The Per-Cent for Arts scheme provides for a prescribed funding allocation to be made from capital budgets to support public arts schemes. The scheme is not applied directly at Departmental level and funds are not released directly from the Department's budget. The Office of Public Works manages capital projects on behalf of the Department and the scheme is applied at individual project level by the OPW in consultation with the Department and relevant Sponsoring Agency.
My Department is represented on the National Per Cent for Arts Committee, led by the Arts Council under the aegis of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Gaeltacht, Arts, Sport and Media. Members of the Committee are working towards harmonisation of the scheme and agreeing a consistent approach on the practical application of the scheme, in order to maximise its benefits to the Arts and to society.