The lack of funding for the arts is depriving people of educational, recreational and professional benefits, the Labour Party claimed today.
The Labour Party's new policy document Arts for Allcalls for increased funding and infrastructure for film, theatre, painting, sculpture and other forms of art.
Arts spokesman Jack Wall said there was a need for a long-term strategy to increase the number of people involved in the arts.
"We believe that arts is a sector where we've been lagging behind compared to other countries in Europe. We're nearly last in relation to funding and there's a need for a rethink given the current state of the economy.
"The students of today are the adults of tomorrow and I think it's important that from an early age that they learn and appreciate the arts, be it whatever aspect they want to be involved in," said Mr Wall.
The Arts for Allpolicy will be unveiled at the Royal Hibernian Academy Gallery in Dublin at 3pm today.
PA