Written answers

Thursday, 31 March 2011

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Arts Funding

6:00 pm

Photo of Caoimhghín Ó CaoláinCaoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 10: To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if he will maintain funding for the arts at least at its current levels over the course of his term in office. [6192/11]

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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As Minister responsible for the arts and culture sectors I am committed to securing the best possible funding provisions for these sectors for the period of my term of office. In my contribution last week on the implementation of the Programme for Government, I explained that it is this Government's intention to make the arts and culture part of our "primary script". In other words, it would no longer be regarded as a discretionary activity, but rather it is to be a central essential part of the narrative about the character of a new, different, changed and better Ireland.

As I said last week, I believe that in order to survive, grow and prosper as a country, we must look to the talent and ability of our people. The ability to innovate, to think afresh, and to be creative has to be nurtured and encouraged. I hold the view that dynamism in arts and culture induces dynamism in a country. This dynamism is realised through the process of stimulation through music, plays, books, films, works of art, design, in architecture and in crafts, all of which facilitates a country's capacity to be reflective, interested, and bold. I believe that the next 5 years can be an exciting time for the arts, culture and film sectors. The integration with them in one Department of the Irish language and heritage responsibility makes eminent sense and I look forward to seeking out and building on the self evident synergies between these areas.

Since 2006 the Department of Tourism, Culture and Sport has invested over €962m in the arts, culture and film sectors. The 2011 Estimates provide for almost €150 million investment in the sector. I am fully aware of the difficulties facing all of those involved in these areas and the tremendous work they have done in maximising the available resources. I am committed, over the term of office of this Government, to supporting the essential elements of the arts and culture sectors with limited available financial resources and in the light of the evolving Budgetary and Estimates' situations.

On the arts, culture and film area, over the course of the 5 years, this Government will continue to work to maintain employment levels in the sector. We will support the invaluable work of the Arts Council, the Film Board and Culture Ireland in maintaining the fundamental services provided to the arts and culture sectors. We will also continue to develop the priceless contribution of our cultural institutions to the overall well-being of our community. We want to grow the engagement with the arts from the community up, with particular reference to young people.

We will make strategic policy formulation the primary function of the Department. We will encourage the Arts Council to continue to dedicate resources to touring. We will work with stakeholders in the Arts community to develop new proposals aimed at building private support of the Arts in Ireland exploring philanthropic, sponsorship or endowment fund opportunities. We will develop a cultural plan for future commemorative events such as the Centenary of the Easter Rising in 2016. We will promote genealogical tourism by updating the National Cultural Institutions Act and look to publish the 1926 census to stimulate genealogy tourism. We will encourage greater co-operation between local authorities to promote the arts and in developing cultural tourism.

It is my intention that at the end of term of this Government we will be able to report that the arts and culture sectors have grown and flourished.

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