Written answers

Wednesday, 2 July 2025

Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment

Arts Policy

Photo of Peter CleerePeter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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122. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he is taking to support the development of arts and cultural facilities in Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36304/25]

Photo of Patrick O'DonovanPatrick 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.

A network of cultural infrastructure, such as the Butler Gallery and the Watergate Theatre, exists throughout the country with the majority in the ownership of local authorities. Annual support, including programming and revenue supports, is provided to these arts centres by local authorities and the Arts Council.

My Department focuses on providing capital grant funding to assist development and to maintain these arts and cultural facilities. My Department allocated €2 million to Kilkenny County Council (under ACCESS II Scheme) towards the recent re-housing of the Butler Gallery to Evans Home. The Watergate Theatre currently has a capital grant of €255,407 awarded under Stream B of the Cultural Capital Scheme for upgrades to its facility. The project is currently at tender stage and it is hoped these works will be commenced this year.

Another area of funding administered by my Department is the pilot Artist Workspaces Scheme. This was launched in June 2024 with a total fund of €6 million to enable local authorities increase the provision of Artist Workspaces across Ireland. Capital grants up to a maximum of €300,000 may be made available to larger urban local authorities, with grants up to a maximum of €150,000 being made available to the remaining local authorities, including Kilkenny. The maximum grant available will be 60% of the eligible costs. Full details are available on my Department’s website.

I’m delighted my Department was recently in a position to allocate €250,000 to Kilkenny County Council under the Outdoor Public Space Scheme 2021 towards their project of creating a re-imagined public space at Watergate, Kilkenny City. When complete, this outdoor public area will provide a flexible space for arts and culture and for the public and professionals and amateurs to use.

Under Stream E of the Cultural Capital Scheme, grants of up to €20,000 are available to not-for-profit dedicated arts and culture organisations 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 under Stream E at a maximum grant funding rate of 70%, or 60% for local authority owned facilities. Full details are available on my Department’s website.

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. Work in relation to this proposal is underway in my Department at present.

There have been significant increases in support for arts and culture across the country, including Kilkenny, in recent years. Within my Department, there are a number of measures in place to support the arts at amateur and professional levels including:

  • A small-scale local festivals and summer schools scheme designed to support local cultural festivals and summer schools that may not be eligible under funding criteria for larger scale events supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council and similar bodies.
  • Creative Ireland Programme funding in 2025 is supporting the delivery of a number of creative projects nationwide.
  • The pilot capital support scheme for the Night Time Economy will support the development of vibrant late night arts and culture scenes in Irish cities, towns and villages as well as additional capital to assist in the provision of building and equipment needs.
  • Annual funding provided to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for its work in the protection and promotion of Irish traditional music and culture.
  • The Music Capital Scheme, managed by Music Network on behalf of my Department, provides funding for the purchase of musical instruments to both non-professional performing groups/ensembles and professional musicians.
  • In 2025 €8m, which is the highest level of funding for Culture Ireland since its establishment, will support more Irish artists to launch and develop their careers on an international stage.
  • The Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme which is €105m scheme involving 2,000 artists and creative arts workers nationwide.
  • Funding for the Safe to Create Programme, including Minding Creative Minds, that supports all artists and creatives across the country.
  • Funding programmes within the Broadcasting and Media area also serve to promote many artists and creative talents from across the music sector.
More broadly, under the Arts Act 2003 the Arts Council has primary responsibility for the development of the arts in Ireland and Budget 2025 has provided record funding of €140 million for the Arts Council, an increase of 75% since 2020. The Arts Council is committed to increasing public engagement in the arts in Ireland, including County Kilkenny, and it provides financial support to a number of initiatives aimed at increasing public access, participation and engagement in the arts.

Photo of Peter CleerePeter Cleere (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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123. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he is taking to support the development of arts and cultural facilities in Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36305/25]

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

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.

A network of cultural infrastructure, such as Carlow Arts Centre Ltd (VISUAL), exists throughout the country with the majority in the ownership of local authorities. Annual support, including programming and revenue supports, is provided to these arts centres by local authorities and the Arts Council.

My Department focuses on providing capital grant funding to assist development and to maintain these arts and cultural facilities. For example, Carlow Arts Centre Ltd (VISUAL) has availed of funding from various capital schemes in the past. In addition, Carlow County Council was awarded funding of €250,000 under the Outdoor Public Space Scheme 2021 for ‘The Carlow Exchange’ project. This covered open space venue has provided huge opportunities and potential to Carlow Town and surrounding areas for hosting arts and cultural activities including micro festivals, performances, cinema screenings, photography and film locations and much more.

Another area of funding administered by my Department is the pilot Artist Workspaces Scheme. This was launched in June 2024 with a total fund of €6 million to enable local authorities increase the provision of Artist Workspaces across Ireland. Capital grants up to a maximum of €300,000 may be made available to larger urban local authorities, with grants up to a maximum of €150,000 being made available to the remaining local authorities, including Carlow. The maximum grant available will be 60% of the eligible costs. Full details are available on my Department’s website.

In terms of other schemes, under Stream E of the Cultural Capital Scheme, grants of up to €20,000 are available to not-for-profit dedicated arts and culture organisations 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 under Stream E at a maximum grant funding rate of 70%, or 60% for local authority owned facilities. Full details are available on my Department’s website.

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. Work in relation to this proposal is underway in my Department at present.

There have been significant increases in support for arts and culture across the country, including Carlow, in recent years. Within my Department, there are a number of measures in place to support the arts at amateur and professional levels including:

  • Creative Ireland Programme funding in 2025 is supporting the delivery of a number of creative projects nationwide.
  • The pilot capital support scheme for the Night Time Economy will support the development of vibrant late night arts and culture scenes in Irish cities, towns and villages as well as additional capital to assist in the provision of building and equipment needs.
  • A small-scale local festivals and summer schools scheme designed to support local cultural festivals and summer schools that may not be eligible under funding criteria for larger scale events supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council and similar bodies.
  • In 2025 €8m, which is the highest level of funding for Culture Ireland since its establishment, will support more Irish artists to launch and develop their careers on an international stage.
  • The Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme which is €105m scheme involving 2,000 artists and creative arts workers nationwide.
  • Annual funding provided to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for its work in the protection and promotion of Irish traditional music and culture.
  • The Music Capital Scheme, managed by Music Network on behalf of my Department, provides funding for the purchase of musical instruments to both non-professional performing groups/ensembles and professional musicians.
  • Funding for the Safe to Create Programme, including Minding Creative Minds, that supports all artists and creatives across the country.
  • Funding programmes within the Broadcasting and Media area also serve to promote many artists and creative talents from across the music sector.
More broadly, under the Arts Act 2003 the Arts Council has primary responsibility for the development of the arts in Ireland and Budget 2025 has provided record funding of €140 million for the Arts Council, an increase of 75% since 2020. The Arts Council is committed to increasing public engagement in the arts in Ireland, including County Carlow, and it provides financial support to a number of initiatives aimed at increasing public access, participation and engagement in the arts.

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