Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the eleven schemes which have been included in the Financial Year 2025-2026, have as overall objective, to provide structured financial support to artists across the Republic of Mauritius including Rodrigues with the aim of promoting artistic creation, professional development, international outreach and the safeguarding and valorisation of our cultural heritage. With regard to part (a) of the question, I wish to clarify that there are currently nine schemes being implemented by my Ministry as follows – 1. The Scheme for Concerts; 2. The Scheme for Development of Performance Arts Group; 3. The International Development Grant Scheme for Performing Artists; 4. The Scheme for International Award; 5. The Scheme for International Competition Participation; 6. Other Support to Artist Scheme; 7. The Production Grant Scheme; 8. The Emerging Talents Grant Scheme, and 9. The Research Grant Scheme.

60 Each of these schemes has its own eligibility criteria based on the specific objectives of the schemes. With your permission, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am tabling the detailed criteria for each of the nine schemes. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to highlight that three of these nine schemes namely the Production Grant Scheme, the Emerging Talents Grant Scheme and the Research Grant Scheme were previously being implemented under the Finance and Audit (National Arts Fund) Regulations 2017. Following the measure announced in the Financial Year 2025-2026 to wind up all such funds, provision has been made in the budget of my Ministry to honour the contractual obligations under these schemes already entered into the National Arts Fund with applicants. The remaining two schemes namely, the Cultural Rebate Scheme and the Heritage Stewardship Scheme are newly announced schemes in the 2025-2026 Budget and are being worked out in consultation with stakeholders. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I also wish to inform the House that all the above schemes will be reviewed during the forthcoming Assises des Arts et de la Culture which will be organised shortly by my Ministry. This national consultation platform will serve to finalise the design and implementation of the two new schemes and to assess the nine ongoing ones which may be amended where necessary, to better align with the needs and expectations of the artists’ community. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to part (b) of the question, I wish to inform that artists from Rodrigues are fully eligible to apply under all the schemes being implemented by my Ministry. It is to be highlighted that for Financial Year 2025-2026, only one application from Rodrigues has been received as at date under the General Assistance Scheme Other Support to Artists and which has been approved by the Ministry. My Deputy Speaker, Sir, my Ministry remains firmly committed to promoting inclusive and equitable access to opportunities for all artists across the Republic of Mauritius. Thank you.

Yes, one supplementary!

I thank the hon. Minister for his reply. May I ask the hon. Minister if representatives from Rodrigues will participate in the Assises or will there be consultations in Rodrigues itself? Thank you.

61

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, of course, they will be invited to participate in the Assises des Arts et de la Culture.

Okay. The hon. Second Member for Savanne and Black River! KITESURFING – SAFETY & COMPLIANCE MEASURES