Vol. 575 No. 1
147 Mr. O'Connor asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the priorities of his Department for the coming years in the context of the Estimates for 2004; if his attention has been drawn to the huge interest in these matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27938/03]
The priorities for my Department for the coming years are set out in the programme for Government and are further articulated in my Department's statement of strategy which is available on its website. These are clearly focused on the development of the three sectoral areas for which I have responsibility. The Estimates allocation of more than €430 million to my Department in 2004 represents an increase of 8% over the 2003 figure and will enable me to continue the development of those sectors.
For example, in the arts area, through a 19% increase in funding for the Arts Council to €52.5 million, I will be able to provide the council with the financial commitment to continue and develop its work. I have also been able to increase significantly the financial resources that will be available to the Irish Film Board. The successful organisation of the cultural programme associated with the forthcoming Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the organisation of the Irish Festival of Culture in China and the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Bloomsday will be particular priorities in 2004.
With a significant increase in funding for the development of sport, I will be able to increase support to the Irish Sports Council to €30.75 million to continue and enhance its wide range of programmes aimed at increasing participation in sport at all levels. Increased funding for development of sports facilities to €62 million will allow me to increase funding to the local authority swimming pools programme.
The Estimates in 2004 include an allocation of almost €114 million for tourism services. Here the emphasis will be on increased funding for marketing to enable major programmes to be rolled out in key target markets and increased funding for tourism services to support the tourism State agencies in beginning the process of implementing the recommendations of the tourism policy review group which sets out a new vision and strategy for Irish tourism for the ten year period to 2012.
