Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Flynn agus go raibh míle maith aici. It is appropriate, although it was not planned, that I just happened to come in straight after Oein who does so much for Traveller culture. I am delighted to see everyone here today.

I start by saying that you enrich our culture. I do not think that that is acknowledged enough so I will say it again as Minister for arts and culture. You enrich our culture. I attach great importance to supporting Traveller culture. Cultural expression and cultural participation is essential for identity, for respect, for social inclusion and well-being.

The basic income for the arts pilot scheme which I have rolled out to support artists includes 14 people who identified as Traveller or Roma when applying and they are now receiving that basic income for the arts payment to support them in their invaluable work.

I mentioned the Traveller wellbeing through creativity 2023 fund run by Creative Ireland in 2022 and 2023. These projects place Travellers at the centre of creative projects. The HSE is working hard to find a pathway to mainstream this approach within its services. The evaluation of the fund shows the passion of the participants and the deep impact which the participation had on them.

Supporting the Traveller community is an important priority for the Arts Council and I am very pleased that it is funding an arts officer in Pavee Point. The National Museum's appointing of Oein as Traveller Culture Collector is also a milestone. It has been truly wonderful to support Martin Beanz Warde; Emma Ward, who I see here today, and others at the Gallery of Photography; the Pisreóg Project with Saint Margaret's Traveller Association; the rappers - Wolsey, Casey and James McDonagh; virtuoso musician Thomas McCarthy; Rosie McDonagh's play at the Misleór festival in Galway; and Paint Punch Abbeyfeale for young people in Abbeyfeale with artist Frank McCarthy and Sam Horgan.

These are very important enabling actions and I want to say to the committee and its guests that it is only the start. I acknowledge that and we will do more. I promise the committee that as Minister for arts and culture. I want to do more and I am absolutely committed to doing more. Go dté sibh ó neart go neart agus táim ag tnúth chun leanúint leis an obair atá idir lámha le chéile.