The Programme for Government includes a commitment to examine the introduction of a Culture Card for 16- and 17-year-olds to support greater participation in creative arts across Ireland. While the scope of what the Card could be used for is still being actively considered, it is anticipated that any Culture Card would cover a wide range of cultural offerings, including bookshops, theatre, music, cinemas, and other services, including from commercial providers. The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport recognises the important role of booksellers in Irish cultural life.
Options for the development, operation and scope for use of the Card are currently being developed by my Department. The overarching aim is to support increased participation in cultural life among young people, encouraging engagement with the arts and creative industries at a critical stage in their development, across a range of artistic and cultural disciplines.
As part of this process, officials from the Department have recently undertaken a series of bilateral meetings with European Member States in which different forms of Youth Culture Cards are already operational. The Department is taking the learnings, best practices, and insights from these international models, particularly regarding technical and administrative design, and multiple options are currently under active consideration.
The scope, rollout model, funding structure, and user age range are still under active consideration and are all subject to budget allocation.
