The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, has announced that the selection process has begun to pick 6 towns and/or cities in Ireland to take part in the new Night-Time Economy pilot programme. This programme – which includes the appointment of Night-Time Economy advisors in each of the selected towns or cities – aims to help boost the night-time economy and promote an eclectic, vibrant night-time culture.
“The establishment of Night-time advisors in the six pilot towns and cities will be a significant step towards securing a vibrant and importantly a more sustainable night-time culture for all our citizens. The selection of these pilot towns and cities is a vital stage in this process and I would like to thank the CCMA and the local authorities for their leadership and support for this process. This is in direct response to an action in the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce which I published last year. The Taskforce explored ways in which we could promote a thriving, inclusive and diverse Night-Time Economy. It is crucial now that we follow up on their recommendations and act on them to create and support opportunities for audiences, venues, businesses and performers.” – Minister Martin
Ann Marie Farrelly, Chair of the CCMA BEIUER (Business, Enterprise, Innovation, Urban/Town Economic Renewal) Committee and member of the Night-Time Recovery Taskforce welcomed the progress made towards establishing the pilot areas saying she: “looks forward to some innovative and exciting pilot projects across the country which will be developed in partnership with key local stakeholders.”
The Minister has committed funding for a two-year period to support the recruitment of the Night-time Advisors for each of the chosen areas. The process is being led by the City and County Managers Association (CCMA) which has recently issued the call to all local authorities to apply for funding to establish the role in their town or city. The application call for Local Authorities will close on 24th June 2022 and the chosen cities/towns will be announced this summer.
Minister Martin has also provided funding to support late night openings in a number of the National Cultural Institutions (NCIs) this summer and autumn. The funding will allow NCIs to open later than usual in the evenings but also to support events and performances with the aim of broadening and diversifying the range of cultural offerings available to the public at night.
In addition, with support from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, the National Concert Hall, IMMA and the National Museum of Ireland will also be hosting large-scale pilot events this year to trial new and more diverse offerings later into the night.
These initiatives are as a direct result of recommendations made by the Night-Time Economy Taskforce (as per Action 6, 9 and 10) which was set up by Minister Martin to develop an innovative approach to supporting and developing a vibrant, diverse, and sustainable night-time economy in Ireland.
