Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020
543. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the additional funding for the Arts Council announced as Covid-19 contingency funding in Budget 2021 is a one-off allocation for 2021 alone; and if there will be an increase made to the core funding upon which future budget allocations will be based. [33206/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe allocation to the Arts Council in 2021 is €130m which is equivalent to an increase of €25m on the final 2020 allocation of €105m.
The increase reflects Government's acknowledgement of the important role that arts and culture play in our economy and society and recognises the devastating impact COVID-19 restrictions have had on the sector. Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council is independent in its funding decisions and therefore I as Minister cannot intervene in the Arts Council's decisions on how it spends its allocation.
Decisions on future allocations to the Arts Council will be considered as part of the annual estimates and budgetary process in the normal manner.
