Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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234. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason is it taking so long for the announcement on when and where the Irish An Gorta Mór Commemoration Day will be held in 2025. [38545/24]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Since its inception in 2008, the National Famine Commemoration has taken place on a generally rotating basis across each of the four provinces of Ireland, and has included host communities from across the island of Ireland. In 2018, the Government approved the designation of the third Sunday of May each year as the National Famine Commemoration Day, with the arrangements for the holding of the State commemoration on this day or the preceding Saturday, to be decided each year following consultation with the relevant local authority and host community. The National Famine Commemoration Committee, which I chair, is charged with considering arrangements for the National Famine Commemoration Day.

The location of the annual National Famine Commemoration is usually announced in early spring each year. This year's National Famine Commemoration took place on Sunday, 19 May 2024, in Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford and provided an opportunity for the host community to honour the memory of those who perished or suffered loss during the famine.

I am aware of the importance of providing sufficient notice to ensure that communities, schools, ambassadors, and other stakeholders have time to plan so that this important day can be marked appropriately and provide an opportunity for meaningful reflection.

For 2025, the host venue for the National Famine Commemoration will be within the province of Munster. My Department has written to the Chief Executives of all local authorities in the province inviting applications from those interested in hosting the 2025 National Famine Commemoration.

Proposals that may be received will be considered by the National Famine Commemoration Committee and an announcement will be made at the earliest opportunity.