Ms Katherine Licken:

The budget for Culture Ireland this year is €4.1 million. We can say that all the money in the budget is being repurposed to address Covid-19. We will continue, where we can continue, with things, and if we cannot continue we will repurpose it to address the crisis. For example, under the Ireland performs initiative a total of 150 artists got paid €1,000 each to go on Facebook live and perform. That is an example of innovatively pivoting the funding to a way that directly and immediately supports artists. The process of repurposing funding will continue where we can or where we need to continue it. I can say the funding remains in the culture area.

The second question related to the Arts Council. In fairness, the Arts Council responded swiftly to the crisis. One initiative was to set up an expert advisory group to advise on the best approach. Part of the consideration is how to ensure exactly that the funding the council gives out goes to artists who need it most. We expect the programmes arising out of that will reflect that. Mr. Falvey may wish to comment.