Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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42. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment for inclusion of Macroom, County Cork in further roll-out or expansion of the Night-Time Economy Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64350/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The development of a diverse and vibrant Night-Time Economy is an important policy area in my Department and we have been developing and supporting a number of key initiatives and pilots right across the country all with the aim of creating a safe, inclusive and diverse cultural offering at night.

The Night-Time Economy Advisor pilot project which arose from a recommendation in the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce is demonstrably one of the most impactful. The aim of the pilots is to stimulate night-time activity at a local level supported by the appointment of a Night-Time Economy Advisor in nine selected pilot locations across the country: Dublin City, Cork City, Limerick City, Galway City, Kilkenny, Drogheda, Sligo, Buncrana and Longford Town. The pilots should also act as blueprint for other locations on how to develop a night-time strategy that is specifically tailored to a local area. My Department has provided funding for a two-year full-time Night-Time Advisor in each of the selected locations and I have committed funding for these posts until September 2026.

This year, following a tendering process, we appointed Communiqué International to undertake an independent review of the Night-Time Economy pilots to advise on possible options in relation to the future of the initiative. The review looked critically at the structures involved in supporting the Advisors, the funding levels, the visibility of each in their respective areas and their impact on the Night-Time Economy in their locality.

I understand that the review of the pilots has now concluded, and the subsequent Report is finalised which details a set of recommendations in relation to the future expansion of the pilots. I also understand that my Officials have undertaken a consultation exercise with the County and City Management Association and the wider Night-Time Economy Implementation Group in relation to the recommendations in the Report.

I am expecting to review the Report in the coming weeks but any decision I will make in relation to the future of the pilots, including any expansion into new locations, will be guided by the recommendations in the Report and the feedback from the wider Night-Time Economy Implementation Group. I will also need to consider and evaluate any prospective changes within the broader context of overall policy and budgetary considerations.