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

176. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the supports available for an art house cinema in Galway, following the recent closure of a cinema (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33618/25]

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

One of the core policies of my Department is to recognise and to enhance access to the arts, culture and audiovisual sectors in Ireland by promoting and encouraging artistic expression, cultural awareness and participation through an appropriate policy, legislative and resource framework. The Arts Council is the national agency for funding, developing and promoting the arts in Ireland and it works within the framework of the Arts Act 2003. Primary support for the arts in Ireland is delivered by the Arts Council and funding to the agency has increased steadily in recent years, reaching a record high of €140 million in 2025. The Arts Council supports and develops the arts in Ireland through grant funding, project awards, support to individual artists, and support to venues, publications and resource organisations. The Arts Council is committed to increasing public engagement in the arts in Ireland and it provides financial support to a number of initiatives aimed at increasing public access, participation and engagement in the arts. Proposals for the development of facilities are a matter in the first instance for the local authority. County and city development plans, including for the arts sector, are drawn up by local authorities in accordance with their functions under the Planning and Development Acts. Much of the existing nationwide infrastructure of arts venues and centres was initiated and funded by local authorities. They are eligible for annual programming funding from the Arts Council.

In April 2025, the lease of the facility referred to by the Deputy reverted to local authority after the previous operator offered to surrender the leaving all relevant moveable assets in place to allow any new operator to have the benefit of existing equipment. This means that the local authority can seek an alternative operator for the building.

Last month, the Council called for expressions of Interest for the future management of the facility and this remains open.

In terms of support by way of capital funding, my Department focuses on providing grant funding to assist and maintain arts and cultural facilities. Under Stream E of the Cultural Capital Scheme grants of up to €20,000 are available at 85% grant funding rate. Local authority owned facilities are subject to a maximum 60% grant funding rate.

Larger grants of up to €50,000 are provided at a maximum grant funding rate of 70%, or 60% for local authority owned facilities. As part of the Programme for Government, the Government has also 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. My Department will commence work on this examination shortly.