Written Answers Nos. 430 - 446
430. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she has liaised with the Minister for Education and Skills on the development of contemporary art education at primary and secondary level in Irish schools. [37074/16]
View answerWhile the provision for arts in the education system is primarily a matter for the Department of Education and Skills, I am firmly committed to continuing the work of the ongoing partnership between that Department, my own Department and the Arts Council, in line with the Arts in Education Charter. In this regard, I am pleased that the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the continued implementation of the Arts in Education Charter. The development of Ireland’s first national culture policy - Éire Ildánach/Culture 2025 - will also be relevant in terms of acknowledging the importance of supporting cultural engagement in education.
The work of the two Departments and the Arts Council in implementing the Charter is achieved largely through existing structures, such as education centres and Education and Training Boards. My Department provides some funding to assist with implementation of initiatives of the Charter, which has included the development of the Arts in Education Portal that now serves as an effective key communications and information channel for both education and arts sectors.
In terms of direct support for the arts, this is primarily a matter for the Arts Council operating under the provisions of the Arts Act 2003. The Arts Council’s 10-year strategy Making Great Art Work (2016-2025) places specific emphasis on the need to plan and provide for children and young people. The strategy also commits to working to achieve full implementation of the Arts in Education Charter. The Arts Council contributes funding to a number of organisations to assist in the delivery of Arts in Education projects in schools.
2016 has seen steady progress with the implementation of the Arts in Education Charter, overseen by the High Level Implementation Group chaired by Prof. John Coolahan. I am confident that the foundation has been firmly laid for the roll-out of further initiatives to improve the delivery of contemporary arts in education at all levels over the coming months and year.
431. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to develop a national cultural strategy up to 2025. [37075/16]
View answer440. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress she has made towards the strategy outlined in Culture 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37085/16]
View answer442. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which she will develop Irish culture reflecting national and multicultural identity in a readily recognisable fashion, capable of being used as a major brand image at home and abroad; if in the context of Culture 2025 or otherwise, the extent to which she will do this through the arts, education and the community; the extent to which whe will contribute to the economy by expanding job opportunities created through this medium, in view of the extent of the contribution from the philanthropic and voluntary sectors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37087/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 431, 440 and 442 together.
I published the draft framework policy Culture 2025/Éíre Ildánach in July this year, which was submitted to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for input.
The Culture 2025 framework policy sets out:
- a series of high-level objectives under the headings of Enrich, Engage, Participate to establish Government vision in relation to culture and society in Ireland;
- a set of key values, including the intrinsic value of culture, the right to participate in the cultural life of the nation and the role of culture in fostering a more sustainable future in Ireland; and
- a series of priority measures for implementation across Government and public bodies.
I understand that the Committee is currently preparing a report on the draft framework policy, which I will consider when received.
In the meantime, 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 wellbeing. 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, including those in relation to the importance of culture in promoting Ireland’s image on the world stage.
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.
432. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to develop musical education and make instruments available to young persons and the general population through facilitating schools, youth groups and libraries in enhancing their music resources and the provision of access to musical training and instruments for the benefit of local communities. [37076/16]
View answerUnder the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts, including music, throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. In Budget 2017, I secured significant additional funding for the Arts Council of €5 million, an increase of 8%. The Arts Council’s 10-year strategy Making Great Art Work sets out how it will lead the development of the arts in Ireland over the next decade and commits to working to achieve full implementation of the Arts in Education Charter, which is a joint initiative of my Department, the Department of Education and Skills, and the Arts Council. Musical education in schools is, of course, primarily a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills.
My Department also provides funding for an annual scheme to assist in the purchase of musical instruments by talented individuals and groups. Under the Music Capital Scheme, which is managed by Music Network, grants are made available to groups to support the purchase of musical instruments. Further details are available on the website of Music Network at http://www.musicnetwork.ie/
My Department also provides funding to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) for its work in the protection and promotion of Irish traditional music and culture. This year, funding of €1,448,000 will be provided to CCÉ by my Department. CCÉ provide weekly classes in a variety of traditional instruments, singing, and dance through its network of centres and branches all over the country as well as summer schools. CCÉ maintains a full schedule of educational events, such as lectures, exhibitions, workshops and concerts, sometimes in conjunction with the Fleadhanna Cheoil.
433. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she has examined any proposals to facilitate on a national basis the use of vacant retail premises by exhibiting artists, based on successful schemes such as space invaders in County Galway which uses empty retail units to support local artists. [37077/16]
View answerI am aware and supportive of the use of vacant premises by artists and arts organisation and I understand that a number of such buildings are currently being utilised by arts organisation across the country. In general, I would consider that local approaches driven by artists, local arts officers and the owners of vacant buildings are best suited to respond to the specific local circumstances involved and provide the most effective outcomes.
In terms of investment by my Department, I have launched a new €9m investment scheme for arts and cultural centres to run over the next three years, focused on securing and enhancing our arts and culture infrastructure. The scheme will target investment at a range of different facilities, including arts centres, theatres, galleries and museums, as well as creative spaces. The closing date for receipt of applications was in September and applications received are now undergoing evaluation. Awards will be announced in the near future.
I will also be announcing shortly a subset of the scheme with grants of up to €20,000 for community or voluntary organisations. The details of this funding stream are being finalised and will open for applications in the near future. I will consider how best this scheme could assist with the provision or enhancement of artist studio space.
434. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if her Department will examine a nationwide plan for the development of village design statements that would ensure all future planning and development takes full cognisance of the historic character and protects the character and heritage of villages. [37078/16]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No 185 of 20 October 2016.
438. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the plans in place to ensure the better integration of the arts into education and broadening the focus on science, technology, engineering and maths into science, technology, engineering, arts and maths; her plans to expand the ambition and resourcing of the arts and education charter; and her further plans to continue to work with the Department of Education and Skills to further enhance the position of arts subjects within the curriculum at primary and secondary level. [37083/16]
View answerWhile the provision for arts in the education system is primarily a matter for the Department of Education and Skills, I am firmly committed to continuing the work of the ongoing partnership between that Department, my own Department and the Arts Council, in line with the Arts in Education Charter. In this regard, the Programme for a Partnership Government commits to the continued implementation of the Arts in Education Charter. The implementation of Ireland’s first national framework policy Culture 2025/Éire Ildánach and the associated Ireland 2016 Legacy Programme will also be relevant in terms of acknowledging the importance of supporting cultural engagement across wider policy areas. I will be making a further announcement in this regard in the coming weeks.
The work of the two Departments and the Arts Council in implementing the Charter is achieved largely through existing structures, such as education centres and Education and Training Boards. My Department provides some funding to assist with implementation of initiatives of the Charter, which has included the development of the Arts in Education Portal that now serves as an effective key communications and information channel for both education and arts sectors.
The Teacher Artist Partnership Initiative has also received funding to enable the continuing professional development of teachers to be expanded beyond its initial pilot programme level of 2015.
The National Arts in Education Day, held in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham with over 200 attendees from both education and artistic fields, has been heralded as another successful element of the Arts in Education Charter and a second National Arts in Education Day is planned for May 2017.
Direct support for the arts is primarily a matter for the Arts Council operating under the provisions of the Arts Act 2003. The Arts Council’s 10-year strategy Making Great Art Work (2016-2025) places specific emphasis on the need to plan and provide for children and young people. The strategy also commits to working to achieve full implementation of the Arts in Education Charter.
The Arts Council contributes funding to a number of organisations to assist in the delivery of Arts in Education projects in schools. These include Poetry Ireland's Writers in Schools Scheme, where writers and storytellers visit both primary and post-primary schools. 2016 has seen steady progress with the implementation of the Arts in Education Charter. I am confident that the foundation has been firmly laid for the roll-out of further initiatives to improve the delivery of arts in education at all levels and across the wider curriculum.
439. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will urgently begin preparation of a global arts forum for Ireland, similar to the structure of the global Irish economic forum which would highlight indigenous talent and map a strong and healthy future for arts and culture at home and abroad. [37084/16]
View answerMy Department, through its Culture Ireland programme, supports Irish artists to present their work worldwide. This serves to raise the global awareness of the strong reputation of the Irish arts sector, generate new career opportunities for Irish artists and develop new audiences abroad for Irish artists.
