Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 January 2014
101. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which his Department directly and-or indirectly has assisted local community annual festival groups in 2013; the degree to which this might be possible in the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4501/14]
View answer102. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of applications for financial grant aid received by his Department or bodies under its aegis from local community groups such as musical and dramatic societies, cultural groups and annual events in 2013; the number that have been successful; the extent to which it is expected to favourably respond to such applications in the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4502/14]
View answer103. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of successful applications for grant aid received by his Department or bodies under its aegis from local community groups, musical or dramatic societies or annual event organisers in County Kildare in 2013; the extent to which it was found possible to offer assistance; the possibility of further assistance in the current year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4503/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 101 to 103, inclusive, 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.
The Deputy will be aware that responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is primarily 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. Full information on the Council's funding decisions is made available on their funding decisions database on their website www.artscouncil.ie.
Within the current economic constraints, investment in the arts, heritage, culture and creative sectors is more important than ever, having regard to the employment intensity of these sectors. While I know that the Deputy appreciates the funding difficulties facing all Departments at this time, I can assure him that I remain committed to securing the best possible level of funding for these sectors. The specific allocations to be made over the current year will, of course, be dependent on my Department's budgetary position as the year progresses. Details of all grant payments made in 2013 will be published on my Department's website in due course.
