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Arts Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 February 2022

Thursday, 24 February 2022

Ceisteanna (256, 257, 258)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

256. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she expects to encourage interest in the arts and Irish culture as means of national recovery in the aftermath of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10759/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

257. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she expects to promote the arts as Covid-19 recedes to ensure that adequate support is made available at local and national level thereby encouraging even greater participation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10760/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

258. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she expects to see appreciable growth in the arts to maximise opportunities and recovery; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10761/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 256 to 258, inclusive, together.

The arts and culture sectors under my remit are at the heart of Ireland's identity. The pandemic demonstrated very clearly the critical role they play in social and economic well-being. The resilience of these sectors, in the face of the extraordinary circumstances of COVID-19 has been remarkable, particularly as many were among the first sectors to close and are the last to return to full capacity.

I am greatly heartened at the response to and uptake of the various supports, both horizontal and sectoral, that have been put in place. Recognising that resilience and the hugely important role that these sectors play in Ireland's collective economic and social well-being, I will continue to work with the stakeholders to monitor the evolving situation and to work with my Government colleagues to support these sectors and, with officials and Government colleagues, to support a strong and stable recovery as we emerge from the pandemic.

We all want to see a return to full capacities attending cultural and entertainment events and the rehabilitation of our hard-hit Night-Time Economy.

As a Government, our commitment to the sector is evidenced by recent funding allocations, among them €25m to pilot a Basic Income Scheme for Arts; record Arts Council funding and funding package for the Live Performance Sector.

In the development and delivery of supports, both myself and my officials engage regularly with agencies and stakeholders through a dedicated forum established for this purpose.

Earlier this month I announced the Government’s decision in principle to extend the Creative Ireland Programme until 2027. Creative Ireland was launched in 2017 as an all-of-government culture and wellbeing programme committed to the vision that every person should have the opportunity to realise their full creative potential.

Established as a legacy initiative of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme, Creative Ireland collaborates across government and with arts, community and voluntary organisations to deploy creativity as a strategy for wellbeing, social cohesion and economic success. Alongside its very successful Creative Youth initiative, the programme’s Creative Communities partnership with the 31 local authorities, and their delivery of over 5,700 creative projects to date, has been key to enabling community-led nationwide engagement.

My Department’s Statement of Strategy 2021-2023 published last year sets out the actions that my Department will take over the coming period to enrich the quality of life in Ireland through supporting the development of tourism, culture, arts, sports, media and Irish language. In addition to their immense inherent value, these are valued by all of our communities as important resources for social cohesion, individual and community wellbeing and for the presentation of Ireland as an attractive destination for tourism and sustainable inward investment.

In addition to the core Departmental goals set out in this document, a number of cross cutting-goals have been incorporated into the Department’s objectives which will be reflected in our policies and programmes over the lifetime of this Statement of Strategy including supporting and promoting diversity, social inclusion and full and effective female participation across the Department’s sectors and society in line with Programme for Government commitments.

Question No. 257 answered with Question No. 256.
Question No. 258 answered with Question No. 256.
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