Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2017
435. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plan and vision for the utilisation of Ireland's culture as an international national brand with consequent economic benefits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4595/17]
View answerCulture Ireland, a division of my Department, was established in 2005 with a clear brand and focussed remit to promote Irish arts worldwide. The grant funding scheme is designed to support the presentation and promotion of Irish arts internationally, to raise the global awareness of the Irish arts sector, generate new career opportunities and develop new audiences abroad for Irish artists. Strategic priorities include providing support for the international presentation of Irish artists and arts organisations, developing new and diverse international audiences and markets for Irish arts, and linking culture into the Government’s international promotion strategy in tandem with other relevant Government Agencies.
A budget of €3.5 million has been allocated to support the travel and travel related costs of artists in 2017 and this support will contribute to the strength of Ireland's reputation for creative excellence and make a significant impact on the arts internationally.
In addition to Culture Ireland, the Creative Ireland Programme, which the Taoiseach and I launched in December, places a special emphasis on unifying our Global reputation. Pillar 5 of the Programme - Unifying our Global Reputation- is about presenting a coherent representation of Ireland to the world as a creative people. This will seek to capture the overarching narrative of Ireland’s unique creativity and cultural heritage. The Government’s intentions in this regard were welcomed when I launched the Creative Ireland Programme on the international stage in New York on 13 January.
