Síle de Valera
Question:4 Miss de Valera asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht his view on the shortfall of £12 million to date in the funding targets set in the Arts Plan, 1995 to 1997. [24921/96]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Priority Questions. - Arts Plan Shortfall.
I reject any suggestion of failure on my part to provide adequate funding for An Chomhairle Ealaíon. On 18 January 1996, An Chomhairle Ealaíon agreed to redesignate the arts plan to cover the five year period 1995-9 and to reorder its priorities accordingly. It follows that the funding targets in the arts plan now apply to this five year period.
The increased provision of £20.8 million for An Chomhairle Ealaíon for 1997 means I have succeeded in more than doubling An Chomhairle's allocation since my initial appointment as Minister in 1993. It also represents an increase of £2.4 million over An Chomhairle's allocation for 1996, or a 13 per cent increase. Percentage increases of the same magnitude in 1998 and 1999, years four and five of the plan, will bring the resources of An Chomhairle to a level of more than £26 million, the funding target for the final year of the arts plan.
When the arts plan was introduced with great pomp and ceremony we all had great hopes for it and discussed it in the House. That three year plan is, however, now a five year plan and there is already a £12 million shortfall in funding. Will the Minister agree that demonstrates a failure on the Government's part, which has led to great disappointment and disillusionment within the arts community? Does he accept the unbiased view of the arts editor of The Irish Times that a criticism-resistant climate currently pervades public cultural life?
On the Deputy's last remark about a criticism-resistant climate, I welcome criticism. I have attended seminars where many aspects of the arts policy were debated. People who make allegations should substantiate them. The Deputy spoke previously about a climate of fear. I suggest that she be upfront and state where it is. Criticism is most welcome, but I do not agree with the reference she quoted.
In 1993 funding for the arts amounted to £10.1 million. Under the arts plan annual funding for An Chomhairle Ealaíon is £26 million. At present the provision is £20.6 million, more than the twice the allocation in 1993. They are facts. Another interesting fact is that in 1994 in the dying days of the minority Government of which I had formerly been a member, the Deputy's party leader who was then Minister for Finance and acting Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht proposed a cut in the allocation for An Chomhairle Ealaíon, from £13.2 million to £11.6 million. It takes some neck to wonder why a Minister who has doubled funding for the Arts Council did not do in a five year plan what might have been done in three years when in the six weeks the Deputy's leader was responsible for that area, rather than an acceleration of funding for the plan there was a reduction.
The Minister has repeated that petty point about 50 times already in the House.
It is a very important truth.
In regard to my reference that there is a criticism-resistant climate, it will be evident even from today's Official Report that the Minister does not like criticism. He tries to bully anyone who puts forward a view that is embarrassing or with which he does not agree. It is because of that cult of personality that people in the arts world are afraid to step out of line lest it is not acceptable to the present Administration.
That is a fact.
It is a fact with which the Minister may not agree and with which he will no doubt feel uncomfortable. It is important to realise that the Minister brought in the arts plan with the help of the Arts Council, supported by all Members of the Oireachtas.
Questions, please.
I am concerned that the moneys promised during that pomp and ceremony are not forthcoming.
We are having statements rather than questions.
Will the Minister's initial promises about allocations to the Arts Council be met, even at this late stage?
The increase in the provision for the Arts Council for this year and last year is 13 per cent, bringing the allocation to £20.6 million. The arts community is interested in the commitment to provide an increase of 13 per cent over next year and the following year. An increase in those two years on the basis of that provided last year and this year would complete the plan. I welcome the suggestion by the Opposition spokesperson that, if her party gets back into office, it will give a commitment to deliver on the arts plan. I will continue my efforts to deliver that plan in two years' time.
The Deputy hopes another Administration will deliver on the plan and that proves he has not been able to implement it.