Written Answers Nos. 293-312
294. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the timeframe for the next phase of the Creative Ireland Programme; the steps that will be taken in the development of the new phase of the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10966/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2016, a new all-of-government initiative entitled Clár Éire Ildánach/Creative Ireland Programme 2017-2022 was approved as a legacy project arising from the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme. The Programme has made significant progress to date to support each citizen realise their creative potential and to mainstream creativity into public policy across government departments through the Programme 2017-2022.
As the Programme approached 2022, a need emerged to provide clarity concerning its future to key Government Departments, Public Bodies including in particular Local Authorities, and key stakeholders and partners in the community and voluntary sector. The original pillars of the Programme were focused around young people, community, infrastructure, audiovisual production, and the global dimension. Early delivery occurred across a number of these (i.e., infrastructure, audiovisual production, and the global dimension). Key Departments and Agencies considered that significant scope remains for continuing implementation in relation to young people and communities in the years ahead. Similarly, there was a recognition of the benefits that arise from a focus on creative industries more broadly; enhanced collaboration and integration across the arts, healthcare and social care sectors; and enabling the cultural and creative sectors to support a more sustainable and inclusive society.
In February 2022, Government agreed in principle that Clár Éire Ildánach/Creative Ireland Programme will continue for a further five years encompassing the period 2023-2027 and will focus on the following pillars: Creative Youth; Creative Communities; Creative Industries; Creative Health and Wellbeing; and Creative Climate Action and Sustainability. This in-principle decision is intended to facilitate the development of the future Programme details through collaboration amongst departments, public bodies, and key stakeholders.
My Department is now commencing further more detailed discussions and consultations with key Departments and Agencies across each of the five priority areas to develop strategic objectives for the next phase of the programme. Wide-ranging consultations with key sectoral organisations and representative bodies including the Boards of Management and leadership of schools will also be undertaken by relevant Departments and Agencies, while a separate consultation for children and youth will be facilitated by Hub na nÓg.
As well as reflecting on the outcomes of evaluations and research undertaken or in progress as part of the current Programme, public consultations across communities in the 31 local authorities will also be undertaken to finalise individual Culture and Creativity Strategies 2023-2027.
A final more detailed framework for Clár Éire Ildánach/Creative Ireland Programme 2023-2027 is expected to be brought to Government for its agreement in Autumn 2022 prior to its publication, launch and implementation on an all-of-government basis.
295. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of events and initiatives organised by county as part of the Creative Ireland Creative Communities strand, in partnership with local authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10967/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Creative Ireland Programme is a culture-based, all-of-Government programme led by my department to promote individual, community and national wellbeing. Its core proposition is that participation in arts, cultural and heritage-based activities drives personal and collective creativity, with significant implications for individual and societal wellbeing and achievement.
Under the Creative Communities initiative in the Creative Ireland Programme, my department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage provide funding to each of the 31 Local Authorities to enable them to implement their individual Culture and Creativity Strategies 2018-2022. These Strategies were developed in 2017 following extensive local public consultation and are unique to each local authority, reflecting the breadth of cultural and creative work being undertaken in each area as well as the strategic priorities identified by the local community. Highly innovative, multi-disciplinary Culture and Creativity Teams in every Local Authority support and drive the relevant, locally-agreed, strategic priorities and projects.
Furthermore, since 2018 my Department has also provided each local authority with additional funding to support the delivery of Cruinniú na nÓg - the national day of free creativity for children and young people under 18 years of age. While it is a key initiative of the Creative Youth Plan, the 31 Local Authority Culture and Creativity Teams have been key to its nationwide delivery.
The number of events and initiatives organised by county as part of the Creative Ireland Creative Communities strand (and Cruinniú na nÓg) is listed in Table 1 below; programming by the 31 local authorities is currently underway for 2022.
In 2021, a strategic review of the Creative Communities initiative led by the Creative Ireland Programme and the County and City Management Association was published. It examined the effectiveness to date in embedding creativity within public policy at local level, and in deploying creativity as a strategy for wellbeing, social cohesion and economic development. While broadly positive in its findings, the review also explored how delivery in collaboration with the 31 local authorities could be optimised in the future. These recommendations continue to be implemented as the initiative looks towards the period 2023-2027.
