Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 April 2013
127. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he and his Department or subsidiary bodies have, in the past two years, supported local community groups involved in musical or theatrical productions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19700/13]
View answer128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will indicate, on the examination of applications for grant aid from local community based musical or theatrical groups, if the existence of some such groups who have never received such assistance has come to attention; if any evaluation can be done with a view to addressing such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19701/13]
View answer131. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which his support for the arts sector continues to result in continued activity and employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19704/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 127, 128 and 131 together.
The Government's policy on the arts is to promote and strengthen the arts in all its forms, to increase access to and participation in the arts, and to make the arts an integral and valued part of our national life. I am continuing to work towards this goal with my Department and the agencies within its remit and I remain committed to securing the best possible level of funding for the arts sector.
Primary responsibility for funding for the arts rests with the Arts Council. The Council is independent in its decision-making process. Details of the Council's successful applicants are available on the Council's website at www.artscouncil.ie, as well as the decision-making panel and statistics on applications. In 2013, the Arts Council will receive an allocation of some €60.7 million in current, capital and EU Presidency funding. Under the Arts Act, 2003, the provision of funding is a matter in the sole remit of the Arts Council. I am precluded by statute from intervening in the Arts Council's decisions on funding. I recently announced a new Philanthropy Initiative for 2013. This year, €210,000 will be available to arts organisations under the scheme. The application form is available on my Department's website and applications are dealt with on a first-come-first-served basis.
The State appreciates and values the contribution the arts sector makes to the internationally renowned artistic reputation of this country. Within the current economic constraints, that investment in the arts, culture and creative sectors is more important than ever, having regard to the employment intensity of the sector. In October 2012, the Arts Council published its latest update of the Assessment of the Economic Impact of the Arts in Ireland and it is available at http://www.artscouncil.ie/en/publications/research_publications.aspx.
