Dáil Éireann - Volume 571 - 30 September, 2003

Written Answers. - Arts Council.

Mr. Wall Mr. Wall

  781. Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if he has met with the new Arts Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20801/03]

Mr. O'Donoghue Mr. O'Donoghue

  Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O'Donoghue): I met with the new Arts Council on the 4 September 2003 which was the date of the new council's inaugural meeting.

Mr. Wall Mr. Wall

  782. Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the funding which has been made available to the Arts Council; the way in which this funding compares to the funding allocated to the Arts Council for the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20802/03]

Mr. O'Donoghue Mr. O'Donoghue

  Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O'Donoghue): Funding for the Arts Council over the past three years was as follows: 2001, €46.369 million; 2002, €47.669 million; 2003, €44.101 million.

  The reduction in funding in 2003 reflected the more difficult environment that applied to the public finances generally. I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to make the strongest possible case for the funding of the arts in the context of the annual Estimates process.

Dáil Éireann 571 Written Answers. Arts Council.

Questions

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