Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 January 2013
131. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he has identified the availability of funding from EU sources for the promotion and development of festivals throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4816/13]
View answerThe EU Culture Programme 2007–2013 is the EU funding programme administered by the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) for the European Commission. It was established to enhance the cultural area shared by Europeans, which is based on a common cultural heritage through the development of cooperation activities among cultural operators from 37 eligible countries. Applications can be made to the various strands of this programme for support for pan-European non-national cultural activities.
The EU Culture Programme introduced a dedicated festivals fund called Strand 1.3.6, Support for European Cultural Festivals in 2010. This strand offered funding towards the non-national European programme costs of the successful festivals. West Cork Chamber Music Festival received funding totalling €300,000 for the 2011, 2012 and 2013 editions of the festival. Cork Midsummer Festival received funding totalling €200,000 for the 2011 and 2012 editions of their festival.
Festivals are also eligible to apply for project funding under Strand 1, co-operation projects. This strand requires a European partnership (with a minimum of between 3 -6 partners) and applicants must demonstrate that their projects achieve common goals beyond national borders. Costs related to marketing and promotion can be included as a line in the project budget. Irish festivals which have received support under this strand include: Babaro International Children’s Festival (2008); St Patrick’s Festival (2010); Dublin Dance Festival (2010); and Ulster Bank Theatre Festival (2011). It should be noted that current indications are that the dedicated festival strand will not be continued under the upcoming Creative Europe Programme 2014-2020 (the successor to the Culture Programme).
