Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 87: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on providing increased funding to the National Chamber Choir following reductions of financial support for the choir from other sources; if his attention has been drawn to the generally low salaries paid to members of the choir; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11735/07]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the situation currently faced by the National Chamber Choir (NCC). However, the main channel of State support to the NCC is the Arts Council. The Arts Council under the Arts Act, 2003, is statutorily independent and I have no role to play in its funding decisions.

I understand that the Arts Council is highly supportive of the National Chamber Choir and regards them as an important element of the music infrastructure. Indeed funding to the Choir from the Arts Council has increased significantly in recent years, from €175,000 in 2001 to €345,000 in 2007 an increase of over 97%. This underlines the Council's commitment to the NCC.