David Maxwell (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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132. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will investigate the possibility of establishing a dedicated funding scheme to assist amateur dramatic groups throughout Ireland, in recognition of the important role they play in local communities in fostering creativity, inclusion and cultural engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36554/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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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. 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.

The Council invests funding in a range of art forms and developmental projects including Creative Schools, Creative Places, Creative Europe and Culture Night. For example, Culture Night, in collaboration with RTÉ, creates opportunities for artists at all levels. Details of all these programmes are available on the Arts Council's website. The Council also supports festivals across the country providing opportunities for performances of many forms.

The Arts Council recognises the value the distinctive role of amateur arts practice, its important contribution to the vitality of the arts and of certain artforms in particular, and its many social benefits. It supports non-commercial, professional theatre production in Ireland. It seeks to support artistic excellence both in the standard of practice and level of ambition. The Arts Council recognises the many and varied ways theatre artists work, and aims to support artists whose work seeks to engage in a meaningful way with audiences across Ireland and beyond by supporting the creation, development, production and dissemination of theatre.

The Arts Council also works to develop supportive initiatives to recognise and interact with the voluntary and amateur sector towards the mutual goal of advocating for theatre and the arts in general.

Within my Department, there are a number of measures in place to support the arts at amateur and professional levels including:

• 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.
• 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. The maximum funding available under this scheme is capped at €5,000.
• Creative Ireland Programme funding in 2023 is supporting the delivery of a number of creative projects nationwide.
• A new pilot capital support scheme for Arts, Culture and the Night Time Economy will support 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, artists’ workspaces, and adapting facilities to reduce energy needs and carbon footprints.
• 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.
• Funding is provided for cultural events such as Other Voices and Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann that in turn helps to sustain the arts at all levels.
• Funding programmes within the Broadcasting and Media area also serve to promote many artists and creative talents from across the music sector.