Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 June 2024
220. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports in place for a centre in Carlow (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26991/24]
View answerPrimary public support for the arts in Ireland is provided through the Arts Council. The Arts Council in turn provides current funding to support the operation of a network of arts centres across the country including the centre in question. While support from my Department has increased significantly in recent years, the Arts Council is statutorily independent in its funding decisions under the Arts Act 2003.
In terms of capital funding, €6m is being made available to local authorities under the Artist Workspaces Scheme that I launched on 12 June. The primary focus of this pilot scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to enable them to provide additional capacity and availability of artist workspaces in their regions on a sustainable basis. Under the scheme, it is open to Carlow County Council to make an application in respect of eligible capital works at the Centre.
At present, my Department also has a capital scheme open for applications called Stream E of the Cultural Capital Scheme. Grants of up to €50,000 are available to not-for-profit arts and culture organisations for capital projects that reduce their carbon footprint or provide additional capacity for artistic production. Full details for of these capital schemes can be obtained at the following link: gov - Creative Arts: Grants and Funding (www.gov.ie)
