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ARTSCAPE:RECENTLY, THERE HAS been some sniping about the lack of hard information on the impact of culture economically (as opposed to its innate worth). Some off-the-wall figures have been thrown about, claiming that it has a massive economic importance and employs huge numbers of people, writes DEIRDRE FALVEY

 So there was palpable pleasure at the Arts Council this week when it presented some cold, hard facts to stand over, in the Assessment of Economic Impact of the Arts in Ireland, a report compiled by economist Alan Gray of Indecon, Ireland’s largest economic consultancy. You sense that the council is happy to think that the Department of Finance mandarins will go over the figures with a fine toothcomb, because the independent report is sure of its ground and the accuracy of the material presented, and shows significant economic impact.