Vol. 572 No. 3
334 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the devastating effect that recent cutbacks in arts funding has had on that sector; and his plans to increase the budget for the arts in the forthcoming budget. [22881/03]
I am aware of the impact of the funding decisions the Arts Council, which is autonomous in these matters, deemed necessary to take on the basis of the funding available this year for the arts. 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 more than 80% between 1997 and 2002.
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.
