I propose to answer Parliamentary Questions Nos. 127 and 130 together.
The Culture Programme is the EU support programme for organisations working in the field of culture. There are Cultural Contact Points in each of the participating countries of the EU Culture Programme. Their role is to provide information, advice and technical assistance to anyone in the country interested in applying to the EU for funding under the Culture Programme 2007-2013. The CCP Ireland is based at the Arts Council. The EU makes a contribution of up to €35,000 towards the operation of the CCP. In addition to this, the Arts Council contributes €47,000 which including administrative costs.
Since 2007, Irish cultural organisations have been involved in projects that have received grants in excess of €14.8m from the Culture Programme. The Irish take of these grants is estimated to be in the region of €3m. Recent statistics show that Ireland's participation is improving and organisations are now more likely to look to Europe for funding. Overall, the picture is optimistic for Irish application levels to gain a critical mass in the near future judging by the increased level of interest in the past three years. I have no plans to reassign this responsibility from the Arts Council.