Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2013
83. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the projects his Department has funded in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013 to promote social inclusion through the use of the arts; the future plans he has to fund projects in this area; the research he seeks to carry out establishing the effectiveness of these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44482/13]
View answerGovernment policy on the arts is set out in the Programme for Government. 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.
Primary responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Council is funded by my Department but it is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations. This includes independence in its funding decisions. In 2013, the Arts Council will receive an allocation of over €60.6 million in current, capital and EU Presidency funding. Details of all funding provided by the Arts Council to arts practitioners, arts groups and venues, including arts centres, are available on the Council's website at www.artscouncil.ie.
In a wider context, the Arts Council support for 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. This strategy document, which is available on the Council's website, lays out the key strategic principles that inform the Council's funding decisions.
The Government appreciates the importance of the arts, culture and the creative industries to both our society and to our economy. The arts sector continues to offer vital opportunities for the provision of important cultural, social and employment benefits to communities throughout the country. The Deputy may also be aware that the Departments of Social Protection, Education and Skills, Children and Youth Affairs and Environment, Community and Local Government all support programmes in the area of social inclusion.
