Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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666. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will utilise Ireland's culture as an international national brand with consequent economic benefits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44172/15]

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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Culture Ireland, a division of my Department, was established in 2005 with a clear brand and focussed remit to promote Irish arts worldwide. Over the past 10 years, Culture Ireland has been visible globally creating and supporting opportunities for Irish artists and companies to present and promote their work at strategic international festivals and venues. Since 2005, Culture Ireland has promoted and supported over 7,500 Irish cultural projects and events worldwide, ranging across music, theatre, dance, literature, film, visual art and architecture. This support has created significant goodwill and influence for Ireland and has helped to contribute to the strength of Ireland's reputation for creative excellence. The international promotion of Irish arts through Culture Ireland continues to make significant impact internationally through its regular grant rounds and showcase programmes.

The St. Patrick’s Day period is recognised as the key time to raise the profile of Ireland and connect with new and established audiences overseas through cultural events. Culture Ireland supports a significant Irish cultural programme each year globally, with highlights in areas with significant diaspora such as London, New York and Sydney. Locally, the Embassy network works with Culture Ireland to maximise the impact of the events around this period to celebrate and highlight our artistic strengths and build on Ireland's global reputation as a country of creativity.

For 2015, the international culture programme for the St. Patrick’s Day period was awarded funding in excess of €200,000 to support over 50 events to take place in 22 countries. The unique platform offered by St. Patrick’s Day to highlight the strength of Ireland’s creative sector also serves to foster tourism, business interests and inward investment. It presents Ireland with an unrivalled opportunity to showcase our culture and our talented artists globally.

As part of the Government’s Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme next year, Culture Ireland will put in place a major programme to highlight Ireland's culture globally through presentation of Irish artists in high profile venues, particularly across the UK, USA, Canada and Australia. Under the title I am Ireland, the programme of events, offering a contemporary Irish cultural experience globally, will ensure that the Irish arts and culture brand continues to be strong. Rebuilding Ireland’s reputation in key territories around the world has been one of this Government’s priorities and Culture Ireland continues to play a key role in realising this objective through the strength of Ireland's global cultural offering.