Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I remind the Senator that although Culture Ireland comes within the remit of my Department, it operates independently, with an independent panel charged with assessing applications. I do not direct the division on how it should dispense its allocation of funding. It operates, in effect, on the same arms-length principle as does the Arts Council. Unfortunately, I was forced to reduce the funding allocation - it was a considerable reduction of some €700,000 - to Culture Ireland this year as a result of pressure from across the arts spectrum. Nevertheless, I will undertake to request Culture Ireland to review its decision in this case. I cannot, however, direct it on how to spend its allocation.