Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 May 2023
368. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the funding spent by her Department on Traveller culture, heritage and identity annually in 2022 and 2023; and a breakdown by current and capital spending. [24583/23]
View answer369. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the funding spent by her Department on Roma culture, heritage and identity annually in 2022 and 2023; and a breakdown by current and capital spending. [24584/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 368 and 369 together.
The Traveller and Roma Communities have a rich culture, with unique traditions and crafts which are an integral part of the heritage of this Island. My Department is represented on the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) Committee, which is chaired by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEIDY) and provide regular updates to the committee.
I can advise that there is no Capital expenditure programme under my Department’s remit, for the purpose outlined by the Deputy. However, under my Department’s Creative Ireland current expenditure programme, I can advise that the estimated total current expenditure from the Creative Ireland Programme on Traveller and Roma culture and heritage in 2022 was €249,940. This included:
- A new pilot initiative - Traveller Wellbeing through Creativity - commenced in 2022 supported by my Department in partnership with the Department of Health, the HSE National Social Inclusion Office, and the Arts Council. Funding of €140,712 was allocated to the successful projects by my Department.
- In 2022, Creative Ireland Programme funding was also utilised in support of Traveller and Roma culture and heritage by local authorities (under the Creative Communities initiative) in the amount of €91,000 to support 23 projects.
- Funding by my Department in 2022 for the Local Creative Youth Partnerships included €18,228 for projects specifically engaging children and young people from the Traveller and Roma Communities.
- In relation to 2023, my Department has continued the Traveller Wellbeing through Creativity pilot and has allocated an additional €102,900 to the successful projects. Additional funding is being provided from other partners. Five Traveller-led creative projects are being supported that will have a positive impact on the health and well-being of the Traveller community.
- Further projects will be supported through Creative Communities and the Local Creative Youth Partnerships in 2023.
This year, my Department will provide funding for a new pilot Creative Youth Nurture Fund to support partners that can reach specific priority cohorts of children and young people to develop and engage in youth-led creative projects. Children and young people from the Traveller and Roma Community are one of the target cohorts.
In addition to the Creative Ireland Programme, the Basic Income for the Arts Pilot research scheme includes 14 people who identified as Traveller or Roma when applying, who are now receiving the BIA payment.
In addition, my Department has also provided funding of €26,800 to support the Irish Travellers/Mincéirs and the State, 1922-2022 Conference, which took place in September 2022. The 2 day conference was organised and led by NUIG with support from my Department as part of the Decade of Centenaries Programme (2012-2023).
