Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Conway for raising this matter on the Adjournment. I am familiar with the county associations in New York. The Clare Association is one of the most vibrant, along with others representing the west coast, including the Kerry Association. I agree that this is a very important year for the Clare Association as it celebrates its 125th anniversary. It has made a major contribution to the lives of Irish people in New York, having assisted thousands of young Irish immigrants and made a major contribution to the promotion of Gaelic games and Irish music in that city.

The Culture Ireland division of my Department promotes Irish arts worldwide, creating and supporting opportunities for Irish artists and companies to present and promote their work at strategic international festivals and venues. This is achieved, inter alia, through a regular grant round scheme. The Culture Ireland expert advisory committee, at its most recent grant round in December 2013, considered applications for events in 2014, which included the St. Patrick's Day period. More than 270 applications were received, 48% of which were recommended for support. Unfortunately, the application referred to by the Senator was not recommended for funding.

To be eligible for funding, the primary purpose of the proposed international visit must be to present the work of Irish artists to a wide audience through performance or exhibition. The Culture Ireland division initially assesses the applications under the following criteria: quality of work and track record of the artist or company; level of geographic priority for the Government; profile of the international venue or festival; financial viability of the event, including the level of support from the presenter or other partners; proven capacity of the applicant to present work internationally; and any wider promotional and media impact. Culture Ireland, in considering applications, consults with the embassy network in regard to the significance of the venue, likely impact of the event and any other local considerations before the applications are assessed by the expert advisory committee. The final recommendations are based on the extent to which the above criteria are met. Given the level of demand for Culture Ireland support, it is not possible to fund all eligible applications or even to fund all successful applications to the full level sought.

In regard to the specific application referred to by the Senator, the impact for the group had to be considered, given the number of other artists performing at the same St. Patrick's Day festival, as did the extent of support required in order to travel to the United Sates. It is a further consideration that where support is offered, it must deliver good value for money. Multiple venues and joined-up touring is encouraged, particularly where distant travel is proposed. This particular application was for only one event, at a time when there will be many competing demands for audience attention. I am happy to arrange for further feedback directly to the applicant if that is required.

Over the St. Patrick's Day period, the Culture Ireland division is supporting an increased number of events across the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States, Australia, Russia and China. Culture Ireland will work closely with other Departments and State agencies to maximise the impact of these events for the wider benefit of all concerned and will endeavour to enhance Ireland's strong global reputation at this key time, when there is a worldwide spotlight on Ireland's cultural and creative strengths abroad. I am sorry I do not have more positive news for the Senator. As I said, there has been a large number of applications. A céilí band from my own area applied for funding and was very disappointed when it was not successful. We are putting a major focus on St. Patrick's Day as an international day of Irish culture throughout the world. It provides a great opportunity to connect with communities throughout the world on an occasion when they receive a great deal of attention on a global scale. Our intention is to develop a theme around St. Patrick's Day as an international day of Irish culture. The Tulla Pipe Band might be lucky enough to receive funding in the future. In the meantime, it might be possible to identify other sources of funding for this year. I would be happy to have a chat about that with the Senator.