Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
476. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a series of matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to sustained and sustainable funding of An Taibhdhearc, the National Irish Language Theatre, will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41967/22]
View answerSupport for An Taibhdhearc is identified as a priority in the Government’s 5-Year Action Plan for the Irish Language 2018-2022. A 3-year grant agreement is currently in place which sees the production company, Fíbín, in residence in An Taibhdhearc managing operations and implementing an arts programme. Annual funding of €320,000 is provided under this agreement and is due to expire in 2023.
The Board of An Taibhdhearc recently submitted a case for additional funding of the theatre to my Department. The case seeks a substantial increase in funding for the next three years, aimed at increasing employment, upskilling, developing a pipeline of new talent and reviving the national theatre space in An Taibhdhearc’s historic building in Galway City centre. This application will be evaluated in the context of the funding available to my Department in 2023 and beyond and the competing demands on that funding.
An Taibhdhearc will celebrate its centenary in 2028 and has long since been regarded as an important cultural institution, not only for Irish language communities and the city of Galway, but also nationally and internationally.
