Vol. 574 No. 4
87 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the extent of job losses caused by cuts in funding for the Arts Council; the steps he is taking to address this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27208/03]
89 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if his attention has been drawn to the concerns regarding restrictions in funding for the arts; his plans to provide additional supports for the arts in 2003; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27372/03]
92 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the steps he is taking to reverse the cutbacks being experienced by the arts sector; his funding priorities in this regard for 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27206/03]
93 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans to restore the funding strategy upon which the current 2002 to 2006 arts plan is founded. [27377/03]
100 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if there are plans to implement multi-annual funding for arts along with the provision of adequate resources to enable this to take place. [27373/03]
109 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if there are plans to implement multi-annual funding for arts along with the provision of adequate resources to enable this to take place. [27375/03]
113 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has made a submission for funding of ?53 million to the Arts Council in 2004. [27383/03]
114 Ms Lynch asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the pre-budget submission of the Arts Council has been drawn to the Government's attention and discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27216/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 87, 89, 92, 93, 100, 109, 113 and 114 together.
Deputies will be aware that the council will receive funding of €52.5 million in 2004, a 19% increase in 2004 on 2003 funding levels. This level of funding clearly demonstrates the extent of the Government's commitment to the arts. This allocation took account of all pertinent factors, including the views expressed by the Arts Council in advance of the publication of the Book of Estimates.
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 especially in the public finances. I am well aware of the difficulties that have arisen for those in the arts sector because of the unavoidable decisions that had to be taken by the Arts Council as a consequence of the reduction in funding this year. However, I 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. Arts Council funding increased by more than 80% between 1997 and 2002.
The arts plan is a council, not a Government, strategy, and although the Government endorsed the principles on which the plan was based, this endorsement did not extend to commitment to the annual financial targets set out in the plan. The amount that the Government can provide for the Arts Council is dependent on the Estimates process, which is based on an annual cycle. This system cannot accommodate multi-annual commitments because the availability of funds are known with any certainty for only one year in advance.
Will the Minister accept that 1,000 jobs have been lost due to cuts in the allocation of funding to the Arts Council for 2003? That is a frightening figure for the Arts Council, although it did not give a breakdown of the sectors involved. That is a huge loss to the sector. This reflects also on the tourism industry given that many of the jobs are in entertainment and different sectors of the arts. Does the Minister accept that 1,000 jobs have been lost and, if so, has the Arts Council informed him of the sectors involved? What efforts can the Minister make through his Department in terms of the funding available to rectify the matter in the coming year?
Deputy Wall is correct when he asserts that there were job losses as a result of the reduction in Arts Council funding last year. I have always been clear on the point that there was a great deal of disappointment in the arts sector about the 8% reduction in funding last year. It is a matter of which I am acutely aware. Throughout the year I availed of the opportunity to meet those involved in the arts sector. I have rarely met a group as enthusiastic or as excited in terms of their profession.
I am especially pleased that we succeeded in increasing the funding to the Arts Council by 19% which, in all probability, is the largest increase provided to any agency in the State for 2004. It is my sincere wish that this funding will lead to an expansion of the arts. I hope those who were unfortunate to lose their jobs as a result of the cuts last year will regain employment. I look forward to working with the sector for its betterment in the coming year.
Is the Minister satisfied that the funding is spread evenly and fairly throughout the country? Is he aware of problems in rural areas and areas outside the capital that consider they are not getting a fair share and will he address that issue?
The chairperson of the Arts Council, Olive Braiden, has indicated her intention to request all applicants for funding this year to come before the Arts Council at which point it will explain how funding is dispersed and discuss with applicants how best to advance their applications. In other words, the chairperson and the Arts Council have made it clear to applicants that they will be extremely transparent in the disbursal of funds. This is welcome. If there has been a disparity and if, as Deputy Stanton said, some negative discrimination, I hope it will be corrected in that context.
Written Answers follow Adjournment Debate.
