Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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207. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the degree to which she continues to encourage and promote various forms of cultural activity with particular reference to the need to stimulate recovery in the aftermath of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2866/22]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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208. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she has engaged with the various stakeholders in order to stimulate interest and activity in the arts with consequent economic and social benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2867/22]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 208 together.

The arts and culture sectors under my remit are at the heart of Ireland's identity and the pandemic has demonstrated very clearly the critical role they play in social and economic well-being. The resilience of these sectors, in the face of the extraordinary circumstances of COVID-19 has been remarkable, particularly as many were among the first sectors to close and are the last to return to full capacity.

I am greatly heartened at the response to and uptake of the various supports, both horizontal and sectoral, that have been put in place.  Recognising that resilience and the hugely important role that these sectors play in Ireland's collective economic and social well-being, I will continue to work with the stakeholders to monitor the evolving situation and to work with my Government colleagues to support these sectors and, with officials and Government colleagues, to support a strong and stable recovery as we emerge from the pandemic.  

We all want to see a return to full capacities attending cultural and entertainment events and the rehabilitation of our hard-hit Night-Time Economy, but the pandemic has continued to pose challenges

As a Government, our commitment to the sector is evidenced by recent funding allocations, among them €25m to pilot a Basic Income Scheme for Artists; record Arts Council funding of €130m and the recent announcement of a €50 million funding package for the Live Performance Sector.

In the development and delivery of supports, both I and my officials engage regularly with agencies and stakeholders through a dedicated forum established for this purpose.  

My Department’s Statement of Strategy 2021-2023 published earlier this year sets out the actions that my Department will take over the coming period to enrich the quality of life in Ireland through supporting the development of tourism, culture, arts, sports, media and Irish language.  In addition to their immense inherent value, these are valued by all of our communities as important resources for social cohesion, individual and community wellbeing and for the presentation of Ireland as an attractive destination for tourism and sustainable inward investment. 

In addition to the core Departmental goals set out in this document, a number of cross cutting-goals have been incorporated into the Department’s objectives which will be reflected in our policies and programmes over the lifetime of this Statement of Strategy including supporting and promoting diversity, social inclusion and full and effective female participation across the Department’s sectors and society in line with Programme for Government commitments.