Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)

The Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Deputy O’Donovan, is unable to be here today due to prior commitments and sends his apologies. He asked me to step in in his absence.

I thank Senator Higgins for raising this important matter and giving me an opportunity to update the House on it. This Government places great value on culture and the arts sector. As outlined in the programme for Government, we recognise that the sector is essential to a well-rounded society, providing opportunities for education, expression and community engagement. A network of cultural infrastructure exists throughout the country, with the majority of the facilities in the ownership of local authorities. Annual support, including programming and revenue supports, is provided for arts and cultural infrastructure by local authorities and the Arts Council.

The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport is focused on providing capital grant funding to assist development and to maintain these arts and cultural facilities. The cultural capital scheme was originally launched in October 2019 with a fund of €4.7 million. An additional stream of funding, stream E, was launched on 14 June 2023, with a fund of €1.4 million. Stream E of the cultural capital scheme focuses on enhancing the existing stock of arts and cultural centres throughout the country. In line with Government action on climate change, the scheme also welcomes projects that reduce the organisations’ carbon footprint, as well as projects that provide additional capacity for artistic production.

Grants of up to €20,000 are available for not-for-profit dedicated arts and cultural organisations, at an 85% funding rate. Larger grants, of up to €50,000, are available at a maximum grant funding rate of 70%. Local authority-owned facilities are subject to a maximum funding rate of 60%.Since it launched on 14 June 2023, 32 applications were successful and funding of €996,000 has been allocated to date. Some 20 projects have been completed and fully drawn down. This is a rolling scheme and is demand-led with no closing date. It will remain open until the fund is exhausted. The next round of grant awards under stream E of the cultural capital scheme is due to be announced shortly.

As highlighted by the Senator, the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, is acutely aware of the shortage of affordable creative spaces around the country. His Department currently operates a pilot artists' workspaces scheme for local authorities. This scheme is open and accepting applications. Under the €6 million funding scheme local authorities are invited to propose projects that can accommodate and address the demand for artists' workshops in their regions and produce workshops that are fit for purpose, design focused, accessible and affordable. Funding of up to €300,000 is available for densely populated local authorities. Funding of up to €150,000 is available for less densely populated areas. The scheme has also no closing date and will remain open until the scheme is fully exhausted.

Since it launched in June 2024, there has been one grant awarded to Limerick City and County Council for €221,356. However, the Department has recently received six applications under the scheme. These are currently being assessed and the Minister hopes to make an announcement on these in the coming weeks. This funding will address the critical shortage of performance and workspaces for artists throughout the country.

I would like to inform the Senator that in 2023 the Department of Culture, Communications and Sports allocated Dublin City Council funding of €3 million as part of the Space to Create programme, towards the provision of artists' workspaces in a number of city centre locations. These projects are currently being progressed. Dublin City Council was allocated this amount for the Space to Create programme because, as Ireland's capital city, it has the largest population. As such, it would also have a higher population of artists in need of workspace.

The Senator may be aware that in budget 2026 the Department was allocated €6 million for a new programme of capital funding for arts and culture across the country in line with a commitment in the programme for Government. This will see much-needed capital supports for communities, including funding essential equipment for organisations such as amateur drama groups and musical societies. The Department is in the process of designing the specifications for this scheme, including setting out the eligibility criteria. Depending on demand, it is the Minister's intention to seek an increase in next year's budget.