Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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34. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of plans for the introduction of new bursary schemes for young artists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17406/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The Arts Council is the main route through which the Government funds the arts and artists in Ireland. The 2020 allocation to the Council has been increased to €100 million. It includes an additional €20 million allocated last month in recognition of the challenges facing the sector. The Arts Council has indicated that it will allocate a significant proportion of the additional funding to bursaries and commissions to artists and arts organisations over the coming weeks and months.

In the recent report entitled Survive, Adapt, Renew,by an Expert Advisory Group established by the Arts Council makes a number of key recommendations to support the arts through the Covid-19 crisis.

One of the recommendations is that priority be given to enhanced commissioning schemes and increased bursary and professional development schemes for independent artists, arts workers and arts organisations.

The Creative Youth Plan under the Creative Ireland Programme commits to specific actions to increase and enhance access to a range of creative and cultural activities and practices for young people. Such supports include pilot projects aimed at increasing and enhancing access to drama and group singing activities for young people in partnership with Youth Theatre Ireland and Sing Ireland respectively.