Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 237: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his Department's policy in respect of the promotion of arts related projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15432/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 239: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of arts related projects initiated by his Department and funded directly or indirectly in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15435/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 237 and 239 together.

My policy is to promote a vibrant arts sector in Ireland and to maximise participation in the arts at all levels. State support for the arts is, in the main, delivered through the Arts Council. The council, though under my Department's aegis, is independent on a day to day basis, and has statutory independence regarding the disbursement of its funds. The grant-in-aid payable to the Arts Council for 2005 amounts to €61 million.

In relation to the promotion of arts internationally, I recently launched Culture Ireland, the new body charged with the promotion of Irish arts abroad and this body has been given 12 months to develop its strategy.

My Department initiated and funded directly the cultural programme of Ireland's Presidency of the EU during the first half of 2004, the cultural exchange with China, which ran from April to November in 2004 and the Rejoyce Festival to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Bloomsday. The arts and culture enhancement support scheme, ACCESS, 2001-2004, initiated by my Department is ongoing, under which €45.71 million has been allocated to 44 projects, for the capital development of arts and cultural facilities around the country.