Roisín McDonough also warned a Stormont Committee of hemorrhaging talent.
Artists in Northern Ireland are struggling to make ends meet, often taking on multiple jobs to cover household bills, as highlighted by Roisin McDonough, chief executive of the Arts Council NI, during evidence to a Stormont committee. McDonough warned of a "haemorrhaging of talent" and outlined the financial pressures faced by individual artists. Northern Ireland spends £5.07 per person on arts funding, significantly less than £10.51 in Wales and £21.58 in the Republic of Ireland. The Arts Council receives around £10 million annually from the Department for Communities and £9 million from lottery funds but faces challenges due to a 137% increase in funding applications and a reduced staff of 47 members. McDonough emphasized the importance of recognizing the arts sector's contribution to government objectives while acknowledging the financial constraints faced by the Executive.
