Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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37. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht regarding the commitment to funding of €5 million for implementation of Culture 2025 and the Ireland 2016 legacy programme, if she will confirm that this separate mechanism for arts funding will conclude in 2017; the criteria for allocating this fund; the way artists and arts organisations can apply; the role of the fund for existing organisations including the Arts Council and Culture Ireland; and the arrangements for independent, arms length governance she has put in place for this fund, for the remainder for its duration. [31156/16]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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39. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the purpose of and modalities of an implementation body for a culture policy yet to be finalised and concluded in view of Culture 2025 in its existing draft form currently being revised by the Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. [31157/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 37 and 39 together.

I published the draft framework policy Culture 2025/Éíre Ildánachin July this year, which was submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for input.

The Culture 2025 framework policy sets out:

- a series of high-level objectives under the headings of Enrich, Engage, Participateto establish Government vision in relation to culture and society in Ireland;

- a set of key values, including the intrinsic value of culture, the right to participate in the cultural life of the nation and the role of culture in fostering a more sustainable future in Ireland; and

- a series of priority measures for implementation across Government and public bodies.

I understand that the Committee is currently preparing a report on the draft framework policy, which I will consider when received.

In the meantime, I believe that it is important to continue momentum in terms of delivery of the priorities set out in the framework policy and to build on the positive legacy of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme.

My Department has, therefore, been developing a cross-Government initiative to mainstream culture and creativity in the life of the nation and to promote individual, community and national well-being. This will focus on boosting cultural provision and participation in communities and harnessing the goodwill and engagement generated by the commemorative programme this year. It will also act as the main vehicle to take forward the priorities identified in Culture 2025.

I have secured funding of €5m in Budget 2017 to underpin this new initiative and I intend to announce further details in the coming weeks.

In addition to the funding to support the implementation of this new initiative, I also announced significant additional funding in last week’s Budget to support arts and cultural provision, including:

- An additional €5 million for the Arts Council, an 8% increase in its annual budget;

- Boosts in funding for all of the National Cultural Institutions;

- €1.7 million to allow for the opening of the newly restored historic wings at National Gallery of Ireland on foot of significant capital investment by the State; and

- An increase of €2 million for the Irish Film Board and €1 million for Culture Ireland.