Written answers

Wednesday, 28 January 2009

Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism

Arts Plan

9:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 114: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the steps expected to be taken to develop, enhance or promote the arts at national and local level in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2407/09]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the proposed extent of expenditure by his Department in 2009 for the promotion of the arts at local level with particular reference to encouraging local drama and musical groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2680/09]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 220: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans to generate increased interest in the arts at community level here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2682/09]

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 114, 218 and 220 together.

As I outlined in my reply of 19th November 2008 last to Question No. 41808/08, Government Policy on the Arts is set out in the Programme for Government and is elaborated further in my Department's Statement of Strategy. 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.

Responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is primarily devolved to the Arts Council. The Arts Council is the principal agency through which State funding is channelled to the arts. Under the Arts Act, 2003, the general functions of the Council include the following:

to stimulate public interest in the arts;

to promote knowledge, appreciation and practice of the arts;

to assist in improving standards in the arts.

The Arts Council is a statutorily independent body, funded by my Department and independent in its day-to-day operations, including in relation to its funding decisions. My Department has taken a direct role in relation to the provision of grant-aid for arts and culture infrastructure and has allocated over €150m in funding for the capital development of facilities around the country in recent years. A total of €108m of this was drawn down by the end of 2008. The table outlines expenditure on capital arts projects since 2004.

The Arts Capital Programme (previously known as ACCESS — Arts and Culture Capital Enhancement Support Scheme) is designed to assist in the provision of high standard arts and culture infrastructural projects, thereby enhancing access to all aspects of the arts throughout the country. The programme has been widely acknowledged as a significant intervention in the provision of high quality arts and culture infrastructure around the country. Under the scheme facilities funded to date include integrated arts centres, theatres, galleries as well as art studios and other arts production and performance spaces. A total of almost €86m has been granted to 120 projects across the country under the scheme, many of which were community based arts groups.

Arts Council Funding 2004-2008
YearFunding % ChangeSupplementary EstimateTotal including Supplementary% Change
€m
200452.50019.02.0054.5023.6
200561.00016.25.2366.2321.5
200672.31018.510.0082.3124.3
200780.00010.63.0083.000.8
200882.1022.6081.60-1.7
Capital Arts Expenditure
YearExpenditure
€m
20046.1
200512.7
200620.0
200737.2
200832.7
Total108.7

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