Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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174. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she and her Department are engaged in the promotion of Irish culture at home and abroad, perhaps targeting the tourism and education sectors in particular, thereby creating a new awareness at home and abroad; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24534/24]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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177. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which her Department has directly supported the Arts in the current year to date; her proposals for the future in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24539/24]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 177 together.

My Department’s Arts and Culture programme aims to promote and develop Ireland’s world class artistic and creative strengths at home and abroad, maximising their societal and economic value for the country, and supporting Arts and the entertainment sector to develop and grow. The following have been introduced for 2024;

• Record funding of €134 million for the Arts Council in 2024 will build on recent successes in the sector
• The highest level of funding for Culture Ireland since its establishment will support more Irish artists to launch and develop their careers on an international stage
• A new pilot capital support scheme for Arts, Culture and the Night Time Economy will continue the development of vibrant late night arts and culture scenes in Irish cities, towns and villages as well as additional capital to assist in the provision of building and equipment needs, artists workspaces, and adapting facilities to reduce energy needs and carbon footprints
• Increased funding of €1.5 million for Screen Ireland will support the audiovisual industry to build and expand capacity across the country, to deliver on strategic objectives, to take account of inflation on the value of supports, provide Sustainability Funding and Audience Development initiatives, as well as providing a targeted international marketing campaign to highlight the improvements to Section 481 announced by the Minister for Finance
• In conjunction with Minister for Finance Michael McGrath, changes to Section 481 tax relief will further enhance Ireland’s attractiveness as a location for major international film and television projects, building on the remarkable success of “The Banshees of Inisherin” and “An Cailín Ciúin”. In particular the increase in the cap to €125 million will restore Ireland’s ability to attract high-value, internationally mobile audio-visual projects that will generate significant employment and skills development opportunities for Irish crew
• Basic Income for the Arts is funded for the second of three years of the pilot. Research just published shows very positive impact on the lives and wellbeing of participants to date.
• Increased funding for the Safe to Create Programme that supports all artists and creatives that will allow Minding Creative Minds to provide new dedicated HR, Mediation, Legal & Financial advice to the creative sector, creative therapies, dedicated mentoring & career services as well as an information campaign on its serious trauma counselling service
• Further support for Creative Ireland, to implement projects under the expanded Creative Climate Action Fund will underpin the department’s commitment to building for a better future through supporting participation in creative cultural activity
• Additional support for Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
• Our National Cultural Institutions and other approved bodies will benefit from an increase in the tax relief on donations further incentivises donation to strengthen our national collections. The cap on the relief under the scheme will increase from €6 million to €8 million next year
• Other support for the National Cultural Institutions for programme, learning and outreach activities
• New arts strategy and funding package of €20 million for the Gaeltacht and for the Irish language in community.
• Significant progress on the NCI redevelopment programme.