Written Answers Nos. 592-611
592. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views, especially in the context of public order, regarding home delivery of alcohol; his plans in this regard; the position regarding the difficulties in enforcing sale of alcohol legislation; if cash on delivery is within the law; if he will set out the details of Garda policy in respect of this ongoing issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36638/17]
View answerThe position is that conditions applicable to the sale and supply of intoxicating liquor are set out in the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2011. Under section 17(3) of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2003, it is an offence for a licensee, with intent to evade the conditions of the licence, to take intoxicating liquor from the licensed premises for the purpose of its being sold on the account or for the benefit or profit of the licensee, or to permit any other person to do so.
In its 2008 Report, the Government Alcohol Advisory Group examined specific issues relating to 'distance sales' of intoxicating liquor. The Group drew attention to the requirement that payment must be made in such cases as part of the transaction, e.g. on-line shopping, and not later on delivery of the product. The Group noted that sales of intoxicating liquor which had been ordered by telephone or otherwise and which were paid for by purchasers on delivery were illegal transactions and it recommended that the Gardaí should target such delivery services with a view to prosecuting the licensees concerned. Any information concerning transactions of this nature which are contrary to the provisions of the Licensing Acts should, therefore, be brought to the attention of the Gardaí for investigation and possible prosecution.
Under section 31 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988, as amended, it is an offence for a licensee to sell or deliver, or to permit any other person to sell or deliver, alcohol to any person for consumption off his or her premises by a person under the age of 18 years in any place except with the explicit consent of the person's parent or guardian in a private residence in which he or she is present either as of right or with permission.
593. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to commission a second sexual abuse and violence in Ireland study; the communications he has had with other Departments from which funding for this study would be divided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36639/17]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, a formal proposal for a replication of the Sexual Abuse and Violence in Ireland (SAVI) survey submitted by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre recognised that, given the significant budget, (i.e. €1m), funding would be divided between four Departments - the Departments of Justice and Equality, Children and Youth Affairs, Education and Skills, and Health. My predecessor wrote to the relevant Ministers on this matter and expressed her support for the project. The responses received make the viability of funding the project, as proposed, unlikely.
However, my Department continues to examine the fiscal feasibility and resource implications for undertaking a SAVI 2 study and to explore obligations with regard to the necessary public procurement arrangements. I am sure the Deputy will accept that, as stated previously, the right balance must be struck between the funding of front-line services and providing for research. My Department has recently contacted the Department of Health and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs on this matter where they again indicated their support for the project, in principle, but their lack of resources to part fund the project.
There are other sources of statistics that can be accessed. The European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) 2014 pan-European survey report on violence against women has the advantage of providing the possibility of data comparisons with each of the other 27 member states of the EU. Discussions have begun at a Eurostat level to explore the possibility of some form of replication of the FRA survey. There is also the June 2016 pan-European Eurobarometer survey on perceptions, attitudes and awareness of gender-based violence. Figures on sexual violence in Ireland are also available from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, the Rape Crisis Network Ireland, the Central Statistics Office / An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service and Sexual Assault Treatment Units.
In addition, the Central Statistics Office are to explore the feasibility of including a module on sexual violence in its next roll-out of its crime and victimisation survey. If it becomes an ongoing element of data gathering in CSO’s crime and victimisation survey, the information gleaned from this work will provide indications of trends over time of peoples’ experiences of such violence.
594. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 432 of 13 July 2017, the reforms of the legal profession he is considering ahead of the publication of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority's report; if this report will be finalised before October 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36651/17]
View answerAs I have previously set out in some detail in my Written Reply to the Deputy's earlier Questions No. 293 of 4 July 2017 and No. 432 of 13 July 2017, the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 contains a series of new measures that will review the area of legal professional education including in terms of annual reporting obligations with the undertaking of a more comprehensive review of this area that will be open to all stake-holders including, on the delivery side, universities and other third-level providers of legal professional education. Under section 34 of the 2015 Act, the Legal Services Regulatory Authority is the body which has been given the specific task of preparing, with the support of a public consultation process, a comprehensive report in relation to the education and training (including on-going training) arrangements in the State for legal practitioners, including the manner in which such education and training is provided. This report is, under the terms of the Act, to be provided to the Minister for Justice and Equality by the Legal Services Regulatory Authority within two years of its establishment day, 1 October 2016.
