Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 September 2020
89. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if she will address a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27603/20]
View answerIn July, my Department provided funding for arts and culture facilities which had issues arising from Covid19. I also provided capital funding to assist in the re-opening of theatres, arts centres and culture venues such as that referred to in the question. The measures are designed to support arts and culture facilities in preparation for staff, artists and audiences returning to venues to reopen in line with the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening and Return to Work Safety Protocols. There is a high degree of flexibility which will be matched by timely decision-making processes that will allow organisations to undertake immediately, necessary capital adaptations to their buildings so that they comply with the HSE COVID-19 related public health protection measures.
My Department has not received an application from the organisation referred to by the Deputy in respect of either scheme. Further details of this scheme can be found on my Departments website at the following link: https://www.chg.gov.ie/arts/creative-arts/grants-and-funding/
Primary support for the arts in Ireland is delivered by the Arts Council, which is independent in its funding decisions under the Arts Act 2003. The Arts Council continues to operate fully throughout the COVID-19 crisis with a central aim to support artists and arts organisations through these difficult times.
The Arts Council’s funding approach from the onset of the crisis was to honour all funding commitments that have been made to them and that there would be no financial penalties for organisations/individuals that are unable to deliver key activities/key services arising from the impact of the COVID-19 virus.
Organisations that face cash flow challenges during this time were able to draw down up to 90% of their Arts Council funding commitment. This should, in turn, have assisted them in honouring immediate financial commitments. Organisations were asked to prioritise commitments to artists – as this crisis has been a particularly challenging time for them.
With additional investment under the Job Stimulus, the Council introduced a number of funding programmes aimed at assisting arts organisations as follows:
- An Emergency Stability Programme was announced over the summer by the Council to provide once-off financial support to Strategic Funded and Arts Centre Funded organisations that are in need of emergency grant aid. We understand that an application for this scheme has not been received from the organisation to which the Deputy refers;
- a Capacity Building Support Scheme to support arts organisations to gain support, skills and expertise to review and adapt their artistic and/or business models;
- a Professional Development Programme to support practicing artists and arts practitioners to upskill through access to a professional development or training opportunity.
- A number of additional Commissions to enable arts organisations to commission new work from independent artists.
Details of these funding schemes which are being announced by the Council on an ongoing basis can be found on its available funding page at the following link: http://www.artscouncil.ie/available-funding/
