Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)
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Question 32: To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if she will ensure that funding for the arts will not be further cut in the budget [36650/10]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 35: To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if she will maintain the existing levels of funding to all agencies for the arts including the Arts Council, the Irish Film Board and Culture Ireland; if she will also protect local authority funding for the arts and make significant new funding available to act as a stimulus for cultural tourism in the upcoming budget [36651/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 32 and 35 together.

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 budgetary preparation processes, 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.