Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 December 2015
74. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views that arts funding as a proportion of gross domestic product is too low, given its social, cultural and economic importance; and if it should be increased to at least European Union levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43503/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraExpenditure on the arts in Ireland comes from multiple sources, both public and private. I understand that the CSO does not produce national statistics that capture the totality of this expenditure as a percentage of GDP. My Department’s expenditure on the arts is, in the main, directed through the Arts Council. That expenditure is published annually in the Revised Estimates Volumes at www.per.ie. The issue of capturing public and private expenditure in this area has been one which arose during the public consultation process which I put in place for the development of Ireland's first national cultural policy, Culture 2025 . This will be reflected in the policy document which I will publish early in the New Year.
