Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)
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51. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to consider the introduction of a capital grant system similar to the sports capital grant for arts and cultural infrastructure, in order to ensure adequate provision and upgrading of arts and cultural spaces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52578/25]

Patrick 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.

A network of cultural infrastructure exists throughout the country, with the majority in the ownership of local authorities. Annual support, including programming and revenue supports, is provided to this arts and culture infrastructure 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. Currently, 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.