Vol. 415 No. 9
9 Mr. McCartan asked the Taoiseach if he or his Department maintain any reviews of the impact of national lottery funding on the proper planned development of the arts in Ireland; if he will consider such a review on an ongoing basis to ensure that the principle of additional rather than replacement funding is maintained; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The national lottery funding has enabled a very substantial increase to be made in funding arts and culture. Total Government funding for the Arts Council and the national cultural institutions under the aegis of my Department in 1986, before the introduction of national lottery funding, was £6.702 million whereas in 1992 it is £13.572 million, of which £8.604 million came from the national lottery.
Since the inception of national lottery funding, a total of £75 million has been allocated by my Department to arts and culture projects of which £43.85 million was derived from the national lottery. The Arts Council have been a major beneficiary and will receive this year total grants of approximately £10 million, compared to £6 million in 1986, an increase of 67 per cent, well above the cumulative rate of increase in inflation which amounted to less than 17 per cent in this period.
It is clear that the national lottery funding has been additional to Exchequer funding. The impact on arts and culture of Government funding, including national lottery funding, is kept under constant review in conjunction with the Arts Council who are the statutory body mainly charged with funding the arts. I am satisfied that the increased funding in recent years has been very beneficial in the development of our artistic and cultural life but I am also aware that further increases in funding are extremely desirable and are considered very necessary in some areas.
The severe constraints on the public finances, however, makes this very difficult but, subject to those constraints, I will be concerned to ensure that funding of arts and culture receives sympathetic consideration in the allocation of Exchequer resources.
Is the Minister of State aware that when the national lottery legislation went through this House it was on the basis that one-third of the surplus funds would go to arts and culture? Will he restore that position?
The figures speak for themselves. However, I do not think any Deputy would like to pursue a statistical approach in relation to the arts. In 1986, before the days of lottery funding, total Government funding for the Arts Council and national cultural institutions under this Department was £6.70 million. The corresponding figure is now £13.572 million. Most people accept that whether it is lottery or Exchequer funding the significant factor is that there has been an increase in the total allocation. As I said, the figures speak for themselves and people generally must be pleased that the sum allocated is a very good reflection of the interest shown by this Government — and by previous Governments — in the arts and culture.
What criteria are applied before lottery grants are allocated? Who decides whom will benefit? I have had examples in my constituency in the last few weeks where people were telephoned and offered grants from the national lottery in spite of the fact that they had not submitted an application. They are now wondering how they will spend the money.
We are widening the scope of this question.
It is a relevant question.
As the Deputy is aware, the Arts Council are responsible for the allocation of these grants. I notice from my file that the Galway Arts Centre will receive an allocation which has not yet been drawn down of £1.5 million and I am sure the Deputy will be pleased to hear that. However, I have requested a meeting with the Arts Council and I intend to discuss these and other matters with them in the very near future.
