Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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372. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason the target set by her Department for events with Irish artists abroad in 2019 was not met; and the steps she has taken to ensure future targets are met. [21922/20]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Culture Ireland's remit is to promote Irish arts worldwide. This is achieved through a Showcasing Programme which generates new opportunities for Irish artists and a Grants Programme which offers travel support for artists to present their work globally. Culture Ireland fully expended its allocation in 2019 supporting 453 projects in 56 countries reaching an audience of 6 million, an increase on previous years. Projects were supported in visual arts, theatre, literature, music, dance, opera, film, circus and architecture. 219 international programmers were supported to engage with artists in Ireland. 21 showcase industry events and 76 artists/companies were supported to present at showcase events. Success is not measured in these metrics alone as qualitative elements are paramount and it is notable that the 2019 programme reached more territories and higher audience than before

While COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on global arts events with most events arts events with a physical presence being cancelled since mid March, Culture Ireland continues to operate these two Programme to support artists and maintain Ireland's strong reputation for creativity .

Recent elements in the Showcase Programme include Culture Ireland preparing and supporting Irish theatre companies, who were due to present at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, to pitch their work online to international presenters. The Philadelphia Folk Festival presented 18 bands on a designated Culture Ireland stage in August which reached audiences beyond the US including music programmers. Upcoming events includes theatre companies pitching to international presenters at Dublin Fringe Festival and Dublin Theatre Festival and Ireland Music Week which involves 50 bands who are currently filming performances which will reach global music promoters online in early October.

The Grants Programme continues to offer support for presentation of work online and Irish Cultural Centres in New York, Paris and London are being supported for reimagined online seasons.

Culture Ireland has developed new initiatives such as Ireland Performs, which supported the presentation of 120 music concerts online reaching a global audience of almost one million to date.