My Department continues to work with the Global Irish Network, which has to date made many significant achievements in relation to highlighting Ireland's creativity on the world stage. I consider that this is the most appropriate vehicle in which to highlight the achievement of Irish creativity as part of a wider cross-sectoral partnership. Most notable in terms of this collaborative approach have been Irish Design 2015, with which my Department had a significant engagement in relation to the international programme, and the Imagine Ireland programme in 2011.
This model of supporting major arts initiatives internationally continued this year with the I am Ireland programme, the international arts element of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, which includes over 550 separate performances and exhibitions with a special focus in key territories - United States, Great Britain, Canada and Australia. This programme reflects that interest in Irish artistic excellence continues to grow internationally and recognises that this centenary year offers a unique opportunity to build on Ireland's cultural connections and share the talents of Irish artists through many special and diverse events around the world.
I anticipate that my Department will be closely involved with the Second Global Irish Civic Forum, which the Minister of State for Diaspora Affairs and International Development, Joe McHugh, TD, has convened to meet in Dublin Castle on 2-3 February 2017. The Civic Forum seeks to bring together representatives of the multitude of organisations working with the Irish diaspora around the world to share ideas and to discuss issues of common concern. I understand that it is proposed that the Forum will look at a number of issues of interest to Irish communities around the world, including culture and the role of cultural heritage in engaging with our global Irish.
441. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to increase the amount of capital funding available for arts institutions and projects in view of the challenges facing organisations in maintaining and expanding operations. [37086/16]
View answerDirect funding from my Department for arts primarily relates to capital funding for individual projects, as well as the promotion of Irish arts and culture abroad through Culture Ireland. A small number of summer schools and similar events receive funding from my Department. Details of these are on my Department’s website at www.ahg.gov.ie.
Budget 2016 included over €48 million for the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, including almost €31 million for major capital works, additional funding for an inclusive and wide-ranging national and international commemorative programme, including State events, local community initiatives, a wide range of arts and cultural projects, and €3 million earmarked for Culture Ireland’s international programme for 2016 and the Abbey Theatre. Investing in our cultural infrastructure is hugely important; arts and cultural centres not only enrich local communities, they also help to drive economic growth.
With regard to Budget 2017, the approved allocations will include:
- an additional €5 million for the Arts Council, an 8% increase in its annual budget;
- increased funding for all of the National Cultural Institutions;
- an increase of €2 million for the Irish Film Board and €1 million for Culture Ireland;
- an additional €1 million to the Heritage Council; and
- funding of €5m for the implementation of a Culture 2025 /Ireland 2016 Legacy Programme, which will allow me to build on the positive legacy of the Ireland 2016 commemorations. I will be announcing details of this new initiative shortly.
All of this represents real and substantial funding increases across the arts and cultural area and has been welcomed across the sector. It also re-affirms the commitment of this Government to progressively increase funding for the arts as the economy improves, as set out in the Programme for a Partnership Government.
I have also launched a new €9m investment scheme for arts and cultural centres to run over the next three years, focused on securing and enhancing our arts and culture infrastructure. The scheme will target investment at a range of different facilities, including arts centres, theatres, galleries and museums, as well as artists’ studios and creative spaces. The closing date for receipt of applications was in September and applications received are now undergoing evaluation. Awards will be announced in the near future. I will also be announcing shortly a subset of the scheme with grants of up to €20,000 for community or voluntary organisations. The details of this funding stream are being finalised and will open for applications in the near future.
443. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the action she will take to address the issues of very low incomes among arts practitioners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37088/16]
View answerI have had discussions with the Minister for Social Protection in relation to the recognition of artists within the social protection system. Officials from our two Departments are tasked with investigating the issue and will report back in due course.
In relation to other supports, I secured a series of funding increases in Budget 2017 across the arts and cultural bodies under my remit. These include:
- an extra €5m for the Arts Council - an 8% increase;
- €2m extra for the Film Board;
- an extra €1m for Culture Ireland;
- a significant additional allocation of €3.5m for the national cultural institutions; and
- a new funding stream of €5m for the implementation of a Culture 2025/Ireland 2016 Legacy Programme, details of which I will be announcing shortly.
