Written answers

Tuesday, 21 June 2022

Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Departmental Reports

Photo of Christopher O'SullivanChristopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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72. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will outline progress regarding the recommendations of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce Report, including implementation of the new Night-Time Economy pilot programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32421/22]

Photo of Catherine MartinCatherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The Night-Time Economy Taskforce Report was published in September 2021 and contained 36 actions across a broad range of issues associated with the Night-time Economy (NTE) all with the aim of increasing the diversity of events, increasing cultural opportunities for families and other age-groups into the evening and also to look at new ways of encouraging innovation and creativity in the Night-Time Economy. 

An Implementation Group made up of key Departments, Agencies and sectoral representation has been established to ensure that the recommendations contained within the Report are implemented in full.  I have allocated €4m from my own Department's budget towards the implementation of the actions contained in the NTE Report which my Department is leading or where my Department has a supporting role.

I am pleased to report that significant progress has been made in relation to a number of the recommendations, some of which include:

- My Department supported a new series of late night events across the country as part of Culture Night last year on foot of the Taskforce recommendation in this area.   Further events are planned for this year’s Culture Night including a number of National Cultural Institutions hosting later night events.

- The National Museum of Ireland, the National Concert Hall and the Irish Museum of Modern Art are all hosting pilot late night events this year and a number of National Cultural Institutions are planning later openings on foot of the recommendation in the NTE Taskforce Report.

- To address challenges relating to planning and regulation for those operating in the Night-Time Economy, a Night Time Economy Activation Workshop was co- hosted by my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.   The outcome of the Workshop will be the development of best practice guidance to help Local Authorities (LAs) plan effectively for the Night-Time Economy.

- Over 380 venues across all sectors of the Night Time Economy registered their staff for vulnerability training this year.  This initiative was supported by my Department and was developed with and is supported by the nightclub sector (Give Us The Night), the Vintners Associations, Restaurant Association of Ireland, the Local Authorities, with the support of An Garda Síochána and the Department of Justice.

- The Department of Justice are also progressing the modernisation of licensing which was a recommendation in the Taskforce Report.

Progress has also been made on the pilot initiative establishing new "Night-Time Advisors" in six cities and towns to develop new Night-Time Economy opportunities. The CCMA recently issued a call for applications to all local authorities for the six pilot towns/cities which will close on the 24th  June.  This initiative will also be supported by my Department.  An evaluation committee with membership from the CCMA, my Department and an external independent member will review each application. Towns and cities in two categories will be selected by the evaluation committee – three towns between 5,000 and 10,000 and three towns/cities above 10,000. Once the selection process has been completed and announced, a Night-Time Advisor will be appointed to each of the selected areas. 

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