Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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132. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the current status of Action 7.1 of the National LGBTI Inclusion Strategy, for which her Department is responsible, regarding the engagement of cultural institutions with LGBTI culture and history; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34699/23]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The National Cultural Institutions (NCIs) are very active in relation to LGBTI+ initiatives, offering special access and tours for the LGBTI+ community and discussing LGBTI+ contexts as well as providing other opportunities for the general public to engage with LGBTI+ related arts and culture.

For example, Chester Beatty is currently planning a school-related event for November as part of Stand up Awareness Week under the umbrella of Belong To LGBTQ+ Ireland; and part of the National Concert Hall's collaborative programming for its Metronome series for emerging artists and emerging music involves Gash Collective, an Irish collective and label focused on supporting female, trans, queer, non-binary and other underrepresented people in music production + DJing - with Gash Collective events in May and July.

In terms of the national collections, Crawford Art Gallery CAG has acquired two works by artist Stephan Doyle which depict and prompt discussions around LGBTI+ experiences and also hosts a short film on its website of the artist speaking about his painting 'Dylan is Ainm Dom' and the importance of queer work being represented in collections.

I am confident that NCIs will continue to strengthen and develop their programmes in relation to the LGBTI+ community and heritage which will ensure it is available to and seen by increasing numbers of visitors.

Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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133. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the current status of Action 7.2 of the National LGBTI Inclusion Strategy (for which her Department is responsible), regarding the creation of an LGBTI+ history and culture research think tank; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34700/23]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Each of the National Cultural Institutions (NCIs) is working well to contribute towards the better recognition and visibility of the LGBTI+ community in relation to Irish arts, culture and sport and that the history of the LGBTI+ movement is preserved. The consideration within the NCIs is ongoing and active with a view to innovation and the staff involved interact between institutions to share planning and experience. This dialogue is also being conducted on a wider international basis so that innovation and best practice abroad can inspire and inform arrangements here.

The Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) hosted a discussion and workshop on ‘Exploring Transness in the Archive’ in May and in June brought forward a presentation on the programme at the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid, Spain. With respect for the autonomy of the NCIs in operational matters, my Department will support their networking to share expertise in this regard.

Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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134. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the current status of Action 7.3 of the National LGBTI Inclusion Strategy (for which her Department is responsible), regarding the Business to Arts programme funding LGBTI+ artists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34701/23]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Business to Arts is an independent organisation with a strong record of achievement in encouraging sponsorship and support from the business community for the arts. Their annual awards scheme seeks to highlight inspirational examples of creativity, artistic achievement, social inclusion and community benefits that are obtained with support from the business community. My Department currently provides supports to Business to Arts in relation to advancing philanthropy and sustainability of cultural organisations. The possibility to expand the annual Awards scheme to recognise LGBTI+ related work and other themes is being considered. The introduction of any specially themed award would require a sustainable framework, a satisfactory procedure for nominations and assessment, and a significant volume of themed output annually that would ensure high quality and meaningful competition.