Update: Budget for Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht 17th July 2014

DAIL QUESTION

NO. 153

To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of the budget of his Department to meet requirements in the current and future years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

– Bernard J. Durkan.

* For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 16th July, 2014.

　

　

Ref No: 31943/14 Proof: 188

　

As the Deputy will appreciate, in the current economic circumstances, the Government has been faced with difficult decisions with regard to framing budgets for expenditure. In order to ensure that the best use is made of limited financial resources and to provide a basis for a sustainable approach to the current financial situation, the Government has periodically embarked on a series of detailed Comprehensive Reviews of both current and capital expenditure. The objectives of these reviews has been to re-set Ministerial expenditure ceilings in line with emerging Government priorities and to provide the basis for the Government’s multi-annual budgetary framework.

My Department’s allocations since it was established reflect the outcome of both the Comprehensive Review of Current Expenditure (CRE) and the Review of Capital Expenditure carried out in 2011. While my Department’s gross funding has reduced between 2011 and 2014 as part of its contribution to the overall fiscal consolidation, savings have been sought, to the greatest extent possible, through efficiencies rather than through reductions in services.

While the funding adjustments in recent years have posed challenges, my Department has continued, to the greatest possible extent, to support arts and culture, maintain our built and natural heritage, develop our language and Gaeltacht areas, and support island communities and the North South Implementation Bodies under its aegis. In doing so, it has sought to support employment, achieve compliance with EU Directives and support the ongoing implementation of the Good Friday and St. Andrews Agreements

In Budget 2014, my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, announced additional funding for a number of new measures for my Department. These included:

·

€10m for Cork Events Centre;

·

€6 million for the Limerick National City of Culture 2014,

·

€5 million for the Traditional Skills and Buildings at Risk Jobs Leverage Scheme 2014, which is directed at renovation projects for buildings which are protected; and

·

€3.7 million to fund a number of commemorations capital projects.

With regard to the future funding of my Department, it was announced as part of Budget 2014 that a second round of comprehensive reviews would be undertaken by all Government Departments during 2014. The reviews are currently ongoing and will be considered by Government later this year, with a view to underpinning expenditure ceilings for 2015 and beyond, as well as clarifying policy options and informing prioritisation decisions arising from the ceilings.