Mr. Padraic McIntyre:

A few years were lost with Covid and there were a number of years when people were not brought in, but there should be no divide in the debate on getting young people involved, whether that is professional or amateur, as Ms Walsh said, and that connects with training. I started as an amateur actor in Bailieborough Drama Group, I attended these festivals in Lislea and I went as a student to the DLI drama school in Maynooth, where it was at the time. I have been back to teach in the one in Limerick and I adjudicate at these drama festivals. I ended up as a professional actor and I work as a theatre manager. The training came through this whole system so I live in both worlds that happen here and I understand that. Some 25% of our box office in both Townhall Cavan and in the Ramor Theatre comes from amateur shows, the same if not more than professional theatre, so I do not like this attempt to create a divide. The DLI got money and it employed professional actors to deliver its courses so this is all about connecting the dots together.