Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 June 2005
107 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the number of festivals supported directly or indirectly by funding originating in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20544/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department supported the "ReJoyce — Dublin 2004" festival, which took place between April 2004 and August 2004. I established the Bloomsday centenary co-ordinating committee early in 2003, on which my Department was represented, with a view to co-ordinating and augmenting the many events planned to celebrate the centenary of the day on which the events in Ulysses took place. The festival was very successful in terms of enhancing a wide range of Joyce-related activities of both specialist and mass appeal, and as a quality cultural tourism initiative. Funding for the festival amounted to just under €200,000 in 2003 and just under €1 million in 2004.
My Department also funded the China Festival, which was organised under the memorandum of understanding on cultural co-operation with China, signed in September 2001. Funding for the China Festival amounted to €20,000 in 2002, €707,000 in 2003 and €2,040,000 in 2004.
The Deputy might also wish to note that Fáilte Ireland administers the festivals and cultural events initiative; a scheme was set up some years ago to expand regional tourism through festivals and cultural events by assisting with the marketing activities of existing festivals as well as promoting new events. The dissemination of information about the number of festivals supported by Fáilte Ireland under the scheme, which includes the national St. Patrick's festival in Dublin, is a day-to-day operational matter for that body. Full particulars about the initiative are available on Fáilte Ireland's website, www.failteireland.ie. The Arts Council also provides support for certain festivals, details of which are available on its website, www.artscouncil.ie.