The Government will, therefore, take account of any specific findings and recommendations that are made on these matters by the Authority in its report including in deciding the appropriate policy responses to be made.
595. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to implement the recommendation of the 2015 McMahon report, to allow applicants the right to enter gainful employment within nine months; if he is satisfied that the current system in place is not in breach of EU Law; if Ireland plans to opt into the EU Reception Conditions Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36661/17]
View answerClearly, the Supreme Court judgement in N.V.H. v The Minister for Justice and Equality is an important judgment, and its full implications are being examined carefully. The Court itself recognises the complexities around this issue in that it acknowledges the Executive function in not only controlling who should enter the State but also to regulate the activities of non-citizens while in the State and has had to consider the distinctions of rights between citizens and non-citizens in the context of Article 40.1 of the Constitution. It has concluded that in an international protection system with no temporal limit on the decision making process, an absolute prohibition on the right to work is contrary to the right to seek employment under the Constitution. The Court recognises that this is a matter for the Executive and Legislature to consider and accordingly has adjourned consideration of the Order the Court should make for a period of six months. The State will make submissions to the Court in relation to the format of the Order of the Court is to make at the appropriate time. In the interim, the legal status as regards access to the labour market for international protection applicants remains unchanged, as set out in Section 16(3)(b) of the International Protection Act 2015. The final report on the implementation of the MacMahon Report which sets out in detail that 98% of the recommendations are fully or partially implemented reflects the judgement's impact on the area of right to work.
One of the principal recommendations of the MacMahon Report was to implement a new single application procedure. The aim of the International Protection Act 2015, which was commenced at the end of last year, is to process cases as quickly as possible so that in due course as cases on hand are cleared, persons in need of international protection are granted status quickly, thereby giving those who qualify an automatic right to work. In many EU Member States, the right to work is not an unfettered right, often arising after a particular period of time - usually 9 months to a year - and in many instances may be limited to particular job categories, the withdrawal of other financial supports, etc. All of these matters are being carefully considered as to their impact and to reflect the existing requirements placed on those who come to Ireland as lawful economic migrants, by an inter-Departmental Taskforce which will report back to Government in the Autumn.
The judgement has significant legal, economic, policy and operational considerations, many of which impact across a range of Government Departments and services. For this reason, a whole of Government approach has been adopted to examine the implications of the judgment and to propose appropriate solutions as quickly as possible. The Taskforce, appointed by Government, will examine all of the available legal options to comply with the judgment, including the possibility of an opt-in to the recast Reception Conditions Directive (2013/33/EU).
596. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 57 of 1 June 2017, if he will supply the details of the costs associated to the contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) since 2011 by An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36662/17]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is the accounting officer for the Garda Síochána Vote.
I have asked the Garda Commissioner for the specific information requested and when it is to hand I will inform the Deputy accordingly.
597. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 86 of 12 April 2017, if he will seek an answer from An Garda Síochána relating to the cost of all Garda overtime and the overtime hours claimed for each of the years 2012 to 2016, respectively; and the checks in place to ensure gardaí have completed overtime claimed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36663/17]
View answerI would inform the Deputy that, by letter of 21 April 2017, the Tánaiste provided him with the information sought in Parliamentary Question No. 86 of 12 April 2017. For the assistance of the Deputy, I have set out hereunder the information provided by the Tánaiste in that letter.
