evidence: The over 40% cut to Arts Council Northern Ireland funding over the past 10 years, including 5% imposed by the unelected Permanent Secretary at the Department for Communities last year, has impacted artists, producers and communities. Prior to the most recent 2023 cuts, Arts Council Northern Ireland supported between 85-100 arts organisation through its annual funding programme. These organisations included venues, festivals, visual arts, music and community organisations. In 2023/4 11 were no longer funded and 74 were funded at a standstill, contributing further to that 40% cut in real terms over 10 years. [...] Arts and culture jobs in Northern Ireland are at risk. Arts Council NI now receives the equivalent of £5.07 per head of population. Our nearest comparator, Arts Council Wales, received £10.51 per head of population. The Irish Government invests £25.90 per capita in Eire. Northern Ireland arts receives less investment per capita than anywhere in England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland.