Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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410. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will appoint an expert panel of artists and cultural managers to advise her as proposed by the National Campaign for the Arts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11703/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department will continue to work closely with those involved in arts and culture in Ireland. For example, the Department consulted widely with the arts and culture sector in preparing Ireland’s first draft framework policy Culture 2025/Éire Ildánachwhich I published in July last year. The preparation of this document was supported by a steering group and wider expert group drawn from the sector. The draft document was submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for input. I understand that the Committee is currently preparing a report on the draft framework policy which I will consider when received.

In the meantime, I believe that it is important to continue momentum in terms of delivery of the priorities set out in the framework policy and to build on the positive legacy of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme.

To that effect therefore, on December 8th last, the Taoiseach and I launched the Creative Ireland Programme/Clár Éire Ildánachas the Government’s Legacy Programme arising out of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme and as the main implementation vehicle for the priorities identified in Culture 2025.

The Creative Ireland Programme is a high-level, high-ambition, all-of-Government initiative to mainstream creativity in the life of the nation.

My Department is now working to implement the Creative Ireland Programmewith partners across Government and other key stakeholders including those working in the sector. I will continue to keep the process and structures for consultation under review as we work through the implementation phase.

It should also be noted that under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council also has a function of advising and providing information on the arts to the Minister and the Government.