The night-time economy task force report was published in September 2021 and contained 36 actions across a broad range of issues associated with the night-time economy, all with the aim of increasing the diversity of events, increasing cultural opportunities for families and other age groups into the evening and look at new ways of encouraging innovation and creativity in the night-time economy. The Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, launched the night-time economy support scheme, NTESS, on 22 June this year, in su…

I agree that we have to ensure there is a more diverse and inclusive range of events in bars, cafes, nightclubs, art centres and retail outlets across the country. Some examples include the Circus Factory, which pitched events in Cork, the Yamamori Tengu in Dublin, folk concerts in St. James' Church in Kerry and the Birr theatre and arts festival. Windmill Lane Recording Studios had a range of different artists. The National Leprechaun Museum of Ireland hosted a range of events. I welcome the remarks of the Deputy …

I agree with the Deputy. Local authorities need to think beyond the traditional things that they fund. The scheme gives them and the local economy a complimentary benefit in terms of the ability to develop different spaces and provide capital investment. I share the Deputy's remarks and we need to see that engagement. In fairness, the night-time economy action plan and task force happening across Government, between justice, arts and culture and finance, is resulting in better co-ordination and we are seeing that i…

My Department is liaising with Galway 2020 on the development and implementation of the proposed legacy framework arising from the designation of Galway as Ireland's 2020 European Capital of Culture. In that regard, Galway 2020 is due to submit its proposals on the proposed legacy programme shortly and I would expect that the €1 million available will be spent. As set out in the reply of 21 June from the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, the overall framework focuses on a number of key strategic areas that are the…

The proposed legacy framework for Galway 2020 was received by officials of the Minister, Deputy Martin, in late June. In the intervening period, officials reviewed the framework and engaged with Galway 2020 and Galway city and county councils on the development of legacy actions for implementation. The proposed framework focuses on a number of key areas including building existing EU and international partnerships, supporting place-based cultural programming and supporting the cultural and creative sector. In order…

I do not have specific detail or information on that but I acknowledge the Deputy's frustration. I do not know the background of the specific school but if there is a role for the officials of the Minister, Deputy Martin, to engage with that, I will reflect that feedback. I have been told that the delay in the finalisation of the legacy framework was that Galway 2020 engaged in extensive consultation with key stakeholders as part of this legacy development. It also reviewed and took into account key findings and re…

The Arts Council is the statutory body charged with supporting and developing the arts under the Arts Act 2003. Under section 24(2) of the Act, the Arts Council is independent in its funding decisions and the Minister is statutorily precluded from intervening. The Arts Council offers a wide range of schemes that provide funding to artists and arts organisations. These include the festival investment scheme which is a competitive scheme that offers funding to support the staging of festivals on a non-recurring basis…

I acknowledge the points the Deputy made about the Scene + Heard festival. What Government can do is support funding for the arts. That has happened in an unprecedented way again this year. The Minister, Deputy Martin, has secured €130 million for the Arts Council, €35 million for the basic-income-for-artists pilot scheme which will see 2,000 artists receive a payment of €325 per week for three years; €7 million for capital supports for artists' and climate adaptation, including a new €5 million scheme for local au…

In fairness to the Minister, Deputy Martin, she has been a very strong advocate of fostering that.. We have an innovative scheme to provide a basic income for artists. We have got a huge step change in funding for the Arts Council since the Government came into office. That has been continued and maintained in budget 2023. We have got supports for the night-time economy and cross-Government co-ordination to build more inclusive and diverse spaces for that economy. There has been an extra €2 million for Culture Irel…

I speak this evening on my own behalf and that of the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin. Tá an-áthas orm deis a bheith agam labhairt leis an Teach faoin €1.142 billiún don Roinn seo atá i Meastacháin bhuiséid 2023 agus chun achoimre a thabhairt ar roinnt de na bearta a thacóidh le teacht aniar, forbairt agus fás na n-earnálacha a bhfuil freagracht orm astu. Tá ról lárnach ag na hearnálacha a bhfreastalaíonn an Roinn seo orthu ar shaol laethúil agus ar thaipéis fhéiniúlacht na hÉireann. Bunaíonn comhlachtaí agus gní…

