Nora Owen
Question:17 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the level of funding and support that will be available for community and amateur arts groups under the National Development Plan 1994-1999.
Written Answers. - Arts Funding.
The Deputy will be aware that the National Development Plan 1994-1999 is primarily concerned with the development of the State's infrastructure both in terms of investment in capital projects, human resources and in job creation.
Approximately £27 million has been allocated to my Department under the National Development Plan for a capital programme for the arts and related cultural tourism projects. It is my intention that, with the co-operation of local authorities these projects — as well as providing much needed infrastructure in the cultural area — can also incorporate the needs of amateur and community groups throughout the country.
Micheál Martin
Question:18 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht his views on whether funding for the arts has lacked balance and on whether the regions have been discriminated against in recent years; and the steps, if any, he intends to take to rectify any such imbalance.
I assume that the Deputy is referring to the perceived imbalance between the major art institutions in Dublin compared to the rest of the country.
As I indicated in my reply to a similar question on 9 March, 1993 any capital city will attract to itself major institutions, administrative, political and cultural. However, when one considers a richly endowed city such as Dublin it is important to bear in mind that cultural institutions such as the National Museum and the Irish Museum of Modern Art are national assets rather than local or regional institutions.
I believe that some imbalance exists in the arts infrastructure of the State and in this regard discussions are ongoing between my Department and the Department of the Environment so that both Departments can co-ordinate future planning in this area. It is, however, important to realise that local authorities will have to play a significant part in addressing any imbalance which may exist in their own areas and I look forward to their co-operation and commitment in this regard.