Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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437. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the engagement that she has had regarding the advertising and showcasing of the Fleadh Ceoil due to take place in Mullingar at the end of July 2022. [29017/22]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Although my Department provides funding to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, matters such as advertising and show casing events are operational matters for the organisation and not something for which I or my Department officials have any role or responsibility.

Nonetheless, I welcome the return of the Fleadh Cheoil to the calendar of summer cultural events and that it will take place in Mullingar from 31 July to 7 August. As the greatest annual gathering under the auspices of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, the Fleadh is principally organised at community level by the local branches in partnership with the local authority, media and other partners and sponsors. I am conscious that Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann was founded in Mullingar in 1951 and of the tremendous support that endures there for the organisation.

With regard to my general engagements with those involved in organising the Fleadh Cheoil, although constrained by pandemic controls I was delighted to meet online with the Chairman and members of the Fleadh Committee as they prepared for the 2022 event. In recognition of the special challenges arising from the revitalisation of the Fleadh after two missed events, I approved a special support arrangement for this year on an exceptional basis of €100,000. I am confident that this support will be tremendously amplified by the community effort to ensure that Fleadh Cheoil 2022 will be a great festival enjoyed by the many visitors to Mullingar and countless thousands more around the world through the broadcasting and online presentations.