Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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376. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the actions taken to support, strengthen and diversify the night-time economy since 27 June 2020; the priorities for 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29640/24]

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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377. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for an update on the work of the night-time economy taskforce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29641/24]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 376 and 377 together.

Following the publication of the in September 2021, a high level Night-Time Economy (NTE) Implementation Group was established. The group consists of representatives from key Departments, Agencies, and Stakeholders and is chaired by my Department. The group meets regularly to oversee the progression and implementation of the NTE Taskforce Report recommendations. The Group also ensures that the document remains current and that new ideas and new developments are included as the work progresses.

Significant progress has been made across the 36 actions in the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce, with some actions now completed. This year, I have allocated €2.5 million towards the implementation of a range of new measures to support the Night-Time Economy, this includes the appointment of all 9 Night-Time Advisors in Dublin City, Cork City, Limerick City, Galway City, Kilkenny, Longford Town, Sligo Town, Drogheda and Buncrana, Co. Donegal. The Night-Time Economy Advisors will help to drive and support a more sustainable Night-Time Economy in their local areas. The support for these 9 advisors is one of my key priorities for 2024 and will help strengthen the Night-Time Economy in the selected pilot areas.

Since the publication of the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce, my Department have been supporting a number of actions that specifically focus on broadening and diversifying the Night-Time Economy offering.

In 2022, I launched the Night-Time Economy Support Scheme to support licensed and unlicensed venues to encourage them to put on entertainment later into the night, in off-peak times, to increase footfall in towns, cities and villages, provide opportunities for local artists and to encourage the use of existing venues at night.

I also provided funding towards later night openings for the National Cultural Institutions on a pilot basis and many are still continuing with late night programmes. Last year I launched the After Hours at the Museum Scheme which supported smaller museums and galleries to open later, this provided a diversity of offerings in small towns and villages right across the country. Over 50 museums and galleries hosted later events after their normal closing times.

I have provided funding to the Arts Council to support events after 9pm on Culture Night. To date 70 late night flagship events have taken place on Culture Night across the country. The initiative has been very successful, the majority of events exceeding audience targets in excess of 500. I have allocated €285k in support of Culture Night Late 2024.

This year the Night Time Economy Unit partnered with Creative Ireland by offering additional funding to Local Authorities to run later events for Cruinniú na nÓg, catering to an older cohort of 14 to 18 year olds. Some of the events that took place included an Inclusive Disco in Cork County, Longford held a Pride Walk and Dance Party, they also partnered with Longford Africans Network and hosted a creative writing workshop and an African Traditional Musical Instrument Training and Demo.

All of these initiatives are helping to strengthen our Night-Time Economy and aim to create a more diverse, inclusive and appealing Night Time Economy for all ages and backgrounds. I will continue to work with the NTE Sector, relevant Government colleagues and Agencies to develop new opportunities within the Night-Time Economy.