Minister Catherine Martin - Budget 2022 Dáil Speech

Check against delivery

A Cheann Chomhairle agus a Theachtaí,

Tá áthas orm an deis a fháil labhairt leis an Teach maidir le Meastacháin Bhuiséad 2022 (Fiche Fiche a Dó ) de €1.197bn (Aon bhilliún, céad nócha a seacht million) do mo Roinn agus léargas a thabhairt ar roinnt de na bearta chun tacú le teacht aniar agus fás na n-earnálacha a bhfuil mé freagrach astu.

Individually and cumulatively, these sectors are an integral part of the fabric of our society, most particularly in rural and regional areas where they support economic activity, physical and societal well-being. This was never more evident than during the pandemic.

As we rebuild these vital sectors, we must not lose sight of the valuable contribution they make to people’s everyday lives and livelihoods, all across Ireland, and enable them to contribute to the resurgence of a vibrant and sustainable economy.

Budget 2022 has been informed by ongoing engagement with the sectors and communities which come under the remit of my department. That engagement will continue as we implement policies and programmes to support re-growth and development.

Total funding for the sectors supported by my department is as follows:

€288.5m for Tourism services, representing an increase of €67.6m. This increased allocation will help address immediate survival issues while also enabling further resilience and recovery as we reopen to international tourism and transition to a more sustainable future. The increased funding will allow for:

• €50m in further business continuity support
• an additional €27m for investment in domestic marketing and festivals, particularly during the shoulder season and to assist in attracting and retaining staff in our tourism and hospitality sectors
• increased capital funding, bringing to €36.5m, the monies available for Tourism Product Development, including new and exciting attractions
• an increase of €35m in the Tourism Marketing Fund to help restore inbound tourism to Ireland and begin preparations on the Programme for Government commitment to The Year of the Invitation

This very significant response to the impact of the pandemic recognises the vital contribution of tourism to our overall economy, and jobs.

Whilst our primary focus to date has been on survival, we now have an opportunity to re-imagine our tourism sector in the wake of the pandemic, with a particular emphasis on mainstreaming the principle of sustainability from an environmental, social, and economic perspective.

Total funding for Arts & Culture amounts to €346.5m.

Budget 2022 represents a recognition by Government that bold steps are necessary for our much treasured arts, events and cultural community to emerge from the pandemic stronger than ever before. I believe the extensive package of supports proposed under Budget 2022 will allow for this recovery.

• I am particularly pleased to be announcing €25m in funding for the pilot of the new basic income guarantee scheme for artists and arts workers. This scheme will bring new life and support to the artists and those working in the Arts and Cultural Sector, after a profoundly difficult 18 months
• if there is one lesson to be learned from COVID-19, it is how much we took the arts and culture community for granted. The basic income scheme is a signal from Government to this invaluable sector that you are cherished, appreciated and will never be taken for granted again
• I am also very pleased to maintain funding for the Arts Council for 2022 at the current record level of €130m. This will empower the Arts Council to help artists, arts workers and arts flourish again in Ireland
• €25m is being provided for live entertainment, building on the diverse suite of initiatives introduced for the sector this year in response to the pandemic
• the audio-visual industry continues to be one of the success stories of the past 18 months , with internationally successful productions such as animated feature film ‘Wolfwalkers’ and TV Drama ‘Normal People’. I am pleased to increase Screen Ireland’s funding by a further €6.7m to €36.7m in 2022 to maintaining and grow its output. The extension of section 481 relief for the gaming sector, as well as increased funding of €4.2m for TG4 will also contribute to the ongoing growth of this vibrant sector
• additional funding of €5m is being allocated to our National Cultural Institutions to facilitate increased access to their extraordinary collections, and enhanced audience engagement which they developed during the pandemic
• €4m in funding is being provided to help deliver a suite of initiatives proposed by the Night Time Economy (NTE) Task Force
• finally, €5m is being allocated to support the 2022 Commemorative Programme, marking the significant centenaries arising in 2022

Budget 2022 recognises the value that arts, culture and entertainment brings to people living in Ireland and abroad. And to the important role that artists play in our society. This was particularly evident during the pandemic. It signals a new dawn for the sector, building on existing COVID-19 supports and providing a solid foundation for the sector to grow and thrive.

Funding for the Media and Broadcasting sector will also be increased in 2022.

• this funding includes funding of €5.5m for the establishment of a new regulator, the Media Commission which will support the provision of high quality public service broadcasting and oversee effective regulation of online safety. The establishment of the Media Commission is the subject of pre-legislative scrutiny at present, and this funding is being allocated to build up regulatory capacity and expertise in Online Safety and the other important matters that will fall under the Commission’s remit, in anticipation of the Bill’s enactment
• I am pleased also to have secured additional funding of €4.2m secured for TG4, brining benefits for the Irish language and the audio visual sector, as I mentioned already

In conclusion, I am satisfied that the increased allocation for my department in 2022 resulting in a total of €1.197bn which will deliver very diverse but critical work programmes.

It is a key milestone on our roadmap to recovery, designed to ensure that we emerge from the shadow of COVID-19 stronger and with a renewed sense of hope and focus. Our clear objective is to support a strong and sustainable tourism industry; a vibrant arts and culture sector; a dynamic sports and media sector and a landscape in which our first language can continue to grow and flourish.

Go raibh maith agaibh.