Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 October 2004
221 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the amount per capita which the State contributes to the arts; the way in which this compares with average State support for the arts in other EU countries; if it is his intention to respond to the request of the Arts Council that its State funding increase to €70 million in 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25615/04]
View answerThe principal vehicle for the delivery of State support to the arts is the Arts Council. My Department's subvention to the Arts Council in 2004 will amount to €52.5 million. In addition capital expenditure in support of the arts and expenditure on international cultural exchange is provided in sub-heads D5 and D3 of my Department's Vote totals €18.911 million. Based on the CSO figures of a total 2004 population for the State of 4.04 million, this constitutes a per capita amount of €17.67. In seeking to compare figures for other EU states, great care has to be taken as adjustments are necessary to take account of differing sizes of arts sectors, the nature of activities undertaken, whether funding of the arts is centralised or handled at the regional or local level and the cost structures that apply in each country. There can also be significant differences of approach from one country to another regarding what is described as “art” and what is included as “arts spend.”
