Brian Brennan (Wicklow-Wexford, Fine Gael)
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543. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the capital funding schemes available for the renovation or rebuild of theatres or performance and rehearsal spaces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2903/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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My Department currently has two capital funding schemes open to not-for-profit organisations that have a dedicated arts and cultural remit.

Stream E of the Cultural Capital Scheme opened for applications on 14 June 2023. The scheme focuses on enhancing the existing stock of arts and culture centres throughout the country. In line with the Government's action on climate change, this scheme also welcomes projects that reduce an organisation's carbon footprint as well as projects that provide additional capacity for artistic production. Projects that address accessibility issues are also eligible. Grants of up to €50,000 are available for eligible projects. This scheme will remain open until the fund is exhausted. Full details of this scheme, including Guidelines and Application Form are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/46f4f-creative-arts-grants-and-funding/#cultural-capital-scheme-stream-e

The €6 million pilot Artist Workspaces Scheme was launched on 12 June 2024. The scheme allocates funding to local authorities to enable them to provide additional capacity artist workspaces in their regions on a sustainable basis. Local Authorities are invited to propose projects which can accommodate and address the demand for artist workspaces in their regions and produce workspaces that are fit for purpose, design focused and accessible. Each local authority can apply for up to €150,000/€300,000 (applicable rate as outlined below) for Artist Workspaces under the scheme and would itself provide match funding of 40%.

Capital grants up to a maximum of €300,000 are available to the following densely populated Local Authority areas should they apply; Cork City Council, Dublin County Council, Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council, Fingal County Council, Galway City Council, Limerick City and County Council, Louth County Council, South and Waterford City and County Council;

Capital grants up to a maximum of €150,000 will be made available to the remaining Local Authorities.

The scheme will remain open until the fund is exhausted. Full details of this scheme including Guidelines and Application Form are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/46f4f-creative-arts-grants-and-funding/#artist-workspaces-capital-scheme

It should be noted that the Programme for Government commits to continue grants for community-based cultural institutions and support large scale cultural centres, and to examine the feasibility of a minor capital works grant scheme for cultural facilities not funded by the Arts Council.