Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will speak on amendment No. 116 on regional spatial and economic strategies. They should include a specific strategy for cultural matters, including space, infrastructure and facilities for creation, performance and culture engagement. Access to space is a big issue in the cultural and creative sector. Culture begins in the local community. It begins at home and in school with friends and family. Consequently, cultural activity is built on community. Local authorities have a big role to play in cultural engagement and in funding arts and culture. They do this to the tune of €70 million or €80 million throughout the State. Until very recently this was in line with the Arts Council spend until that jumped. It is significant for the culture and the arts.

To be selfish and mention my city of Dublin, there are 2,500 working artists and only 529 artists' workspaces in the city. Many of these are poorly structured. They have heating and light issues and do not have the necessary resources for various art forms. Many of them are under threat because there is a market failure issue. This is where the State can step in. This is why we propose the amendment, which I hope the Government will consider. All of the State agencies and the Arts Council state that workspace is the next issue to be tackled. The national campaign for the arts has highlighted workspace as a key issue for the sector. I have drafted a Bill, which I will launch over the summer, to give the Arts Council a function in the area of capital workspaces and affordable State-owned workspaces for artists. I hope this can contribute to the conversation we need to have.

I commend the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, on the funding increases but there will always be a market failure issue. We have seen nightclubs being lost. My colleague, Senator Gavan, mentioned earlier that we have gone from having more than 500 nightclubs in 2000 to 80 to 90 nightclubs now. There is pressure on space at a time when people need these environments. Robbie Kitt always says that if people were investing in something they would probably invest in the digital space or in something on their phone rather than in a meeting space where people can hang out, break down barriers and form connections. This is why nightlife is so important. It is where connections are made. This is a very important amendment and I hope the Minister of State will give it good consideration.