Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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511. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the current position in respect of ability to provide funding for local festivals, including the Prosperous Music Festival, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16735/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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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 and support of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Council, although funded by my Department, is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations, and specifically in its funding decisions. Information of funding available to festivals, including that from the Arts Council's Festival and Events Scheme, is provided at .

I understand that festivals are also supported by my colleague, Mr Paschal Donohoe, TD, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, through Fáilte Ireland. Further information in this regard is available at .

Support may also be provided by the local authority through its arts office. Further information is available on the website of Kildare County Council at