Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 June 2014
12. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which grant aid continues to be made available from his Department, directly or through other agencies, for the promotion of the arts at local and community level; the extent to which applications continue to be made under this heading to the relevant agencies or his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24463/14]
View answerThe 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. As the Deputy will be aware, 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 and is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations, including funding decisions. In 2014, the Arts Council will receive an allocation of almost €57 million in current 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 supports for a range of arts forms are 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 the key strategic principles that inform its funding decisions, are laid out.
I have outlined previously for the Deputy a range of ways in which my Department and relevant bodies within its remit are supporting cultural and heritage initiatives in conjunction with local groups and communities. Cultural tourism initiatives that are wholly or partly funded by my Department include the following:
- the St. Patrick's Day celebrations,
- Culture Night;
- support through the Arts Council of some 150 small arts festivals in towns and villages throughout Ireland each year;
- funding through the Arts Council of arts centres and venues countrywide, as well as touring and dissemination of high-quality work in all arts disciplines through the national network of arts centres and venues;
- partnerships between the Arts Council and local authorities, including supports for Art Officers throughout the country.
- funding by my Department to support the work of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in the protection and promotion of Irish traditional music;
- Heritage Week;
- web-based projects being developed by my Department to promote greater appreciation and understanding of Ireland's heritage for residents and visitors alike; and
- collaborative work with bodies and groups such as the Arts Council, the Heritage Council, the Irish Heritage Trust, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Music Network.
A full list of capital, current and philanthropy payments made in 2013 by my Department is available on its website at www.ahg.gov.ie
