Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 November 2020
143. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she has engaged with major cultural stakeholders including the voluntary sector with a view to identifying the full extent of impact arising from Covid-19 and the means with which to counter same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37656/20]
View answer146. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she has engaged with the events sector with a view to identifying the extent to which she can offer assistance in respect of the impact arising from Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37659/20]
View answer149. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she has managed to promote or support the arts sector with particular reference to dealing with the issues arising from Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37664/20]
View answer151. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she hopes to generate interest in the arts in 2021 with a view to identifying the most effective means of so doing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37667/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 143, 146, 149 and 151 together.
I am acutely aware of the need to support our arts, culture and events sectors through these challenging times. I have been in regular and sustained contact with a broad range of stakeholders over the past weeks and months. I have had bilateral engagements with a wide range of stakeholders and agencies under the aegis of the Department. I have set up a number of taskforces and consultative for a to ensure that I have the most up to date information about the difficulties facing these sectors. This includes the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce and the Night-time Economy Taskforce, involving a broad range of stakeholders with experience and insight to develop sustainable roadmaps for the recovery of these sectors. The quality and depth of these engagement led to favourable outcomes for the sectors in the July Stimulus and in Budget 2021. I will continue this positive engagement with the sectors and consider the recommendations of the taskforces and the views of consultative fora in regard to any further necessary measures or supports required as a consequence of Covid-19.
Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, my Department has funded a wide range of activities in the arts and cultural sphere, many of which involve the online presentation of events that would normally have taken place live and in-person. These include a myriad of online performances, events such as Cruinniú na nÓg and a wide range of activities presented online by Ireland's National Cultural Institutions.
I would particularly note the important advocacy role played by the Arts Council that has worked diligently with my officials to raise awareness of the challenges facing our sectors and to identify ways to support them throughout this pandemic. I have increased funding to the Arts Council in 2020 by over €25m and increased it further, to €130m for 2021. Since the onset of COVID-19, the Arts Council has extended its reach and in 2020 has provided grants to many individuals and organisations that have not previously receive Arts Council funding. The increases reflects Government's acknowledgement of the important role that arts and culture play in our economy and society and recognises the devastating impact COVID-19 restrictions have had on the sector.
In Budget 2021, the Government announced the provision of support of €50m for the live entertainment sector. This will include measures for the commercial entertainment sector and will support live entertainment across the country. The 2021 supports for the live entertainment sector will be the subject of further consultation with stakeholders. It will also be informed by a pilot Live Performance Support Scheme now rolled out, to assist commercial venues, producers and promoters of live performances to provide employment to workers in the creative industries.
The Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce set up in response to the Programme for Government has now reported. Along with Chair Clare Duignan, the members of the Taskforce brought together a depth knowledge and experience. The Taskforce makes 10 recommendations for survival until the sector opens up again and to retain the expertise of the creative, technical, production and support workforce so there are still arts, culture and entertainment events for audiences to enjoy in better times. The report can be accessed at the following link https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/97103/f957257b-e3f1-4268-b4a4-1d5917bb5c59.pdf#page=null
