Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 June 2016
50. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the centenary funds dedicated to the 2016 programme will be ring-fenced for the purpose of arts, heritage and culture in budget 2017. [13193/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, which was launched last year, is a wide-ranging year-long series of events, which has been hugely successful to date in engaging citizens right around the country. In this regard, I secured an allocation of €18.1m in current funding for 2016 to support centenary events, both at home and abroad.
Since my initial appointment as Minister with responsibility for the arts, I have succeeded in securing increased funding for the sector year on year. The Programme for a Partnership Government contains a very important commitment to work to progressively increase funding to the arts, including the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board, as the economy continues to improve. I can assure the Deputy that I will be engaging with my colleagues in Government and with the Oireachtas to seek to advance this commitment in the context of the forthcoming estimates and budgetary processes.
