Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

396. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if plans are in place to save Pálás cinema and arts centre in Galway, which received significant public funding, and is a key cultural institution in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5879/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Pálás Cinema has been in operation in Galway City Centre for the past seven years. The cinema has three screens showing homegrown and international films, as well as a wide ranging outreach, festivals and schools programme.

In 2024, Element Pictures, the operator of Pálás Cinema, indicated their intention to withdraw from operating the cinema in early 2025. The future of the cinema is first and foremost a matter for Galway City Council as owner of the cinema which it leases to the operator. I understand that Galway City Council is undertaking an independent commercial appraisal into the operation of the cinema and the outcome is awaited. In the meantime, my Department has had ongoing engagement with Galway City Council and other relevant stakeholders and this will continue.