Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 14 Dec 2000

Vol. 528 No. 3

Written Answers. - Arts Plan.

Michael Creed

Ceist:

40 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if she has satisfied herself that the question of access to the arts is being adequately addressed; and the criteria which are used by her Department to evaluate progress on this issue. [30045/00]

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Miss de Valera)

One of my central objectives as Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands is to make the arts accessible to all sectors of society.

One of the barriers to providing access to the arts has been the deficit of high standard arts and culture infrastructure particularly in the regions. This infrastructural deficit is being addressed by my Department which has co-funded 37 arts and culture capital projects under the cultural development incentive scheme, under the Operational Programme for Tourism 1994-1999. This scheme has already made a significant contribution towards improving access to the arts in every region of the country.

I was very pleased to be able to secure funding of £36 million for a new capital scheme Access – arts and culture capital enhancement support scheme – over the years 2001-04. Over 170 applications for support under this scheme have been received and are being examined. I expect to be in a position to announce funding decisions on this scheme early in 2001.

Access to the arts also continues to be an underpinning objective for the Arts Council and under its Arts Plan 1999-2001 it undertakes to work with every local authority in the country in fostering participation in and building audiences for the arts.