Improving the quality of life for people in Northern Ireland is a priority for Government and has been reflected in the budget allocation for sport, arts and leisure activities.
Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure (DCAL) Minister Edwin Poots, MLA has welcomed the final budget for 2008-2011 which shows increases of 2.1% in year one, 2.8% in year two and 5.3% in year three. The Minister said:“In response to the public consultation, Arts were allocated an additional £3million to bring total planned resource spend to in excess of £55million over the period of the budget. DCAL will also provide in the region of £31.5million capital investment in the arts and cultural infrastructure in Northern Ireland which will contribute towards the development of a new Metropolitan Arts Centre in Cathedral Quarter, the new Lyric Players’ Theatre and a refurbished Crescent Arts Centre.
“Recently we have seen some excellent examples of funding for the arts from other sources, including local government, private sponsorship and philanthropic sources. This is to be commended and is very consistent with Government’s role in the arts.
The Minister concluded: “The significant contribution which DCAL makes to the Executive’s priorities under the Programme for Government provides a framework to address a range of social, economic and cultural challenges and take advantage of the very real opportunities which devolution has presented.
“I am grateful to everyone who contributed to the public consultations for the budget and am sure that DCAL will add a more positive dimension to people’s everyday lives and improve the marketability of Northern Ireland as a cultural tourist destination and inward investment location.”