Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 September 2021
241. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there is funding available through her Department for amateur dramatic societies that have had their income stream significantly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44533/21]
View answerThe Creative Ireland Programme is a culture-based programme led by my department to promote individual, community and national wellbeing. Its core proposition is that participation in arts, cultural and heritage-based activities drives personal and collective creativity, with significant implications for individual and societal wellbeing and achievement. Under the Creative Communities initiative in the Creative Ireland Programme, my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage provide funding to each of the 31 local authorities to enable them to implement their individual Culture and Creativity Strategies 2018-2022. These Strategies were developed in 2017 following extensive local public consultation and are unique to each local authority, reflecting the breadth of cultural and creative work being undertaken in each area as well as the strategic priorities identified by the local community. Within this context, local amateur drama has received support from their local authorities. Further information is available on www.creativeireland.gov.ie/en/creative-communities.
The Deputy has made specific reference to community based dramatic societies. In the context of my own Department, I wish to advise the Deputy that the Cultural Capital Scheme 2019-2022 is a €4.7m capital investment scheme for arts and culture centres. Under this a range of capital funding measures is being provided to assist in the re-opening of theatres, arts centres and culture venues under Stream D of the Cultural Capital Scheme 2019-2022 as part of Project Ireland 2040 -Investing in our Culture, Language & Heritage. Stream D is specifically for capital adaptations or equipment necessary to assist arts and culture organisations in re-opening. Further details of this scheme can be accessed here at this link www.gov.ie/en/service/b61b2-stream-d-of-the-cultural-capital-scheme-2019-2022
Primary support for the arts including drama in Ireland is delivered by the Arts Council and it is independent in its funding decisions under the Arts Act 2003. The Arts Council’s strategy recognises the distinctive role of amateur arts practice, its important contribution to the vitality of the arts in Ireland, including music, theatre and musical theatre, and it’s many personal, social and artistic benefits. Earlier this year the Arts Council ran a pilot scheme as a once-off, action-research opportunity, and seeks enhanced engagement, mentorship and advocacy between the amateur and professional theatre, music and musical-theatre sector. Please see link here to the pilot scheme which was designed to enhance engagement between voluntary and professional arts sectors. www.artscouncil.ie/Funds/Amateur-and-Voluntary-Practice-Pilot-Scheme/
The Deputy may wish to note that the Department of Rural and Community Development funds a range of programmes and schemes to assist in rural and community development which are available to eligible community groups and organisations throughout the country. These schemes provide funding, support and assistance to communities at local level and include the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the LEADER programme; the Community Enhancement Programme, the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme; the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Community Services Programme. Details of funding allocations under specific schemes provided by that Department are available online at www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-rural-and-community-development/.
