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Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 July 2020

Wednesday, 22 July 2020

Questions (31)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Question:

31. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will consider additional supports for local communities to hold replacement events in view of the cancellation of a number of festivals and other cultural events in counties Carlow and Kilkenny in recent months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17283/20]

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Written answers

My Department runs a Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools Scheme. Funding available under this scheme is typically capped at €5,000. Full details of the scheme are available on my Department's website (https://www.chg.gov.ie/arts/culture/grants-and-funding/small-scale-local-festivals-summer-schools). Applications for 2020 closed on 24th April 2020 and details of allocations may be also be found on the website (https://www.chg.gov.ie/minister-madigan-announces-funding-for-small-scale-local-festivals-and-summer-schools-2/).

There were no applications from County Carlow or County Kilkenny to my Department's 2020 Small Local Festivals and Summer Schools Scheme.

The Arts Council fund a number of festivals in the county of Clare under its Festival investment scheme. All funding decisions can also be viewed on the Arts Council website (http://www.artscouncil.ie/funding-decisions/). Below is the list of festivals that the Arts Council funded in Counties Carlow and Kilkenny in 2019 under its programme Festival investment scheme.

The Borris House Festival of Writing and Ideas - €10,000

Scoil na gCláirseach Festival of Early Irish Harp - €8,250

It is important to note that under the Arts Act, the Arts Council is statutorily independent in its funding decisions, therefore neither I nor my officials have any input into this funding.

Fáilte Ireland provide support to large scale festivals and participative events through its National Programme. At the start of the Covid crisis Fáilte Ireland immediately paid 50% of the festivals agreed funding within this programme. Fáilte Ireland is working with these festivals to establish whether or not the festival will go ahead and where appropriate develop revised programming. The remainder of the funding will be provided based on these revised programmes.

Fáilte Ireland also administer a Regional Festivals programme and funding under this initiative has been paid in full to the local authorities. It also runs an innovation programme for new festivals but this programme has temporarily been suspended and no new applications are being considered at present.

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