Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 November 2017
239. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the way in which she envisages delivering a cross-governmental promise in view of the recent budget 2018 announcements, further to Creative Ireland's launch commitment to put culture and creativity at the heart of public policy; and if a more detailed plan will be outlined in relation to the delivery of the five existing pillars of the programme. [47676/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 8 December 2016, the Creative Ireland Programme was launched as the Government's Legacy Programme arising out of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme and as the main implementation vehicle for the priorities identified in Culture 2025/Éire Ildánach.
The Creative Ireland Programme is a high level, high ambition, 5-year initiative, from 2017 to 2022 (building up to the centenary of the foundation of the State) which aims to place creativity at the centre of public policy. The programme is being led by my Department in partnership with other Government Departments and Agencies, local authorities, the third level sector, arts and culture organisations (including the National Cultural Institutions), media organisations and relevant NGOs. The launch document for the programme outlines five specific pillars:
1. Enabling the Creative Potential of Every Child
2. Enabling Creativity in Every Community
3. Investing in our Creative and Cultural Infrastructure
4. Ireland as a centre of Excellence in Media Production
5. Unifying our Global reputation
There has been significant progress in relation to the delivery of the actions under each pillar, all of which involved considerable inter-departmental and inter-agency collaboration, in particular with the Departments of Education and Skills, Children and Youth Affairs and Social Protection, the Arts Council, all the local authorities and the National Cultural Institutions.
My Department, together with its other partners, is now in the process of drawing up plans to further the implementation of the Creative Ireland Programme for 2018 and beyond in respect of the five pillars of the programme, working collaboratively with colleagues across Government and in the sector.
