Written answers

Thursday, 26 January 2006

Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism

Arts Plan

5:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 78: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his policy to popularise the arts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2730/06]

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

Government policy on the arts is to promote and strengthen the arts in all their forms, increase access to and participation in the arts, and make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life. Responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is primarily devolved to the Arts Council, an independent body funded by the Department and independent in its day-to-day operations.

During my term as the Minister responsible for the arts, funding for the Arts Council has increased by almost 52% — from €47.67 million in 2002 to €72.31 million in 2006. This has allowed the council to support a record number of artists and arts organisations. A new record will be set this year with the council's largest ever grants programme of €51 million which will benefit a total of 325 arts organisations around the country, 22 more than last year.

The Department has taken a more direct role in the provision of grant-aid for arts and cultural infrastructure and has provided very substantial funding for the capital development of facilities around the country in recent years. The Department's ACCESS scheme, for example, has provided €45.7 million for the development of 44 facilities including museums, arts centres, theatres, and multi-purpose arts spaces throughout the country.

These are significant amounts of money in any context and the amounts of both current and capital funding that have been provided in recent years have transformed and increased access to the arts and provide an excellent platform for even further developments in the years ahead.

On the promotion of arts internationally, in February 2005 I launched Culture Ireland, the new body charged with the promotion of Irish arts abroad. This year I secured a budget of €3 million for Culture Ireland, up from €2 million in 2005. This increased funding will enable Culture Ireland to develop Ireland's international arts profile, to provide new opportunities for Irish artists and organisations to work abroad, and to forge new connections for Irish arts internationally.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.