Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

42. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to the recently announced Action Plan for Rural Development, the extent to which she hopes to maximise opportunities for the development of the arts and a greater awareness of heritage and economic opportunities likely to arise therefrom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40722/17]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Action Plan for Rural Development is the first whole-of-government strategy aimed at people living and working in rural Ireland.  The Plan is now led by my colleague Michael Ring, the Minister for Rural and Community Development.  It aims to unlock the potential of rural Ireland through a framework of supports at national and local level which will ensure that people who live in rural areas have increased opportunities for employment locally, and access to public services and social networks that support a high quality of life.

The Plan contains 276 actions which aim to improve both the economic and social fabric of rural Ireland spread across five pillars. Arts and Heritage are covered under the fourth pillar of the plan - Fostering Culture and Creativity in Rural Communities.  The key objectives of this Pillar are to:

- Increase access to the arts and enhance cultural facilities in rural communities.

- Further develop and enhance culture and creativity in rural Ireland through the establishment of culture teams and creativity hubs as part of the Creative Ireland      Programme.

- Promote the Irish language as a key resource in Gaeltacht and other rural communities.

Of the 275 actions in the Action Plan many relate to our natural and built heritage assets. These assets are an essential part of the fabric of rural Ireland and their promotion in the context of the future growth of the rural economy is essential. As is their contribution to local pride of place and wellness. In that respect, my Department is continuing to work closely with the Department of Rural and Community Development. A rural proofing has been inbuilt to all our heritage promotion programmes and initiatives.

These policy initiatives are supported by significant additional resources which are being directed towards the arts and culture sector.

In February this year I announced details of more than €9 million in capital funding for existing dedicated arts and culture centres across the country.  The Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016-2018 is the most significant investment in arts and cultural centres in a decade and will target investment at a range of different facilities, including arts centres, theatres, galleries and museums, as well as artists’ studios and creative spaces.

In August I announced further capital funding of almost €750,000 for more than 60 arts organisations around the country. The funding is being made available under Stream 3 of the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016-2018.  It was geared towards providing capital grants of up to €20,000 to not-for-profit organisations with a defined arts and cultural remit.

The Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016-2018 is flexible to ensure that a diverse number of arts organisations would benefit.  As a result of the latest round of funding, more than 120 organisations in total have benefitted from this very worthwhile scheme.

A full list of successful projects under the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016-2018 (Streams 1, 2 & 3) is available on my Department’s website.