asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to a report outlining the inadequacy of the annual State grant to the Abbey Theatre; and if he has any plans to make the necessary additional amount available.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Abbey Theatre Grant.
28.
I have seen the report referred to by the Deputy.
The annual grant to the Abbey Theatre is based on the theatre's financial position as disclosed by its annual accounts and is intended to go towards meeting, one year with another, any deficit in the Abbey's operational expenses.
This year, in addition to the ordinary grant of £48,000, a further £10,000 has been provided to enable the theatre to reduce its bank overdraft.
As regards the future, the directors of the Abbey are aware that, if there are any special difficulties, they can, as they have done in the past, come and discuss them with me.