Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2018
106. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she and her Department expect to be in a position to continue to utilise events of a cultural and heritage nature to promote the national image at home and abroad, with particular reference to the need to generate increased interest in such matters among young persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3083/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to advise that 2018 has been designated as the European Year of Cultural Heritage. It is anticipated that this designation will engage with communities in all Member States, large and small, and will see activities taking place at national, regional and local level, involving citizens of all ages.
Last December one of my first duties following my appointment as Minister, was to welcome Tibor Navracsics, European Commissioner for Education, Youth, Culture and Sport to Ireland to Dublin to outline the threefold aim of the European Year of Cultural Heritage. Firstly to encourage the sharing and appreciation of Europe’s cultural heritage; secondly, to raise awareness of our common history and values; and finally to involve all citizens, irrespective or age, to promote a sense of belonging to a common European space.
My Department is supporting the Heritage Council as National Coordinator in the delivery of the European Year of Cultural Heritage in Ireland. I will shortly be announcing a menu of events which will be taking place throughout Ireland in 2018 as part of the European Year of Cultural Heritage which will serve to highlight Ireland's heritage both at home and abroad.
With particular reference to generating interest among young people, the Heritage in Schools Scheme provides a panel of 160 Heritage Specialists who visit primary schools throughout the country to encourage awareness of the genius of the natural and cultural world that surrounds us in our daily lives and engage children in a direct experience of their heritage. The Scheme will form a part of Ireland's programme for the European Year of Cultural Heritage.
The Government's Creative Ireland Programme also places a special emphasis on unifying our global reputation and aims to capture the overarching narrative of Ireland’s unique creativity and cultural heritage and present a coherent representation of Ireland as a country of creative people. In addition, through Culture Ireland of my Department there is direct support for Irish artists to present their work worldwide. This serves to raise the global awareness of the strong reputation of the Ireland’s arts sector and develop new audiences abroad for Irish artists.
I should also mention the significant success which Ireland recently achieved with Uilleann Piping receiving recognition as being worthy of inscription on the UNESCO Register for Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Uilleann Piping is acknowledged as the sound of Ireland, enjoyed and played by young and old across the globe which serves to generate increased interest in Ireland and our cultural heritage.
