Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 216: To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport if Culture Ireland is planning on rolling out a multi-disciplinary programme of work across the USA in 2011; if a budget has been confirmed for this; if so, how much; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36798/10]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Culture Ireland is planning a strategic initiative in the United States in 2011 which will showcase Irish artistic excellence in partnership with significant US institutions, venues and festivals. Its objectives are to reinvest in the unique cultural relationship between Ireland and America, strengthen links with the Irish diaspora, enhance Ireland's reputation and profile as a global leader in creativity, expand the reach of Irish culture to new audiences and provide a strategic platform to promote Irish tourism, trade, investment and innovation. This initiative was announced by the Taoiseach during his visit to Washington DC in March this year. It draws on the recommendations of the Ireland-US Strategic Policy Review, and also on the strong strategic focus on culture as a unique long-term strength and door-opener for Ireland and Irish business, at the Global Irish Economic Forum in Farmleigh.

Mr Gabriel Byrne, in his position as Cultural Ambassador for Ireland, has been closely involved in developing the initiative, in collaboration with Culture Ireland and our Embassy and Consulate network in the US. The programme, scheduled to run from January to December 2011, will comprise a range of events across artistic disciplines in key cities (for example New York, Los Angeles, Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Atlanta and Philadelphia) and in other locations where there are strong presenting partners. Funding for this strategically important initiative will be made available from my Department's allocation for 2011 and will be finalised in the context of the ongoing Estimates process.