asked the Minister for Finance the present position regarding the formation of the proposed theatre consortium with State assistance.
140.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - State Assisted Theatres.
139.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline his proposals to establish a second national theatre; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 140 together.
The legal and other formalities concerned with the establishment of the new theatre company have almost been completed and I expect that it will be in operation soon. As the Deputies are aware, the chief purpose of the company will be to provide high quality theatrical productions mainly for touring in provincial centres. The company will be directed by a consortium representative of theatre managers and of Actors Equity, with two directors nominated by the Taoiseach.
Is the Minister aware that the people directly connected with this and generally the acting profession and people interested in this matter now regard this whole project as a sick joke? Would the Minister explain what the delay is about? Was the whole thing not cleared up many months ago?
I am glad to say that far from the people involved being sick or appearing sick they are highly delighted to know that the matter is now achieving completion and that the show will soon be on the road.
How soon?
In a matter of weeks.
I heard that almost ten months ago.
I do not think so.
I should like to ask the Minister why it is that the Government, though willing to grant aid to enable the development of the theatre where English is the language spoken do not seem to be as favourably disposed towards assisting the theatre where Irish is the spoken language?
There is no requirement in relation to the group in question that its production should be in any particular language.
141.
asked the Minister for Finance the number of theatres which are in receipt of subsidies from central funds; and the annual amount in each case.
The National Theatre Society Ltd. (the Abbey), and the Edwards-MacLiammóir Gate Theatre Productions Ltd. (the Gate) are both in receipt of subsidies from central funds; the current provisions for these theatres are £210,000 and £55,400 respectively. There is also a provision of £75,000 in the current estimates for the proposed second national theatre, which should be in operation in the near future. Finally, the Dublin Theatre Festival has received a subsidy of £20,000 to go towards the cost of the 1973 festival.
State funds are also provided indirectly to the theatre, through the Arts Council, which receives an annual grant from the Exchequer from which it makes funds available to the various cultural institutions which it agrees to assist.