Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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220. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the degree to which she expects employment prospects to remain positive throughout the Arts and culture sectors, with particular reference to job opportunities now, and in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39950/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In welcoming Budget 2016 in October I stated that the economic recovery has allowed for a 12% increase in my Department’s Budget for 2016. This will provide additional funding across a range of areas including the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, a new investment programme for regional arts and cultural centres and a boost in my Department’s heritage budget. Key highlights of Budget 2016 include:

- 12% increase in funding for the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht compared to 2015;

- Over €48 million for the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, including almost €31 million for major capital works, and additional funding for an inclusive and wide ranging national and international commemorative programme, including State events, local community initiatives, a wide range of arts and cultural projects, and €3 million earmarked for Culture Ireland’s international programme for 2016 and the Abbey Theatre;

- An additional €8 million for a cultural infrastructure programme to fund a new scheme of grants to existing regional arts and cultural centres and funding for the Cork Event Centre;

- Increase in the cap on the Section 481 film industry tax relief from €50 million to €70 million;

- An additional €2 million in funding for the Department’s heritage programme;

- Boost in funding for the National Cultural Institutions and the Arts Council.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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221. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the degree to which she continues to liaise with local voluntary groups throughout County Kildare; countrywide, in respect of various grant-aid available for local productions involved in the promotion of the Arts through community effort; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39951/15]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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228. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she expects to be in a position to provide funding directly, through the local authorities or through the Arts Council, to the various voluntary groups or bodies involved in various cultural and artistic productions, such as drama and music productions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39958/15]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 228 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.