Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

This was the number one recommendation of the task force, and I was delighted to secure a commitment to it in the national economic recovery plan and to ring-fence the money in the recent budget. There has been ongoing engagement and an oversight group was set up. Everything is being done in close consultation with the sector.

A tender has issued for a partner to develop an online application portal. On 8 December, a significant stakeholder engagement will take place to hear the views of the artists, creatives and the relative resource bodies and representative organisations. This scheme is so important and must be designed in close consultation with the sector, and 8 December will be a key date for the scheme. Stakeholder engagement is key to the success of this policy and has been a cornerstone of my approach to the sector during the pandemic. The launch date for applications and the eligibility criteria will be announced in January following the consultation on 8 December. The consultation will be a global café-style event.