Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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3. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the work of the night-time economy unit that exists within her Department; if an audit has been carried out all cultural facilities that open beyond 10 p.m.; and if she will commit to funding night-time economy adviser positions for cities and towns around the country. [37220/24]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach for the leverage she has given me this morning. Will the Minister provide an updated report the work of the night-time economy task force that operates from her Department. I would like to understand if, as part of that task force or through any of the Minister's remit, there has been an audit of cultural entities that exist after 10 p.m. Will the Minister consider establishing night-time economy advisers the length and breadth of the country, where they may be needed?

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I published the report of the night-time economy task force in September 2021. It contains 36 practical recommendations in the areas of regulation, licensing, planning, transport, safety and increasing the diversity of night-time activities. The night-time economy unit in my Department continues to work with the implementation group of the task force report, the night-time economy sector, relevant Government colleagues and agencies to progress the 36 actions in this report.

As part of this work, the Arts Council conducted an audit of all arts and cultural facilities in Ireland. A number of key findings were compiled detailing programming and opening hours, facilities, the suitability for night-time economy opportunities, accessibility, climate culture and energy use. This data is being shared with relevant stakeholders and will encourage later programming and new partnerships between late night producers and existing cultural venues.

In addition to this, the Arts Council led the late-night events pilot programme, in partnership with my Department. Funding of €800,000 was allocated to support arts centres and cultural spaces to open later and diversify their offering. Some 14 art centres were selected to take part. The pilot programme aimed to further extend and diversify the offering for later night activity. Each pilot was required to undertake research and evaluation to identify the challenges and opportunities in relation to staying open later. The report on the outcomes of this pilot is currently in development and I look forward to the learnings.

My Department is also funding night-time economy advisors in nine locations across the country on a pilot basis for two years. All night-time economy advisors have been appointed and action plans are being finalised, with many initiatives and pilot projects under way. My Department will work with the local authority sector to review the findings of this pilot and share the learnings with relevant stakeholders. This will help inform any next steps required regarding the further roll-out of this project. The night-time economy remains a dynamic policy area with complex issues to resolve, but also wonderful opportunities to grasp. The collaboration and support of all key stakeholders are vital, and we will continue to add new actions where needed, amend and adapt where appropriate, and build our progress to date.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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As the Minister mentioned, the night-time economy and the night-time culture economy present huge opportunities. There has been an effort on her part, certainly in the early years of the Government, to make changes. I believe night-time economy unit has huge potential, and we have seen some examples of that. Yet, I do not believe that there is some degree of collaboration across the Departments that sit around the table. For example, the Department of housing has a huge role to play by looking at vacancies and how we can bring those back into action. I look around Dublin, our capital city, which all but closes down by 9 p.m., with the exception of pubs and nightclubs. It is welcome that the Minister has enhanced the nightclub sector, but it also needs support. The Department of enterprise does not seem to be featured in the unit, despite the fact that there is a huge opportunity here. In the months, or potentially weeks that are remaining, will we see any benefit from this task force? Will the night-time economy be enhanced? Will we see the city not closing down after 10 p.m.? This is why I asked specifically about an audit of facilities that open after 10 p.m.

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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As I said, the Arts Council conducted an audit of all arts and cultural facilities, not just in Dublin, but across Ireland. My Department has also allocated €11.9 million in current funding to support the work of the night-time economy task force and €2 million in capital funding, and this has supported some key initiatives and pilot projects in the night-time economy policy area. We are not afraid to try new things and work with the sector to put in place supports and initiatives that can create opportunities and new thinking. That includes collaboration with the Department of housing, which the Deputy has mentioned. The Department of Justice is another key Department in this consultation and cross-departmental and cross-government approach.

We also have a Dublin city adviser in place. Dublin City Council and the new adviser, Ray O'Donoghue, are planning to publish their plan shortly. That will be key, and the work is ongoing. A tenet of mine during my time as Minister has been engaging in ongoing consultation with stakeholders, listening to them, seeing what we need to do, seeing how we need to evolve any policies that are under way, and looking at investment.

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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I reiterate that hugely beneficial work has been undertaken by the task force and, in particular, under the Minister’s leadership, but I would like to see what the outcome of that will be.

I would have liked to ask about the night-time licensing laws, which were promised as part of this reimagining of what our cultural entities could look like in the night time. However, I am not sure if I had to address it to the Minister, who was driving it initially as I was redirected to the Department of Justice. As part of our understanding of the development of the night-time economy and the advancement of culture, is it intended to reform late-night liquor licensing laws during the last weeks and months of the Government, or does the Minister believe that should be pushed on to the next government, whichever of us will be leading it?

I believe it is exciting and the Bill has the power to be transformative. At 2.30 a.m., we continue to see every nightclub in the city opening its doors to send its patrons onto the streets and that does not serve any of us well. I would love to see a continued leadership by the Minister in that field. I hope she might say if we will see that law before her time in government comes to an end.

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Yes. As I said, my Department and I are continuing to support the night-time economy through a range of initiatives. The modernisation of licensing is one aspect of this, and an important one, but it is under the remit of the Department of Justice and is being led by it. I have made no secret that I am in support of the reform of our licensing laws, and the Minister for Justice and her officials are continuing to work on reforming this complex legislation. My Department is doing whatever it can to support the Department of Justice on this, where necessary and where appropriate. It is my understanding that it is still the Minister's intention to publish the Bill. The modernisation of these laws will be vital to helping support businesses in the night-time economy, allowing them to innovate, breathe life into our cities and grow in a modern and diverse society.