Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputy very much for raising this issue. The Government places great value on culture and the arts sector. As outlined in the programme for Government, we recognise that they are essential to a well-rounded society, providing opportunities for education, expression and community engagement. Deputy Byrne gave a very interesting statistic, for the want of a better word, when he said that, after the GAA, this is the largest voluntary movement in Ireland. It is fantastic to have that said and acknowledged here on the floor of the Dáil. I thank everybody who volunteers their time, talents and efforts for that cause. I know Deputy Byrne does a lot of that himself, and I acknowledge that too.

Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council has primary responsibility for the development of the arts in Ireland and budget 2025 provided record funding of €140 million for the Arts Council. I appreciate what the Deputy says, which is that funding needs to be channelled through a structured stream to the groups that support, govern and develop the arts, namely, the groups on the ground. Notwithstanding that, the Arts Council recognises the value and the distinctive role amateur arts practice plays, its important contribution to the vitality of the arts in Ireland, and its many societal benefits. I know Deputy Byrne is an active member of his local theatre group, and he commended and complimented the groups that are active on the ground in his area. They are an example of the non-commercial, professional theatre production that happens in Ireland. We want to support artistic excellence in the standard of practice and level of ambition.

The Arts Council invests funding in a range of art forms and developmental projects, including Creative Schools, Creative Places, Creative Europe and Culture Night. As we all know, Culture Night takes place this Friday. One example of what will happen is that, in collaboration with RTÉ, opportunities are being created for artists at all levels. Details of all these programmes are available on the Arts Council's website. I encourage everyone to enjoy Culture Night this Friday. In its most recently published music policy, Advancing Music: Music Policy and Strategy, the Arts Council's music, opera and theatre teams are working together on the development of a new approach for the support of music theatre and musical theatre artists and organisations. Additionally, a network of cultural infrastructure 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. The Department provides capital grant funding to assist development and to maintain these arts and cultural facilities. These arts centres are where amateur and professional artists and audiences meet and this is a key part of the Arts Council's strategy of investing in public engagement.

Within the Department of culture, there are a number of measures in place to support the arts at amateur and professional levels. They include annual funding for Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann; the music capital scheme, which provides funding for the purchase of musical instruments; the small-scale local festivals and summer schools scheme designed to support local cultural festivals and summer schools; and Creative Ireland programme funding to support a wide range of creative projects nationally.

Notwithstanding the existing supports, I am sure the Deputy is aware of the intention of the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, to widen the range of art forms and organisations supported by the Arts Council, something the Deputy himself recommended in the committee. That is particular to community and other groups. The Deputy will also be aware of the ongoing review by the expert review group, which is under way and is being chaired by Professor Niamh Brennan. The Minister looks forward, as I am sure does the Deputy, to receiving that report and to any recommendations she makes when the review is completed before considering the next steps in regard to the Arts Council.

The Minister asked me to assure the Deputy that he has reviewed the Oireachtas committee's report, The Development of Local and Community Arts, published in July 2024.

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