Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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395. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht to provide an update on the work of the night time economy taskforce; the number of times the forum has met to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42417/24]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Following the publication of the in September 2021, a high level Night-Time Economy (NTE) Implementation Group was established which includes 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 new ideas and new developments are included as the work progresses. The group has met 13 times to date.

Significant progress has been made across the 36 actions in the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce. Some of the key areas of progress led by my Department include:

• 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 are helping to drive and support a more sustainable Night-Time Economy in their local areas.
• The roll-out of key schemes to broaden and diversify the Night-Time Economy offering including the Night-Time Economy Support Scheme (2022) to support licensed and unlicensed venues to put on entertainment later into the night, in off-peak times, to increase footfall in towns, cities and villages and After Hours at the Museum Scheme (2023) which supported over 50 museums and galleries to open later, providing a diversity of offerings in small towns and villages right across the country.
• Funding towards later night events and openings in the National Cultural Institutions.
• Support for Culture Night Late - 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.
• Support for the Arts Council Late-Night Events Pilot Programme which saw funding allocated to 14 arts centres across the country run late night events.
• Support for a range of youth initiatives to support the needs of young people in the Night-Time Economy including running later events for Cruinniú na nÓg.