Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Musical theatre is an amateur pursuit for most of those involved and it has established a sustainable model of operation. It relies on voluntary commitment and enthusiastic audiences. As the Senator mentioned, 130 musical societies throughout Ireland are members of the Association of Irish Musical Societies. This involves approximately 14,000 people directly involved in musical theatre, engaging an audience base of in excess of 1 million. It is a hugely positive activity for those involved and for the wider community. I acknowledge that a number of commercial sponsors contribute through the national associations towards the annual costs of amateur drama. I take the opportunity to acknowledge with thanks the generous support of sponsors of national bodies towards their special presentations.

The Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, remains committed to this area and has allocated funding in budget 2025 for the continuation of the basic income for artists, direct allocation for the arts and the Department's annual schemes to assist practitioners in this area. Departmental officials continue to work with the Arts Council to progress the recommendations of the Oireachtas joint committee report on the basic income for artists report published earlier in the year. On the specific point made in respect of the Association of Irish Musical Societies, I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin. I suggest that the Senator writes to the Minister on that matter. The funding was made available to the other two organisations. Certainly, the Oireachtas joint committee has highlighted musical theatres in its report and I expect that a constructive discussion will continue with the Department and her officials.