The additional €5 million that brought the council’s total allocation to €80 million came with extra responsibilities that absorb most of the increase. This leaves the council – the “big beast” in arts infrastructure – not much better off than before budget day. More than €3 million of that €5 million was simply a funding transfer from the Department of Culture to cover the expansion of the council’s responsibilities. In a situation of great uncertainty around a no-deal Brexit, fiscal prudence is of course both necessary and warranted. Nonetheless, in establishing priorities, what does come into question is how the Government is honouring its commitment to spend more on the arts.

Source: The Irish Times October 13, 2019 22:52 UTC