Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2022
12. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department will be providing small-scale funding for local festivals and summer schools in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32445/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSmall-scale local festivals and summer schools are held annually across the country, which are largely attributable to successful community engagement in tourism. Many of these festivals have a long history and are part of the fabric of life in towns across Ireland. I would appreciate if the Minister could provide an update on funding from her Department for these types of events.
My Department runs an annual small-scale local festivals and summer schools scheme. The scheme is reserved for appropriate not-for-profit festivals, summer schools and other such events. Funding available under this scheme is typically capped at €5,000. Although making available relatively modest amounts, the value of the payments under this scheme is amplified hugely by the community commitment and voluntary effort that bring about these events, which are greatly enjoyed and appreciated around the country.
The scheme is intended to support local cultural festivals and summer schools which are not in receipt of other central government moneys and which may not be eligible under funding criteria for larger scale events supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council and similar bodies. Events that are funded by the Arts Council and Fáilte Ireland are not eligible. The projects make a very important contribution to the development and promotion of Ireland's cultural tourism offering, to the benefit of both the domestic and foreign tourist market, and represent an important component of the delivery of the cultural tourism commitments in the programme for Government.
I am very conscious of the special efforts being made this year by event organisers and promoters to re-establish their annual arrangements, which have been suspended for two years because of Covid. Tremendous efforts were made by many to continue their programmes with online presentations while public gatherings were not possible. Some of these initiatives may be carried forward to strengthen outreach and inclusion. However, the calendar of local festivals and shared celebration is a vital element of community life and cultural expression, and I am pleased to be able to support the recovery efforts through this scheme.
The closing date for applications for the 2022 scheme was 23 April. The applications are being assessed in the Department and the decision will be announced imminently. The Deputy may be interested to know that from the introduction of this scheme in 2017 up to 2021, a total of €393,611 has been awarded to eligible events. In that period, 22 applications for events in County Mayo were approved for payments amounting to €59,000. Four applications were received this year from County Mayo in respect of the small local festivals and summer schools scheme 2022.
The importance of the scheme in assisting local cultural events cannot be underestimated. Local community events connect residents, keep traditions alive and contribute new elements to the cultural sector. They are hugely important. Scoil Acla, the Ballina fringe festival and the Ballina salmon festival are a few of the hugely important events of significance to towns. These events help to attract new visitors to towns and villages, show what makes each locality unique and build a strong sense of pride in communities. Does the Minister intend to strengthen the national allocation for 2022? Will there be an increase in the maximum grant of €5,000 on the back of rising costs and inflationary pressures? I would like to get the Minister's thoughts on that.
I agree with Deputy Dillon that festivals are of great significance to communities, even more so now after two years of being deprived of the festivals.
The 2022 allocation has been capped at €5,000. The announcement is imminent for the 2022 allocation, which remains as it is. Although the scheme is capped, it is working in that it has a massive impact on local communities. There are no plans in train to increase the allocation. The current scheme, which is capped at €5,000, will be announced very shortly.
The point about increasing the pot is on the back of the Department of Rural and Community Development, which provides up to €2 million for the Irish Shows Association for agricultural shows. I would like to see additional funding being allocated both to small-scale festivals and summer schools.
I acknowledge the input, contribution and support for the Home to Mayo campaign, which took place in May. That was an important event across the county, which provided a unique reason for visitors to visit County Mayo.
In recent years, we have seen a noticeable increase in activity challenges and events such as marathons, duathlons, triathlons and adventure challenges. I ask the Minister to look at a potential scheme to support this type of event in the future. That would be important. The Achill half marathon takes place on 2 July and Race2Glory takes place in Kiltimagh on 9 July. These are significant events that will bring an enormous number of visitors and participants to the areas, which will support local businesses. It is important that such events would be supported in the future.
Heritage, tradition and culture are not the exclusive preserve of a few, nor to be found only within institutions. These festivals are essential to community life. They thrive and develop among people shaped by their diverse interests and enthusiasms. I am very pleased to provide supports for such events.
Other supports are provided by my Department. We also operate schemes to support links and strengthen exchanges in relation to culture, heritage and history with counterpart groups in Northern Ireland. Completing our suite of small grant schemes, there are two others that are worthy of mention: the scheme supporting the mobility in Ireland of the collections of the national cultural institutions and the scheme supporting the development of regional and local museums. I place particular importance on these schemes because they are of significant value to the community activities that they support. My officials will get back to the Deputy on any other issues or ideas he has raised.
