Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We need to provide a renewed and sustained focus on ensuring the future viability of our crafts. Unfortunately, we have already had the announcement of the closure of a regional craft gallery, the Craft Granary in Cahir town. The way it was handled was simply appalling. It was unfair to the staff, the gallery's suppliers and the craftspeople who used the gallery. I salute the management and staff, including the acting manager, Rachel. What happened there was unfair. The board knew about this decision but decided for some reason to keep it hush hush until after the local elections. That is an appalling treatment of a valuable industry in Cahir and of a space where artists and creative people could display and sell their wares. It was run by a community employment scheme.

11 o’clock

Those community employment projects deserve more respect and we need to do more to support these. An allocation of €96,000 per county is a pittance. Concerns were expressed to me some time ago but it was decided to be deceitful, disrespectful and downright disingenuous to the staff, management and artists involved. They have put on many an excellent display in the building which I have attended. Something should be done to keep wonderful buildings like this. It is based in Cahir town with the support of the South-East Regional Authority. The 2017 to 2020 arts strategy for Tipperary is clear about the importance of the Craft Granary not only to Cahir town but the south east. It is reprehensible that it will be closed when we are exiting a recession. It will leave a significant gap in the landscape for artists and creative people, not giving them exposure for their wonderful gifts and talents as well as the chance to sell their products.

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