Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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52. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to provide for the development of an arts capital grant scheme. [6360/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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As outlined in the Programme for Government, the Government believes that culture and the arts are essential to a well-rounded society, providing opportunities for education, expression and community engagement. Ireland is world renowned for our rich, diverse and vibrant arts sector. As part of the Programme, the Government has 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. This examination will commence in the near future.

Part of the examination will involve a review of my Department's existing open scheme, Stream E of the Cultural Capital Scheme, which focuses on enhancing the existing stock of arts and culture centres throughout the country. This scheme offers grants up to €50,000 to not-for-profit organisations with a defined arts and culture remit. Full details of this Scheme are available on my Department’s page of the website at the following link gov - Creative Arts: Grants and Funding (www.gov.ie) .

My Department also provides funding to organisations and talented individuals to assist with the purchase of musical instruments under the Music Capital Scheme. This scheme has been operated by Music Network on behalf of the Department for the past 15 years and was awarded record funding of €1,090,700 for the Music Capital Scheme in 2024. Since it was established over €3,543,590 in funding has been awarded through 652 awards to individual musicians and organisations, providing access to instruments for over 59,000 people across the country.