Róisín Garvey (Green Party)
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I thank the witnesses very much for coming in today and for their time. It is very important work, and it is very unique. Ireland is full of amazing people who do amazing work around design and crafts. I have one question specific to County Clare and a more general question. In County Clare, we have many great design and craft workers, as the witnesses probably know. What is the simplest route to supports for them? Is it through the arts officer in Clare County Council or is it directly to Design and Crafts Council Ireland? It is just to inform myself so I can better support local artists and craft workers.

The second question pertains to the following quote:

In 2021, Kilkenny was designated a World Craft Council Craft City and Region, one of only four regions to achieve this recognition in [all of] Europe. This prestigious internationally recognised award is the result of an application put forward by MADE in Kilkenny, a craft collective of designer-makers ... [who formed in 2009]. It ... [has the capacity to] greatly enhance Kilkenny’s [and, indeed, Ireland's] reputation as a craft destination [being one of only four places in Europe]. The application, judged by an international panel of jurors, was the result of several months of hard work by MADE in Kilkenny members who had to demonstrate the region’s craft activities in the areas of making, education and training, and exhibition spaces.

All this hard work will be for nought unless this great opportunity is supported by the local authority and relevant Government agencies. This was all done voluntarily by people who are very busy being creative. Has DCCI given any supports to this great project to date? Why was the leading group in the field not invited to speak to us today since we have a Waterford-specific one? This is an amazing-----