Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 23 Feb 1994

Vol. 439 No. 3

Written Answers. - Arts and Culture Funding.

Michael McDowell

Question:

17 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he has satisfied himself that in the terms of the national funding for arts and culture, a dynamic balance has been struck between funding for projects in the capital city and for the regions.

Martin Cullen

Question:

45 Mr. Cullen asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht if he has satisfied himself that in the terms of the national funding for arts and culture, a dynamic balance has been struck between funding for projects in the capital city and for the regions.

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 45 together.

As I indicated in reply to a similar question on 9 March 1993 and again on 4 November 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. The Deputies can be assured that the question of establishing and maintaining an equitable regional balance will be one of the issues which will influence any further decisions in this area.