Vol. 572 No. 2
140 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has received submissions regarding the impact which budget cuts in the Arts Council and the compromising of the multiannual budgetary planning, is having on the efforts to lay foundations for a strong theatre sector; his views on this case; and the way in which he plans to address the concerns raised. [22675/03]
141 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the serious implications for local festivals such as Kilkenny Arts Festival arising from the reduction in funding in the estimates of 2003 which will mean fewer productions, less employment and fewer performances available to the public in 2004; if it is his intention to increase funding for the arts in 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22739/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 141 together.
I have received quite an amount of correspondence about the impact of the funding decisions the Arts Council, which is autonomous in these matters, found it necessary to take as a consequence of the reduction in Arts Council funding this year both on specific sectors of the arts and on the arts in general.
The reduction in overall funding available to the Arts Council in 2003 was regrettable, but unavoidable given the national economic context applying, and must be seen against the backdrop of increases in funding of over 80% between 1997 and 2002.
The distribution of the available funds between sectors, organisations, or individuals is a matter for the Arts Council itself, which although funded by Government, is independent with regard to individual funding decisions.
As for every year, funding for 2004 will be determined through the annual Estimates process, and in that context I will be putting forward the best possible case for the funding of the arts, including the Arts Council. However, the current Estimates system, based as it is on an annual cycle, cannot give funding commitments more than a year in advance. I accept that this makes it difficult for State supported bodies like the Arts Council to operate on a multi-annual basis, but there is no easy way around this at present.
Question No. 142 answered with Question No. 11.
Question No. 143 answered with Question No. 25.
