Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2023
84. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an update on the night-time economy and the task force to unlock the potential this sector will bring to city, town and village centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34767/23]
View answerI published the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce in September 2021. It is a Cross-Government Report containing 36 actions across a broad range of issues associated with the Night-Time Economy, all with the aim of increasing the diversity of events, increasing cultural opportunities and encouraging innovation and creativity in the Night-Time Economy in our towns and cities across the country. My Department chairs the Night -Time Economy Implementation Group which oversees and monitors the actions in the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce and also ensures the Report remains current and flexible, allowing new initiatives and ideas to be developed.
Last year we saw many positive interventions in the Night-Time Economy with new pilot initiatives kick-started and progress made across a number of actions in the Report. Examples of progress include the roll out of the Night-Time Economy Support Scheme to encourage footfall in our cities and towns in off-peak hours and also the roll-out of pilots in our National Cultural Institutions who held a series of late night events and openings to encourage more diversity in our night-time economy.
This year, I have allocated €6 million towards the implementation of a range of new measures to support the Night-Time Economy, which includes an allocation of €2 million in capital funding for the Noise Mitigation Grant Scheme for late night venues. This scheme will support venue owners to take pro-active steps to implement noise mitigation measures to better control and reduce sound emissions from their venues, especially in those areas where it has the potential to impact on residents.
In addition, the Late Night Culture Pilot Programme will be rolled out by the Arts Council and funded by my Department to maximise the use of publicly funded cultural and arts facilities in the Night-Time Economy.
In May, this year, I launched the ‘After Hours at the Museum Grant Scheme’ which encouraged Museums and Galleries around the country to open their doors later into the evening and night. This scheme will bring life to longer evenings in our towns and cities for both communities and tourists alike.
This year I am also providing funding to recruit Night-Time Advisors in 9 cities and towns. The recruitment for these positions is currently underway in all 9 locations (Dublin City, Cork City, Limerick City, Galway City, Longford Town, Kilkenny, Sligo, Drogheda and Buncrana) and I expect these positions to be filled shortly. The Night-Time Advisors will work with businesses, 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.
All of these pilot initiatives support the economic growth of our towns and cities but they can also make a positive contribution to our wellbeing by providing rich and diverse cultural experiences.
