Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 November 2017
240. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the widespread concern in the arts community regarding the process by which Creative Ireland funding is allocated and the perceived lack of transparency in relation to this issue; and if a clearer process will be communicated to the arts community and wider public. [47677/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Creative Ireland Programme is a cross-Government initiative to mainstream culture and creativity in the life of the nation and to promote individual, community and national wellbeing. It aims to put creativity at the centre of public policy.
The Programme embraces the whole cultural sector, bringing together all those involved in the arts, film, broadcasting, visual arts, cultural heritage, the Irish language and Gaeltacht, with Government Departments and State agencies.
In Budget 2017, I secured €5 m to commence the implementation of the Creative Ireland programme, further details of which are available on http://creative.ireland.ie. Implementation of the Programme is underpinned by three essential operating principles - collaboration and communication, community empowerment and internationalisation.
The Programme is not a funding body and as such does not administer any grant or funding schemes. However, my Department, in order to communicate the vision and values that underpin the Creative Ireland Programme, has taken the opportunity in this, its initial year, to collaborate with several key cultural partners at various important events and festivals nationwide. This partnership approach has encouraged deeper understanding and appreciation of both the Programme itself and the role of the creative arts in our society.
In addition, in order to enable community empowerment, my Department allocated a sum of €1 m to the local authorities to enable them to develop Culture and Creativity Action Plans and an associated programme of events and initiatives in each county. This was bolstered by an additional €1 m from the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.
Furthermore, considerable resources were devoted to promoting the Programme and its vision to an international audience both online and through specifically commissioned media content, which has allowed us to articulate our values and our unique culture on the world stage.
It is important to note that the delivery of the Programme, while under the aegis of my Department, will primarily be through, and in collaboration with existing agencies, the Arts Council, Irish Film Board, Government Departments, local authorities, cultural institutions, and other cultural partners, and does not seek to supplant any existing funding mechanisms or schemes or influence art funding decisions.
