The Department of Finance envisages spending €47.7 million on Arts, Heritage, Culture and the Islands next year, an increase of 6 per cent, write Kitty Holland and Jane O'Sullivan.
In addition to this figure, €9.9 million will go to the National Gallery. This represents a decrease of 30 per cent on this year, but much of this is due to the fact that construction of the new Millennium Wing is near completion. The Arts Council will get a 3 per cent increase in funding.
The Tourism marketing budget for 2002 has been increased by 9 per cent to €25.4 million.
However, it has been restructured to take account of the new all-island tourism marketing company, Tourism Ireland.
Bord Fβilte will retain responsibility for marketing within the Republic, and has seen its grant cut by 26 per cent to €33.8 million, to reflect its reduced role.
