Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies. In response to Deputy Mattie McGrath, my Department provides significant support to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and will continue to do so. We support the sector but we also have to maintain our focus on protecting public health. Deputy Nolan mentioned the Birr theatre. There are already schemes within the Department and one would hope that they will continue. The Arts Council is honouring all existing funding arrangements and it asks regularly-funded arts organisations to prioritise their own payments to artists in turn. Since 12 March, it has fast-tracked the payment of up to 90% of funding to organisations and individuals. It may well be that we have to constantly review this because nobody knows how long this Covid-19 emergency will last, or even the shape of it, especially in theatres. I acknowledge the difficulties that they face in particular. The bigger theatres such as the Abbey Theatre and Gaiety Theatre are scheduled to reopen in phase 5, the last phase. Some Deputies have mentioned regional theatres and they are very important for well-being, as Deputy Nolan touched upon. We are very conscious of this and will do all that we can to support them.

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