I propose to take Questions Nos. 416, 427 and 428 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.
The Deputies will be aware that responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels, including ballet, opera and music throughout the country, is devolved to the Arts Council. Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations and my Department has no role to play in its executive or funding decisions. In a wider context, the Arts Council support of a range of arts forms is set out in its strategic overview document entitled Developing the Arts in Ireland: Arts Council Strategic Overview 2011-2013. In this strategy document, which is available on the Council's website, its work and key strategic principles that inform its funding decisions are laid out.
My Department operates a philanthropic initiative for arts and culture organisations. This is designed to encourage philanthropy, sponsorship and endowment of the arts from private sector sources. Details can be found on my Department's website www.ahg.gov.ie.