Written Answers Nos. 122-135
122. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the steps he is taking to support the development of arts and cultural facilities in Kilkenny; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36304/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs outlined in the Programme for Government, the Government believes that culture and the arts are essential to a well-rounded society, providing opportunities for education, expression and community engagement. Ireland is world renowned for our rich, diverse and vibrant arts sector.
A network of cultural infrastructure, such as the Butler Gallery and the Watergate Theatre, 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.
My Department focuses on providing capital grant funding to assist development and to maintain these arts and cultural facilities. My Department allocated €2 million to Kilkenny County Council (under ACCESS II Scheme) towards the recent re-housing of the Butler Gallery to Evans Home. The Watergate Theatre currently has a capital grant of €255,407 awarded under Stream B of the Cultural Capital Scheme for upgrades to its facility. The project is currently at tender stage and it is hoped these works will be commenced this year.
Another area of funding administered by my Department is the pilot Artist Workspaces Scheme. This was launched in June 2024 with a total fund of €6 million to enable local authorities increase the provision of Artist Workspaces across Ireland. Capital grants up to a maximum of €300,000 may be made available to larger urban local authorities, with grants up to a maximum of €150,000 being made available to the remaining local authorities, including Kilkenny. The maximum grant available will be 60% of the eligible costs. Full details are available on my Department’s website.
I’m delighted my Department was recently in a position to allocate €250,000 to Kilkenny County Council under the Outdoor Public Space Scheme 2021 towards their project of creating a re-imagined public space at Watergate, Kilkenny City. When complete, this outdoor public area will provide a flexible space for arts and culture and for the public and professionals and amateurs to use.
Under Stream E of the Cultural Capital Scheme, grants of up to €20,000 are available to not-for-profit dedicated arts and culture organisations at 85% grant funding rate. Local authority owned facilities are subject to a maximum 60% grant funding rate.
Larger grants of up to €50,000 are provided under Stream E at a maximum grant funding rate of 70%, or 60% for local authority owned facilities. Full details are available on my Department’s website.
As part of the Programme for Government, the Government has also committed to examining the feasibility of a minor capital works grant scheme to support arts and cultural facilities that are not funded through The Arts Council. Work in relation to this proposal is underway in my Department at present.
There have been significant increases in support for arts and culture across the country, including Kilkenny, in recent years. Within my Department, there are a number of measures in place to support the arts at amateur and professional levels including:
• A small-scale local festivals and summer schools scheme designed to support local cultural festivals and summer schools that may not be eligible under funding criteria for larger scale events supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council and similar bodies.
• Creative Ireland Programme funding in 2025 is supporting the delivery of a number of creative projects nationwide.
• The pilot capital support scheme for the Night Time Economy will support the development of vibrant late night arts and culture scenes in Irish cities, towns and villages as well as additional capital to assist in the provision of building and equipment needs.
• Annual funding provided to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for its work in the protection and promotion of Irish traditional music and culture.
• The Music Capital Scheme, managed by Music Network on behalf of my Department, provides funding for the purchase of musical instruments to both non-professional performing groups/ensembles and professional musicians.
• In 2025 €8m, which is the highest level of funding for Culture Ireland since its establishment, will support more Irish artists to launch and develop their careers on an international stage.
• The Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme which is €105m scheme involving 2,000 artists and creative arts workers nationwide.
• Funding for the Safe to Create Programme, including Minding Creative Minds, that supports all artists and creatives across the country.
• Funding programmes within the Broadcasting and Media area also serve to promote many artists and creative talents from across the music sector.
More broadly, under the Arts Act 2003 the Arts Council has primary responsibility for the development of the arts in Ireland and Budget 2025 has provided record funding of €140 million for the Arts Council, an increase of 75% since 2020. The Arts Council is committed to increasing public engagement in the arts in Ireland, including County Kilkenny, and it provides financial support to a number of initiatives aimed at increasing public access, participation and engagement in the arts.
123. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the steps he is taking to support the development of arts and cultural facilities in Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36305/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs outlined in the Programme for Government, the Government believes that culture and the arts are essential to a well-rounded society, providing opportunities for education, expression and community engagement. Ireland is world renowned for our rich, diverse and vibrant arts sector.
