Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

665. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which her Department directly, or through bodies under her aegis, continues to support various festivals or cultural events organised annually or on a once-off basis throughout the country; the amount of such support provided in the past three years to date under specific headings, directly, through the Arts Council or other bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6087/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It is a key objective for my Department to maximise the economic and employment creation potential of the arts, heritage and Gaeltacht sectors. In this context, it will seek to continue to develop synergies between the arts, cultural, heritage and Gaeltacht sectors, most notably in the area of tourism product development and cultural tourism.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 its funding decisions. In 2015, there is an increased allocation of almost €59m to the Arts Council. Details of all funding provided by the Council to arts practitioners, groups and venues, along with the reasons for funding, are available on its website at

My Department also funds a small number of festivals and events. Details of this funding over the past 3 years will be forwarded to the Deputy separately.