Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 46: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the reason he did not use the offices of the Arts Council in relation to deciding on the allocation of the recently announced €16.4 million in arts grants from surplus money in his Department's budget; the efforts he made to ensure this money was spread evenly throughout the country and that smaller projects in one particular part of the country were not prioritised above another; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34816/06]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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On 24th August last, I announced additional investment of €16.4 million in the arts and culture sector, which is to be divided between the Arts Council, the Irish Film Board and theatre and arts organisations throughout the country. This allocation was as a direct result of savings that have been made in my Department. A total of 29 arts and cultural projects will benefit from the funding which will enable them to proceed with refurbishment, renovation and repair works, to purchase equipment, fixtures and fittings and to improve access.

While an additional €7.5m was allocated to the Arts Council for its schemes, the funding of major capital arts projects and cultural institutions remains my Department's responsibility. The Arts Council's primary function is in relation to the provision of revenue funding and capital allocations form a small part of their work. The specific allocations for the additional capital this year was based on recommendations made to me by officials in my Department who identified quality substantive projects on hands to which funding allocations would be appropriate.