A network of cultural infrastructure, such as Carlow Arts Centre Ltd (VISUAL), 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.
My Department focuses on providing capital grant funding to assist development and to maintain these arts and cultural facilities. For example, Carlow Arts Centre Ltd (VISUAL) has availed of funding from various capital schemes in the past. In addition, Carlow County Council was awarded funding of €250,000 under the Outdoor Public Space Scheme 2021 for ‘The Carlow Exchange’ project. This covered open space venue has provided huge opportunities and potential to Carlow Town and surrounding areas for hosting arts and cultural activities including micro festivals, performances, cinema screenings, photography and film locations and much more.
Another area of funding administered by my Department is the pilot Artist Workspaces Scheme. This was launched in June 2024 with a total fund of €6 million to enable local authorities increase the provision of Artist Workspaces across Ireland. Capital grants up to a maximum of €300,000 may be made available to larger urban local authorities, with grants up to a maximum of €150,000 being made available to the remaining local authorities, including Carlow. The maximum grant available will be 60% of the eligible costs. Full details are available on my Department’s website.
In terms of other schemes, under Stream E of the Cultural Capital Scheme, grants of up to €20,000 are available to not-for-profit dedicated arts and culture organisations at 85% grant funding rate. Local authority owned facilities are subject to a maximum 60% grant funding rate.
Larger grants of up to €50,000 are provided under Stream E at a maximum grant funding rate of 70%, or 60% for local authority owned facilities. Full details are available on my Department’s website.
As part of the Programme for Government, the Government has also committed to examining the feasibility of a minor capital works grant scheme to support arts and cultural facilities that are not funded through The Arts Council. Work in relation to this proposal is underway in my Department at present.
There have been significant increases in support for arts and culture across the country, including Carlow, in recent years. Within my Department, there are a number of measures in place to support the arts at amateur and professional levels including:
• Creative Ireland Programme funding in 2025 is supporting the delivery of a number of creative projects nationwide.
• The pilot capital support scheme for the Night Time Economy will support the development of vibrant late night arts and culture scenes in Irish cities, towns and villages as well as additional capital to assist in the provision of building and equipment needs.
• A small-scale local festivals and summer schools scheme designed to support local cultural festivals and summer schools that may not be eligible under funding criteria for larger scale events supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council and similar bodies.
• In 2025 €8m, which is the highest level of funding for Culture Ireland since its establishment, will support more Irish artists to launch and develop their careers on an international stage.
• The Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme which is €105m scheme involving 2,000 artists and creative arts workers nationwide.
• Annual funding provided to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for its work in the protection and promotion of Irish traditional music and culture.
• The Music Capital Scheme, managed by Music Network on behalf of my Department, provides funding for the purchase of musical instruments to both non-professional performing groups/ensembles and professional musicians.
• Funding for the Safe to Create Programme, including Minding Creative Minds, that supports all artists and creatives across the country.
• Funding programmes within the Broadcasting and Media area also serve to promote many artists and creative talents from across the music sector.
More broadly, under the Arts Act 2003 the Arts Council has primary responsibility for the development of the arts in Ireland and Budget 2025 has provided record funding of €140 million for the Arts Council, an increase of 75% since 2020. The Arts Council is committed to increasing public engagement in the arts in Ireland, including County Carlow, and it provides financial support to a number of initiatives aimed at increasing public access, participation and engagement in the arts.
124. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the status of the National Broadband Ireland roll-out across County Kilkenny; the number of houses that have benefitted from the installation of fibre broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36313/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that over 18,600 premises are now passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and are available to order/pre-order in County Kilkenny, with over 7,400 premises now connected. A further circa 400 premises in County Kilkenny will be passed by NBI’s high speed fibre broadband by the end of the network deployment.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Kilkenny can be monitored via nbi.ie/reps. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries. It should be noted that NBI provide this information for County Kilkenny based on NBI deployment areas rather than exact county boundaries.
125. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the status of the National Broadband Ireland roll-out across County Carlow; the number of houses that have benefitted from the installation of fibre broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36314/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that over 5,500 premises are now passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and are available to order/pre-order in County Carlow, with over 2,000 premises now connected. A further circa 2,500 premises in County Carlow will be passed by NBI’s high speed fibre broadband by the end of network deployment.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Carlow can be monitored via nbi.ie/reps. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries. It should be noted that NBI provide this information for County Carlow based on NBI deployment areas rather than exact county boundaries.
126. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on the major international sports events policy and strategy framework; the major sporting events being targeted for Ireland over the coming five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36315/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMajor international sports events can play a key role in increasing sporting participation, encourage domestic and international tourism and also promote Ireland as a destination for education and business opportunities. They present a wonderful opportunity to showcase Ireland and our world-class tourism and sports offering to Europe and the world.
The Government continues to support the hosting of major sports events in Ireland and to explore further hosting opportunities. This is evidenced by the Government’s support for events such as:
• the US College Football Classic series which has been running annually since 2022 with this year's edition featuring Kansas State and Iowa State universities
• the UEFA Europa League Final in Dublin last year
• the first-ever National Football League (NFL) regular season game at Croke Park in September this year
• the Ryder Cup in 2027 in Limerick
• the co-hosting of the UEFA EURO 2028 football championship with the UK
• the proposed co-hosting of the 2030 T20 Cricket World Cup with the UK
The 2024 government policy and strategy framework for the hosting of Major International Sporting Events is the first of its kind in Ireland and fulfils a commitment under the previous Programme for Government. The policy provides a framework in relation to how Government should support major international sporting events, the benefits it should seek to derive from such events, the supports it could offer and the kind of events it would prioritise. This framework and its further development will guide future bid activity and ensure Ireland remains competitive and strategic in pursuing these opportunities.
It will be appreciated that bidding processes for major sports events can be very complex, and that confidential commercial information and non-disclosure agreements are key features of such processes. Additionally, such bidding processes will typically feature other potential interested parties so, for the reasons outlined above, I am not able to specify which events my Department is currently engaged with or considering future engagement with. However, I can confirm any engagements by my Department in this regard are guided by the key determining factors as set out in the new policy framework. This includes an assessment of the economic, sporting and social impact of the events in question.
127. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will ensure the additional €15 million is provided to the postal network in order that it can continue to provide an essential nationwide service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36335/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to a sustainable An Post, and the post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure throughout Ireland. The Programme for Government states that the Government will continue to provide the nationwide network of post offices with funding to ensure their sustainability and enhance the value they bring to local communities. My Department is working to deliver on this and is engaging with relevant stakeholders in relation to the funding. Additionally, my Department is working with Government colleagues to secure future funding in line with the Programme for Government.
An amount of €10 million/annum is currently being provided over a three-year fixed term (2023-2025) to An Post. An Post then disperses this funding across the post office network, with all contractor post offices benefitting from the Government funding with the objective of securing the stability of the Network. The funding is being paid monthly for each 12-month period. To date a sum of €25 million has been claimed by An Post for the period 2023 to end June 2025 to support the network.
It should be noted that An Post is a commercial State body with a mandate to act commercially. An Post has statutory responsibility for the State's postal service and the post office network. Decisions relating to the network, including decisions relating to specific post offices are operational matters for the Board and management of the company and not one in which I, as Minister, have any function. The terms under which Postmasters contract with An Post is a matter between the Postmasters and An Post and any negotiations are a matter for both parties directly.
128. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the next opportunity for artists to be included in a universal basic income for artists project will be; if the project will be expanded to include all those eligible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36369/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to assessing the Basic Income for the Arts pilot research scheme to maximise its impact. I appreciate the importance of the Basic Income support for artists, which is why last week I announced that Government had agreed to my proposal to an extension of six months to allow for further evaluation of the pilot data. This will also give sufficient time to engage in stakeholder consultation and to evaluate the data which will provide the evidence base for Government to make decisions on the next steps.
The primary objective of the scheme is to help artists deal with precarious incomes and to prevent talent from leaving the sector for economic reasons.
My Department has been undertaking a comprehensive research programme based on this data and is currently preparing a report examining the first 24 months of the scheme. I also recently published a paper which collects the experiences of BIA recipients, who were interviewed by a sociologist. A cost-benefit analysis paper is also being prepared. It will compare the benefits and costs arising from the BIA in order to determine its net value.
