My Department appreciates the importance of the cultural and creative industries to Ireland and is aware of the report referred to in the Question. My Department provides significant support for the arts and film through its funding of the Arts Council and the Film Board, as well as through its capital supports for the development of arts and cultural infrastructure.
I am keenly aware of the potential of the creative sector to contribute to sustainable jobs growth and my Department continues to work with other Departments, in particular with the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, across a range of areas as set out in the Action Plan for Jobs. Much of this work does respond to relevant issues identified in the report referred to, particularly in relation to the audio-visual sector and how the contribution of this sector to the Irish economy can be optimised. For example, my Department is currently commissioning an economic study on the audio-visual sector. The creative industries are of significant relevance in the development of Ireland's first national cultural policy Culture 2025. The draft framework policy Éire Ildánach/Culture 2025 was forwarded to the Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in July. This first such policy will be a living document and will form the basis of an on-going dialogue with all who are interested in cultural policy.
My Department will also consider the relevant recommendations in the report referred to by the Deputy in the context of this on-going policy work.
I believe that it is important to continue momentum in terms of delivery of the priorities set out in the framework policy and to build on the positive legacy of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme. My Department has, therefore, been developing a cross-Government initiative to mainstream culture and creativity in the life of the nation and to promote individual, community and national well-being. This will focus on boosting cultural provision and participation in communities and harnessing the goodwill and engagement generated by the commemorative programme this year. It will also act as the main vehicle to take forward the priorities identified in Culture 2025.
I have secured funding of €5m in Budget 2017 to underpin this new initiative and I intend to announce further details in the coming weeks.