Table 1
|
Local Authority |
Creative Communities 2018-2021 (inclusive) |
Cruinniú na nÓg 2018-2021 (inclusive) |
|
Carlow |
117 |
41 |
|
Cavan |
164 |
49 |
|
Clare |
157 |
91 |
|
Cork |
|
|
|
- Cork City |
71 |
82 |
|
- Cork County |
119 |
74 |
|
Donegal |
146 |
81 |
|
Dublin |
|
|
|
- Dublin City |
75 |
179 |
|
- Dún Laoghaire Rathdown |
93 |
92 |
|
- Fingal |
76 |
70 |
|
- South County Dublin |
93 |
141 |
|
Galway |
|
|
|
- Galway City |
88 |
43 |
|
- Galway County |
87 |
64 |
|
Kerry |
106 |
71 |
|
Kildare |
152 |
58 |
|
Kilkenny |
76 |
23 |
|
Laois |
85 |
37 |
|
Leitrim |
125 |
71 |
|
Limerick |
188 |
40 |
|
Longford |
181 |
54 |
|
Louth |
93 |
30 |
|
Mayo |
110 |
52 |
|
Meath |
102 |
68 |
|
Monaghan |
75 |
49 |
|
Offaly |
137 |
110 |
|
Roscommon |
118 |
58 |
|
Sligo |
113 |
59 |
|
Tipperary |
137 |
50 |
|
Waterford |
179 |
89 |
|
Westmeath |
167 |
84 |
|
Wexford |
83 |
87 |
|
Wicklow |
48 |
80 |
296. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a review has been conducted or will be conducted of the initial Creative Ireland Programme to ascertain the most effective aspects of the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10968/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2016, a new all-of-Government initiative entitled Clár Éire Ildánach/Creative Ireland Programme 2017-2022 was approved as a legacy project arising from the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme. I believe significant progress has been made to date to support each citizen realise their creative potential and to mainstream creativity into public policy across Government Departments through the Programme 2017-2022.
The Programme commissioned a range of research and evaluation reports since 2017 to inform policy and strategy development, facilitate decision-making, and to build capacity within the sector. In light of the diverse nature of the various pillars of the Programme, a more nested and focused approach of research and evaluation has been employed at the level of programme pillar and key individual intervention. Many of these are published at www.creativeireland.gov.ie/en/publications/.
Over 30 interventions are reporting outcomes and evaluations from the first five years of implementation of the Creative Youth plan (including Creative Schools, Creative Clusters, and Local Creative Youth Partnerships). Furthermore in November 2021, Trinity College Dublin were commissioned to provide an overview of these outcomes and trends, highlight significant gaps in provision, and assist the independent Creative Youth Expert Advisory Group to develop its proposals for future policy development in this regard.
In 2021, a strategic review of the Creative Communities initiative led by the Creative Ireland Programme and the County and City Management Association was published. It examined the effectiveness to date in embedding creativity within public policy at local level, and in deploying creativity as a strategy for wellbeing, social cohesion and economic development. While broadly positive in its findings, the review also explored how delivery in collaboration with the 31 local authorities could be optimised in the future. These recommendations continue to be implemented as the initiative looks towards the period 2023-2027.
Key research continues too in the area of Creativity in Older Age with, for example, Trinity College Dublin and the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing to determine the extent and impact of participation in creative activities by older people. Similarly, postdoctoral research will develop a framework to explore and assess the contribution of Creative Climate Action projects toward societal transformation in response to climate change. It will also provide recommendations and guidance for Irish policy-makers concerning how creative interventions might be designed to more effectively encourage climate compatible behavioural change in the future.
While the first 5-year Creative Ireland Programme was envisaged as a time-bound addition to the Irish policy landscape, the second phase of the programme clearly operates in a different policy context. I am therefore keen that as part of the development process currently underway for the Creative Ireland Programme 2023-2027, a set of performance indicators is explored that will form the basis for monitoring the outputs and evaluating the programme’s operation and its impact on Irish society.
297. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the breakdown of the €50 million funding secured for the live entertainment sector for 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10969/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was very cognisant of the challenges the Covid restrictions caused for the arts/culture and live entertainment industry in 2021 and I provided grants of over €55m to support the sector and drive employment opportunities for artists and crews, through the introduction of the following schemes:
- Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS)
- Events Sector Covid Support Scheme (ESCSS)
- Local Live Performance Support Scheme (LLPSS)
- Music and Entertainment Support Scheme (MEBAS)
- Commercial Entertainment Capital Grant Scheme (CECGS)
- Funding for Saint Patrick's Festival
These schemes provided thousands of hours of employment for artists and crews at a time when restrictions were such that there were no employment opportunities. The schemes also provided a pipeline of high quality artistic output.