While the research phase of the pilot scheme is still ongoing, it is clear from evidence collected to date under the scheme that it is having a positive impact on participants. This data shows that the BIA payment is having a consistent, positive impact across almost all indicators - affecting practice development, sectoral retention, well-being, and deprivation.
Artists in receipt of the support are typically able to devote more time to their art, produce more pieces of work, experience a boost to their wellbeing through greater life satisfaction and reduced anxiety, and are protected from the precariousness of incomes in the sector to a greater degree than those who are not receiving the support.
I know that the BIA support is hugely valued by artists in receipt of it, it has also been the subject of much positive commentary at home and in an international context and makes an important statement about the value placed on the arts in Ireland.
A Government decision will be required on a successor scheme to the pilot, and I intend to bring forward proposals for a permanent intervention in the context of Budget 2026 discussions, based on the evidence arising from the research programme and stakeholder engagement.
129. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to report on the work of his Department in supporting local theatres, and any information available on support for theatres in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown. [36438/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs outlined in the Programme for Government, the Government believes that culture and the arts are essential to a well-rounded society, providing opportunities for education, expression and community engagement. Ireland is world renowned for our rich, diverse and vibrant arts sector.
A network of cultural infrastructure, such as Pavilion Theatre and dlr Mill Theatre, exists throughout the country with the majority in the ownership of local authorities. Annual support, including programming and revenue supports, is provided to these theatres and arts centres by local authorities and the Arts Council.
My Department focuses on providing capital grant funding to assist development and to maintain these arts and cultural facilities. Both Pavilion Theatre and dlr Mill Theatre have availed of funding under various capital schemes in the recent past.
Currently, under Stream E of the Cultural Capital Scheme, grants of up to €20,000 are available to not-for-profit dedicated arts and culture organisations at 85% grant funding rate. Local authority owned facilities are subject to a maximum 60% grant funding rate.
Larger grants of up to €50,000 are provided under Stream E at a maximum grant funding rate of 70%, or 60% for local authority owned facilities. Full details are available on my Department’s website.
As part of the Programme for Government, the Government has also committed to examining the feasibility of a minor capital works grant scheme to support arts and cultural facilities that are not funded through The Arts Council. Work in relation to this proposal is underway in my Department at present.
Another area of funding administered by my Department is the pilot Artist Workspaces Scheme. This was launched in June 2024 with a total fund of €6 million to enable local authorities increase the provision of Artist Workspaces across Ireland. Capital grants up to a maximum of €300,000 may be made available to larger urban local authorities, including Dún Laoghaire Rathdown, with grants up to a maximum of €150,000 being made available to the remaining local authorities. The maximum grant available will be 60% of the eligible costs. Full details are available on my Department’s website.
There have been significant increases in support for arts and culture across the country, including Dún Laoghaire Rathdown, in recent years. Within my Department, there are a number of measures in place to support the arts at amateur and professional levels including:
• A small-scale local festivals and summer schools scheme designed to support local cultural festivals and summer schools that may not be eligible under funding criteria for larger scale events supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council and similar bodies.
• Creative Ireland Programme funding in 2025 is supporting the delivery of a number of creative projects nationwide.
• The pilot capital support scheme for the Night Time Economy will support the development of vibrant late night arts and culture scenes in Irish cities, towns and villages as well as additional capital to assist in the provision of building and equipment needs.
• Annual funding provided to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for its work in the protection and promotion of Irish traditional music and culture.
• The Music Capital Scheme, managed by Music Network on behalf of my Department, provides funding for the purchase of musical instruments to both non-professional performing groups/ensembles and professional musicians.
• In 2025 €8m, which is the highest level of funding for Culture Ireland since its establishment, will support more Irish artists to launch and develop their careers on an international stage.
• The Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme which is €105m scheme involving 2,000 artists and creative arts workers nationwide.
• Funding for the Safe to Create Programme, including Minding Creative Minds, that supports all artists and creatives across the country.
• Funding programmes within the Broadcasting and Media area also serve to promote many artists and creative talents from across the music sector.
More broadly, under the Arts Act 2003 the Arts Council has primary responsibility for the development of the arts in Ireland and Budget 2025 has provided record funding of €140 million for the Arts Council, an increase of 75% since 2020. The Arts Council is committed to increasing public engagement in the arts in Ireland, including Dún Laoghaire Rathdown, and it provides financial support to a number of initiatives aimed at increasing public access, participation and engagement in the arts.
130. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to report on the roll-out of upgrades to urban broadband in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown. [36439/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.
Dun Laoighaire Rathdown is predominantly in the BLUE area on the broadband map, which is available on: www.gov.ie/en/publication/5634d-national-broadband-plan-map/
Premises in the amber area are to be served by the network deployed under the NBP State led intervention. NBI have advised that premises within the limited intervention area in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown are largely available to order / pre-order now.
The latest information on when high-speed broadband will become available to the AMBER area can be found on National Broadband Ireland’s (NBI) website at www.nbi.ie/map/. This website is regularly updated providing the expected timeline for delivery and status of any works that are initiated at any point in time. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high-speed broadband services. The Department defines high-speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload.
The activities of commercial operators delivering high-speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and the Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.
There may be a choice of operators offering this service in any given area. Further information in this regard is available at www.comreg.ie/compare/#/services.
If a person lives in the BLUE area and after contacting their Retail Service Provider are told they cannot get access to greater than 30Mbps, they should raise a query via the webform on secure.dccae.gov.ie/forms/NBP-Customer-Service.aspx and the department will escalate with the commercial operator to investigate this matter further.
131. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to outline the supports available for local community radio stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36441/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of quality public service content is not just the preserve of public service media bodies. Community radio plays a vital role in providing valuable public service content to the Irish public. This contributes to a plurality of voices in the media sector and is crucial to the continued provision of free, independent, high-quality journalism and trustworthy news and current affairs coverage to the public.
The sector has about 2,000 volunteers nationwide which is a testament to the passion and commitment displayed by Irish communities all over the country. Active participation and representation in community media encourages engagement, cohesion, and the promotion of social inclusion in our communities, large and small.
The community media sector receives ongoing support through the Sound and Vision Scheme, which provides dedicated funding rounds for the sector.
A major innovation in the current scheme has been the establishment of Social Benefit rounds specifically for community broadcasters. In the most recent round of funding under the Sound and Vision Scheme, over €740,000 was awarded to 19 community radio and television stations through a Social Benefit Round announced by Coimisiún na Meán at the end of June, taking the total funding awarded to community broadcasters so far in 2025 to just over €935,000.
This allocation builds on the over €1 million in funding that was provided to community media projects through the Sound and Vision Scheme in 2024.
In addition, community radio also benefits from funding for training, learning and development activities through Coimisiún na Meán’s Sectoral Learning and Development Fund. This is an essential area of funding for the sustainability and development of the sector. Since 2024, the community radio sector received €269,000 to support activities such as the CRAOL Féile and CRAOL Awards, workshops, a helpdesk, and other capacity-building initiatives.
As recommended by the Future of Media Commission, the establishment of a new Media Fund will provide support for the provision of public service content by the wider media sector at local, regional and national levels on a platform-neutral basis.
Coimisiún na Meán are progressing a body of research into current community media supports. This research will help determine optimal supports going forward and will establish the foundations on which a new scheme may be devised.
€10 million was secured in Budget 2025 to ensure the continuation of the Local Democracy and Courts Reporting Schemes and to introduce two new schemes in 2025, the Digital Transformation and the News Reporting Schemes. As these schemes are being administered on a platform-neutral basis, local and community radio will be eligible to apply for support from all of the aforementioned schemes in 2025.
The Digital Transformation Scheme will have regard to the varying needs of the sector, who will be invited to put forward costed proposals for projects they deem to be important for the viability and the development of their organisations. This will support investment in digital transformation measures, assisting media organisations in the continued provision of public service content which serves to inform the public, to maintain integrity of information and to preserve trust.
In line with the relevant Programme for Government commitments, Coimisiún na Meán will monitor the impact of these schemes, and update them as appropriate, in order to ensure they are accessible to the wider media sector and continue to deliver on intended objectives.
As Minister, I understand the importance of ensuring our community broadcasters, who are among the most trusted news sources in the country, remain viable and strong and actively contribute to a thriving and diverse national media landscape in the interests of protecting our democracy against the threats posed by misinformation and disinformation and of strengthening our community bonds and our social cohesion.
