Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Aird. As outlined in the programme for Government, the Government believes that culture and the arts are essential to a well-rounded society. Ireland is well-known for our rich, diverse and vibrant arts sector. There have been significant increases in support for arts and culture across the country, including in County Laois, in recent years. Within my Department, a number of measures are in place to support the arts at amateur and professional levels, including annual funding provided to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for its work in the protection and promotion of Irish traditional music and culture. The music capital scheme, managed by Music Network on behalf of my Department, provides funding for the purchase of musical instruments to non-professional performing groups, ensembles and professional musicians. The pilot capital support scheme for the night-time economy will support the development of vibrant late-night arts and culture scenes in Irish cities, towns and villages as well as additional capital to assist in the provision of building and equipment needs.

More broadly, under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council has primary responsibility for the development of the arts in Ireland. Budget 2025 provided record funding of €140 million for the Arts Council. Additionally, a network of cultural infrastructure, such as Dunamaise Art Centre in Portlaoise, exists throughout the country, with the majority in the ownership of local authorities. Annual support, including programming and revenue supports, is provided to these arts centres by local authorities and the Arts Council. My Department focuses on providing capital grant funding to develop and maintain these arts and cultural facilities. Under stream E of the cultural capital scheme, grants are available to not-for-profit organisations with a defined arts and culture remit. Grants of up to €20,000 are available at a 85% grant funding rate except for local authority-owned facilities, where the maximum grant is 60% of eligible costs. Grants of up to €50,000 are provided at a maximum grant funding rate of 70% or 60% for local authority-owned facilities. As part of the programme for Government, the Government has also committed to examining the feasibility of a minor capital works grant scheme to support arts and cultural facilities that are not funded through the Arts Council. Work on this proposal is under way in my Department.

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