Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 419: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he continues to use the arts as a vehicle to promote the national identity and image thereby contributing to economic revival; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21986/12]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 423: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the degree to which he has promoted the national identity through arts and heritage over the past twelve months to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21990/12]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 424: To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the steps he has taken or proposes to take to maximise and promote the arts as a means of generating economic and social benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21991/12]

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 419, 423 and 424 together.

The Government's policy on the arts is to promote and strengthen the arts in all its forms, to increase access to and participation in the arts, and to make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life. I am continuing to work towards this goal with my Department and the agencies within its remit and I remain committed to securing the best possible level of funding for the arts sector. In the context of the 2013 Estimates, I will, of course, be endeavouring to maximise continuing Government support for the arts.

As the Deputy will be aware, primary responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Council is funded by my Department and is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations, including funding decisions. The allocation to the Arts Council for 2012 is €63.241 million. The State appreciates and values the contribution the arts sector makes to the internationally renowned artistic reputation of this country. Within the current economic constraints, that investment in the arts, culture and creative sectors is more important than ever, having regard to the employment intensity of the sector.

In addition, my Department through Culture Ireland supports Irish arts worldwide by creating and supporting opportunities for Irish artists and companies to present and promote their work at strategic international festivals and venues, presenting outstanding Irish creative work to international audiences through showcases at key global arts events including the Edinburgh Festivals and Venice Biennales, as well as through special initiatives such as the recently concluded Imagine Ireland initiative in the United States.

As the Deputy is aware, I wrote to him on 25 April 2012 setting out details of all arts bodies and/or groups that received funding since 1 June 2011, the amount of the funding provided and the purpose of the funding. I also supplied details of all funding provided by Culture Ireland to organisations from June 2011 to date. In addition, I forwarded details received from the Arts Council of all funding provided by it to arts practitioners, arts groups and venues in 2011 and 2012.

In relation to the Government's Action Plan for Jobs, there are 11 specific actions to be undertaken by my Department and the agencies under its remit in the areas of arts, culture and creative enterprise. Together, I believe that we can work to realise the explicit and implicit targets set for these areas. The relevant actions (under section 7 of the Plan) are set out as follows.

7.14 Arts, Culture and Creative Enterprise