Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the way in which policy in respect of the promotion of the arts is driven by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21277/06]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 93: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the procedures for the promotion and funding of the arts throughout the country; the extent to which his Department directly or indirectly specifies the extent of funding for particular projects or locations; if the Arts Council is fully funded for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21278/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 92 and 93 together.

Government Policy on the Arts is set out in the Programme for Government and elaborated further in my Department's Statement of Strategy.

The Arts Council is the principal agency through which State funding is channelled to the arts. Under the Arts Act, 2003, the general functions of the Council include the following:

∙to stimulate public interest in the arts;

∙to promote knowledge, appreciation and practice of the arts;

∙to assist in improving standards in the arts.

Neither my Department nor I have a function in deciding on the extent of Arts Council funding for particular projects or venues. Indeed, the Arts Act, 2003, underpins the Council's independence in this context. Funding for the Arts Council in 2006 comes to €72.31 million, an increase of nine per cent on the 2005 figure. Under the Arts Act, 2003 I have the power to issue policy direction to the Arts Council.

My Department provides capital grants for arts and culture infrastructure around the country. The main vehicle for such capital funding is the Arts & Culture Capital Enhancement Support Scheme (ACCESS), under which almost €43 million was provided to arts and cultural facilities around the country. This scheme commenced in 2001 and many projects are still in the course of completion.

It is hoped to make an announcement shortly regarding a possible successor to the ACCESS scheme. Applications for any such scheme will be invited by public advertisement.