All of this represents real and substantial funding increases across the arts and cultural area and has been welcomed across the sector. It also re-affirms the commitment of this Government to progressively increase funding for the arts as the economy improves, as set out in the Programme for a Partnership Government. These increases will have a positive and distinct impact on arts and cultural provision around the country, especially for artists and other creative workers.
The Arts Council is the main channel through which the Government directs funding to the arts and to artists, and the 8% increase in its annual budget will allow the Council to enhance support to arts practitioners around the country, on both a small and large scale. The strategic context for the Arts Council’s support of all art forms and arts practice is set out in its strategy Making Great Art Work. This sets out the Council’s plans to lead the development of the arts in the decade to 2025. The strategy prioritises the professional artist, as well as public engagement, and outlines a range of actions that the Council will take to deliver on its vision.
444. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the support she provides for the indigenous film and television production sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37089/16]
View answerThe Irish Film Board is the national development agency for Irish film making and the Irish film, television and animation industry. Its statutory remit is to assist and encourage the making of film in the State and the development of a film industry in Ireland. In Budget 2017, I secured an increase of €2 million for the Irish Film Board, representing a 14% increase in its annual budget. This increase in funding will allow the Board to invest more in Irish talent in the year ahead and it follows on from a very successful year for the Irish film sector, particularly the indigenous film sector, in 2016. The Programme for a Partnership Government contains a very important commitment to work to progressively increase funding to the arts, including the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board, as the economy continues to improve.
In addition to the funding provided to the industry by the Irish Film Board, section 481 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 provides tax relief towards the making of film in Ireland. The twin approach of direct funding and tax expenditure measures maximises the benefits of Government’s support to the audiovisual industry.
The Irish Film Board also supports the Irish screen industries at major international markets and festivals, promotes inward investment, promotes the use of Ireland as a location for international production and provides support for companies filming in Ireland. The Board liaises with IDA Ireland and Tourism Ireland to maximise joint opportunities for promotion of Ireland as a location for film productions. Examples of this could be seen during Ireland’s success at the Oscars this year and the promotional activity around the shooting of Star Wars in Ireland.
445. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the targets and key performance indicators included within the Arts Council funding process to ensure that funds are distributed among all socioeconomic sectors; and if targets are met and the results of these. [37090/16]
View answerUnder the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts, including music, throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. In this regard, I secured significant additional funding for the Arts Council as part of Budget 2017. This will see an increase in the Arts Council allocation in 2017 of €5m, or 8%, and will assist the Council in implementing its 10-year strategy Making Great Art Work(2016-2025). This Strategy places specific emphasis on the need to plan and provide for children and young people. The 5 high-level values of the Strategy include a commitment to excellence, as well as respect for diversity of artistic practice, of public engagement, and of social and cultural traditions. The Strategy also commits to working to achieve full implementation of the Arts in Education Charter.
Making Great Art Work will be implemented through three 3-year plans, starting in 2017. The first of these, the Three-Year Plan 2017-2019, is now published and describes the investment strategies, projects and programmes that the Council will prioritise, as well as the achievements and milestones it has set over this period.
446. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she explored other methods of incentivising investment into the cultural sector apart from direct State funding; and if so, the details and timelines on these. [37091/16]
View answerPrivate support for the arts is an important funding source and the Government continues to support this through tax incentives and other initiatives. The Programme for a Partnership Government contains a commitment to encourage strong, mutually beneficial links between the business community and the arts community to assist arts organisations to capitalise on sponsorship opportunities and to develop business partnerships and fundraising skills. In this regard, I recognise the important work carried out by Business to Arts for which my Department provides a small amount of assistance.
In addition, the Arts Council operates the RAISE programme, which seeks to enhance fund-raising skills in arts organisations with a view to diversifying the sector's sources of funding. It is designed to assist the sector in securing philanthropic contributions to the arts in Ireland.
In terms of other capital investment requiring co-funding, my Department is currently assessing applications under a new €9 million investment scheme for arts and cultural centres to run over the next three years, focused on upgrading the existing stock of such centres around the country. The funding, which is being made available as part of the Capital Investment Framework 2016-2021, will be dependent on matching funding being secured by project promoters and will therefore provide an opportunity for philanthropists to involve themselves in the arts.
