Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 300: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the terms of reference, functions and purpose of Culture Ireland; if the agency is still operational; the reason these functions cannot be carried out by his Department; the benefits to the Irish taxpayer gained from the work of the agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35023/07]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Culture Ireland was established in 2005 as the new national agency under the aegis of my Department for the promotion of Irish arts and culture worldwide, including music, theatre, dance, film, literature, visual arts, traditional arts, architecture, opera and circus.

Arts and culture are among Ireland's strongest national achievements and play a key role in creating global recognition for the country. Culture Ireland was established to build on this competitive advantage and develop the expertise and capacity to maximise Ireland's international cultural impact, in parallel with our efforts in the field of tourism, trade and inward investment. By creating strategic opportunities for Irish artists to present their work abroad, Culture Ireland will raise Ireland's cultural reputation around the world, help to create sustainable careers for Irish artists and increase Ireland's global attractiveness as a centre of creativity and a preferred destination for business and tourism.

Culture Ireland works closely with other internationally focused State agencies, in particular Tourism Ireland and the Irish Film Board, to ensure resources and impacts are maximised. In its first three years it has initiated and developed strategic promotions and showcases at key global arts events, and helped to foster a new level of confidence, ambition and international recognition for Irish artists.

Culture Ireland is a small flexible organisation, staffed primarily by officials from my Department and led by an externally recruited CEO. It benefits from economies of shared accommodation, overheads and administrative cost with my Department and delivers its extensive grant programmes at marginal cost to the taxpayer. For further information on its strategy, programme and activities the Deputy may wish to access its website at www.cultureireland.ie.