Joan Burton
Question:398. 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. [11689/17]
View answerCultural Policy
Questions (398)
Written answers
Last July I published the draft framework policy Culture 2025/Éire Ildánach , which was submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for input. I understand that the Committee is currently preparing a report on the draft framework policy which I will consider when received. I have also received submissions from various organisations on the draft document. Following receipt of the report from the Committee it is my intention to finalise the Policy. In the meantime, as referred to in my reply to the Deputy on 29 November last, 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.
To that effect therefore, on December 8th last, the Taoiseach and I launched the Creative Ireland Programme/Clár Éire Ildánach as the Government’s Legacy Programme arising out of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme and as the main implementation vehicle for the priorities identified in Culture 2025. The Creative Ireland Programme is a high-level, high-ambition, all-of-Government initiative to mainstream creativity in the life of the nation.
My Department is now working to implement the Creative Ireland Programme with partners across Government and other key stakeholders. This includes an ambitious Year 1 Programme to deliver 10 initiatives by the end of 2017. Details of the Programme can be found on www.creative.ireland.ie.
Cultural Policy
Questions (399)
Joan Burton
Question:399. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to develop musical education and 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. [11690/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Government appreciates the importance of the cultural and creative industries to Ireland, including the music industry and a range of initiatives are in place to support music and musical education.
Under 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. I am pleased that I secured significant additional funding for the Arts Council in Budget 2017 amounting to an increase of €5 million, or 8%. This increase will enable the Council to enhance support to artists and arts organisations around the country, including young and upcoming artists, in line with its strategy statement, Making Great Art Work, which prioritises support for the artist and public engagement.
In addition, my Department, through Culture Ireland, provides supports for Irish artists and musicians to travel abroad and develop their careers. I have increased the annual baseline funding for Culture Ireland from €2.5m in 2016 to €3.5m in 2017.
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 www.musicnetwork.ie.
In addition to funding for the purchase of musical instruments, my Department provides funding to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) for its work in the protection and promotion of Irish traditional music and culture. In 2016, funding of €1,448,000 was 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. Further information is available on the website of CCÉ at www.comhaltas.ie.
The Creative Ireland Programme is the Government’s Legacy Programme for Ireland 2016 and the main implementation vehicle for the priorities identified in Culture 2025/Éíre Ildánach the draft framework policy which I published in July this year. It is a five-year initiative, from 2017 to 2022, which places creativity at the centre of public policy. It is built around five pillars the first of which is Enabling the Creative Potential of Every Child. Arising out of this my Department will be working with the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs over the coming months to develop a plan so that by 2022 every child in Ireland will have access to tuition in music, drama, art and coding.
Arts Funding
Questions (400)
Joan Burton
Question:400. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she has examined proposals to facilitate on a national basis the use of vacant retail premises by exhibiting artists, based on successful schemes such as (details supplied) which uses empty retail units to support local artists. [11691/17]
View answerWritten answers
I am aware of the issue regarding the provision of affordable studio space, particularly as a result of the changing property market. 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.
However, my Department is in discussion with the Arts Council, Dublin City Council and the OPW to consider some possible short-term and longer-term approaches to the issue, both in relation to specific issues in Dublin and to wider national approaches. In addition, as part of the Government’s initiative on the North East Inner City, I awarded a grant of €35,000 this year to Fire Station Artists' Studios, Buckingham Street, to assist in providing additional facilities in conjunction with Dublin City Council.
In terms of investment by my Department, I recently announced details of more than €9 million in capital funding for 56 arts and culture centres across the country. This capital scheme is the most significant investment in arts and cultural centres in a decade and will target investment at a range of different facilities, including arts centres, theatres, galleries and museums, as well as artists’ studios and creative spaces.
Eight of the grants relate to artist studios and creative spaces amounting to a total of €850,000. A full list of full list of organisations to benefit from funding under Stream 1 and 2 of the Creative Ireland Arts and Cultural Capital Scheme 2016-2018 is available on my Department's website.
Furthermore, I will be announcing a new small capital grants Scheme in the coming weeks which will be geared towards providing grants of up to €20,000 to not-for-profit organisations with a defined arts and cultural remit. Organisations with artists' studios will also be eligible to apply under this new scheme.
Heritage Promotion
Questions (401)
Joan Burton
Question:401. 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 protect the character and heritage of villages. [11692/17]
View answerWritten answers
I refer to my previous reply to Question No. 403 of 31 January 2017 in this regard and note the position remains unchanged.
