asked the Taoiseach the proportion of Government expenditure on the arts in each of the past four years which took the form of payments to artists for their work, as opposed to providing services or other matters.
Written Answers. - Payments to Artists.
68.
Government expenditure on the arts for current purposes is channelled principally through the Arts Council. Payments by the Arts Council to artists comprise direct payments to painters, sculptors, film-makers, writers and composers together with wages and salaries in the areas of drama, dance and opera. The proportion of the total grant to the Arts Council which was paid to artists in the last four years (including approximate wages and salaries) is as follows:
|
1985 |
1986 |
1987 |
1988 |
|
|
Total Government Grant to Arts Council |
£5,695,000 |
£5,936,000 |
£6,799,000 |
£6,799,000 |
|
Payments to artists |
£2,616,000 |
£2,695,000 |
£3,010,000 |
£3,027,000 |
|
Proportion of Arts Council grant paid to artists |
46% |
45% |
44% |
45% |
In addition, lottery funding for current purposes amounting to £875,000 has been allocated in 1987-88 to the Olympia and Abbey Theatres, Dublin and Cork Film Festivals, the Dublin Theatre Festival, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and the Sculptors Society of Ireland. Those bodies were thereby facilitated to maintain the employment of performing and creative artists.