In 2022 I have put a number of supports in place to support the recovery of the live entertainment sector including the following:
- €5m for the Live Performance Support Scheme Strand 2 – for pantomime and seasonal musical theatre events curtailed or cancelled in December 2021 and January 2022. Grants of €2.6m have also been offered under the LPSS 2 to date;
- €20m for the Live Performance Support Scheme 3 – for events cancelled, curtailed or rescheduled in December 2021 and January 2022. Grants of over €6m have been offered to date under LPSS 3 to date;
- €4m for the 2022 Music and Entertainment Support Scheme (MEBAS). Since it opened four weeks ago over 600 applications have been received seeking funding of €2.8m. Payments under this scheme began last week;
- €5m for the Local Live Performance Support Fund to provide funding to local authorities to support live events in every county;
- €5m for the Commercial Entertainment Capital Grant Scheme (CECGS), this scheme opened for applications today March 1st .
In relation to a further round of the Live Performance Support Scheme, my Department is currently examining all options for the proposed scheme and I expect to make an announcement shortly on this matter.
298. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of applications for the music and entertainment business assistance scheme 2022 that have been received by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10970/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department received 643 applications for MEBAS 2022, which opened for applications on January 27th and closed on the 24th February.
As evidenced by the number of applications received, the scheme has proven very popular, and I am pleased to have delivered this initiative to support self-employed performers, sole traders and other businesses in the music and entertainment industry, which has been so heavily impacted over the past two years.
Grants of over €2.8m have been sought under MEBAS 2022 and payments began issuing to successful applicants last week.
299. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the total allocation for the Arts Council for 2022; the way this fits with the pledge to double investment in the arts sector by 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10971/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra300. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of bursaries and grants provided by the Arts Council by county in 2021; the amount of funding envisaged for 2022, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10972/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 299 and 300 together.
This year, I allocated €130m to the Arts Council. This compares with an allocation of €65m in 2017. The table below shows the allocations in each of the years.
|
Year |
Allocation to the Arts Council |
|
2017 |
€65.15m |
|
2018 |
€68.213m |
|
2019 |
€75.002m |
|
2020 |
€105.002m |
|
2021 |
€130.046m |
|
2022 |
€130.046m |
I have been advised by the Arts Council of the following number and recorded expenditure that was made in 2021 towards bursaries and grants. This is tabulated overall and by county in 2021 both for arts organisations and individual awards. The 2021 figures will be not be finalised until the publication of the Annual Report and Financial Statement for the Arts Council. The Arts Council estimate that its expenditure in 2022 for bursaries and grants will be in the region of €112 million.
|
Table 2 Fiscal Year 2021 Totals of Applications Received |
Individuals |
Organisations |
|
No of Applications Received |
6,894 |
1,599 |
|
No of Awards Made |
2,710 |
1,219 |
|
Amounts Awarded (€) |
€27,013,112 |
€83,547,514 |
|
Table 3 Breakdown by County - Organisation Awards 2021 |
No of Applications Received |
No of Awards Made |
Amounts Awarded (€) |
|
Carlow |
20 |
16 |
1,455,867 |
|
Cavan |
15 |
12 |
365,500 |
|
Clare |
35 |
28 |
878,090 |
|
Cork |
182 |
146 |
7,759,722 |
|
Derry |
3 |
3 |
