Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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26. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will report on her Department's work to reform Ireland's night-time economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56302/22]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I published the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce in September 2021. It is a Cross-Government Report containing 36 actions across a broad range of issues associated with the Night-Time Economy, all with the aim of increasing the diversity of events, increasing cultural opportunities and encouraging innovation and creativity in the Night-Time Economy.

This year has seen many positive interventions in the Night-Time Economy with new pilot initiatives kick-started and progress made across a number of actions in the Report.

I recently announced funding to recruit pilot Night-Time Advisors in 9 cities and towns to enhance their night-time culture and recruitment for these positions will get underway shortly.

I also launched the Night-Time Economy Support Scheme earlier this year, with an allocation of €4 million. This Scheme provided support for cultural activity in pubs, nightclubs, cafés and other suitable licensed and unlicensed premises during off-peak times. Over 470 applications were received with well over 2,000 events taking place.

The Minister for Justice recently published the General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill, a key recommendation of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce and a major step in the right direction for all those making a living in the Night-Time Economy.

Our National Cultural Institutions are also driving change in the Night-Time Economy, with support from my Department. The National Concert Hall sold out two nights for last month’s “Haunted Dancehall” electronic music festival. Likewise, IMMA held a successful “Summer Nights” series from May to September as part of this initiative and the NMI recently ran a pilot evening event in their Turlough Park site. These venues showed how they can open up our traditional spaces to new and exciting late night events.

I have allocated €6m for next year’s budget towards the implementation of a range of measures to support the Night-Time Economy, including the development of soundproofing grants for late night venues.

I hope to see more innovative pilot projects developed in 2023 which will build on the progress already being made as a result of the work of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce.