Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2023
410. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the exact role, expectations and KPIs that the night-time economy manager in Drogheda will be expected to fulfil; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35263/23]
View answer414. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to confirm with respect to the provision of a night-time economy manager in Drogheda which will help develop a night-time economy strategy in the town, that the appointed person will work with local businesses and voluntary groups on the Purple Flag award for the town; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35300/23]
View answerLast year, in direct response to Action 19 in the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce, I announced the locations of the 9 towns and cities which will take part in the new Night-Time Advisor pilot initiative. The selected pilots are Dublin City, Cork City, Limerick City, Galway City, Kilkenny, Drogheda, Sligo, Buncrana and Longford Town.
My Department has been liaising with the CCMA, who have been leading on this process, in relation to the recruitment of the 9 Night-Time Economy Advisors. I have approved funding for a two-year full-time post in the local authority for each of the selected towns and cities and the post has been advertised at Local Authority Grade VII scale. I am expecting the new Night Time Economy Advisor for Drogheda to be announced soon.
Once appointed, the new Night-Time Economy Advisors will help to drive and support a more sustainable Night-Time Economy in their specific areas. They will work with businesses, purple flag, communities, venues, residents and artists to create a more vibrant night-life for all and bring vitality back to our city and town centres in a safe and sustainable way. The new Advisor will be tasked with establishing a new Night-Time Economy Committee which will be diverse, inclusive and dynamic. The Advisor will have to ensure that all existing local structures are assessed to ensure synergies are developed where possible and that duplication of effort is avoided.
A key element of this initiative will also include an extensive consultation process led by the Advisor, which will lead to the development of a cohesive action plan setting out a range of interventions to support the co-ordinated development of the area’s Night-Time Economy. The Advisor will also identify potential funding streams to support the NTE in the chosen cities/towns.
I would like to thank the CCMA for their role in leading this process. I look forward to the establishment and work of all the Night-Time Advisors and getting them in place as soon as possible.
