Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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1350. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to provide data on public participation in arts and cultural events over the past three years, detailing the number of participants by demographic factors such as age, gender and geographic location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42274/25]

Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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1351. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide data on the economic impact of the arts and culture sector in the State, including contributions to GDP, employment figures and the number of businesses operating within the sector, for the last three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42275/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1350 and 1351 together.

My Department’s Arts and Culture programme aims to promote and develop Ireland’s world class artistic and creative strengths at home and abroad, maximising their societal and economic value for the country, and supporting Arts and the entertainment sector to develop and grow. As Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, I allocate funding towards this arts and culture programme and I will look to sustain and, where possible, increase that support in the context of the forthcoming Estimates process. While there is research on the economic impact of the arts and culture sector, the figures sought by the Deputy are not routinely collected by the Department.

That said, recent Arts Council research published on 16 July 2025 shows the significant contribution of arts events to the Irish economy, putting the total spend at €1.5 billion. The Arts Events Related Spend National Survey 2024 is the first part of a multi-part Arts Council research project.

In addition to gathering data on how people spend their money on arts events, the survey also examined the financial benefits that the arts and culture can bring to other sectors of the economy. The research analysis also drew on the results from the https://artscouncil.ie/news/new-research-by-the-arts-council-shows-that-irish-arts-audiences-are-returning-to-pre-covid-levels/ which was published in February, to deliver an estimate of the spending associated with attending Arts Activities events over a 12-month period. The full report can be found on the Arts Council website.

Separately research by the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) reveals that the Irish music industry is a significant contributor to the national economy, generating €1 billion annually and employing over 13,400 people. The full report can be found on the IMRO website.