Simon Coveney
Question:98 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans for the support of the development of the arts in local authority areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19134/02]
Written Answers. - Arts Plan.
Section 6 of the Arts Bill, 2002, which has just completed Second Stage in Dáil Éireann, proposes that local authorities shall, for the purposes of section 31 of the Local Government Act, 1997, prepare and implement plans for the development of the arts within their functional areas, and in so doing, shall take account of policies of the Government in relation to the arts.
The Arts Council is the primary vehicle for the delivery of central Government support for the arts, and the council operates independently of Government on a day-to-day basis, including the council's interaction with local authorities. Financial support for local authorities is a matter, however, for the Department of the Environment and Local Government.