As the Deputy will be aware, I published the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce last month. This Report contained a number of recommendations which aim to stimulate and drive the Night-Time Economy across the country. I was pleased to secure €4m in funding towards the implementation of that Report which will go towards funding a number of recommendations which my own Department is leading or supporting. It should be noted that this is cross-Governmental Report and that my colleagues in other Departments will also be leading and driving a range of recommendations in this context. Some of the key priorities for funding include:
- A new Scheme for Pubs and Cafés to broaden NTE activity across the country;
- Establishing six new pilot structures across the country to include NTE Advisors – innovative new partnerships will be established in six locations with the support of a NTE Advisor
- Later night-opening in the National Cultural Institutions with supportive cultural programming and new pilot late night initiatives to be developed in a selection of Cultural Institutions
- Building on the pilot late night activities for Culture Night, develop more ambitious and innovative programming for 2022 in partnership with the Arts Council and the NTE sector.
I look forward to the outcomes of these new initiatives and to supporting the further development and rejuvenation of the sector.