scheme is a unique, all-Ireland project that is supporting and developing disabled and deaf people's involvement in the arts. It received funding from both Arts Councils on the island. According to the Arts Council:

The scheme aims to challenge and inspire creativity, experimentation and artistic excellence. Each applicant can apply for a maximum of £5,000 or the euro equivalent. The grants are to enable the production of new work.

ADAI is a unique cross-Border scheme which has benefitted dozens of disabled and deaf artists. It will come to an end unless the decision to withdraw funding is reversed. Artists from both sides of the Border who have received ADAI bursaries have gone on to win awards, commissions, recording or publishing deals and major grants. For example one artist was short-listed for the Hennessy literary award last year, two albums were released, a Wellcome Trust award was granted and an artist who got started with an ADAI grant has won seven international awards. Each of these is a success story in itself.

The ADAI programme has been extremely valuable in providing dedicated year round support for disabled and deaf artists who are on a professional career path. It has enabled them to compete in a very tough market.

The ADAI scheme itself is a past recipient of an Aisling award for cross-Border co-operation. One artist who benefited from the grants scheme, Cathy Henderson, recently completed a commissioned project with the internationally renowned Robert Ballagh to design a commemorative artwork celebrating the centenary of the 1913 Lockout and the establishment of the ITGWU. If we are serious about commemorating 1913 and all it stood for and represents in our history, we must set about establishing an inclusive society and must ensure artists with disabilities are supported and included.

I appeal to the Minster to use whatever influence he has, both financial and political, to ensure that funding is restored to this worthwhile project.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy McLellan for raising this matter this evening. I remind her that primary responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Arts Council is the national agency for funding, developing and promoting the arts in Ireland. The council was established in 1951 to stimulate public interest in and promote the knowledge, appreciation and practice of the arts. It is an autonomous body, under the aegis of my Department. The Arts Council is funded by my Department, but it is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations. This includes independence in its funding decisions. In 2014 the Arts Council will receive an allocation of €56.9 million in current and capital funding. I cannot intervene in Arts Council funding decisions. Indeed, I am statute barred from doing so.

The 2014 allocations, which were made in the difficult economic climate in which we now find ourselves, provide for almost €123 million for arts, culture and film. As well as the funding of €56.9 million to the Arts Council, other significant funding for agencies and bodies that operate under the aegis of my Department include €14 million to the Irish Film Board, €11.5 million to the National Museum and €7.5 million to the National Gallery of Ireland.

For 2014, there has been a core reduction of approximately €16.9 million, or 7%, in Exchequer funding to the Department. Therefore, difficult choices had to be made with regard to funding for 2014. Notwithstanding this, and even with a reduced departmental budget, every week more than €2.3 million will be invested in arts, culture and film this year. This allocation will help to maintain and support the important role played by the arts in innovation, cultural expression, job creation and economic recovery.

As I mentioned previously, under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations and neither I nor my Department has a role to play in its executive or funding decisions. In a wider context, the Arts Council support for a range of art forms is set out in its strategic overview document entitled Developing the Arts in Ireland: Arts Council Strategic Overview 2011-2013. This strategy document, which is available on the council's website, lays out the key strategic principles that inform the council's funding decisions.

I understand that in light of the current funding environment and the changed landscape for arts and disability practice in Ireland, the Arts Council took the decision to cease its support of the arts and disability awards with effect from January 2014. I also understand that the Arts Council has for some time been considering these supports and is exploring more effective ways of using resources so as to meet needs of the sector and ensure optimum value for money. I am informed that the Arts Council remains committed to supporting arts and disability practice and to delivering on its policy in this area. I am also informed that in 2014, notwithstanding the council's own funding reductions, it has maintained funding to Arts and Disability Ireland, the national development and resource organisation for arts and disability, at 2013 levels.

Furthermore, in addition to other supports which it offers, over 2013- 4, the Arts Council developed and invested in Ignite, a new commissioning initiative to facilitate the creation of ambitious new work by professional artists with disabilities, which represents the largest ever investment in Ireland's arts and disability sector. Ignite is managed by a partnership involving the Arts Council, Arts & Disability Ireland, Cork City Council, Galway City Council, Galway County Council and Mayo County Council.

Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response, but I am extremely disappointed. This is a serious issue and it was important to discuss it here today. To be honest, I do not care whose remit it comes under. Deputy Deenihan is the Minister and I believe he can intervene and appeal to him to do so. He can, at least, discuss the issue with the council to find out what else it will do to support people with disabilities.

This is not a normal cut to funding. This 11% cut is not in line with the cut to the Arts Council. I see it as a slash and burn approach and yet again it is people with disabilities who are getting burned. Across all Departments, there seem to be serious cuts to services for people with disabilities. This is unjust and unacceptable. I know the Minister recognises this is wrong and I appeal to him once again to intervene on this important issue.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I remind the Deputy that the reduction in Arts Council funding was not 11%. It is 6.2%, and if we remove the figure included for the Irish Presidency, it is less than 5%. Since becoming Minister, I have managed the reduction in Arts Council funding as much as possible. The first year's reduction was just 3% and last year it was just 4%. The new Ignite programme and initiative aims to facilitate the creation of new work by professional artists with a disability. This initiative represents the largest investment ever in Ireland in the arts and disability sector. While the Arts Council may have discontinued the particular programme mentioned by the Deputy, I advise her to consider the Ignite programme and the fact it has been well resourced and funded. There may be opportunities in that for the people she represents. I agree with her that people with disabilities deserve as much special treatment as possible and suggest she looks at the Ignite programme to see if those she is representing can be supported by it.