Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to outline the status of culture 2025; the funding arrangements for its implementation in 2017 alongside the Ireland 2016 legacy programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31239/16]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Will the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs outline the status of Culture 2025 and indicate the funding arrangements for its implementation in 2017 alongside the Ireland 2016 legacy programme?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I published the draft framework policy document Culture 2025 - Éire Ildánach, in July. The draft was submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for input.

The Culture 2025 framework policy has several features. It sets out a series of high-level objectives under the heading "Enrich. Engage. Participate" to establish Government vision on culture and society in Ireland. It also sets out a set of key values, including the intrinsic value of culture, the right to participate in the cultural life of the nation and the role of culture in fostering a more sustainable future in Ireland. It further sets out a series of priority measures for implementation across Government and public bodies.

I understand that the committee is preparing a report on the draft framework policy, which I will consider when I receive it. In the meantime, it is important to continue the 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. Consequently, my Department has been developing a cross-Government initiative to mainstream culture and creativity into the life of the nation and to promote individual, community and national well-being. It will focus on boosting cultural provision and participation in communities as well as harnessing the goodwill and engagement generated by the commemorative programme this year. It will also act as the main vehicle to take forward the priorities identified in Culture 2025.

I have secured funding of €5 million in budget 2017 to underpin this new initiative and I intend to announce further details in the coming weeks.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The additional €5 million allocated by the Minister for Culture 2025 is welcome and I wish to acknowledge that. Can she confirm whether there is a separate mechanism for arts funding? Will the initiative conclude in 2017? Can the Minister explain the criteria for allocating funds to artists or arts organisations and how they might apply?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The new initiative is designed to build on the positive legacy for our arts and cultural sectors arising from the success of the 2016 commemorations. In particular, I am keen to build on the positive levels of engagement in our arts and culture experienced throughout the year. I have spoken of my desire to increase access and participation in the arts at local level. After all, we recognised the many local events organised by communities throughout the country which ensured the commemorations were such a success. It was important to me in the context of the recent budget to secure increases in funding for all the key arts and cultural bodies under my remit. The Arts Council remains the body to which artists make applications for funding. I was pleased to be able to give the council a €5 million increase.

I do not envisage any funding stream or applications under Culture 2025. That is not my plan. I am working on it at the moment. It is my intention to be in a position to announce details in the coming weeks.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I am trying to read the Minister's mind. She referred several times to local groups and getting funding to people in communities. The Minister is supportive of the local arts in education partnership in Monaghan. Will she consider funding for groups in the same way as funds come from the Arts Council? Perhaps the Minister has more programme funding in mind. Perhaps she will consider the 2025 cultural programme in this regard. I am mindful that Culture 2025 is in draft status and is with the Oireachtas committee. Can the Minister confirm the arrangements for independent arm's-length governance of the Culture 2025 initiative?

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I will announce details of the new initiative next month. I have met key cultural stakeholders in the past week to bring them up-to-date with what I am keen to do. This initiative will be anchored in boosting and valuing creativity in all its forms. I want to make clear that I fully respect the arms-length principle. No interference takes place in the funding decisions of the subsidiary bodies under the Department, including those of the Arts Council and the Irish Film Board. I have no input in the decisions of the Arts Council. It is completely independent and I absolutely respect that. I was delighted to get the increase in funding for the council and I hope it will be able to support more organisations and artists in the coming year. I completely respect the arms-length principle.