Questions Nos. 402 and 403 answered with Question No. 395.
Arts in Education Charter
Questions (404)
Joan Burton
Question:404. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans in place to ensure the better integration of the arts into education and broadening the focus on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) into science, technology, engineering, arts and maths (STEAM); and if she will expand the ambition and resourcing of the Arts and Education Charter and 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. [11696/17]
View answerWritten answers
While the content of the school curriculum 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 and my Department is working closely with the Department of Education and Skills and the Arts Council to deliver the objectives of the Charter.
The work of the two Departments and the Arts Council in implementing the Charter is achieved largely through existing structures such as education centres. Good progress has been made to date in terms of launching Ireland’s first Arts in Education Portal, holding National Arts and Education Days and developing Teacher Artist Partnerships through the Education and Training Centres.
In addition, the Creative Ireland Programme is the Government’s Legacy Programme for Ireland 2016 and the main implementation vehicle for the priorities identified in Culture 2025/Éíre Ildánach the draft framework policy which I published in July this year. It is a five-year initiative, from 2017 to 2022, which places creativity at the centre of public policy. It is built around five pillars the first of which is the Enabling the Creative Potential of Every Child. Arising out of this my Department will be working with the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Arts Council and other stakeholders over the coming months to develop a plan so that by 2022 every child in Ireland will have access to tuition in music, drama, art and coding.
Cultural Policy
Questions (405)
Joan Burton
Question:405. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will begin preparation of the 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. [11697/17]
View answerWritten answers
My Department through Culture Ireland 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 last year with the I am Ireland programme – the international arts element of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, which included over 550 separate performances and exhibitions with a special focus in key territories - United States, Great Britain, Canada and Australia. This programme reflected that interest in Irish artistic excellence continues to grow internationally and recognises that this centenary year offered 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.
In addition to Culture Ireland the Creative Ireland Programme, which the Taoiseach and I launched on the 8th of December 2016, 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 and London recently.
Departmental Functions
Questions (406)
Joan Burton
Question:406. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if Arts, Heritage and Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs is the title of her Department and if she anticipates there will be any further changes to the name of her Department or her Department’s functions; the sections of staff which have been assigned or transferred between Departments as a consequence of changes to her ministerial and departmental structure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11698/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs was established on 9th June 2016 with responsibility for all functions that previously came within the remit of the former Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, alongside a range of new responsibilities in relation to regional development and rural affairs.
Reflecting the importance of regional development and rural affairs in the Programme for a Partnership Government, a new Regional Development and Rural Affairs Division was established within my Department, with a key focus on the delivery of the EU co-funded Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 (LEADER) which transferred from the former Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government along with sections managing Rural Development Schemes, the Western Development Commission, the Dormant Accounts Fund and social enterprise.
In addition sections dealing with the the rollout of rural broadband and supporting the rural post office network transferred to my Department from the former Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
The configuration of Departments generally is a matter for Government, in the context of the Programme for Government and other emerging priorities. There are no proposals for any further changes to the structure of my Department at this time.
Brexit Issues
Questions (407)
Joan Burton
Question:407. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the role she will have in the Government’s post-Brexit strategy, in view of her responsibility for regional affairs and the potential negative impact of Brexit on the Border area; if she has a specific unit in her Department to deal with the impact of Brexit on the Border region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11700/17]
View answerWritten answers
I am acutely aware of the challenges arising from Brexit for Rural Ireland and for the border area in particular. I hosted a productive public forum on Brexit in Monaghan last November which was attended by a range of interests from the Border region. I also hosted a Sectoral Dialogue on Brexit in Cavan on 6thFebruary which was attended by over 100 stakeholders from across the arts, culture, film, heritage, Irish language, regional and rural affairs sectors. This Sectoral Dialogue meeting focused on the impacts of Brexit on the sectors served by my Department, with particular attention being given to the impacts on Rural and Border communities. This event was part of the ongoing engagement with civil society initiated through the series of All-Island Civic Dialogues hosted by the Taoiseach.
The actions set out in Realising our Rural Potential, the Government's Action Plan for Rural Development launched in January, will also assist in supporting rural communities, including those in border areas, to meet the challenges posed by Brexit and to position themselves to avail of the opportunities which also may arise. The Action Plan contains over 270 actions to be delivered by a range of Government Departments, State agencies and other bodies and sets out to support sustainable communities, support enterprise and employment, maximise our rural and recreation potential, foster culture and creativity, and improve rural connectivity.
