Funding across the public service was severely impacted by the economic crisis, including the funding which could be provided to bodies such as the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board.
Since my initial appointment as Minister with responsibility for the arts, however, I have succeeded in securing increased funding for the arts sector year on year. For example, the allocation to the Arts Council in 2016 is €60.1m, an increase of 6% over the past 2 years.
The Programme for a Partnership Government contains a very important commitment to work to progressively increase funding to the arts, including the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board, as the economy continues to improve. I can assure the Deputy that I will be engaging with my colleagues in Government and with the Oireachtas to seek to advance this commitment in the context of the forthcoming estimates and budgetary processes.