Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 July 2004
9 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the results to date of the cultural relations committee funding supporting Irish artists working abroad; if these proposals have been successful; if he, on the recommendation of the CRC, will continue such funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19736/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith effect from January 2002 responsibility for the cultural relations committee transferred from the Department of Foreign Affairs to the then Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht, and the Islands. It is now, of course, under the aegis of my Department.
Since its establishment in 1949, it has advised on support for cultural projects with a view to enhancing Ireland's image and reputation abroad and promoting friendly relations and a mutual knowledge and understanding with other countries. The CRC has played a vital role in promoting Irish arts and artists internationally.
In the context of my statutory responsibility under the Arts Act 2003 to promote the arts both inside and outside the State, I am in the process of reviewing the mechanisms and the basis of funding used to promote and support Irish arts internationally with a view to formulating a new strategic approach that will galvanise Irish arts in an international context, and is flexible, responsive, and efficient enough to meet the needs of today's fast moving world. Proper promotion of arts and culture can make a positive contribution to enhancing Ireland's image abroad, and our relationships with other peoples and with key people in other countries. Such promotion also helps to protect cultural diversity and cultural identity in the context of globalisation. The arts must also be promoted internationally for their own sake. Irish artists can, by performing and exhibiting abroad, develop and enhance their artistic talents, find new markets for their work and open doors for other Irish artists who may follow later.
What is the timescale for the proposals the Minister will make and what part will the CRC play? Artists have benefited from its involvement in the past. Is demand for this funding increasing and is there a worldwide scene for Irish artists? What types of artists are involved or does the CRC receive applications from all disciplines?
The term of the office of the current Cultural Relations Committee was to expire earlier this year but we extended it until the end of 2004. The issue is how we will proceed from here. It is important to recognise that the Arts Act 2003 provides for the first time for a role for the Minister in the promotion of Irish arts on the international stage. Whatever mechanism we use when replacing the Cultural Relations Committee, we will ensure that it is in a position to use the resources available to promote Irish arts.
Traditionally, the committee was a branch of the Department of Foreign Affairs and was used to build good relations with other countries. Now the remit will be much broader because it relates to the effective co-ordination between my Department, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the new committee. I hope the new mechanism will be up and running later this year when the CRC's remit will finish and that it will be an innovative and invigorating body which will be a success in assisting me, as Minister, to promote Irish arts on the international stage.
How many artists are supported by the Cultural Relations Committee? The question related to the support of Irish artists working abroad but there are also Irish students studying abroad who are finding it difficult to cover the costs of fees and maintenance. Will the fund be extended to include them?
My Department has commissioned a report on the way forward and I hope we can discuss it in the near future. I do not have the exact number of artists who have been assisted by the Cultural Relations Committee but the allocation this year by the committee amounts to €700,000. It has helped artists in theatre and dance, film, music, visual arts, literature and the Imagining Ireland conference. I hope the new body will be in a position to allocate substantially more but one never knows.
