Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 28: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the level of funding allocated to the 2005 Cork City of Culture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28088/05]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Funding available to Cork 2005 includes funding from the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism for €7.85 million, comprising an original €6.35 million towards programming for the event and a further €1.5 million for additional new commissions and several big events with mass audience appeal. There is also EU funding of €0.5 million; Cork City Council funding of €5.75 million; sponsorship of €2.56 million, a further €600,000 has been underwritten by Cork City Council; Health Service Executive funding of €0.31 million; and other miscellaneous income of €0.10 million. The total amount comes to €17.07 million.

Over 730,000 people attended official Cork 2005 events during the first six months of the year. This record attendance at events in the first half of 2005 is indicative of the great response to the Cork 2005 programme from local and from international audiences. The major cultural venues in Cork are indicating increased audience numbers in the region of 33%. The city's cultural sector has also been enabled to extend its programming reach to other national and international companies and have also been enabled to commission new works to premier in Cork in 2005.

The city is enjoying the economic as well as the cultural benefits of the European Capital of Culture designation. Cork Airport is experiencing record growth this year, with half yearly figures up 15.9% on the same period last year. There has also been a significant increase in hotel occupancy rates and this trend is expected to continue until the end of the year. It has been widely acknowledged that the Capital of Culture designation is a contributing factor in this significant growth.