Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht Committee to examine Creative Ireland funding, work

The meeting at 1:30 p.m. in Committee Room 4 can be viewed live here and on Android and Apple devices using the Houses of the Oireachtas app.

Witnesses include Creative Ireland Director Tania Banotti, accompanied by other officials from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the Department of Education and Skills.

The Government in 2017 announced a five-year Creative Ireland Programme designed to spur new cultural and artistic activities in schools, communities and creative industries. The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht-led effort involves developing Culture and Creativity Strategies primarily at county level and a National Creativity Fund supporting 30 initiatives and projects nationwide.

The programme received €6 million in 2018 and will receive €7.15 million as part of Budget 2019.

“The Creative Ireland Programme requires better understanding, so that schools, communities and other eligible individuals and organisations can more effectively tap the new resources being made available,” said Committee Chairman Peadar Tóibín TD. “The Committee looks forward to identifying the impact of funding provided to date, particularly how specific projects and initiatives have benefitted from Creative Ireland support.”