Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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239. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide update on the proposals to support and assist young artists here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39663/14]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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240. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will support the arts and its community in 2015. [39664/14]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions No. 239 and 240 together.

Primary responsibility for the promotion and support 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 and specifically in its funding decisions. In 2014, the Arts Council will receive an allocation of over €56.8 million in funding and I have maintained that funding level for the Council in 2015.

I am confident that the Council's work in relation to young artists will be supportive of Government policy regarding the creation of jobs for young people, which forms an integral part of the Programme for Government and the Action Plan for Jobs.