The plan sets out a number of actions which will address the effects of Brexit in particular. For example, a specific piece of research will be commissioned on the impact of Brexit on rural areas, and particularly rural areas in the Border region. Also, InterTradeIreland will fund the development of a programme of initiatives to increase the awareness and capacity of SMEs to deal with the practical consequences of Brexit for cross border trade.
The Government hasput in place a number of structural and other arrangements to address issues relating to Brexit. These include an inter-Departmental Group that was formed in April 2016. My Department has been represented on the Inter-Departmental Group since its establishment. In addition, a Working Group, chaired at Assistant Secretary level and composed of officials from across the Department was established within my Department todeal with Brexit issues. This Working Group is supported by the Department's EU Coordination Unit which is also responsible for managing those issues relating to Brexit that fall within my Department’s remit. These arrangements are being kept under review and will be enhanced if required in the coming period.
Question No. 408 answered with Question No. 389.
Question No. 409 answered with Question No. 387.
Arts Promotion
Questions (410)
Joan Burton
Question:410. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will appoint an expert panel of artists and cultural managers to advise her as proposed by the National Campaign for the Arts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11703/17]
View answerWritten answers
My Department will continue to work closely with those involved in arts and culture in Ireland. For example, the Department consulted widely with the arts and culture sector in preparing Ireland’s first draft framework policy Culture 2025/Éire Ildánach which I published in July last year. The preparation of this document was supported by a steering group and wider expert group drawn from the sector. The draft document was submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for input. 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.
To that effect therefore, on December 8th last, the Taoiseach and I launched the Creative Ireland Programme/Clár Éire Ildánach as the Government’s Legacy Programme arising out of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme and as the main implementation vehicle for the priorities identified in Culture 2025. The Creative Ireland Programme is a high-level, high-ambition, all-of-Government initiative to mainstream creativity in the life of the nation.
My Department is now working to implement the Creative Ireland Programme with partners across Government and other key stakeholders including those working in the sector. I will continue to keep the process and structures for consultation under review as we work through the implementation phase.
It should also be noted that under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council also has a function of advising and providing information on the arts to the Minister and the Government.
Cultural Policy
Questions (411)
Joan Burton
Question:411. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her views on proposals that would mandate all local authorities to publish individual arts plans and cultural strategies and for local authority arts spending to be mandatory and ringfenced on an annual basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11704/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Taoiseach and I launched the Creative Ireland Programme/Clár Éire Ildánach 2017 – 2022 on the 8 December 2016 as the Government Legacy Programme for Ireland 2016 and as the main implementation vehicle for the priorities identified in Culture 2025/Éire Ildánach, the draft cultural policy which I published in July 2016.
This is a cross-Government initiative to mainstream culture and creativity in the life of the nation and to promote individual, community and national wellbeing.
The second pillar of the Programme – Enabling creativity in every community – will be implemented primarily through our local authorities as they are the primary instruments of local community engagement.
Each local authority has now established a Culture Team bringing together arts officers, librarians, heritage officers, museum curators, archivists and other relevant personnel led by a Director of Services, with a nominated person as 'Creative Ireland Co-ordinator'.
A dedicated budget of €1m from the overall Creative Ireland Programme budget of €5m has been allocated to the local authorities towards the implementation of initiatives under Pillar Two including the aforementioned culture teams, the publication of a Culture and Creativity Plan for each county - reflecting at local level the overall structure and aims of the national programme - and the implementation of Cruinniú na Cásca, a programme of arts activities and events on Easter Monday.
I understand that additional support will also be made available to the local authorities for these initiatives by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.
I am confident that these initiatives together with the funding referred to above will go a long way towards enhancing culture and creativity in every community.
Rural Development Plan
Questions (412)
Joan Burton
Question:412. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to deliver on action point 250 of the Action Plan for Rural Development to work with island communities to assess and implement improvements to island piers and harbours as necessary [11706/17]
View answerWritten answers
Action point 250 of the Action Plan for Rural Development states that my Department, in cooperation with local authorities, will continue investment in island piers and harbours in the period 2017-2019. In this regard, I have asked my officials to seek proposals for island capital works programmes, to include the maintenance and development of piers and harbours, from relevant local authorities with a view to progressing same in 2017.
In addition, my Department is actively engaging with Galway County Council with regard to progressing planning work this year for the development of Inis Oírr pier on the Aran Islands. This development will involve a major investment in that island’s infrastructure – an investment which will benefit the island community and visitors for years to come.