I move: “It is proposed that, notwithstanding anything in the Resolution of the Dáil of 20th September, 2022— (1) in respect of the Motions for Financial Resolutions by the Minister for Finance, the following arrangements shall apply: (a) the motions shall, in accordance with the following schedule, be moved and grouped together for the purposes of debate, and if not previously concluded, shall be brought to a conclusion at the end of the indicated time: - Resolutions Nos. 1 and 2 – 40 minutes; - Resolution No. 3 –…

This is a single Topical Issue matter but multiple topics are being raised so I will try to deal with some of them. The LSSIF was launched in 2018 by the previous Government to provide an open and transparent system for applying for funding for larger sports facility projects, including swimming pools, where the amount being sought by applicants was greater than the funding available under my Department's sports capital and equipment programme. The first call for proposals was confined to sporting bodies and local …

We have a €15 million club fund and Sport Ireland has written to all sporting organisations and governing bodies on same. This fund has been kept in reserve from earlier on in the year and, therefore, there will be an injection of support for grassroots clubs before the end of the year that will provide a significant support to clubs and sporting organisations. We are focused on participation grants that resulted from Covid. As the Deputy will be aware, some of the indoor sports were more affected than some of the …

I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion re Sittings and Business of the Dáil (without debate) - Regulated Professions (Health and Social Care) (Amendment) Bill 2022 (Second Stage, resumed) - Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022 [Seanad] (Second Stage) Private Members' Business shall be the Motion re National Retrofit Plan, selected by Sinn Féin. Wednesday’s business shall be: - Motion re Referral to Joint Committee of proposed approval by Dáil Éireann of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted…

I move that: That, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, or in the ordinary routine of business as contained in Schedule 3 to Standing Orders, and unless the Dáil shall otherwise order, the following arrangements shall apply in relation to the sittings of the Dáil on 27th, 28th and 29th September, 2022: (1) (i) the Dáil shall meet at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, and at 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday and Thursday; (ii) on Wednesday, the Dáil shall adjourn not later than 9.24 p.m.; (iii) on Thursday, the Dáil shall adjourn on …

We are.

I move: Wednesday's business shall be: - Motion re Approval of Reappointment of Members of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (without debate) - Motion re Ministerial Rota for Parliamentary Questions (without debate) - Motion re Report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform re Amendment of Standing Orders relating to pre-legislative scrutiny of Government Bills (without debate) - Statements on the IBRC Commission of Investigation Report (not to exceed 200 minutes) - Motion re Proposed Approval by …

I move: That, notwithstanding anything in the Order of the Dáil of 30th July, 2020, setting out the rota in which Questions to members of the Government are to be asked, or in the Orders of the Dáil of 28th June, 2022 and 5th July, 2022, Questions for oral answer, following those set down to the Minister for Social Protection on 14th July, 2022, shall be set down to Ministers in the following temporary sequence: Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister for Rural and Community Development …

I move: That the Order of the Dáil of 29th June, 2021, relating to waiver requests on pre-legislative scrutiny is hereby rescinded and the Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann relative to Public Business are hereby amended as recommended in the report of the Committee on Standing Orders and Dáil Reform dated 13th July, 2022, entitled " Amendment of Standing Orders relating to pre-legislative scrutiny of Government Bills ", a copy of which was laid before Dáil Éireann on 22nd July, 2022.

I move: It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders or in yesterday's Order of Business - 1. that the following motions shall be taken now without debate and that any division claimed thereon shall be taken immediately: - Motion re Report of the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage under Dáil Standing Order 133 on the European Parliament proposal for a Council Regulation on the election of the Members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage, repealing Council Dec…