Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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28. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to increase long-term investment in arts and cultural infrastructure in County Louth; if he will commit to a dedicated funding stream to support regional venues, creative hubs, and community arts organisations that are struggling to meet rising operational costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64317/25]

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. My Department is taking a number of steps to improve, increase and widen access to the arts.

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. I am informed that in Co Louth in 2025, the Arts Council made grants under is Arts Centre funding scheme totaling €440,000 to Droichead Arts Centre in Drogheda and An Táin in Dundalk.

In Budget 2026, my Department was allocated €6m for a new programme of capital funding for arts and culture organisations across the country, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government. This will see much needed capital supports for arts and culture organisations.

My Department is in the process of designing the specifications of the scheme, including the setting of eligibility criteria. This will need the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation before it is formally launched.

In the interim, capital funding is available under Stream E of the scheme which was launched in June 2023. Grants of up to €50,000 are available to not-for-profit arts and cultural organisations.