The Arts Council's allocation for next year is £34.5 million - an increase of 23 per cent on this year. The new figure meets the council's target for the second year of The Arts Plan, 1999-2000 and is the largest sum the council has had at its disposal. This confirms the commitment made by the Government in the summer to provide £100 million over three years to implement fully the Arts Plan.
The Estimate for the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands includes a 30 per cent increase in capital provision for the Irish Film Board (from £4.081 million to £5.3 million) and a 17 per cent increase in capital allocation for the Heritage Council (from £2.82 million to £3.3 million).
The National Gallery's allocation is £6,250,000, with an extra £3 million for its planned extension. Its acquisition fund will be increased by £500,000.