Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 76: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he is satisfied with the adequacy of the resources available to him in the current year, with particular reference to the need to maximise economic benefit and consequent employment retention and creation through the various bodies under his aegis; if he has had discussions with the various stakeholders in this regard; the extent to which possible areas for generation of growth or expansion have been identified and evaluated for future purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5190/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, a key priority in the Programme for Government is to support and lead economic regeneration, job creation and employment retention over the coming period. In this regard, I can assure the Deputy that my Department's resources and financial allocation will be utilised to the greatest extent possible in achieving these aims and delivering on these commitments.

Since my appointment as Minister in March 2011, I have engaged with the various sectors and stakeholders funded by my Department, including the bodies and agencies funded from my Department's Vote Group, to ensure that maximum benefit and value is obtained from available resources. Indeed, my Department's key priorities and programme of work supportive of job creation and economic regeneration are set out in its Statement of Strategy, which will be published over the coming weeks.

It is important to note that there is much potential in the arts and in the cultural, heritage and creative industries to create growth and jobs. A key objective for my Department, therefore, will be to maximise the economic and employment creation potential of the arts, heritage and Gaeltacht sectors. Cultural tourism also has a significant contribution to make to Ireland's economic recovery and the rebuilding of Ireland's reputation on the international stage.

A further objective for my Department over the coming period will be to promote Irish arts and heritage abroad. It will also seek to facilitate synergies between the arts, cultural, heritage and Gaeltacht sectors, most notably in the area of tourism product development and cultural tourism.