Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 November 2018
241. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she proposes to support cultural projects in the arts and culture sectors in the course of 2018, with particular reference to annual or special events; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47627/18]
View answer242. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she is likely to offer financial support to organisations involved in the promotion of various cultural events at local level with particular reference to the need to encourage interest in the arts and national heritage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47628/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 242 together.
The Creative Ireland Programme is a culture-based programme led by my Department designed to promote individual, community and national wellbeing. Its core proposition is that participation in cultural activity drives personal and collective creativity, with significant implications for individual and societal wellbeing and achievement.
Under Pillar 2 - 'Enabling Creativity in Every Community' of the Programme, in 2018, my Department allocated a sum €2m and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government allocated a sum of €1m to all 31 local authorities (€96,000 each approximately) to enable them support an extensive programme of activities, events and initiatives in each county. To date in 2018, over 500 different initiatives around Ireland have been funded under Pillar 2. These include arts projects, grant schemes, concerts, conferences, exhibitions, festivals, outreach projects, publications, research programmes, and workshops among other activities. They cover topics such as archaeology, architecture, biodiversity, crafts, heritage, dance, film, history, literature, music, photography, poetry, storytelling, theatre and the visual arts.
These activities form part of each local authority's five-year Culture & Creative Strategies which were launched by me, An Taoiseach and the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government on the 12 September.
These strategies highlight the critical role our Local Authorities play as providers and enablers of cultural and creative experiences in communities across Ireland, with all of the vitally important social, and indeed economic, consequences that follow. The strategies recognise that the arts and creative endeavours are crucial to society and community growth. With collaboration and shared purpose at the heart of the Creative Ireland Programme, each strategy provides meaningful opportunities for people and their communities, together with each Local Authority, to build and nurture a creative society. All the strategies and the activities supported under the strategies are available online at https://creative.ireland.ie/en/creative-communities.
As part of the Creative Ireland Programme, this year I launched Cruinniú na nÓg - a national day of creativity for children and young people which took place on 23rd June. Hundreds of free events and activities took place right across the country and specific funding was allocated to each local authority to roll-out this programme in their communities.
Culture Night took place on 21st September and saw venues and public spaces across the island of Ireland open their doors to host a programme of free entertainment, as part of an all-island celebration of arts, heritage and culture.
In addition to funding directly from my Department, the Arts Council also provides significant supports for the Arts at local level.