28,830 |
|
Donegal |
43 |
31 |
1,624,749 |
|
Dublin |
512 |
378 |
41,826,618 |
|
Galway |
148 |
118 |
6,503,101 |
|
Kerry |
54 |
37 |
1,418,336 |
|
Kildare |
22 |
18 |
968,927 |
|
Kilkenny |
32 |
28 |
2,274,030 |
|
Laois |
13 |
8 |
379,100 |
|
Leitrim |
11 |
11 |
575,605 |
|
Limerick |
80 |
65 |
4,093,028 |
|
Longford |
16 |
14 |
512,686 |
|
Louth |
41 |
31 |
1,182,527 |
|
Mayo |
41 |
32 |
914,341 |
|
Meath |
29 |
18 |
1,037,178 |
|
Monaghan |
16 |
15 |
910,537 |
|
Offaly |
13 |
12 |
349,600 |
|
Roscommon |
10 |
10 |
320,812 |
|
Sligo |
28 |
24 |
1,493,182 |
|
Tipperary |
38 |
28 |
750,936 |
|
Tyrone |
1 |
0 |
- |
|
Waterford |
49 |
37 |
1,682,182 |
|
Westmeath |
9 |
6 |
204,888 |
|
Wexford |
24 |
19 |
2,245,580 |
|
Wicklow |
30 |
19 |
628,925 |
|
Data not available |
81 |
55 |
1,162,639 |
|
Totals |
1599 |
1219 |
83,547,514.41 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Table 4 Breakdown by County - Individual Awards 2021 |
No of Applications Received |
No of Awards Made |
Amounts Awarded (€) |
|
Antrim |
10 |
3 |
31,990 |
|
Armagh |
2 |
1 |
4,060 |
|
Carlow |
52 |
26 |
255,203 |
|
Cavan |
60 |
16 |
127,979 |
|
Clare |
189 |
56 |
390,034 |
|
Cork |
761 |
297 |
3,339,641 |
|
Derry |
3 |
0 |
- |
|
Donegal |
173 |
60 |
581,903 |
|
Down |
11 |
2 |
25,000 |
|
Dublin |
2403 |
1040 |
10,815,685 |
|
Fermanagh |
7 |
1 |
5,000 |
|
Galway |
498 |
211 |
1,804,931 |
|
Kerry |
147 |
48 |
574,244 |
|
Kildare |
177 |
63 |
518,962 |
|
Kilkenny |
100 |
42 |
406,962 |
|
Laois |
32 |
11 |
76,129 |
|
Leitrim |
70 |
30 |
224,628 |
|
Limerick |
208 |
89 |
842,246 |
|
Longford |
26 |
10 |
121,340 |
|
Louth |
92 |
38 |
329,644 |
|
Mayo |
135 |
48 |
337,432 |
|
Meath |
153 |
50 |
537,892 |
|
Monaghan |
45 |
14 |
87,610 |
|
Offaly |
33 |
9 |
130,720 |
|
Roscommon |
59 |
23 |
163,252 |
|
Sligo |
151 |
62 |
488,640 |
|
Tipperary |
102 |
43 |
396,883 |
|
Tyrone |
2 |
2 |
19,750 |
|
Waterford |
102 |
30 |
238,072 |
|
Westmeath |
63 |
25 |
234,901 |
|
Wexford |
151 |
67 |
550,350 |
|
Wicklow |
271 |
97 |
1,393,959 |
|
Data not available |
606 |
196 |
1,958,069.99 |
|
Totals |
6894 |
2710 |
27,013,111.54 |
In addition, there was expenditure on the following awards/schemes,
Aosdána - €3.5m approx. in 2021
Artist in the Community – €350k allocated in budget 2021
Beyond Borders – €150k allocated in budget for 2021
Culture Night – €500k allocated in budget for 2021
College of Education Residencies – 100k allocated in budget for 2021
301. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the details of the support provided to Foras na Gaeilge to assist with the ongoing Focloir.ie project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10973/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraLexicography is specifically mentioned as a pillar of the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030. The English-Irish online dictionary, foclóir.ie, has over 2.5 million users in Ireland and worldwide annually. The hard-copy Concise English-Irish Dictionary, first published in the autumn of 2020 has already sold over 8,000 copies in the first year and a second edition was printed at the end of 2021.
The Board of Foras na Gaeilge has approved a business plan for a new lexicography project which will cost €2.5m over a 5 year period and will produce two online dictionaries : Irish-Irish and Irish-English.
Based on the priority provided to the lexicography pillar of the 20 Year Strategy and the success of the new English-Irish Dictionary, I recently approved an allocation of €365,000 from my Department's own resources towards this project for 2022. I understand that the Department of Education will also be making a further allocation of €50,000 per annum towards the project and that the remainder of the cost will come from Foras na Gaeilge’s baseline budget.
These new dictionaries, as well as implementing the 20-Year Strategy goals, will place the Irish language on a par with other European languages as regards lexicography provision.
302. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if Foras na Gaeilge which operates on a North-South funding mechanism will be impacted by the recent collapse of the Northern Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10974/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraForas na Gaeilge is one of the agencies of the North South Language Body (NSLB), the other being the Ulster-Scots Agency.
The NSLB's existing agreed baseline budget in respect of 2022 is based on the full uplift that had been agreed by the body's sponsor-Departments in both jurisdictions for the year 2021. This equates to a total of €12,387,239 in 2022.
In addition to the existing agreed baseline budget allocation, further funding of €0.7m has been allocated by my Department to the NSLB for the full 2022 calendar year. However, as the financial year in the northern jurisdiction runs from April to March, officials of my Department are currently engaging with their counterparts in the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland in order to agree the total increase in the body's budget for 2022. While this approval process is at an advanced stage at official level, a decision on a response to the southern Government's €0.7m offer is not expected until the Executive is re-established in Norther Ireland.
303. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will clarify if the concept of Irish language networks is being expanded to encompass new areas outside of Clondalkin, Ennis and Loughrea; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10975/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraForas na Gaeilge's new Scéim Forbartha Líonraí Gaeilge / Irish Language Network Development Scheme, which has 3 stages, will commence operation this year, with the primary goal being the facilitation of communities in achieving statutory Irish Language Network status in the long-term.
The scheme is being developed in line with national language planning principals and policy and will provide for 28 Irish Language Development Officers working in 28 communities throughout the island, north and south.
Currently, there are 6 communities at Stage 2 (Carlow town; Monaghan town; Kildare town; Tallaght; Dublin Central and Limerick City), working towards Stage 3 which constitutes recognition as an Irish Language Network.
I am informed that Foras na Gaeilge will be investing €4.3m of its baseline North South Language Body budget into the scheme over the next 3 years.
304. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has engaged with other Departments in view of the difficultly in recruitment in the tourism sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10977/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra305. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the engagement she has had with regard to the training and skills needs of the tourism sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10978/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 304 and 305 together.
Recruitment continues to be a significant challenge for the tourism sector, with up to two-thirds of businesses reporting reduced capacity due to staff shortages. My Department and Fáilte Ireland have been collaborating with industry and other Government Departments to ensure that there is a coordinated approach to addressing the labour and skills shortages.
Fáilte Ireland has recently published its most comprehensive research to date on the tourism and hospitality labour market. This robust and wide-ranging research programme covers the views of 1,000 employers and 3,500 workers with tourism and hospitality experience as well as international benchmarking, a review of education provision and consultation with recruitment agencies. This research is shaping Fáilte Ireland’s work programmes for the year ahead which will focus on:
- Supporting recruitment to drive recovery: to provide support to the industry to address the immediate labour and skills supply challenges, which will be critical to the short-medium term recovery of the sector.
- Supporting the long-term repositioning of the industry: to support businesses and the wider industry to work together to drive the long-term repositioning of the industry as an appealing and rewarding career choice and workplace, and ensure a future pipeline of talent.
- Building employee capability and skills: to build the capability of individual employees to help businesses to bridge the skills gaps they are experiencing and also drive greater employee retention by improving the quality of training across the business.
Fáilte Ireland also chairs the Tourism and Hospitality Careers Oversight Group (COG) which will continue to work closely with industry bodies, education providers and other Government bodies to support sustainable employment in the tourism sector with an immediate focus on recruitment and retention initiatives, as well as focusing on the long-term repositioning of the industry as a career choice. My Department and the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology are represented on the COG.
Officials from my Department also participate in the Interdepartmental Group on Work Permits chaired by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Most recently the work of the Group resulted in up to 350 work permits being granted for managerial positions in certain tourism and hospitality businesses. Last year, my Department also successfully advocated for the prioritisation of chef permit applications.
I have also recently worked with Minister Donohoe on the extension of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme. I will continue to engage with and provide support to the tourism sector through these challenging times.
306. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update on the implementation of the Night-Time Economy Report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10980/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra307. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if work has commenced on a comprehensive audit of arts and cultural facilities and event spaces nationwide which could potentially be used in the night-time economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10981/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra308. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if dedicated night-time economy activation workshops are being organised to determine actions that are required to support night-time economy initiatives for different age groups as envisaged in the Night-Time Economy Report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10982/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 306, 307 and 308 together.
