Vol. 574 No. 3
193 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the reason investment in the arts was cut by ?4 million in 2002; his views on whether the performing arts sector is represented right across the country creating employment and with participants of all ages; if the Government will restore the funding strategy upon which the current arts plan 2002-2006 is founded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26926/03]
The reduction in funding for the Arts Council in 2003 was a direct function of the far more difficult conditions that applied in the economy generally and particularly in the public finances. I am well aware of the problems that have arisen for those in the arts sector because of the unavoidable reduction in funding this year. However, I would point out that although the Arts Council's funding was reduced this year by around 7.5% on the 2002 figure, that 2002 figure was the culmination of steady year-on-year increases since 1997. Indeed, Arts Council funding increased by over 80% between 1997 and 2002.
It is clear that there are now far more venues and facilities available across the country than was ever before the case, as a result of very substantial State aid for the provision of such facilities, most recently through my Department's ACCESS programme. However, it is more for the Arts Council than for the Minister of the day to comment on the levels and distribution of activity in specific areas of the arts.
The Arts plan was and is an Arts Council strategy, not a Government strategy, and although Government has endorsed the principles on which the plan was based, this did not extend to acceptance of the annual financial targets on which it was based. The amount that Government can provide for the Arts Council is dependent on the Estimates process, which is of course based on an annual cycle.
However, the Deputy will be aware that the Council will receive a 19% increase in 2004 on 2003 funding levels, which clearly demonstrates the extent of my own and the Government's commitment to the arts.
