Jack Wall
Ceist:781 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has met with the new Arts Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20801/03]
Written Answers. - Arts Council.
I met with the new Arts Council on the 4 September 2003 which was the date of the new council's inaugural meeting.
Jack Wall
Ceist:782 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the funding which has been made available to the Arts Council; the way in which this funding compares to the funding allocated to the Arts Council for the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20802/03]
Funding for the Arts Council over the past three years was as follows: 2001, €46.369 million; 2002, €47.669 million; 2003, €44.101 million.
The reduction in funding in 2003 reflected the more difficult environment that applied to the public finances generally. I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to make the strongest possible case for the funding of the arts in the context of the annual Estimates process.