Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 232: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will respond to the many requests from the arts bodies for increased funding to implement the Arts Council's Government endorsed plan Partnership for the Arts 2006 to 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22907/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism I am committed to securing the best possible funding for the Arts Council and the arts sector generally. The Arts Council's funding requirement for the year ahead will be addressed in the context of the 2008 Estimates. In doing so, the Government must balance competing demands from every part of our economy and society.

The Arts Council strategy Partnership for the Arts sets out a programme of work aimed at bringing the arts sector to a level of stability and sustainability. The total cost of implementing the strategy in full is estimated at €272m over three years and my Department has been working towards providing the funding required for full implementation of the strategy. To date (since 2005) the Department has provided funding of €162.3m.

Funding for the Arts Council has increased from €47.67 million in 2002 to €80 million in 2007 — an increase of almost 68%. These are significant amounts of money in any context. This funding has transformed the arts, increasing access to and participation in the arts, and has provided an excellent platform for future development. My policy on the arts is to promote and strengthen the arts in all its forms, increase access to and participation in the arts and make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life.

The table below shows the funding provided to the Arts Council between 1997 and 2007.