Fiach MacConghail (Independent)

I, too, welcome the Minister, Deputy Deenihan, to the Chamber for his first visit here as Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs. I am aware of the Minister's great commitment to and knowledge of the arts and of his personal contribution in that regard, in particular in respect of the literary arts.

I have been working professionally in the arts for more than 20 years and this is the most critical time for our community and the lives of our citizens. In this Republic everything seems to be up for grabs, including our sovereignty, our health system, our education system and our values as a nation. Everybody is trying to live and survive in the short term and somehow make sense of the long-term strategy that might get us to a more healthy and prosperous place. I believe that one of the reasons the Taoiseach nominated me to the Seanad was to provide a view, through the lens of our arts and culture community, to any debate on nationhood and our society. This is one such time.

Creativity in imagination is what the arts community can offer. We can do this by ensuring we are part of the debate around the future of our Republic particularly in areas such as innovation, enterprise, jobs, health, community and, in particular, education. The Minister knows the facts. For €65 million from the Arts Council and €42 million from the local authority, the arts is one of weaves that keep our communities alive and vibrant. Last year, 66% of the adult population, approximately 2.3 million people, attended arts events. I will not go into any further detail. Will the Minister confirm that he will not cut the Arts Council funding in 2012? We recognise that EU-IMF targets have to be reached over three years. If there are to be cuts will he make a statement today so that we can start to plan better and work over the next three years?

We do not pretend to be in a position to help restore the economy but we can make a difference between being citizens and not just consumers. We also make a good business case. Of the €76 million of State funding in 2007 that was used to fund arts organisations and individuals across Ireland, €54 million was returned directly to the Exchequer in the form of VAT, income tax and other taxes. Our tourism, our national culture institutions and art festivals are a major driver. We also work well with business in attracting more than €20 million annually to the arts in terms of sponsorship and philanthropy. What is the status of the current working group on philanthropy and has the Minister any recommendations to make to the House today? I look forward to an answer in the House today.

We are also lacking a longitudinal survey, a researcher on the value of the arts. How do we value the arts as opposed to viewing it from an economic or tourism viewpoint? How can we get support? One of the greatest challenges facing the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is that it has failed to make any inroads into or contribution to education policy. There is no arts and education unit. I am pleased that in his contribution the Minister mentioned that he is engaging with the Department of Education and Science at assistant secretary level. I would like to know exactly what is happening. There is no arts and education unit. There is a good document which has been passed by his Department entitled Points of Alignment, produced by the Arts Council in 2008 and which contains excellent recommendations. There is no need for further reports as this report can be used as a benchmark to engage with the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, who has an interest in the arts, on a structural response to maintaining the arts in the heart of the curriculum, not as a discretionary option, where there is an enlightened principal and an enlightened teacher.

To quote Francois Matarasso in the national economic and social forum report of 2007: "Put simply, since the arts shape the continuing evolution of people's thoughts and beliefs, democracy must ensure all citizens have equal access to the arts alongside equal access to education and to political enfranchisements".