RTE Television has insisted that its decision to drop at least one arts programme from its schedule does not mean it is eliminating all arts programmes.
A spokesman said last night the national broadcaster was looking at "various options" for the future in a review its arts programmes. It would consider both in-house and independent productions when deciding next season's arts schedule.
The statement came after 29 theatre and arts groups across the country wrote to The Irish Times to voice their concern about what they believed were plans to drop two of its arts programmes, including Later with John Kelly and Cursai Ealaine.
RTE has confirmed that Friday's Later with John Kelly would be discontinued in January "in the context of overall changes", while no decision had been made on Cursai Ealaine, a half-hour programme on Thursday nights. It would be reviewed at the end of its run at Easter, as was normal for all programmes.
In their letter arts groups said RTE should respect the arts sector and its valuable contribution to society, not seek to dismiss it from the airwaves. E's Director General, Mr Bob Collins, and Managing Director, Mr Joe Mulholland, to reconsider their position on arts programming," the letter said.
It was signed by Bedrock, Barabbas, City Arts Centre, CoisCeim Dance Theatre, Contemporary Music Centre, Context Gallery, Corcadorca, Crypt Arts Centre, Dance Theatre of Ireland, Dublin City Writers' Workshop, Dublin Theatre Festival, Galloglass Theatre Company, Galway Arts Centre, Garter Lane Arts Centre, Irish Museum of Modern Art, Kabosh Productions, Kilkenny Arts Festival, Loose Canon, Preview, Prime Cut Productions, Project, Red Kettle Theatre Company, Rough Magic, Sculptors' Society of Ireland, Storytellers Theatre Company, Tallaght Community Arts Centre, The Machine, Tinahely Courthouse Centre and Trinity College School of Drama.