John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

481. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the supports provided by his Department for the operation of municipal art galleries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32083/25]

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

My Department focuses on providing capital grant funding to assist the development and to maintain arts and cultural facilities. Funding is administered through applications received for two specific grant schemes relevant to the collection and collation of local historical artefacts.

The Regional Museum Exhibition Scheme is a scheme of funding support from my Department for local, regional and specialised museums, with their own permanent premises, to promote and enhance these institutions through the provision of funding for capital exhibition costs. The scheme provides grants for capital works which enhance the exhibition/display facilities within the museum or which promote access to the museum. The objective is to create a fund to assist museums in contributing to the national and local culture through exhibition programmes for both locals and visitors alike. This scheme operates on a matched funding basis, where 25% of the proposed costs must be provided by the applicant.

The aim of the Mobility of Collections scheme is the dissemination of the National Collections to regional museums and to support greater regional and local access to material held in the National Collections. The Scheme is designed to fund the transport, cost of insurance and exhibiting costs for pieces from the National Collections to appropriate institutions around the country. These schemes recently closed to applications, however organisations can register their interest with the Department for future applications.

Information on funding in respect of these supports for the years 2020 to 2024 is available on my Department's website at gov - Cultural Projects Funding (www.gov.ie). () Funding for 2025 will be announced shortly.

Annual support, including programming and revenue supports, is provided to these organisations by local authorities. The Arts Council also provides supports through various funding awards such as Strategic Funding which supports key arts organisations, ensuring their sustainability and capacity to deliver high-quality arts experiences. It focuses on the delivery of excellent artwork, services, events and activities that provide more people with the opportunity to enjoy high quality arts experiences.

The Arts Council also provide Arts Centre Funding which invests in and supports the infrastructure of arts centres required to sustain and develop the arts in Ireland. It focuses on year-round production and dissemination of arts activities, events and services of the highest quality throughout the country.

Further information on all of these funding opportunities can be found on the Arts Councils website at the following link; Funding opportunities - The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon ()