Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 January 2026
377. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the reason a centre in Dublin city centre was not given the funding they requested to stay in their current premises (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5215/26]
View answerThe provision of local arts centres are a matter in the first instance for the relevant local authority. County and city development plans are drawn up by local authorities including the policy objectives for development of the arts.
Annual support, including programming and revenue supports, is provided to arts and culture centres by local authorities and the Arts Council. My Department provides grants as a contribution towards maintaining and enhancing existing arts and culture facilities but does not provide funding for the purchase of buildings.
The Complex had been leasing its building from a private landlord on a site ringfenced for redevelopment. Officials from my Department met with the Chair of The Complex and other members of the team in December 2024 and advised them that my Department was not in a position to fund the purchase of property. Further communication in June 2025 reiterated that position.
More recently, the Complex kept the Department updated of the evolving situation with their tenancy and I am aware that they were in close contact with Dublin City Council during this time. I regret that a solution could not be found with the developer to keep them in their building and I understand the Council are now supporting them in sourcing alternative accommodation.
Separately, my Department is engaged with Dublin City Council on the potential transfer of part of the site of the Digital Hub in the Liberties area of Dublin to the local authority. I have requested that the city council consider whether any of the activities which were conducted at the Complex arts centre could in time be facilitated in the Digital Hub complex. The Department would be happy to work with the City Council on any proposals including consideration of whether any of the Department’s funding schemes could be of assistance in this regard.
More broadly, the Department has allocated €3m in funding to Space to Create, an initiative that aims to provide up to sixty artist workspaces in Dublin City, and these projects are currently being progressed in partnership with Dublin City Council. In addition, under the Artist Workspaces Scheme, €6 million capital funding is available for local authorities to increase the provision of artists’ workspaces across Ireland. In December 2025, I announced just under €1m for five local authorities for the development of up to 22 artist workspaces, which brings the total awarded under this scheme to date at €1.2 million.
