Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2013
319. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he and his Department have utilised The Gathering as a means of promoting the arts; the extent to which the economic benefit accruing has been fully utilised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44789/13]
View answerThe Gathering initiative, undertaken by my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, has the strong support of my Department and the agencies under my Department's remit. A range of actions that have been taken to support The Gathering were outlined in my replies to Questions No. 16 of 28 November 2012, No. 13 of 30 January 2013, No. 120 of 13 March 2013, Nos. 16 and 163 of 30 May 2013 and Nos. 47 and 726 of 18 September 2013.
Throughout 2013, my Department has worked to encourage linkages between the cultural area and The Gathering initiative. As outlined previously, my Department's Culture Ireland Programme, which seeks to promote Irish arts worldwide, has included as a grant condition for 2013 events that grantees, when presenting their work, should promote The Gathering and encourage their audiences to embrace the initiative.
In addition, national cultural institutions under the auspices of my Department have identified special exhibitions to link in with The Gathering. I understand that a great number of arts organisations funded by the Arts Council, particularly those involved in festivals, are participating in The Gathering. Údarás na Gaeltachta developed a dedicated scheme to support events and festivals in the Gaeltacht as part of The Gathering initiative.
My Department and its agencies have made a substantial contribution towards ensuring a strong linkage between the cultural area and tourism and in doing so to The Gathering. This promotes and enhances the artistic image of Ireland.
