Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2017
669. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will provide details on local authority contributions to the arts including their definition of arts funding and a breakdown of proportional expenditure; and the breakdown between capital and current expenditure by each local authority, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13400/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not collect statistics on local authority expenditure on the arts.
Under the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Arts Council works in partnership with local authorities in developing the arts at local level. The Council also has a similar long-term partnership with Údarás na Gaeltachta under its Ealaín na Gaeltachta programme in Gaeltacht areas. Details of its funding to local authorities are routinely published on its website and in the Council's annual reports.
My Department provides capital funding for arts and cultural infrastructure. I recently announced details of more than €9 million in capital funding for existing dedicated arts and culture centres across the country. The Arts and Culture Capital Scheme is the most significant investment in arts and cultural centres in a decade and will target investment at a range of different facilities, including arts centres, theatres, galleries and museums, as well as artists’ studios and creative spaces.
