Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My Department runs a small-scale local festivals and summer schools scheme. The scheme is designed to support local cultural festivals and summer schools which are not in receipt of other central Government moneys and which may not be eligible under funding criteria for larger scale events supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council and similar bodies. The maximum funding available under this scheme is capped at €5,000.

My Department provides funding to support Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, which is the largest group involved in the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music, both at community and national level. The Fleadh Cheoil is organised by Comhaltas at community level by the local branches in partnership with the local authority, media and other partners and sponsors.

Under the Creative Communities initiative within the Creative Ireland programme, my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage provide funding to each of the 31 local authorities to enable them to implement their individual culture and creativity strategies 2018-2022. Within this context, many festivals and events have received support from their local authorities. Further information is available on the Creative Ireland website.

The Arts Council offers a range of financial supports for festivals. The council provides financial support to a number of single art form festivals, for example, theatre, dance and film, and such festivals are supported within the policy context of those art forms. The council also supports many multidisciplinary arts festivals across different art forms, including literature, music, street arts, theatre, visual arts and different areas of arts practice. Its festivals investment scheme, for example, is specifically designed to support local and voluntary organisations to develop arts festivals. Further details can be accessed on the Arts Council's website.

Through collaboration with the local authorities, Fáilte Ireland's regional festival scheme is available to local community festivals. The scheme seeks to influence culture and arts sector investment in outdoor activation to enhance visitor experience in local communities aligned to tourism objectives. Tourism Ireland is working closely with many festivals to provide exposure for them in key markets overseas.

I might get more time to come back to the issue of insurance, which the Deputy specifically referenced.

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