Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the extent of the curtailment of funding for the arts in 2009; the way this is expected to directly affect the various groups, bodies or agencies involved; the action he will take to minimise the negative impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32223/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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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. Since 2002, funding for the Arts Council has increased by almost 54% from €47.67 million in 2002 to €73.35 million in 2009 - that is a total of over €530 million during the period.

I am confident that the Arts Council continues to manage the resources available to it in a strategic manner so as to minimise disruption to its client groups and to maintain a high level of service.

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 22: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans to alter the mechanism of funding for the Abbey Theatre; if he has had discussions with the Department of Finance regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32243/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The present arrangements are that the Arts Council provides funding to the Abbey Theatre from the grant allocation provided to them by my Department. No discussions have taken place with the Department of Finance in connection with the funding mechanism.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if an economic impact assessment has been carried out on the value of arts funding to the Exchequer; if so, if he will provide this information; if he supports further cuts to the arts budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32331/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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My Department commissioned an analysis from DKM Economic Consultants of the economic impact of the arts, culture and creative sectors. Some preliminary results of draft research, to which I alluded at the Global Irish Economic Forum show that the cultural and creative sector is one of the most dynamic areas of the Irish economy, with a total economic impact in 2008 of €11.8 billion.

At that forum in Farmleigh, there was unanimous acknowledgement that creative ideas are the lifeblood of innovation and economic success and it is my intention, in consultation with other Government colleagues, to harness these sectors for economic and social benefits. On the completion of this research project I will be arranging for its publication.