William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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135. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to invest in cultural infrastructure in rural counties such as County Laois (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34380/25]

William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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What plans does the Minister have to invest in cultural infrastructure in rural counties such as County Laois? These are counties with vibrant local artists and heritage buildings that would benefit greatly from targeted support. Will the Minister make a statement on this matter? County Laois, like many others, has a wealth of artistic talent and historic buildings, which too often are underused and underfunded.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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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.

William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Laois has a proud cultural identity, rich in music, literature, theatre, visual arts and storytelling. It has produced many artists and continues to support new generations through festivals, exhibitions and community-led initiatives. Towns such as Portlaoise, Rathdowney, Mountmellick, Portarlington, Mountrath and Stradbally all have active community groups that are crying out for adequate spaces in which to perform, rehearse, exhibit and collaborate. The EU just transition fund currently supports innovative projects to promote economic, social and environmental sustainability in the midlands. This is very welcome, but if we are to support the long-term development of the midlands, we must also invest in our cultural heritage assets. This includes infrastructure that celebrates the unique character and history of the region. For example, this could be done through the development of county museums or even a dedicated midlands museum. Such initiatives would generate tourism and employment and provide an opportunity to share the diverse story of Laois and the wider midlands region, from ancient chieftains to achievements in science and aviation.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Aird has given a good report with regard to the cultural offering of County Laois. I know he is a very proud Laois man representing them in the Dáil. As I said earlier, there is a commitment in the programme for Government to examine the feasibility of a minor capital works grant scheme for the arts scene, which is currently not available. We are looking at it. I would like to develop it under the auspices of something similar to the sports capital grants, whereby we could help small halls, community centres and community arts facilities that are struggling to maintain basic infrastructure. That is something we have committed to in the programme for Government. Work is under way in the Department on that. Subject to budget approval and approval by the Department of public expenditure and reform, I hope to be able to include it in budget 2026.

William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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That is welcome news. I also welcome the Minister's recent announcement that the pilot programme regarding the basic income for arts has been extended. What artists need now is his commitment to make it permanent. The programme should be inclusive, support more artists and address barriers faced by those with disabilities. As the Minister knows, arts and culture are central to our Irish identity, community well-being and global reputation. The national development plan rightly places emphasis on balanced regional development. Create Ireland's programme has made great strides in enhancing the success of and engagement with our country's culture and creativity. However, there is still a significant urban-rural divide when it comes to capital investment in cultural infrastructure. Too often, counties like Laois are left behind. I ask the Minister to commit to dedicated funding for rural cultural infrastructure through capital grants for heritage, buildings, artist workspaces and the development of cultural centres. Rural Ireland deserves more than recognition; it deserves real, sustained investment that matches the energy, talent and heritage that our communities offer every day.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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As I said, I am committed to trying to do something in this space. The national cultural institutions are very Dublin-centric. Between the library, the concert hall and the gallery, pretty much all of them are based in Dublin, with the exception of the Crawford Gallery. I am very conscious of the fact that a person should have access to facilities that promote and encourage our cultural and artistic development regardless of where he or she lives, whether that is in counties Laois, Galway, Sligo or wherever.

I welcome the Deputy's acknowledgement of my decision last week regarding the basic income for the arts. As I said in response to Deputies Tóibín, Ó Cearúil and others earlier, that will be dependent on budget 2026. Commitments are laid out in the programme for Government, and we will be anxious to make significant progress in this area over the lifetime of the Government in the next five budgets.