Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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251. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the financial supports available for large organisations holding festivals that attract both national and international visitors such as one in County Kildare (details supplied); the body to which they should apply for such funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18573/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Under the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. The Council offers a wide range of financial supports across artforms and arts practices, including festivals covering both single artform festivals (e.g. theatre, dance, film) and a number of multidisciplinary arts festivals across different artforms including literature.

The Arts Council's festival and events scheme is now open for applications including both the multi-disciplinary festivals and single artform festivals. Details of the scheme may be accessed on the Arts Council's website at the following link .

The Arts Council also works in partnership with local authorities in developing the arts at local level. The Council also has a similar long-term partnership with Údarás na Gaeltachta under its Ealaín na Gaeltachta programme in Gaeltacht areas.

Modest funding for literature festivals may be available under the A6 Scheme being administered by my Department, which is intended for projects that meet a specific cultural need and support the high level goal of the Department in relation to enhancing access to the arts, culture and film sectors and recognising the social and economic role of these sectors in Ireland. Category F of that Scheme provides for small-scale local festivals, summer schools and other such similar events that support these goals. Details of this scheme are on my Department’s website at .

Fáilte Ireland, which comes under the remit of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, also offers support for festivals. The Fáilte Ireland Regional Festivals and Participative Events Programme supports festivals and events which drive local tourism and help to improve the experience on the ground by bringing Ireland to life for the visitor. Further details of the 2017 scheme may be accessed at the following link

.