Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 March 2017
387. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she has agreed to carry over funding for the 1916 commemoration to the general arts, culture and film programme to 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11677/17]
View answer409. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the approach she is taking to ensure that the €50 million spent in 2017 on commemoration will be retained in the arts budget for 2017 for the benefit of the arts and culture nationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11702/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 387 and 409 together.
In 2016, once off funding of approximately €49 million was allocated to the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme under my Department’s Arts Division; approximately €18 million in current funding and €31 million in capital.
This capital funded once off projects including the new visitor centre at the GPO, Richmond Barracks, the Kevin Barry Rooms at the National Concert Hall and the Athenaeum in Wexford.
As part of the 2017 Budget, I retained the majority of the €18 million current funding for 2017 which is now part of the baseline for the Arts division of the Department, meaning it will be available for future years.
This included:
- An additional €5m for the Arts Council, an 8% increase in its annual budget;
- Boosts in funding for all of the National Cultural Institutions;
- €2m to allow for the opening of the newly restored historic wings at the National Gallery of Ireland and the opening of Killarney House on the foot of significant capital investment by the State;
- An increase of €2m for the Irish Film Board and €1m for Culture Ireland;
- Funding of €5m for the implementation of the Creative Ireland Programme 2017-2022.
I am confident that this substantial increase in funding for the arts, culture and film sectors will allow us to build on the positive legacy of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme. It also re-affirms the commitment of the Government to progressively increase funding for the arts as the economy improves and also reflects the importance attached to promoting and supporting our artistic and cultural strengths, and supporting jobs in our creative industries.