"The Garda authorities, however, advise me that Garda Overtime expenditure (excluding civilian overtime costs) in the years 2012 to 2016 is set out in the following table. The associated overtime hours for each of the years in question are also provided.
|
# |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
Garda Overtime Expenditure |
€41,553,684 |
€43,326,833 |
€37,254,315 |
€55,783,901 |
€90,036,899 |
|
Garda Overtime Hours |
1,290,298 |
1,362,413 |
1,141,052 |
1,708,651 |
2,761,798 |
I understand that overtime is paid to members of An Garda Síochána, up to and including Inspector rank, for additional hours worked during a four week pay roster period. Members complete an overtime claim form for each roster period which is checked and approved locally by their immediate supervisor and then the District Superintendent. Claim forms are checked by the local District Finance Officer to ensure compliance with the Garda Finance Code and details are entered into the Garda electronic payment system which has built in checks and parameters that prevent duplicate and excess claims being paid. An examination of overtime expenditure is included in all regular Divisional audits conducted by the Garda Internal Audit Section.
It should be noted that overtime expenditure in 2015 and 2016 included expenditure relating to:
- the continuation of Operation Thor;
- the commencement of specific operations to combat organised crime;
- security operations at Dublin Port and Rosslare Europort;
- border security operations; and
- various non-recurring activities, including the provision of armed support in the Dublin North Inner City and the establishment of the Dublin Armed Support Unit, and costs arising from the 1916 Centenary celebrations and State visits of Vice-President Biden and Prince Charles.
In June 2016 an additional €55 million was made available to An Garda Síochána by the Government to allow for concentrated policing targeting gang related crime, the continued intensive and strategic targeting of burglaries and related crime, through ongoing support for Operation Thor and the continued support for measures against terrorism."
598. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a report on the circumstances of and the reasons for the detention of a person (details supplied) in Mountjoy Prison on 18 July 2017 ; if Brazilian visitors staying less than 90 days here require a visa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36665/17]
View answerIt would not be appropriate for me to comment on the individual circumstances of a person refused permission to enter the State. However, the general position in relation to refusal of permission to enter the State is as follows.
There are a total of twelve grounds on which an immigration officer may refuse to give a permission to enter the State and these are set out in Section 4(3) of the Immigration Act 2004 (as amended by the International Protection Act 2015). A person may be refused permission to enter the State based on one or more of these grounds. Immigration officers are required to provide a written notice to the person refused entry that sets out the reasons for the decision. In all cases, removals from the State are conducted in accordance with the law. Translation facilities are available where necessary. An immigration officer before confirming a decision to refuse permission will consult with his or her Supervisor.
Section 5 of the Immigration Act 2003 (as amended by the International Protection Act, 2015), contains the main provisions dealing with the removal from the State of persons refused leave to land and specifies that a person to whom this section applies may be arrested by an immigration officer or a member of the Garda Síochána and detained in a prescribed place of detention for the purpose of facilitating their removal from the State, which must be as soon as is practicable. It is the practice to remove persons from the State on the next available flight. Arrest, detention and removals from the State are essentially operational matters for the Garda National Immigration Bureau who work closely with civilian immigration officers on these matters.
In relation to Brazilian nationals, they are not subject to any Irish entry visa requirement. However, every non-national (whether visa required or not) coming by air or sea from a place outside the State is required, on arrival in the State, to present himself or herself to an immigration officer and apply for permission to enter the State. The immigration officer will make all necessary enquiries and checks to ensure that the person meets the entry requirements for the intended purpose of stay.
More generally Ireland operates a fair, secure and effective immigration system, and indeed, the Irish immigration system is one of the least burdensome for visitors. Immigration officers respect the dignity of all persons they engage with and carry out their functions with professionalism and care. It is equally expected that persons seeking entry to the State provide accurate and full information as to the purpose of their entry.
599. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when he expects an appropriate facility for persons awaiting deportation will be completed in Dublin airport. [36666/17]
View answerThe development phase of a project, which is under the responsibility of An Garda Síochána and delivered in conjunction with the Office of Public Works, is due to commence at Dublin Airport in September, 2017. This involves the refurbishment and fit-out of an existing facility to provide a Garda Station, office accommodation and detention facilities. I am informed that the estimated duration of the work is 10 months.
600. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the communication his Department or An Garda Síochána have had with the 1,500 persons wrongly convicted of motor offences; if he will provide copies of communications sent to those wrongly convicted; the purpose of those communications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36673/17]
View answerI am assured that the resolution of this matter is a priority for An Garda Síochána, and a number of steps are being taken to ensure that the persons affected are contacted and a satisfactory outcome achieved. An intensive process of checking and verification, in conjunction with the courts, is ongoing in this regard. I am informed by the Garda authorities that, as of 19 July 2017, 9,830 letters have been issued by registered post to affected members of the public. In some cases it has been necessary to print these letters for a second time for hand delivery in order to ensure receipt and this has occurred in 3,888 cases so far, while in some cases the proceedings in question predate the Criminal Justice Interoperability Project with the checking process therefore being undertaken manually. A further 2,500 letters are expected to issue very shortly.
An Garda Síochána intends to move all appeals at Circuit Court level, however Garda authorities understand that some affected members of the public have engaged their own solicitors to act on their behalf. I am advised by An Garda Síochána that one such case has already been dealt with by the courts, with the court awarding costs to the value of legal aid.
I look forward to receiving An Garda Síochána's final report into this matter shortly, and I intend to make a more comprehensive statement following consideration of this report.
601. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of staff in his Department that are suspended from work on full pay; the reason in each case; the length of time in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36734/17]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that there are currently no staff of my Department suspended from work on full pay.
602. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there will be an underspend in his Department's current or capital budget for 2017; if so, the subheads that are now below profile and those that may come in below profile at the end of the calendar year; if underspends in his Department will be available to the central Exchequer at year end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36750/17]
View answerThere was a gross underspend in my Departments Vote of €11.1 million at the end of June 2017 relating to a number of areas, including payroll due to the filling of certain posts taking longer than anticipated. Expenditure across the overall Justice Vote Group, consisting of eight Votes, will continue to be carefully monitored and managed for the remainder of the year with the objective of achieving the best value for the taxpayer with any underspends redirected within the Justice sector as needed.
603. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of protected disclosures received from staff in his Department in 2016 and to date in 2017; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36766/17]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, Section 22 of the Protected Disclosure Act 2014 requires each public body to publish an annual report setting out the number of protected disclosures received in the preceding year and any action taken. This report must not result in persons making disclosures being identifiable. Reports in respect of 2016 and 2015 are available on my Department’s website.
In 2016, ten reports were considered under the Department’s Protected Disclosures Policy. Of these 7 did not relate to the Department or any Body under the Minister’s remit. Of the remaining three, on examination two were deemed not to be Protected Disclosures. The final correspondence is being treated as a Protected Disclosure.
To date in 2017, 2 reports were considered under the Department’s Protected Disclosures Policy. On assessment, neither were found to be Protected Disclosures as the disclosers were not workers of the Department and my Department informed these disclosers of the appropriate body to which their concerns should be addressed.
604. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of actuaries working in the Civil Service under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36857/17]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that there are no actuaries working under the aegis of my Department.
605. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will give consideration to an application for funding (details supplied) under the town and village renewal scheme 2017; and if her attention has been drawn to the importance of providing grant aid to this town. [35062/17]
View answerI launched the 2017 Town and Village Renewal Scheme on 13th April last, with funding of €20 million available to support the revitalisation of up to 300 rural towns and villages over the next 12 months. The scheme will be delivered through the Local Authorities.
The selection of projects under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme will be by means of a competitive process, and all applications will be assessed on their merits against the scheme criteria.
The closing date for receipt of applications was 30th June 2017 and I can confirm that an application in respect of the project referred to by the Deputy was submitted to my Department for consideration. The assessment process is currently under way and I expect that the successful projects will be announced shortly.
Responsibility for the Town and Village Renewal Scheme will be transferring shortly to the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring, T.D.
606. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of Leader funds allocated and spent in County Donegal in each of the years 2009 to 2016 respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36116/17]
View answerThe period 2009 to 2016 straddles two separate LEADER programmes: the 2007-2013 programme and the 2014-2020 programme.
