Vol. 429 No. 8
4 Ms F. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he will ensure that under the EC Structural Funds scheme there will be adequate funding from the £8 billion to cover the area of arts and culture exclusively.
9 D'fhiafraigh Mr. Molloy den Aire Ealaíon, Cultúir agus Gaeltachta an gcuirfidh sé in iúl aon tairiscintí atá ag a Roinn i dtaobh airgead a chur ar fáil faoin Dara Pacáiste Cistí Comhtháthaithe agus Struchtúracha; agus miontuairisc a thabhairt maidir le haon chomhairle a rinne sé i dteannta leis na daoine sna ceantair éagsúla maidir leis na tairiscintí seo.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 9 together.
As Deputies are aware my Department's responsibilities embrace five major areas — arts, culture, Gaeltacht-gaeilge, heritage and broadcasting. In the context of the EC Structural and Cohesion Funding, my Department has recently prepared a comprehensive programme for incorporation in the National Development Plan. Our proposals are based squarely on the commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government 1993-1997, that arts and culture will form part of overall job creation strategy, and on the acknowledgement in the programme that the cost of creating a job in the arts is considerably less than in any other sector of the economy.
The case which I am making for Structural Fund assistance for my areas of ministerial responsibility, therefore, is that these areas can play a major role in promoting the economic and social development of the State, in creating sustainable employment and significant value-added to the economy, in energising local communities and in raising the morale of our citizens in general, by deepening and enriching the cultural space.
Bhí oifigigh mo Roinne i gcomhairle le heagrais éagsúla ar nós na húdaráis áitiúla, Údarás na Gaeltachta, agus na hinstitúidí eile a thagann faoi scáth mo Roinne nuair a bhí an Clár á réiteach agus is le déanaí a cuireadh ar aghaidh é chuig an Roinn Airgeadais.
Bhaist mé an teideal "Tionscnamh na hOidhreachta/The Heritage Initiative" ar an gClár seo agus is é mo thuairim go rachadh sé chun leasa na tíre dá gcuirfí an clár sin ar aghaidh mar chlár chuim-sitheach aontaithe in áit na moltaí a scaipeadh i measc go leor clárache eile.
I am sure the Minister will agree that this is probably a unique opportunity to put an infrastructure in place for the development of the arts. The Minister said that his Department submitted a comprehensive programme covering his areas of responsibility. What consultation has there been with regional groups in the formulation of this programme? Will he indicate some of the priority areas he hopes to tackle with the funding which becomes available in this area?
With regard to the latter part of the Deputy's question, it would be inappropriate for me to indicate such details at a time when the plan is being debated. However, I can tell the Deputy that there has been far more consultation in the Department since I took office than previously. For example, I am aware that the consultation I initiated is in stark contrast to the lack of consultation on the first proposals, which were put forward before I came into office. As I said — it is important to give as much information as possible — there will be comprehensive proposals on my five main areas of responsibility. The main aim is to create jobs and to secure funds for team areas. There will be an opportunity, when dealing with the project evaluation, to have further consultations, and I will be delighted to have them.
Chaithimid dul ar aghaidh anois go dtí ceisteanna eile.
May I ask a brief supplementary?
Yes, if it is very brief.
The Minister did not say what amount he was seeking by way of funding, and I would be very grateful if he would give an indication of this. He did not give details about whom the consultations were with. Is he satisfied with the role——
I thought the Deputy intended to ask a brief question.
——given to arts and culture in the regional plans which have been submitted to date?
As the first Minister with responsibility for the Gaeltacht to have met members of Údarás na Gael-tacha in six years, I was warmly welcomed at my recent meeting with them at which we discussed these issues. I was delighted to hear its views and to make suggestions about job creation. With regard to the total sum sought, I will not give details about this. However, I can say that comprehensive proposals have been made and costed. I have outlined the importance of the funding and will continue to emphasise its importance in terms of its social and economic impact, particularly in the area of job creation. I will be looking for some integration in terms of projects to maximise their effect.
Will the Minister be in a position——
Order, please. Ar aghaidh linn go dtí Ceist 4.
——to support the capital programme for the arts put forward by the Arts Council?
My proposals are much more comprehensive.
Ar aghaidh linn go dtí ceisteanna eile.
I am anxious to assist you, a Cheann Comhairle, and I appreciate the great interest in this imaginative area for which I have responsibility.
