Arts Council Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 September 2012

Thursday, 20 September 2012

Ceisteanna (133)

Terence Flanagan

Ceist:

133. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will ensure that the Arts Council adopts a policy of ensuring that moneys donated by the State to opera festivals, including the Wexford Opera Festival, will result in Irish based musicians being used in orchestras rather than the current policy of bringing in from overseas principal musicians which is not necessary when one considers the amount of talented musicians available here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39720/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Jimmy Deenihan)

For 2012, the Exchequer allocation to the Arts Council, which is the principal agency through which State funding is channelled to the arts, is €63.241m. Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations and my Department has no role to play in its executive or funding decisions. Government policy on the arts is set out in the Programme for Government. In the context of the 2012 Estimates, I have continued my endeavours to maximise ongoing Government support for the arts and culture sector.