LEADER funding for the 2007-2013 programming period was not allocated based on county boundaries, but to individual Local Action Groups (LAGs) on completion of the Local Development Strategy process. Some of the LAGs who administered the 2007-2013 LEADER programme in Donegal also delivered the programme in other parts of the country. For example, Comhar na nOileán Teoranta delivered LEADER on the islands. It is not possible, therefore, to provide a composite figure of the amount allocated and spent in County Donegal under the 2007-2013 LEADER programme.
However, Table 1 below provides details of the 2007-2013 programme allocation and expenditure for the period 2009 to 2016 under the 2007-2013 LEADER Programme to the two main Local Action Groups based in Donegal. The expenditure figures include additional funding provided for the operation of the Local Action Groups in the period between the closure of the 2007-2013 programme and the commencement of the 2014-2020 programme.
The total amount of funding provided for Ireland's 2014-2020 LEADER programme is €250 million. The allocation for the Donegal sub-regional area is €12,913,877. This funding is allocated for the duration of the programme, rather than on an annual basis.
The 2014-2020 LEADER programme is delivered in the Donegal sub-regional area by Donegal Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) in conjunction with its implementing partners: Comhar na nOileán Teoranta, Inishowen Development Partnership, Donegal Local Development Co. Ltd, and Údarás na Gaeltachta. The total spend under the 2014-2020 LEADER Programme in Donegal in 2015 and 2016 is provided in Table 2 below. No expenditure was incurred in 2014 under this programme.
Table 1: 2007-2013 LEADER Programme Expenditure 2009-2016
|
Local Action Group |
2007-2013 Programme Allocation |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
|
Donegal Local Development Company Limited |
12,693,035 |
617,718.85 |
1,172,022.15 |
1,796,013.01 |
2,463,353.59 |
|
Inishowen Development Partnership |
7,410,663 |
513,148.29 |
851,917.54 |
1,151,797.17 |
1,586,556.61 |
|
Local Action Group |
2007-2013 Programme Allocation |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
Donegal Local Development Company Limited |
12,693,035 |
3,622,211.28 |
3,095,606.67 |
281,315.24 |
19,196.51 |
|
Inishowen Development Partnership |
7,410,663 |
2,344,668.20 |
907,789.12 |
210,514.05 |
81,299.56 |
|
Total allocation: |
€20,103,698 |
||||
|
Total spend 2009-2016: |
€20,715,128 (incl. transitional payments to new programme) |
Table 2: 2014-2020 LEADER Programme Expenditure 2015- 2016
|
- |
Expenditure (€) 2015 & 2016 |
|
|
Local Action Group |
2015 |
2016 |
|
Donegal LCDC |
57,594.44 |
35,361.92 |
607. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if all security and contract cleaning companies that have obtained contracts from her Department and agencies under the aegis of her Department under public procurement rules are paying the legal Employment Regulation Order (ERO) hourly rate to their security and contract cleaning employees; the steps she has taken to confirm full compliance with the ERO system; if she has cancelled contracts with companies that have been found to be in breach of the ERO system since 1 October 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35221/17]
View answerThe tendering and award of contracts for services by my Department and the agencies under its remit, including those referred to by the Deputy, is conducted in line with Public Service procurement procedures.
Neither my Department nor any of the agencies under its remit have a role in the enforcement of Employment Regulation orders.
I am advised that there has been no instance where a contract for services as described by the Deputy has been withdrawn or cancelled by my Department or any of the bodies under its aegis for the reasons stated by the Deputy.
608. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the sale of White’s Castle, Athy, County Kildare; and her plans to provide funding to the local authority to purchase this building in view of the fact that it is the second time in ten years the castle has come up for sale and is an important building and location in this heritage town. [35404/17]
View answerThe property referred to by the Deputy is included in the statutory Record of Monuments and Places and, as such, is protected under the National Monuments Acts.
Because of the resource implications, the State is only ever in a position to acquire, maintain and present to the public a relatively small number of heritage properties and monuments. My Department makes such acquisitions from time to time in exceptional circumstances in line with their archaeological, architectural, historical or other special significance.
While this particular property is an important local landmark, there are no funds available to me at this time to assist the Local Authority with any purchase.
609. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount of the €28 million paid to local authorities under the regional and rural subheads in 2016 that has been spent by the local authorities and accounts sent to her Department accounting for this expenditure to date in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35418/17]
View answerIn 2016, just over €28 million was allocated to Local Authorities to fund projects approved under my Department's Rural Development schemes.
My officials have been engaging with the Local Authorities on an on-going basis to monitor expenditure across these schemes. Data provided to my officials by the Local Authorities indicates that approximately €9.8 million was spent on these schemes up to 31st May 2017.
My officials are continuing to impress on all Local Authorities the need to have their projects completed as soon as possible and they will continue to actively monitor expenditure on the schemes. My Department is also engaging closely with Local Authorities to ensure that all expenditure is in line with the Public Spending Code and that the funding is spent promptly and in accordance with project proposals.
Responsibility for the implementation of the Rural Development schemes will be transferring shortly to the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring, T.D.
610. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the amount spent by her Department on taxi and or limousine fares in the past two years to date by year and amount; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35482/17]
View answerThe details requested by the Deputy in respect of expenditure on taxi and or limousine fares in the past two years to date are set out in the following table. At all times value for money is a critical consideration in the use of such services.
|
Period |
Expenditure |
|
2015 July – December |
€9,205 (€5,586) |
|
2016 Full year |
€13,852 |
|
2017 January - to date |
€7,527 |
611. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the festivals and arts organisations that Creative Ireland is funding directly, by county, in tabular form; the basis on which it is funding these arts organisations and festivals; the application process for these groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35824/17]
View answerThe Creative Ireland Programme is a cross-Government initiative to mainstream culture and creativity in the life of the nation with significant benefits for individual and societal well-being and achievement. The programme is based on five pillars:
- Enabling the creative potential of every child
- Enabling creativity in every community
- Investing in our creative and cultural infrastructure
- Establishing Ireland as a centre of excellence in media production
- Unifying our Global Reputation
The Programme includes an ambitious plan to deliver ten major initiatives by the end of 2017 – see https://creative.ireland.ie for further information.
The Creative Ireland Programme is not a funding body and as such does not administer any grant or funding schemes. However, my Department, through the Creative Ireland Programme is taking the opportunity in this, its initial year, to engage and collaborate with several key cultural partners at various important national events and festivals in order to promote the objectives and underlying values of this major new Programme, and encourage deeper understanding and appreciation of the role of the creative arts. These events and festivals are as follows:
|
Event/Festival |
Location |
Cost |
|
Dalkey Book Festival, (Talks Series) |
Dalkey, Co. Dublin |
€20,000 |
|
Galway Arts Festival, (First Thought Talk Series) |
Galway City |
€15,000 |
|
Kilkenny Arts Festival, (Ireland & Europe: Creative Visions Talk Series) |
Kilkenny City, Co. Kilkenny |
€15,000 |
|
Mindfield at Electric Picnic, (Illuminate Talk Series) |
Stradbally, Co. Laois |
€25,000 |
|
Sounds from a Safe Harbour, (Talk Series) |
Cork City |
€10,000 |
|
Dublin Theatre Festival, (expanded 60th anniversary festival programme) |
Dublin City |
€40,000 |
|
Baboró International Arts Festival for Children, (extensive programme for children) |
Co. Galway |
€10,000 |
|
Oireachtas na Samhna, (all-Irish cultural event) |
Killarney, Co. Kerry |
€10,000 |
|
Total |
€145,000 |
The various elements of each festival being supported under the Creative Ireland Programme - particularly the Talk Series – will help provoke discussion and knowledge sharing about the importance of art, culture and creativity and examine questions such as the importance of national identity, cultural expression and creative new approaches to shared Irish and European challenges. The target partners have the capacity and a proven track record of reaching a wide and diverse national audience through bespoke audience engagement campaigns and marketing strategies as well as being flagship opportunities to promote the best of Irish culture and creativity.
In addition to these projects, my Department provided funding to each Local Authority in 2017, to develop Creative Ireland county plans, and to curate events for Cruinniú na Cásca. It was a matter for each Local Authority to draw up its own programme of events and activities, and these are available on the Creative Ireland website.
