James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 60: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the plans he has in place for supporting the Irish Theatre Institute in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25675/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is primarily devolved to the Arts Council. State support for the arts is mainly channelled through the Arts Council, which, although funded by my department, is completely autonomous in its decisions. The level of funding and support for the Irish Theatre Institute is entirely a matter for the Arts Council and a matter in which I have no statutory function.

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.

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