Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 June 2026
93. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether his Department will commit to a multi-annual funding model for regional and local arts centres to ensure their continued development and growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44492/26]
View answerAs outlined in the Programme for Government, the Government believes that culture and the arts are essential to a well-rounded society. Ireland is world renowned for our rich, diverse and vibrant arts sector.
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 these arts centres by local authorities and the Arts Council. The Department focuses on providing capital grant funding to develop and maintain these arts and cultural facilities.
The Department was allocated €6m in Budget 2026 for a new programme of capital funding for arts and culture organisations across the country. This will see much needed capital supports for arts and culture organisations and support community and voluntary groups in increasing participation in arts and culture. The Department is in the process of designing the specifications of the scheme and it is hoped it will be launched in the coming weeks.
Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council has primary responsibility for the development of the arts in Ireland and Budget 2026 has maintained the record funding of €140 million for the Arts Council from Minister O'Donovan's Department.
The Arts Council provides financial assistance to arts centres primarily through annual funding programmes, such as the Arts Centre Partnership Funding scheme and in 2026 a total of €10.46m was provided to 50 arts centres. This funding supports operational costs, programming, and development initiatives. An example of this support can be seen in the Deputies own constituency of Dublin South, where the dlr Mill Theatre Dundrum has been funded by the Arts Council since 2008 and to date has been awarded a total of €414,000.
