John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 264: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the supports available to develop a school of music; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5320/08]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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It is not clear whether the proposed school of music is a commercial or not-for-profit organisation. My Department provides capital funding for arts and culture infrastructural projects and normally funds only not-for-profit and voluntary organisations. While Government support for the Arts is generally channelled through the Arts Council, which is a statutorily independent body, under the Arts Act, 2003, and is independent in its day-to-day operations, I understand it does not fund amateur organisations. Funding for the Arts Council has increased by almost 72% from €47.67 million in 2002 to €82.102 million in 2008.

In relation to capital funding my Department has taken a more direct role and to date some €130m has been provided for the development of arts and culture infrastructural projects nationwide. I expect to announce another round of Capital Arts Grants in 2008. It is open to any non-commercial organisation to apply for funding under this scheme.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 265: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has plans to make additional funding available to art venues nationally for the ongoing annual running costs of such facilities; if so, if he will consider an increase in funding for a venue (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5469/08]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Government support for the arts is generally channelled through the Arts Council, which is a statutorily independent body, under the Arts Act, 2003, and is independent in its day-to-day operations, including in relation to its funding decisions. The provision of funding for the organisation referred to by the Deputy is the responsibility of the Arts Council. I have no role in relation to its funding decisions and my Department does not provide ongoing revenue support to arts organisations funded by the Arts Council. Funding for the Arts Council has increased by almost 72% from €47.67 million in 2002 to €82.102 million in 2008. These are significant amounts of money in any context and have transformed and increased access to the arts and allowed the Arts Council to support a wide range of artists and arts organisations nationwide.