Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 149: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the extent to which his Department directly or through subsidiary bodies has received or if their attention has been drawn to applications for grant aid for festival or festival facilities at various locations throughout the country in 2010; the extent of such activity in the previous three years to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8414/10]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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At the outset, I wish to point out to the Deputy that the provision of funding for festivals is an operational matter for agencies under the aegis of my Department and I have no direct role in the process.

In relation to tourism-related funding for festivals, in accordance with the provisions of Section 8(1) of the National Tourism Development Authority Act, 2003, it is a day to day matter for Fáilte Ireland to encourage, promote and support either inside or outside the State (a) the development of tourism traffic within and to the State and (b) the development and marketing of tourist facilities and services within the State.

In relation to the provision of arts-related funding to organisations involved in festival activity, under Section 24(2) of the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council shall be independent in the performance of its functions.

I am advised by Fáilte Ireland and the Arts Council that the numbers of applications for funding in relation to festivals are as shown as follows:

Notes

(1) Figures are not readily available for the total number of applications to Fáilte Ireland under the Festivals and Cultural Events Initiative in 2008. However, the number of festival awards for that year was as follows:

(a) National: 64

(b) Regional: 185

(2) Data on the number of applications in 2010 for festival funding to Fáilte Ireland at regional level is not yet available as the deadline has not yet passed.

(3) Under the Arts Council Festival and Small Events Programme in 2010, 163 applications have been received to date. As round two is still open, no final definitive figure is available.