To ask the Minister of Culture, Arts and Leisure for her assessment of the cultural impact of the decision by Northern Ireland Tourist Board to withdraw funding from the Tourism Events Fund.

Ms Ní Chuilín

I thank the Member for his question. The fund in question has been a key source of support for some of our highest-profile festivals and events, and I recognise that many of those will be significantly impacted by its potential withdrawal. Events such as Féile an Phobail, the North West 200, the Milk Cup and Foyle Cup and the Walled City Tattoo, just to mention a few, will potentially be affected by the decision of the Tourist Board. Those events are about much more than simply showcasing what we have to offer here in terms of money; they also help to break down barriers within our local communities and develop mutual respect amongst our increasingly diverse population. While I recognise the value that those larger events bring in economic and social benefits, I think it is important that the whole impact of small community events also has to be acknowledged. I understand that those events remain a priority for the Tourist Board and that it will endeavour to source budgets for those events in future years.

Ms Ní Chuilín

The Member might be surprised, but I learned about the withdrawal of the funding through the media. Again, it is still speculation as to which events will be supported and which will not. I am trying to find out exactly what the Tourist Board will support, but, as I said to other Members who have raised it with me — I want to be totally clear on this — the Tourist Board made a decision not to bring forward events funding. That does not mean to say that the responsibility for that gets passed to DCAL. It is not my responsibility to be the first source of funding for those events. I am certainly loath, because one department has made a decision, to pick the ball up and run. That is not happening.

Mr Humphrey

I thank the Minister for her answers. In relation to the Milk Cup, which was mentioned as part of the question, can I ask the Minister why, after the evidence given by the Milk Cup organisers only a few weeks ago at the CAL Committee, her Department did not give any funding to the Milk Cup? It is internationally renowned, attracting thousands of spectators each year, with hundreds of players coming from across the world, and DCAL was unable to sponsor that event. Why is that?

Ms Ní Chuilín

I am confused about why the Member thinks I have never invested any money in the Milk Cup and Foyle Cup: I have. In the October monitoring round, for the Milk Cup and the Foyle Cup — the Milk Cup for this year — we were advised by the organisers that they could not spend the money before the end of this financial year. Obviously, that information has not been fed back to the Member, in fairness to him.

Mr Milne

Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-LeasCheann Comhairle. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as a freagraí go dtí seo. Does the Minister agree that it is vital that sports and cultural events are supported, as they are vital to the local economy and a key factor in attracting tourism?

Ms Ní Chuilín

Yes, I agree. It is vital that that cultural package for events or the events support for a cultural package in sports and even some of the bigger events is supported as best as possible in future years. The Member will know better than I, coming from a rural background, that events, particularly in small rural areas or communities, are sometimes the only opportunity for regenerating some of the local economy. Local and small businesses have come to rely on those benefits on an annual basis. It is with regret that I say that they are now in the situation of wondering what will happen this year. It is important that the Tourist Board has indicated that, where possible, it will try to focus on those events as a priority. However, like many others, those groups are still waiting for funding to become available.

Mr Dallat

I do not intend to chastise the Minister for the gross errors of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, but will she accept that she now has a responsibility to give leadership and guidance to the organisers of events such as the Milk Cup, the North West 200, the Foyle Cup and so on, who have clearly been grossly let down by the Tourist Board, which apparently does not see beyond the Titanic centre?

Ms Ní Chuilín

I am happy to forward a copy of the Hansard report of these questions to the ETI Minister so that she can forward it to the Tourist Board. I know that some of our officials have engaged with some of the events' organisers, and I am sure that the Member will not be surprised that they have come to DCAL seeking support and assistance. The Member will also be aware that, for reasons that will become known in the future, what small support and assistance we gave to the events was transferred from DCAL in 2010. It is regrettable that these people are now in the situation of not knowing whether they can plan events at all. It is important, particularly for areas like the north-west, that such events have more security and sustainability in the future.