23 Apr 2012, 14:32
As part of its ongoing hearings on utilising the Arts to combat disadvantage and to encourage their greater integration and social inclusion within local communities, the Committee on the Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht will meet with officials from the Departments of Environment, Community and Local Government and from Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
Committee chair Ciaran Lynch, TD said: “We have had some very useful and interesting meetings with various groups, organisations and individuals from communities around Ireland on how how the Arts can be utilised to encourage greater integration and combat disadvantage within local communities.
We have a rich tradition of Arts in this country and it is heartening to see many groups throughout the country undertaking initiatives to make the Arts more accessible and to encourage participation in Arts programmes. Arts groups across the country are involved in innovative and inclusive programmes at a local level for all age groups and backgrounds.
Tomorrow, we will have an opportunity to hear presentations from two Government departments with responsibility in this area. Committee members will have an opportunity to discuss what is be done at a Government level to use artistic activities to engage with local communities and encourage greater integration and combat disadvantage.
This meeting will conclude our hearings on this issue and we would like to thank the various groups which came before the Committee. We have had a series of thought-provoking, constructive and worthwhile discussions with a variety of organisations. Their presentations will help inform the report which we will prepare on the use of arts to encourage greater integration and social inclusion.”
This meeting will take place on Tuesday, 24th April, in Committee Room 4, Leinster House 2000 at 2.15pm.
Committee proceedings can be followed live at:
http://www.oireachtas.ie/ViewDoc.asp?fn=/documents/livewebcast/Web-Live.htm&CatID=83&m=o
For further information please contact:
Ciaran Brennan,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 3903
M: 086-0496518
F: +3531 618 4551
Committee Membership
Deputies:
Ciarán Lynch, Labour Party (Chairman)
Noel Coonan, Fine Gael (Vice-Chairman)
James Bannon, Fine Gael
Paudie Coffey, Fine Gael
Terence Flanagan, Fine Gael
Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, Fine Gael
Tony McLoughlin, Fine Gael
Patrick O’Donovan, Fine Gael
Brian Walsh, Fine Gael
Kevin Humphreys, Labour Party
Gerald Nash, Labour Party
Seán Kenny, Labour Party
Robert Troy, Fianna Fáil
Timmy Dooley, Fianna Fáil
Niall Collins, Fianna Fáil
Sandra McLellan, Sinn Féin
Dessie Ellis, Sinn Féin
Brian Stanley, Sinn Féin
Clare Daly, Socialist Party
Catherine Murphy, Independent
Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan, Independent
Senators:
Cáit Keane, Fine Gael
Catherine Noone, Fine Gael
Labhrás Ó’Murchú, Fianna Fáil
Ned O’Sullivan, Fianna Fáil
Fiach Mac Conghail, Independent