Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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73. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she proposes to expand and extend the pursuit of the mission statement of her Department in respect of tourism, culture, arts, Gaeltacht, sport and media, with particular reference to the need to address issues arising in the trail of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10446/22]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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As the Deputy will be aware the mission of my Department is

"To lead the sustainable development of Tourism, Media and the Gaeltacht and promote participation in the Culture, Arts, Sports and the Irish language supporting social progress, and enhancing cultural and economic growth across Irish society."

As I advised the Deputy in my reply to Parliamentary questions Nos. 128 and 141 of 11th of November last, (www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2021-11-11/128/?highlight%5B0%5D=55088#pq-answers-128_141), my Department's published in August 2021 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.

The Statement of Strategy 2021-2023 sets out the priorities for my Department over the next few years to ensure these sectors recover from the pandemic but also continue to grow in a manner that underpins social cohesion and supports strong, sustainable economic growth, with a focus on a number of cross cutting goals of equality, diversity, social inclusion, the Irish language and environmental sustainability.

I am confident that Mission Statement set out in my Department's Statement of Strategy fully encompasses the role of my Department in this regard.