Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 April 2004
141 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his Department’s plans for the promotion of the arts, whether directly or through other agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10572/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe principal agency through which the arts are promoted is the Arts Council. The most fundamental tenet of Government policy is that financial support for the arts is channelled through the Arts Council, which is independent in the context of the disbursement of its funds. This will continue to be the case and I am delighted that I was able to secure an increase in 2004 of 19% on the 2003 figure, bringing the council's allocation in 2004 to €52.5 million. I will, of course, continue to argue the case for the best possible funding for the promotion of the arts.
The areas in which my Department has a more direct role include the provision of grant aid for arts and cultural infrastructure. My Department's access scheme provides for grants of €45.71 million to the promoters of 44 projects around the country. The scheme is designed to lead to the provision of high standard arts and culture infrastructure and covers three strands: new facilities; redevelopment of existing arts and culture facilities; and smaller community based projects. Particular emphasis was placed on community based projects and 17 such projects are among those approved.
This scheme will lead to greater participation in the arts with a greater number of facilities being provided on a broad geographic basis. It is expected that the scheme will also result in the creation of direct and indirect employment in the arts and in the local economy generally. The scheme will lead to the input of almost €58.4 million into arts capital infrastructure, taking into account matching funding being provided by project promoters. The projects range from the provision of new museums and new integrated art centres to the refurbishment of existing performance spaces.
The cultural relations committee advises me on financial assistance for Irish artists and performers who wish to exhibit or perform abroad. An amount of €700,000 is available for distribution this year. I am considering how best to promote the international arts into the future and an examination of the options available is currently under way. The cultural programme associated with the Irish Presidency of the EU, with the festival of Irish art and culture in China taking place this year, are both being managed by my Department and will provide significant opportunities to showcase and promote Irish arts abroad.
In the area of traditional arts, I have arranged for the appointment of a special committee to advise the Arts Council on supports for the traditional arts. This committee is to report to the council by September next.
That is an interesting reply, particularly given that a number of my questions have been refused on the basis that the Minister has no official responsibility to the House. Who initiates policy on the arts? When I put down a question about whether the Minister would meet the promoters of the Anna Livia International Opera Festival, I was again told that the Minister had no responsibility. If the Minister initiates policy — his reply indicates that he does — and if he wishes to promote the most suitable policy, would it not be in the interests of both the Minister and the Arts Council that the Minister meet those who are interested in promoting the various forms of the arts?
My door has been open to meet people involved in the arts and I have met a considerable number of groups and people over the past year and ten months. There can be no question about that.
With regard to policy funding and so forth, there can be no question of the Government being in a position to direct the Arts Council as to who or what it should or should not fund. That would be entirely contrary to the spirit and letter of the Arts Act 2003. There is limited provision in that Act for the Minister to direct the Arts Council to implement Government policy. However, that power was intended to be exercised exceedingly sparingly. It would apply, for example, if there were neglect of the disadvantaged or the disabled or in other such cases. However, neglect of that nature by the Arts Council is not envisaged.
It is the function of the Minister of the day to direct the Arts Council to appoint a special committee to deal with any facet of the arts and for that body to give advice to the Arts Council. However, that is a far cry from the Minister dictating daily policy to the Arts Council.
I am not certain what the Minister means. He has complicated his first reply with his next. Is he suggesting that he does not direct policy but takes policy directives from the Arts Council or does he direct policy?
The Arts Council formulates policy. It decided, for example, that it would not proceed with the third arts plan, 2002-06. That is entirely a decision-——
The council decided.
Yes, the Arts Council decided it.
It was because it was not funded by the Government.
This is an argument the Opposition correctly made during the debate on the Arts Act and I agree with it, that the broad policy of the Arts Council should be a matter for the Arts Council. However, there are specific exceptions to that rule and I have outlined them.
The Minister has no function at all.
I have.
The Minister is redundant.
His function is cutting funding.
The Minister has no function and no role to play. Can he get permission from the Arts Council to answer questions in the House?
Order, please. The time for this question is almost exhausted.
Does the Minister have concerns about touring groups being able to visit theatres throughout the country? Many of them are finding it difficult to put on shows. The touring groups are not in a financial position to deal with this problem. Can the Minister do anything to overcome the problems such groups are encountering? We have the facilities but we do not have these touring groups or the paid professions to perform.
During the discussion on the Arts Act it was suggested that there should be a sub-group on education. Given that the best way to market the arts is to start with the youngest age group, has the Minister any thoughts on his Department and the Arts Council co-operating with the Department of Education and Science to ensure the promotion of the arts to children from a young age? Adulthood is not the optimum time to do so.
Questions regarding funding for touring groups and all other artists are matters for the Arts Council alone. As I said earlier, the Minister has no say in that regard. The Minister has power to direct the Arts Council in exceptional circumstances to implement Government policy in one area or another. The Minister also has power to direct the Arts Council to appoint a special committee. In this context, Deputy Keaveney's question is appropriate.
Appointing special committees is a reserved function in the legislation. I directed the Arts Council to appoint a special committee to advise the Arts Council on the traditional arts, with the instruction that it report to the Arts Council by autumn this year at the latest. The Arts Council will be expected to implement the policy of the committee on the traditional arts, which will then be stood down. I have given consideration to a special committee to deal with the issue of education and the arts. It is something in which I have a particular interest because I agree with Deputy Keaveney's sentiment that if young people's creative processes are to be nurtured and encouraged, it should happen at the earliest possible time. The formative years are best.
However, I do not wish to have a number of special committees sitting at the same time as it is preferable to concentrate on one area at a time. Nevertheless, I sincerely hope that in the near future there will be a special committee on education and the arts.
