Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:114 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the efforts being made to promote all facets of the arts at local level here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41028/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 30 November 2006
Ceisteanna (115, 116)
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:116 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the efforts being made to promote the arts at regional, county and community level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41030/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Question Nos. 114 and 116 together.
The Arts Council is the principal agency through which State funding is channelled to the arts. Under the Arts Act 2003, the general functions of the Council include the following: to stimulate public interest in the arts; to promote knowledge, appreciation and practice of the arts; to assist in improving standards in the arts. My Department has no function in deciding on the extent of Arts Council funding for particular projects or locations. Indeed, the Arts Act 2003 underpins the Council's independence in this context. I am delighted to have secured €80m in 2007 for the Arts Council.
My Department does directly provide capital grants for arts and culture infrastructure around the country. The main vehicle for such capital funding is the Arts & Culture Capital Enhancement Support Scheme (ACCESS), under which almost €43 million was provided to 40 arts and cultural facilities around the country. This scheme commenced in 2001 but many projects are still in the course of completion. Applications for a second round of the highly successful ACCESS scheme are currently being assessed and I hope to make an announcement in this regard in the New Year. In addition to ACCESS, almost €53m has been awarded to Other Capital Projects in 2004, 2005 and 2006. These projects, while not formally part of the ACCESS scheme, are managed in the same way as the ACCESS projects and the same objectives apply.