Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
766. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he and his Department continue to promote traditional music and song at various levels and media; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38833/13]
View answerMy Department is committed to enhancing our traditional culture by supporting groups and organisations involved in furthering the traditional arts. Since 2005, €20m has been provided in capital grant aid to organisations that promote traditional music and song, such as Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Na Píobairí Uilleann (The Pipers Club), for infrastructural development throughout the State.
My Department provides an annual current grant to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. In 2013, this amounts to €1.591m. Comhaltas has over 400 branches nationwide and has been to the fore in training young people in the traditional arts.
Other organisations funded by my Department that encourage and foster the traditional arts of music and singing include the Arts Council, Foras na Gaeilge and Ealaín na Gaeltachta. These organisations provide funding to the many festivals held in the country every year where thousands of young people participate and are encouraged to develop their artistic talents. My Department also assists An Gael-Acadamh, which provides a range of classes for young people in the Connemara Gaeltacht.
I would especially like to direct the Deputy's attention to Culturefox, an initiative paid for by my Department to promote the arts and culture. Culturefox is both a website and an "app", and has a separate section for the promotion of traditional music and song. It is free to use for promoters and consumers alike.
