Today's top feature: Art of budgeting

BAD news is never welcome but, in the case of the Government’s Four-Year National Recovery Plan, Irish arts workers seem relieved things are not far worse.

Minister Mary Hanafin, who also has responsibility for culture, has signalled plans to cut €5 million from spending on the arts in 2011 — as part of a saving of €17m across her department’s three sectors which also include tourism and sports.

In the present circumstances, such a reduction for the arts almost seems moderate.