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Culture Ireland

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 October 2020

Tuesday, 13 October 2020

Questions (124)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

124. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to increase funding to Culture Ireland for the international promotion of writers from Ireland through translation, podcasts and virtual festivals providing new opportunities and income to writers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29769/20]

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Written answers

My Department, through Culture Ireland provides support the promotion of Irish literature worldwide. The main annual funding award is given to Literature Ireland, which in 2020 was awarded €290,000 to cover:

- literary translations grants for the translation of the work of Irish writers into other languages

- book fair attendance and hosting of Ireland's national stand, incorporating publisher representation at London, Beijing, Frankfurt and Turin book fairs

- support for the participation of leading Irish writers in all genres at showcases and festivals in a number of key territories, including a special focus around the St. Patrick’s Day period

- residential bursaries for literary translators in Ireland

- residential bursaries for Irish writers abroad

Due to the global health crisis throughout 2020, some book fairs have been postponed and this funding has been redirected by Literature Ireland to cover the high number of applications for translation grants which have been received.

Culture Ireland has adapted to the crisis by also making grants available for the virtual presentation of work to present their work to large global audiences. As part of the “Ireland Performs” initiative at the beginning of April 2020, Culture Ireland presented 120 performances across many art forms including literature.

Culture Ireland has also supported Irish writers to present at the Edinburgh International Book Festival which was delivered virtually this year as well as the presentation of Irish writers through podcasts curated by The European Federation of Associations and Centres of Irish Studies (EFACIS) which reached audiences from all over the globe.

I am conscious of the global interest in Irish writers and am committed to ongoing support both through the activities of Literature Ireland and direct travel support through Culture Ireland when circumstances permit in the future. In the meantime Culture Ireland has adapted its conditions of support to facilitate applications for virtual presentation of work by Irish writers globally and is open to accepting applications for global literature events in later 2020 and into 2021 to enable Irish writers to reach audiences worldwide.

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