Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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64. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will ensure that the allocation of funding being provided for the arts by her Department is decided by the Arts Council only; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37397/16]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Under the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council, which is independent in its decision-making in regard to the manner in which it disburses the State funding provided to it. In this regard, I was pleased to secure significant additional funding for the Arts Council as part of Budget 2017. The allocation to the Arts Council for 2017 is over €65m. This will see an increase in the Arts Council allocation of €5m, or 8%, and will allow the Council to enhance support to artists and arts organisations.

Capital funding for the arts and culture sector is managed and disbursed by my Department. In addition, certain current funding is applied by my Department, both directly and via other bodies and agencies, for the benefit of arts and culture.

I have no plans to change the present arrangements.