The Night-time Economy is a hugely important sector, contributing to our economy and our cultural and creative sectors and it is important that we protect, support and sustain it – particularly as we emerge out of this pandemic and we start to think about how and where we socialise and how we plan our city and town centres.
The Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce, which I published in September 2021, contains 36 practical recommendations in the area of regulation, licensing, planning, transport, safety and increasing the diversity of activities as part of the night-time offering. A robust implementation structure has now been agreed to ensure that the recommendations are implemented in full and also, importantly, that the document remains current and that new ideas and new developments are included as the work progresses. Work is well underway to implement the actions in the Report and I was delighted to allocate €4m from my Department's budget this year towards the implementation of the actions within my own remit.
Some key areas of progress include my Department’s support for a new a series of late night events across the country as part of Culture Night last year on foot of the Taskforce recommendation in this area. It is intended to build on this for this year’s Culture Night.
Following on from a successful roll-out of vulnerability training last December which supports the recommendation on the issue of public safety, my Department is supporting the delivery of additional on-line vulnerability training, commencing in March. This training has been developed with and is supported by the nightclub sector (Give Us The Night), the Vintners Associations, Restaurant Association of Ireland, the local authorities and also with the support of An Garda Síochána and the Department of Justice.
Significant progress has been made with our partners in the local authority to develop the pilot initiative establishing new "Night-Time Advisors" in six cities and towns to develop new Night-Time Economy opportunities.
Work is also well underway in relation to action 5 which recommends organising dedicated activation workshops to determine actions that are required to support night-time economy initiatives for different age groups. The process of consultation will begin with the 16-24 age group. My Department is working with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to identify an appropriate model of engagement for this specific age group. The next scheduled phase of consultation/workshops will be an older demographic and my Department will work with the appropriate agencies to determine the best models of engagement for this age demographic.
The action which recommends a comprehensive audit of arts and cultural facilities, and event spaces nationwide which could potentially be used in the Night-Time Economy is the responsibility of the Arts Council and my officials will be engaging with the Arts Council to progress this recommendation in the Report.
I look forward to continued progress across all areas of this Report over the coming months.
309. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the work of her Department in helping national cultural institutions to extend opening hours one day each per month during Spring 2022 on a pilot basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10983/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce which I published in September 2021 recommended the extension of opening hours of the NCIs one day each per month during Spring 2022 as a pilot. This is to help support a more vibrant and inclusive Night-Time Economy. My Department recently met with the Council of National Cultural Institutions (CNCI) to offer support where required to develop this action further and the National Cultural Institutions are working together with the Department to progress this.
In addition, my Department has provided additional support to the National Cultural Institutions through the allocation of a further €5 million in Budget 2022. This funding was intended to support a range of initiatives, including the extension of opening hours where deemed practicable. To that end:
- The Crawford Art Gallery has planned extended opening hours on Thursday evenings, closing the galleries at 8pm instead of 5pm and offering free tours for visitors.
- The Chester Beatty Library have programmed late night opening on Wednesday evenings, for which various talks, tours and events have been organised. This will include a special lecture series to coincide with the exhibition "Meeting in Isfahan: Vision and Exchange in Safavid Iran," which will take place onsite in the lecture theatre, as well as online.
- IMMA extended its opening hours on a trial basis from 22nd October 2021 as part of its 30th birthday commemoration. This extension of opening hours is effective three days per week. IMMA is continuing with this trial of extended hours through Spring 2022.
- The National Museum of Ireland is currently working with its staff and management teams to enable the piloting of extended hours in Spring / Summer 2022.
While the NCIs under the aegis of my Department are independent in their management of day-to-day matters, I am delighted that they have taken the initiative to make their world-class exhibitions and programmes available to the public through these extended hours.
310. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the total spend of the €20 million allocated to the live performance support scheme 3 to support events planned for December 2021 and January 2022; and the amount of the allocation that was not spent. [10990/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra313. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason artists, performers and producers are still waiting for funding secured under live performance support scheme 3 to reach them; and when they will receive this vital funding. [10993/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra318. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he will provide an update on the roll-out of the live performance support scheme 3, including the amount of funding allocated as of 21 February 2022; and the timeline for the distribution of remaining funding. [11118/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 310, 313 and 318 together.
