Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests. I have two questions. In 2018 or 2019, or possibly before that, the European Commission, through Creative Europe, provided a fund of €120 million for a cultural and creative guarantee fund to be managed by the European Investment Fund on behalf of the Commission. The expectation was that this would generate hundreds of millions of euro in lending to the creative and cultural sector. I am not sure if a financial intermediary was ever approved in this State, but perhaps our guests could shed light on that and if there is a need for such a fund again or if there is one in place. I would appreciate any comments they have on that.

The second question is a general one about Irish partners' performance in co-operation projects. How have the past couple of years been for Irish partners in co-operation projects? How have they performed in accessing Creative Europe funding? What are the principal obstacles to arts and cultural organisations that either hope to apply for or apply for Creative Europe funding? Are they networking costs and travel costs? In the past, there would have been calls for research and development funding from the Government aimed at domestic artists and organisations. Is there anything, therefore, the State can be doing to increase the draw down of EU funds for Irish partners?