asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to a report that additional funds allocated in the last Budget to An Chomhairle Ealaíon have not yet been utilised; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - An Chomhairle Ealaíon Funds.
32.
A provisional allocation of extra funds was made in the last Budget to meet the expected expansion of activity resulting from the new charter for the Arts envisaged in the setting up of three separate Arts Councils. What is intended in this revision is not just a division of the activities of An Chomhairle Ealaíon between three separate bodies but a fundamental re-thinking of the State's role in helping the Arts. The drafting of the relevant legislation is, therefore, a slow process and is not yet complete. As a result the extra funds have not yet been utilised.