The Arts Council has asked the Government for €53.7 million in funding next year, insisting the money is needed to prevent more job losses in the sector.
The council, which is the Government's development agency for the arts, claimed earlier this month that 1,000 jobs had been lost due to a drop in funding by the Government.
It today publicly released its pre-budget submission, which is the first time it has done so in its 52-year history.
Ms Olive Braiden, chair of the council, said the arts were experiencing a huge dip in financial support, compared to the "great progress" the Government had made between 1996 and 2000. She said funding dropped by a net figure of almost 12 per cent last year. She also noted that insurance costs had risen by 40 per cent in a year.
"The impact that last year's funding shortfall had on the arts was devastating in many cases and set the sector back, diminishing momentum and confidence," Ms Braiden said. "A direct effect was the loss of 1,000 jobs in the sector, the cancellation of productions and tours, and artists going back on the emigration trail.
She said the council would be satisfied if it was granted the €53.7 million which was originally allocated for 2003. Even with that sum, the council will only be able to satisfy about half the demands that have been made or will be made by organisations, festivals and artists.
The council also plans to hold an information briefing for all arts organisations that have applied for funding for 2004. The meeting, to which 370 arts organisations from across the country will be invited, will inform the groups of the council's own funding application for the next year how grants will be awarded once the Government decides on the Arts Council's allocation for 2004.