THE overall 15 per cent increase to the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht is reflected in most of the estimated grants to the major arts and cultural bodies.
The Arts Council, which funds most arts organisations, has had a 13 per cent increase, as has the National Gallery. This brings the council's annual grant to £20.8 million. A Department press release says this doubles its funding since Mr Higgins became Minister.
The release does not mention that it also represents a cumulative shortfall of £12 million on the original projections of The Arts Plan 1995-97, prepared by the council, endorsed by the Minister and approved by Cabinet. This has now been diluted to a five year plan, as yet unpublished.
The Department says this year's figure conforms to this new plan, and indicates that the original 1997 target of £26 million will be reached in 1999.
The director of the Arts Council, Ms Patricia Quinn, said last night the council "is particularly pleased at the announcement of significant percentage increases over the coming two years, reflecting the absolute commitment of Government to the full funding of the arts plan by 1999. We are, of course, somewhat disappointed that... we must continue to move at a slower pace than was originally envisaged."
Meanwhile, a capital funding line for cultural projects, controlled directly by the Minister, has risen from £4.5 million last year to £8.7 million, an increase of 94 per cent, one of the Department's highest percentage increases.
The aggregate grant for the National Museum, National Library and National Archives has risen by 3 per cent to £623,000. The aggregate for the National Concert Hall, Irish Museum of Modern Art and "other cultural institutions" has risen by 30 per cent to £6.144 million. The Irish Film Board is allocated £3.37 million, a 12 per cent increase.