Ms Tania Banotti:

In response to Deputy Ó Snodaigh, this is in no way a substitution for the crisis facing the sector but he may be aware of some innovations like the Corcadorca theatre company in Cork bringing work out to housing estates, particularly in areas with a large cohort of older people. The Creative Ireland programme has a team in every local authority. It has been looking at things like Show in a Van, where three vans of performers will rock up either to one's house or one's nursing home and, effectively, do small bespoke performances. That is not in any way to claim it as a substitute but just to state we are considering ways in which artists and creative people can continue to be employed and, for those for whom online does not work, what we can do to bring it in person. As members are aware, the libraries have provided a fantastic click-and-collect service and, in the case of people cocooning, have delivered a selection of books they believe individuals will enjoy. That is the level of personal contact between local libraries and their communities.