Professor Kevin Rafter:

On funding, we have gone from €75 million two years ago to a historic €130 million this year. I would not have wanted the increase to come in the circumstances in which it did with the Covid-19 crisis, but the commitment to doubling the public funding for the arts was made before the crisis. I see this as a level from which we can push on. The arts has responded to the crisis and delivered for the Irish public over the past 16 months. Artists and their sector will contribute to the national recovery as well. This is a level of funding that allows us to make a significant impact. If we take the money to 2022 and beyond, moving beyond the crisis, we will be able to do much of what we have discussed today in our current strategy.