Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 608: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans to support a group (details supplied) in 2009. [11102/09]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 618: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his views on proposals in a letter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11750/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 608 and 618 together.

I have noted the comments made in the correspondence referred to by the Deputies in relation to the challenges facing those in the visual arts sector. Many of the funding channels referred to in the correspondences fall within the remit of other Departments and local authorities. In respect of the Per Cent for Arts scheme, work is continuing apace in finalising new guidelines for the scheme.

Responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is primarily devolved to the Arts Council. It 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; and 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, and I have no role to play in relation to its funding decisions. I refer the Deputies to my reply of 28 January 2009 last to question 41832/08. As I outlined in that reply, under measures introduced in the 2009 budget, all Departments and State agencies are to achieve a range of reductions and savings in 2009, both on pay and non-pay expenditure, and the Arts Council is no exception. These include a 3% reduction in the level of their 2008 pay bill and at least a 50% reduction in their consultancy and advertising budgets.

By any standards, however, the Arts Council has seen significant increases in its funding allocation in recent years, increasing by over 59% from €47.67 million in 2002 to €81.62 million in 2009. These are significant amounts of taxpayers' money in any context and have effectively transformed the arts, by facilitating increased access to and participation in the full spectrum of art forms throughout the country. The Government's sustained support has resulted in a firm foundation to the arts sector that will assist it in facing future challenges. This Government is committed to supporting the arts and will continue to fund the Arts Council within available financial resources.