Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 July 2026
291. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide funding to celebrate a significant event in Portmagee, County Kerry, the 100th Anniversary of the Spirit of St. Louis, Charles Lindbergh and the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50517/26]
View answerMy Department does not directly fund tourism festivals, such funding is administered by Fáilte Ireland, our national tourism development agency.
Fáilte Ireland funds tourism festivals under two separate schemes. The Strategic Tourism Festival Investment Scheme which opened in 2025, awarded funding to successful applicants for the period 2026 to 2028.
Separately, in 2026, Fáilte Ireland has made €623,250 in funding available to 31 local authorities under the 2026 Regional Festivals Fund, which will support approximately 250 festivals across the country. The 2026 Regional Festivals Fund allocation represents an increase on 2025 levels, ensuring that every local authority now receives a minimum of €10,000 to support local festival activity. In addition, a further €310,000 in funding is available to local authorities in 2026 specifically to support food festivals, and strengthen Ireland’s evolving culinary tourism offering.
It is important to note that festivals may access funding under programmes implemented by other government Departments, such as the LEADER programme or the Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools Funding Scheme implemented by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.
I understand that the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport has also previously made funding available to local authorities for the development of community-led commemorative programming. Through this allocation local communities have been supported as they identify and decide how to mark significant historical local events and personalities.
As such, given the funding provided to local authorities by both Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, groups wishing to seek funding support for local festivals or events such as the one mentioned, should contact their local authority in the first instance.