As part of the €50 million suite of supports announced for live performance sector in 2022, the Live Performance Support Scheme Phase 3 (LPSS3) opened for applications on December 20th. This scheme is to support events which were due to be staged in December 2021 and January 2022 and had to be curtailed, cancelled or rescheduled due to the restrictions on audience capacity at live performances at 50% and a closing time of 8pm. LPSS 3 was open for applications from established producers, promoters and venues, including nightclubs that produce live performances.
LPSS3 closed for applications on 19th January with a total of 128 applications submitted. Applications continue to be assessed. To date over €6.1 million has been offered in grants to successful applicants. The payments process for this scheme has also commenced, and payments are being made as a matter of priority where complete documentation has been submitted by the applicants.
311. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the total spend of the €5 million allocated to the seasonal musical theatre and pantomime scheme; and the amount of the allocation that was not spent. [10991/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was very cognisant of the challenges the restrictions caused for the arts/culture and live entertainment industry in 2021 and I provided grants of over €55m to support the sector and drive employment opportunities for artists and crews, through the introduction of the following schemes:
- Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS)
- Events Sector Covid Support Scheme (ESCSS)
- Local Live Performance Support Scheme (LLPSS)
- Music and Entertainment Support Scheme (MEBAS)
- Commercial Entertainment Capital Grant Scheme (CECGS)
- St. Patrick's Festival
In December I also launched the LPSS 2 as a dedicated stream of funding to support large scale Seasonal Musical Theatre and Pantomime productions being staged during November and December 2021 which were impacted by Covid restrictions.
This scheme closed for applications on 31 January and a number of applications are still under consideration as further information on the applications has been sought. To date, grants of €2.6 million have been offered and payments of almost €1 million have been processed. Payments will continue to issue in accordance with matured liabilities.
312. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason the minimum amount allocated to the live performance support scheme 4 for 2022 was reduced from €14 million to €10 million in press releases issued by her from 8 December to 20 December 2021; the reason the promise to roll-out the scheme in January 2022 in time to support performances from February has not been kept; and the timeline, structure and final budget allocation envisaged for LPSS 4. [10992/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra317. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he will provide an update on the roll-out of the live performance support scheme 4, including the funds to be allocated; and the timeline for the distribution of funding. [11117/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra326. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the recipients of the Live Performance Support Scheme 4 can expect to receive funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11217/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra335. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the live performance support scheme No. 4 will be open to new entrants; when the closing date will be; and the timeframe that will be covered by this scheme. [11692/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 312, 317, 326 and 335 together.
Throughout the pandemic I have been very cognisant of the challenges the restrictions caused for the arts, culture and live entertainment industry and I remain committed to supporting musicians and artists throughout these difficult times. My Department has met with stakeholders regularly, most recently on Friday last, to understand these challenges and put in place appropriate supports for the sector.
A €50 million suite of supports will be provided for the live performance sector in 2022 including;
- €5m for the LPSS 2 to support pantomime and seasonal musical theatre impacted by the Covid restrictions in place in December and January.
- €20 million allocated for the LPSS 3, another strand of the Live Performance Support Scheme to support events which were due to be staged in December 2021 and January 2022 and have been curtailed, cancelled or rescheduled due to the restrictions on audience capacity at live performances at 50% and a closing time of 8pm.
- €4m allocated for another round of the MEBAS (Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme) scheme due to be announced shortly, this scheme is specifically to support small music and entertainment businesses which do not operate out of a rateable premises;
- €5m for Local Authorities to support local artists and performances through the LLPSS (Local Live Performance Support Scheme). This scheme in particular has provided thousands of hours of employment for local musicians, artists and crews.
- €5m to continue the capital supports scheme (CECGS) to venues, including for ventilation upgrades and other COVID adaptations. This scheme opens for applications today.
- €1m for the Saint Patrick's Festival 2022
The change in the proposed allocations for a further round of LPSS was due to the fact that during December I decided to allocate €4m to the 2022 MEBAS scheme. This followed ongoing consultation with the sector in which a clear demand for a second MEBAS scheme emerged.
My Department has continued to examine the supports in place for the sector to ensure that available resources are best deployed to ensure a full recovery is possible, in the context of the full reopening of the sector as of 22 January. In relation to a further round of the Live Performance Support Scheme I expect to make an announcement shortly on this matter.
