Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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387. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide an update on the work of the night-time economy taskforce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13256/23]

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. The report is monitored by an Implementation Group which meets regularly to review progress and to ensure that the report remains current.

Last year we saw 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. Examples of progress include the roll out of the Night-Time Economy Support Scheme to encourage footfall in our cities and towns in off-peak hours and provide opportunities for local artists and also the roll-out of pilots in our National Cultural Institutions who held a series of late night events and openings to encourage more diversity in our night-time economy.

I have allocated €6m this year towards the implementation of a range of new measures to support the Night-Time Economy, which includes €2 million in capital funding to support the development of a soundproofing grant scheme for late night venues. Details of this will be announced in the coming weeks.

This year I am also providing funding to recruit pilot Night-Time Advisors in 9 cities and towns to enhance and drive a more sustainable, vibrant night-time economy. The recruitment process for these positions is currently underway and I expect the positions to be advertised shortly. The Night-Time Advisors will work with businesses, communities, venues, residents and artists to create a more vibrant night-life for all and bring vitality back to our city and town centres in a safe and sustainable way. This is a pilot initiative and if it proves successful, it is hoped to roll out the learnings to other local authorities.

It should also be noted that the Minister for Justice published the General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill last October which was 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.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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388. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will provide an update on the night-time economy forum which took place on 17 January 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13257/23]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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The Night-Time Economy Forum which took place on the 17th January in the National Gallery of Ireland was hosted and led by the Arts Council and supported by my Department as part of the overall effort to drive a more diverse and sustainable Night-Time Economy. The forum was in direct response to Action 3 in the Night-Time Economy Taskforce Report which I launched in September 2021.

Since I launched the Taskforce Report, we have seen some concrete results and progress across the 36 actions in that report but what is just as important for me is regular engagement with artists, promoters and venue owners so we can talk about the issues impacting them, endeavour to find solutions together and discuss the many opportunities in the Night-Time Economy.

The night-time economy forum, brought together a range of international, national and local perspectives on emerging trends and initiatives in relation to the development of the arts and the Night-Time economy. The Forum aimed to encourage new initiatives and partnerships and new thinking to support the role of the arts in creating a vibrant night-time economy.

Some of the topics discussed at the forum included insights and learning from other international cities and towns and how culture and the Night-Time Economy connect in innovative ways and the benefits to artists, venues and cultural organisations of a more diverse and inclusive Night-Time Economy.

I would like to thank the Arts Council for providing this opportunity and bringing such a diverse range of people together and also to the attendees and speakers who provided important insights on their own experiences of the Night-Time Economy.

The Forum also heard from a number of artists with a disability and how they navigate the Night-Time Economy which provided an insight into some of the challenges facing practitioners, audiences, venues and businesses operating in the Night-Time Economy.

I understand that the Arts Council will be engaging further on the issues raised at the forum and I intend to work with the Arts Council and others to support and assist where necessary to ensure that opportunities in the NTE are maximised. The Taskforce Report Implementation Group, which my Department chairs, will also ensure that all of the actions in the Report are progressed and that our Night-Time Economy can grow and thrive.