Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Oct 2002

Vol. 555 No. 5

Written Answers. - Arts Funding.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

109 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the total budget given in each of the years from 1997 to date to the Arts Council; the percentage of such funding which is earmarked for grant aid to young performing artists to assist them to develop their careers; and if he will make a statement on the adequacy of financial support for budding musicians on a regional basis. [18842/02]

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The total Arts Council grant-in-aid for the years from 1997 to date was as follows:

1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002
€m	€m	€m	€m	€m	€m
26.41	33.14	35.55	45.08	48.14	47.669

The Arts Council is a statutory body which is independent with regard to funding decisions, and therefore the amounts to be allocated for a particular purpose are a matter for the council itself, to whom the Deputy should address any concerns she may have.