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Culture Ireland

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 November 2019

Wednesday, 6 November 2019

Questions (42)

Joan Burton

Question:

42. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding allocated to Culture Ireland in each of the years 2017 to 2019; the projected funding for 2020; if her attention has been drawn to comments from the arts community (details supplied) that the provision of funding is disappointingly low and will negatively impact on artists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45455/19]

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Written answers

The funding allocated to Culture Ireland in 2017 was €3.5m, in 2018 €4m and in 2019 it was €4.6m. Funding for 2020 is being finalised in the context of the Revised Estimates to be published in December.

Culture Ireland provides support for Irish artists to travel and present their work internationally and in 2018 audience numbers of 5.5m were reached in 55 countries worldwide. In 2019 those numbers will increase which demonstrates success for Culture Ireland’s aim to broaden Ireland’s cultural reach and therefore our global footprint in keeping with the Government’s Global Ireland 2025 initiative. I am satisfied that sufficient funding will be available to Culture Ireland in 2020 to deliver on the programme's strategic objectives next year.

Total funding for the arts and culture sector in 2020 will increase from €189m to almost €193m. This funding will comprise €153m in current expenditure and €39.7m in capital investment. This Budget has been framed in the context of Brexit and additional funding for our arts and culture, at a time of prudent budgetary management reflects the Government’s continued commitment to supporting Irish arts and artists. The Per Cent for Arts Scheme and the extension of the Social Welfare Scheme for Self Employed Artists in conjunction with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection announced earlier is further proof of our commitment.

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