Irish language and arts funding
Deputy Mattie McGrath complained that budget cuts had hit Irish-language and arts bodies, especially Foras na Gaeilge, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Seachtain na Gaeilge. The Taoiseach said the Minister should answer; the Minister replied that arts funding had increased and that Údarás na Gaeltachta also received more support.
Tá ceist agam don Taoiseach nó don Aire, an Teachta Humphreys. In the budget, funding for the Irish language, the arts and such issues was cut drastically. According to Conradh na Gaeilge, the budgets of Foras na Gaeilge and Údarás na Gaeltachta have been cut by 50% since 2008. Seachtain na Gaeilge has no funding to run its operational programme for 2017 and is rud úafásach é sin.
Comment on this
In actual fact the budgets have been increased in the arts Department. I was delighted to get an increase in the budget for the arts community.
Comment on this
We were also able to increase funding to Údarás na Gaeltachta. Within the budgets there are different schemes. I am pleased the budget was increased.