Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 118: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if, within the reduced budget to the Arts Council, he will secure a significant portion of the funding to the Arts Council to be multi-annual funding in order to allow the Arts Council to provide a security of funding to organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37387/09]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am assuming the Deputy's question refers to the 2010 allocation for the Arts Council, decisions in relation to which will be made in the context of the overall funds secured for my Department as part of the ongoing Estimates process.

The funding of the Arts Council, as with all Government Departments and State agencies, is a matter for consideration under the annual budget and Estimates' process. In doing so, the Government must balance competing demands from every part of our economy and society.

I am aware of the Arts Council's desire to have multi-annual budgets, having met with the Council on a number of occasions. I can appreciate the need for stability in budgeting that such a measure would provide, but my Department, is provided with and must work within annual current expenditure budgets through the Estimates' process.