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Arts Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 July 2020

Thursday, 30 July 2020

Questions (427)

Brendan Smith

Question:

427. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if consideration will be given to the issues raised in correspondence on behalf of an association (details supplied); if it will be ensured that adequate support is provided as a matter of urgency to the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20934/20]

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Written answers

I am critically aware that artists including musicians were among the first to be impacted in the country’s public health response to the crisis and that they will be among the last to return to work. Social distancing and restrictions on gatherings are likely to have long term impacts on performances, festivals and concerts and prove challenging for the prospects for a return to work of artists, performers and technicians in the entertainment industry.

I recently announced a new €10 million Culture Fund, which will include increased funding for Creative Ireland, to employ artists through the Creative Youth and Creative Communities programmes, funding to support the commissioning of artists to produce creative content for the national broadcast, a dedicated fund for musicians, recognising the particular difficulties being experienced by music performers across a range of genres and funding for Ealaíon na Gaeltachta for new artists’ bursaries and arts activities in Gaeltacht schools.

The additional monies allocated in the Stimulus package also brings the Arts Council’s total allocation this year to €105 – some 40% higher than in 2019. A key objective of this funding is to provide enhanced support for freelance artists and arts workers who have been impacted severely by COVID-19. In line with the commitment made in the Programme for Government.

The culture and audio visual sectors will also benefit from a new €10 million pilot “Performance and Production Support Package” to support the live performance and the audiovisual production sectors. Under this funding package two new schemes will be launched with a funding allocation of €5 million each:

- a scheme will be put in place to assist venues and promoters of live performances in music and theatre, by helping to de-risk the costs of preparing for new productions which may subsequently have to be postponed or cancelled

- a separate audiovisual scheme will be put in place to assist the film and TV drama sector.

These two pilot schemes will be designed in consultation with the sectors, and aim to build confidence in recommencing production, rehearsals and event planning now for the months ahead.

Since the advent of the crisis, officials in my Department have also been actively engaging with the arts sector and will continue to meet with arts and cultural organisations under its aegis, as well a broad range of sectoral stakeholders including resource organisations, advocacy groups as well as individual artists and arts practices.

The Programme for Government also commits to establishing a cross departmental taskforce to develop a clear approach, informed by the views of all stakeholders, to protect and sustain the arts and culture sector through the COVID-19 recovery and beyond, which in turn will inform the National Economic Plan. This taskforce will be established shortly.

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