asked the Taoiseach if he will publish a statement of his priorities in relation to the development of the arts.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers - Development of the Arts.
1.
The overall aims are to assist the development of our artists, both creative and performing, and to provide support for them; educating the public in the appreciation of the arts; developing the national cultural institutions, and on a regional basis, assisting the development of art and culture groups and bodies, arts centres, threatres and similar locations for cultural activities. The priorities for development must seek to balance these competing needs so that further progress can be made concurrently in all areas.
In relation to his priorities for the arts is the Taoiseach in a position to outline that proper funding will be established and announced rather than the ad hoc system of the disbursement of lottery funds which we have at present? Does he envisage that those interested, involved and dependent on the arts will be in a position to know their financial circumstances from year to year?
As the Deputy knows, there are a number of major cultural institutions for which my Department have responsibility and to which we have had to resort to lottery funds to support and carry out necessary works, and they are in a category by themselves. It would be my intention from now on to allocate all moneys for the arts to the Arts Council and give them full jurisdiction over the distribution. As the Deputy knows, in the early stages of the lottery there were instances where both the Arts Council and the lottery were giving assistance, and this was not satisfactory. It is my intention that from now on my Department would withdraw totally from this area and whatever resources are available from the lottery would be given to the Arts Council to distribute.
I welcome what the Taoiseach said and I take that to mean there will be additional direct funding to the Arts Council in 1989. We have had a number of specialist reports for the arts in relation to dance and theatre and we had the Benson report on the arts education. Does the Taoiseach see as part of his Department's priorities the recommendations of the Benson report, have they been totally accepted and will they be funded in the coming years?
I put it that they would serve as a guide rather than that they have been totally accepted. I am increasingly of the opinion that we should establish a goods Arts Council and entrust to them the task of holding the balance and deciding the priorities between the different sectors.
May I acknowledge the fact that the Taoiseach has adopted a Fine Gael proposal in that he is allocating full responsibility for the allocation of lottery funds in regard to the arts to an indepenent body? Will this principle apply in respect of other areas in which lottery funds are allocated, for example sport and recreation?
I cannot allow an extension of the question.
At present it appears that education in music and theatre are only available in the form of private tuition, obviously with costs involved. Would the Taoiseach put into his priorities that musical and art education should be included in the curriculum for second level schools in particular, rather than being available only to people who can afford it?
I am prepared to consider that and discuss it with the Minister for Education.
Will the Taoiseach say when the new Arts Council to be appointed by him will be announced?
It has to be appointed before the end of this year.
The names will be awaited with interest.