Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming into the House. I raise the announcement by Fáilte Ireland that a funding agreement has been reached with local authorities. The new funding arrangement will replace Fáilte Ireland's annual regional festivals and participative events programme next year. Fáilte Ireland has informed applicants and promoters seeking that funding that they should now apply directly to the local authority.

I want to talk about diverse funding streams for the arts. It is important that we maintain those funding streams. Doing so protects creativity, ensures transparency and provides greater safeguards for artists in the event of Government cuts. This unique funding stream from Fáilte Ireland supports countless medium and small-sized festivals across the State that enrich communities, and it is a core part of existing structures. As it stands, Fáilte Ireland funds festivals it sees as strategic in nature. The size of the local authority has no bearing. Fáilte Ireland invested €2.3 million in 33 festivals and events this year. Those festivals were not spread across the 31 local authorities, so I wonder how the funding will now be distributed.

I have some questions for the Minister of State. Will he clarify if he has been briefed by Fáilte Ireland and if has met the Minister, Deputy Heather Humphreys? Will he give us assurances that the current programme will stay true to its objectives? Will he guarantee that funding allocations will be free from political decision-making and that the arm's length principle will be upheld? If a given local authority becomes a guarantor for administering this programme, will it take the opportunity to reduce its own arts budget in light of what may be seen as a surplus amount on its books?