Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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408. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on artist run studio spaces; if she will consider extending specific supports to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24598/17]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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410. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the fact that Ireland is considerably behind its European counterparts with regard to state support for artist run spaces. [24600/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 408 and 410 together.

I am aware of the issue regarding the provision of affordable studio space, particularly as a result of the changing property market. In general, I would consider that local approaches driven by artists, local arts officers and the owners of vacant buildings are best suited to respond to the specific local circumstances involved and provide the most effective outcomes. 

However, my Department is in discussion with the Arts Council, Dublin City Council and the OPW to consider some possible short-term and longer-term approaches to the issue, both in relation to specific issues in Dublin and to wider national approaches. In addition, as part of the Government’s initiative on the North East Inner City, I awarded a grant of €35,000 this year to Fire Station Artists' Studios, Buckingham Street, to assist in providing additional studio space in conjunction with Dublin City Council.

In terms of investment by my Department, I recently announced details of more than €9 million in capital funding for 56 arts and culture centres across the country. This capital scheme is the most significant investment in arts and cultural centres in a decade and will target investment at a range of different facilities, including arts centres, theatres, galleries and museums, as well as artists’ studios and creative spaces.

A full list of organisations to benefit from funding under Stream 1 and 2 of the Arts and Cultural Capital Scheme 2016-2018 is available on my Department's website.

Furthermore, I recently announced a new small capital grants Scheme (Stream 3) which will be geared towards providing grants of up to €20,000 to not-for-profit organisations with a defined arts and cultural remit. Organisations with artists' studios will also be eligible to apply under this new scheme. This scheme is now open for applications with a closing date of 12 noon on 16 June 2017.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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409. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will consider lifting the budget limits on the per cent for the arts scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24599/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department has responsibility for the promotion of the Per Cent for Art Scheme and set out guidelines in 2004 to assist project managers to operate the scheme and to provide a common national approach to its implementation. However, funding for the scheme is part of the capital cost of the project and falls to the relevant public authority responsible for the specific construction project involved. The current cap was set by Government in 1997. The Per Cent for Arts Scheme guidelines assist with its implementation. The scheme is now well-known and embedded in all public infrastructure works. The public have become familiar with the works of art on our roads, but there are also art works resulting from the scheme in schools, hospitals and all buildings funded by the taxpayer. Public art is not confined to sculptures; it has also resulted in performances, new writings and compositions. Given the period which has now elapsed since the cap was last adjusted in 1997, I have asked my Department to consider the matter further and to report to me on possible options for reviewing the cap.