Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael)
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Government policy on the arts is set out in the Programme for Government . 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.

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 but it is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations. This includes independence in its funding decisions. In 2014, the Arts Council will receive an allocation of over €55.8 million in current and capital funding. Details of all funding provided by the Arts Council to arts practitioners, arts groups and venues, including arts centres, are available on the Council's website at .

The Government appreciates the importance of the arts, culture and the creative industries to both our society and to our economy. The arts sector continues to offer vital opportunities for the provision of important cultural, social and employment benefits to communities throughout the country. Within the current economic constraints, investment in the arts, heritage, culture and creative sectors is more important than ever, having regard to the employment intensity of these sectors. I remain committed to securing the best possible level of funding and to providing every possible support for these sectors.