Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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477. To ask the Minister for Culture, Culture, Communications and Sport if a stream of funding is available that the nearly 120 musical societies in Ireland can apply for to ensure that their community-based arts offering can continue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65691/25]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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478. To ask the Minister for Culture, Culture, Communications and Sport if funding is available which an association (details supplied) or its member organisations can apply for to continue to run its all-Ireland adjudication scheme for musical societies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65692/25]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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479. To ask the Minister for Culture, Culture, Communications and Sport if funding is available which an association (details supplied) or its member organisations can apply for to continue its mentoring scheme for secondary schools to encourage emerging young talent and to putt on annual school musicals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65694/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 477, 478 and 479 together.

This Government places great value on culture and the arts sector. As outlined in the Programme for Government, we recognise that they are essential to a well-rounded society, providing opportunities for education, expression and community engagement.

Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council has primary responsibility for the development of the arts in Ireland and Budget 2026 provided record funding of €140 million for the Arts Council. In regard to existing supports available from the Arts Council, I have asked the Council to reply directly to the Deputy.

Notwithstanding those existing supports, the Deputy will be well aware of my intention to widen the range of art forms and organisations supported by the Arts Council, in particular community and other groups. As the Deputy will also be aware, I want to take a comprehensive approach to the reform of the Arts Council and I intend to await the outcome of the work of the Expert Review Group before I consider my next steps.

In regard to capital supports for amateur arts, 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 communities, including funding essential equipment for organisations such as amateur drama groups and musical societies. 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.