Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 296: To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if her attention has been drawn to the level of cuts being imposed on independent rural arts centres, that these cuts will dramatically impoverish cultural infrastructure in rural areas if allowed to continue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42502/10]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 297: To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport her views that support for older independent rural arts centres is declining; her further views on whether it is appropriate that a formal policy be established to ensure that these centres are adequately supported, based on their local community value and that it is important for the future that the role of local authorities in supporting the arts is formalised and is coordinated with other sources of funding and supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42503/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 296 and 297 together.

Primary responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council which, under the Arts Act, is independent in its funding decisions. The allocation to the Arts Council for 2010 is €68.6m from which it may also provide funding to local authorities for arts initiatives.

My Department is responsible for the provision of capital monies for the arts infrastructure such as arts centres, galleries and theatres. Under the ACCESS 11 programme, for instance funding has been provided for around 80 projects. Some of these were local authority led projects and the table below shows the total funding allocated under the ACCESS programme to local authorities during the period 2005 – 2010.

There are other projects supported by local authorities but which were not local-authority-led projects. A list of ACCESS II projects and the amount of grant aid allocated to each project is available on my Department's website.

The increase in the availability of facilities and the enhancement of their quality, as a result of the arts capital schemes, has greatly improved access to and participation in the arts for a great many people.

Funding for the arts for 2011 including the allocation for the Arts Council will be decided in the context of the ongoing Estimates' process.