Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----the draft framework policy, Culture 2025 – Éire Ildánach, which was submitted to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for input. I understand that the committee is currently preparing a report on the draft framework policy which I will consider when received. I have also received submissions from various organisations on the draft document. Following receipt of the report from the committee, it is my intention to finalise the policy. In the meantime, I believe that it is important to continue momentum of delivery of the priorities set out in the framework policy and to build on the positive legacy of the Ireland 2016 centenary programme.

To that effect, on 8 December, the Taoiseach and I launched the Creative Ireland programme, Clár Éire Ildánach, as the Government’s legacy programme arising out of the Ireland 2016 centenary programme and as the main implementation vehicle for the priorities identified in Culture 2025. The Creative Ireland programme is a high-level, high-ambition, all-of-Government initiative to bring creativity in the life of the nation into the mainstream. My Department is now working to implement the Creative Ireland programme with partners across Government and other key stakeholders. This includes an ambitious year 1 programme to deliver ten initiatives by the end of 2017. Details of the programme can be found on creative.ireland.ie.

See this speech in context