Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 1389: To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if she will support the funding for the arts in this year's budget as a matter of priority. [32402/10]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 1390: To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if she will maintain existing levels of funding for agencies involved in the Arts including the Arts Council, the Irish Film Board and Culture Ireland, to protect Local Authority Arts funding and to make appropriate new funding available to the arts and cultural sector so as to build on our cultural and tourism potential and maintain and contribute to the creation of additional employment in the Arts. [32453/10]

Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 1392: To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport the funding provided from 2006 to date in 2010 to agencies for the promotion and development of the arts in tabular form; her plans for the future funding of these agencies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32496/10]

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1394: To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport the total sum of money allocated to the Arts Council, The Irish Film Board and Culture Ireland in 2010; if she will give a commitment that the same amount of funding will be provided in 2011 to each of these three organisations; if she will also make significant new funding available to the arts and cultural sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32551/10]

Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 1395: To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if she will ensure that the forthcoming Budget will maintain existing levels of funding to all agencies for the arts including the Arts Council, the Irish Film Board and Culture Ireland; if she will protect local authority arts funding and make significant new funding available to the arts and cultural sector, in order to build on our cultural tourism potential.. [32787/10]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 1396: To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport her views on maintaining existing levels of funding to agencies for the arts, including the Arts Council, the Irish Film Board and Culture Ireland; if she has carried out a cost benefit analysis to the State of maintaining funding levels for such groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32812/10]

Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 1409: To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport her response to the national campaign for the arts which aims to promote one of our most valuable assets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33245/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1389, 1390, 1392, 1394 to 1396, inclusive, and 1409 together.

Since 2006 my Department has invested over €962m in the arts, culture and film sectors and the allocations for each year are shown in the following tabular statement.

I am committed to supporting the crucial constituent sectors of arts and culture and the Government will continue to fund those sectors within limited available financial resources. Decisions regarding funding, whether within my Department's Vote or on the part of other relevant Departments will, however, have to be taken in the context of the ongoing Estimates and budget preparation process and in the light of the target aggregate Exchequer savings to be achieved for 2011. In this context, I should like to acknowledge the concerns raised by the recent Campaign for the Arts and to reaffirm my commitment to maximising the place and status of the arts in society.

My policy on the arts, culture and film sectors reflects Government Policy in this area as set out in the Programme for Government. This policy is to promote and strengthen the arts in all its forms, increase access to and participation in the arts, make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life, and maximise the potential for cultural tourism. I will endeavour to maximise funding for these sectors, commensurate with their centrality to our economic and social well being.