Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 184: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of bodies, groups or agencies accountable to his Department; the role and function of each in the context of the economic downturn with particular reference to the optimum use of funding for maximum impact on the development and promotion of the arts now and in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23815/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 185: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has issued instructions or directions to the Arts Council or similar groups or bodies under the aegis of his Department to ensure adequate development and promotion of the arts in the current economic climate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23816/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 and 185 together.

Responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved primarily to the Arts Council. 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.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 186: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if, arising from the economic downturn, he has issued instructions or given direction to groups or bodies under the aegis of his Department with a view to identifying the steps that might be taken to assist in the current climate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23817/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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In response to the current fiscal circumstances the Department has emphasised and will continue to emphasise to agencies under its aegis the importance of making every effort to maximise return on investment while minimising any negative consequences for output delivery. In accordance with Government policy, the Department has issued instructions to agencies with regard to reducing expenditure on consultancy fees by 50 per cent, reducing professional fees (for example, legal, architectural and engineering services) by 8 per cent, and reducing procurement costs generally also by 8 per cent. In addition, the agencies have been asked to implement the moratorium on recruitment and promotion, the incentivised early retirement Scheme and, where appropriate, the incentivised schemes for career breaks and the shorter working year to reduce staff numbers.

Ned O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he will confirm the body to whom an organisation (details supplied) can apply for grant aid. [23825/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Arts Council is the appropriate body to which this application should be made. Under the Arts Act, 2003, one of the general functions of the Council is to promote knowledge, appreciation and practice of the arts.