Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 September 2014
1754. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33251/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrimary responsibility for the promotion of the arts at all levels throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Council is funded by my Department and is statutorily independent in its day-to-day operations, including funding decisions. In 2014, the Arts Council received an allocation of almost €57 million. Details of all funding provided by the Arts Council to arts practitioners, arts groups and venues, including arts centres, are available on the Council's website at www.artscouncil.ie. With regard to my own Department, the position is that there is no scheme available at present from which the project referred to by the Deputy could be funded and it is not anticipated that my Department will be in a position to offer financial support to any new major capital project in 2014.
