Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021
423. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of her Department’s budget for 2021 with regard to the challenges ahead; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22341/21]
View answerThe 2021 total gross funding allocation for my Department amounts to €1.082bn. This allocation represents an increase of some €79m or 8% on the 2020 allocation as published in the Further Revised Estimates for my Department. The 2020 figures themselves include additional funding of €183m secured during 2020.
The increased funding secured for 2021 reflects the important role played by the sectors supported by my Department across our economy and our society. The funding is testament to my commitment, and the commitment of Government, to ensure that there are a range of robust funding streams and targeted measures available to support resilience and recovery across these sectors including:
- A new €55m support fund for strategic tourism businesses
- €50m in support for live entertainment industry
- Record funding of €130m for the Arts Council
- €8m to provide for the transfer of the National Symphony Orchestra to the National Concert Hall
- Over €78m funding allocation for Gaeltacht and Irish language sector
- Total funding of €31.8m for Údarás na Gaeltachta
- Funding for Sport Ireland of €104.5m
- Increased funding of €40.7m for TG4
- Additional funding for Irish language broadcasting to meet New Decade New Agreement commitments
As Minister, I will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure the adequacy of the allocations available across the sectors to support recovery and to further enhance resilience in these sectors as we move from pandemic to recovery.
