Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 38: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has received the report on the arts in education from the Arts Council; if he will publish this report in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19299/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The Arts Council has presented me with a copy of the report and I am currently examining its contents. The publication of the report is a matter for the Arts Council. In advance of my considering its proposals fully and discussing them with my colleague, the Minister for Education, it would be premature of me to comment further at this juncture.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 39: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans to introduce new initiatives to help alleviate the low earnings of workers, creators and performers alike, in the arts sector; if he will take steps to address the diminishing engagement with the arts outlined in the 2006 Arts Council research document, The Public and the Arts; the new initiatives to renew and stimulate interest in the arts in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19248/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The issue of pay for any sector of the economy is a matter for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. However, I can, of course, comment on the research, The Public and the Arts, carried out by the Arts Council. The recent study does not show diminishing engagement with the arts. On the contrary the research confirms that levels of attendance at arts events in Ireland are above international norms. The report noted a drop in figures in certain areas of the arts compared with activities and behaviours that prevailed in 1994. However, the ways in which audiences are engaging with the arts are rapidly changing and expanding — particularly in the intervening 10 years.

Significantly, research findings in The Public and the Arts also highlighted the increased way in which audiences experience the arts through the broadcast and new media. The traditional models of experiencing the arts — of going to the theatre or a gallery, are being augmented by newer modes and the use of new media — including podcasting and downloading — is having a major impact on the way in which people now engage with the arts. This is particularly evident, though not exclusively so, among younger generations.

The Arts Council has established an Audience Project in response to the findings of The Public and the Arts Study to design and implement programmes which expand the definition of audience and which take cognisance of current trends within a wider cultural sphere. These will address emerging audience patterns and enhance the capacity of arts organisations and that of existing and new partners to engage with a range of audiences across multiple platforms.

The Arts Council has also undertaken a touring initiative in order to extend and enhance opportunities for audiences to see work across a range of art forms, particularly regionally. The Council is working closely with arts organisations on this initiative and audience research that is happening in parallel will inform my policies in this area into the future. This Government is fully committed to supporting the Arts and this year the Arts Council received €80m in funding, its highest level ever. Funding for the Arts Council has increased 67% since 2003.