We have yet to welcome the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Heather Humphreys, to the House and are now days from from budget 2017. I ask that, following the budget announcement next week, the Minister brief this Chamber on the work of her Department and answer questions in that regard. I raise this issue in the context of previous budgets having ebbed away support from the cultural and arts communities. Modest increases will not serve to repair the cultural landscape. Years of consistent policy damage must be recognised in the forthcoming budget. Only then will we be able to facilitate the creation of a world class industry from the ground up. What is required is an immediate return of support for the Arts Council, investment which directly impacts on employment. Sinn Féin's alternative budget, announced this morning, commits to a €10 million increase in funding for the Arts Council in 2017 and an increase of €500,000 in funding for Culture Ireland which supports Irish artists abroad, the benefits of which can be seen at festivals, including in Milwaukee. Culture Ireland also supports our cultural tourism offering. The film industry has endured disproportionate cuts of 50%. Sinn Féin is committed to increasing funding for the Irish Film Board by more than one third. With sustained investment and resources, Ireland can continue to attract big budget productions and also support the talent in the education system through the small and medium-sized production sector. Aside from all of this, a space must be created for young people not only as an audience but also as artists or future artists.

We need a national youth arts strategy. I reiterate my call for the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Heather Humphreys, to come to the House to answer questions on the arts and culture.