Sports, tourism and arts boosted by 10% budget increase

Increased spending across sport, tourism and the arts will enable the sectors to adequately respond to future challenges, Minister John O’Donoghue said today.

The Tourism budget has been increased to €134m and includes the largest ever kitty for Irish tourism promotion.

Funding for sports will top €154m in 2006 and help build swimming pools and promote golf tourism in the aftermath of next summer’s Ryder Cup.

Spending on arts and culture has increased by nearly 10% to €352m and will further fund the Arts Council as well as promoting art abroad.

Speaking after the Estimates were unveiled, Mr O’Donoghue said frontline tourism marketing has risen from €12m in 1997 to €40m in 2006.

“I know, from my involvement in tourism promotion trips abroad, that Ireland is facing intense and increasing competition in the international marketplace.

“This funding package will enable me to support Irish tourism in responding to the significant challenges facing the sector.

The increases in the Tourism Marketing Fund will aid Tourism Ireland and Failte Ireland in marketing the country as a golf destination after the Ryder Cup,

New air access developments and the enhancement of our e-marketing capabilities will also be on the agenda.

In sport, funding for the Irish Sports Council has increased by 19% to €40.9m and will be spent on the FAI’s Technical Development Plan, local sports partnerships, reviewing the Athens Olympics performance and attracting more women into sport.

A sum of €81.7m will go to local authority swimming pools.

Over €30m will be provided towards the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road stadium.

A sum of €71.9m will go towards Horseracing Ireland and Bord na gCon to further develop their industries.

Mr O’Donoghue said the Government has spent over €700m on sport since 1997.

Spending for Arts and Culture has increased by nearly 10% to €352m which included a 18.5% increase in the Arts Council’s budget to €72m.

A sum of €3m will help promote Irish art abroad in 2005.

A 11% increase in funding will go towards national cultural institutions like the National Museum, the National Library, the National Archives, Chester Beatty Library, the Irish Museum of Modern Art and the National Concert Hall.

The National Concert Hall and the Museum of Modern Art both celebrate important anniversaries in 2006.

Mr O’Donoghue said: “Artists and arts organisations should see the decision to provide a further substantial increase to the Arts Council in 2006 as yet a further affirmation of their place and priority in Irish life and society.”

“Money spent on the arts is money well spent. It will yield a rich return now and in the future.”

“This Government has clearly demonstrated, in the most concrete way possible, its commitment to the arts.”