Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 45: To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if she is willing to establish, initially on a pilot basis, a local arts partnership, similar to the successful local sports partnerships in order to increase participation in arts and culture; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36709/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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It is my belief that the arts are critical to the well-being of society, enhancing the life of local communities, and giving artistic expression to place and identity. Much work has been done to develop the arts at a local level, not necessarily based on the Local Sports Partnership (LSP) model, which is a specific model of practice. The LSP concept was developed under the remit of the Irish Sports Council (ISC) in 2000 as a means to coordinate and promote the development of sport. The majority of the LSPs operate under the aegis of the relevant local authority.

The Arts Council, has worked strategically with local authorities for 25 years in developing the arts at local level. This model focuses more on embedding arts expertise at the heart of the local authority service. Each of the 34 local authorities in Ireland employs a full-time Arts Officer. In many instances local authorities lead in providing a broader Arts Service, employing several specialist arts staff in addition to the Arts Officer.

In November a conference will be held to mark 25 years of Arts Council and Local Authority partnership. Senior contributors from Ireland, the UK and Australia will explore the role of the arts and culture in local development at the conference.