Louth arts need greater investment - Breathnach

Funding for the arts in Louth needs to be addressed, according to Fianna Fáil TD, Declan Breathnach who called on the government to ensure greater investment.

Commenting on the issue, Deputy Breathnach said, ‘Louth like the rest of the country has had funding for the arts reduced by 50%.

Over two thousand people attend weekly arts events in Louth - this clearly under- scores the importance of such events in our area.

The economic rewards of directly investing in the arts was also clear, added the Louth TD.

In 2015, the arts Council provided €300,000 of funding to the Arts community in Louth, however this is almost half of what was previously received.

‘For every €1 that Louth County Council invests in the arts sector, it creates another €4.70 in return.

This money is directly fed back into the local area.’

‘My party and I are committed to protecting and supporting the arts community,’ he added.

‘Furthermore, Fianna Fáil used its Dáil time last week to highlight the importance of the arts sector in Ireland.

The Private Members motion, which was debated across the house, focuses on the main issues facing the arts community.

He added that culture and arts are vital to the fabric of Irish life.

‘We have a rich arts history in Ireland, from Yeats and Kavanagh to Roddy Doyle and organisations such as Comhaltas.’

Louth too is steeped in culture and the arts, and a range of artistic endeavours have put the wee county on the map.

‘We must do all that is necessary to nurture and maintain this rich history, it is essential that the government increase investment in the sector,’ said the Louth TD.