132. Deputy David Maxwell asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will investigate the possibility of establishing a dedicated funding scheme to assist amateur dramatic groups throughout Ireland, in recognition of the important role they play in local communities in fostering creativity, inclusion and cultural engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36554/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council has primary responsibility for the development of the arts in Ireland and Budget 2025 has provided record funding of €140 million for the Arts Council. The Arts Council is committed to increasing public engagement in the arts in Ireland and it provides financial support to a number of initiatives aimed at increasing public access, participation and engagement in the arts.
The Council invests funding in a range of art forms and developmental projects including Creative Schools, Creative Places, Creative Europe and Culture Night. For example, Culture Night, in collaboration with RTÉ, creates opportunities for artists at all levels. Details of all these programmes are available on the Arts Council's website. The Council also supports festivals across the country providing opportunities for performances of many forms.
The Arts Council recognises the value the distinctive role of amateur arts practice, its important contribution to the vitality of the arts and of certain artforms in particular, and its many social benefits. It supports non-commercial, professional theatre production in Ireland. It seeks to support artistic excellence both in the standard of practice and level of ambition. The Arts Council recognises the many and varied ways theatre artists work, and aims to support artists whose work seeks to engage in a meaningful way with audiences across Ireland and beyond by supporting the creation, development, production and dissemination of theatre.
The Arts Council also works to develop supportive initiatives to recognise and interact with the voluntary and amateur sector towards the mutual goal of advocating for theatre and the arts in general.
Within my Department, there are a number of measures in place to support the arts at amateur and professional levels including:
• Annual funding provided to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for its work in the protection and promotion of Irish traditional music and culture.
• The Music Capital Scheme, managed by Music Network on behalf of my Department, provides funding for the purchase of musical instruments to both non-professional performing groups/ensembles and professional musicians.
• A small-scale local festivals and summer schools scheme designed to support local cultural festivals and summer schools that may not be eligible under funding criteria for larger scale events supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council and similar bodies. The maximum funding available under this scheme is capped at €5,000.
• Creative Ireland Programme funding in 2023 is supporting the delivery of a number of creative projects nationwide.
• A new pilot capital support scheme for Arts, Culture and the Night Time Economy will support development of vibrant late night arts and culture scenes in Irish cities, towns and villages as well as additional capital to assist in the provision of building and equipment needs, artists’ workspaces, and adapting facilities to reduce energy needs and carbon footprints.
• In 2025 €8m, which is the highest level of funding for Culture Ireland since its establishment, will support more Irish artists to launch and develop their careers on an international stage.
• The Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme which is €105m scheme involving 2,000 artists and creative arts workers nationwide.
• Funding for the Safe to Create Programme, including Minding Creative Minds, that supports all artists and creatives.
• Funding is provided for cultural events such as Other Voices and Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann that in turn helps to sustain the arts at all levels.
• Funding programmes within the Broadcasting and Media area also serve to promote many artists and creative talents from across the music sector.
Additionally, 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. These Arts Centres are where artists and audiences meet and this is a key part of the Arts Council strategy to invest in public engagement. My Department focuses on providing capital grant funding to assist development and to maintain these arts and cultural facilities. Funding is administered through applications received for specific grant schemes.
Notwithstanding the official supports described above, it would be appropriate to mention the significant number of commercial sponsors who also contribute towards the national associations and annual programmes for amateur drama and musicals. I take this opportunity to acknowledge their generous support to the national bodies and also to commend the special contribution of the title sponsor of the RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival in Athlone which took place from the 8th to the 16th of May this year in Athlone under the auspices of the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland.
133. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the amount of funding provided to the Irish Martial Arts Commission and Kickboxing Ireland by the State in each of the years 2021 to 2024, in tabular form. [36596/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, including the recognition of sporting bodies for funding purposes, and other such matters.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to its role in the matter mentioned by the Deputy. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
134. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport If he will provide an overview of the support provided to international competitors on behalf of the Irish Martial Arts Commission and Kickboxing Ireland by the State in each of the years 2021 to 2024. [36597/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, including the recognition of sporting bodies for funding purposes, and other such matters.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to its role in the matter mentioned by the Deputy. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
135. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport If he will provide an overview of the engagement between his Department and the Irish Martial Arts Commission and Kickboxing Ireland in each of the years 2021 to 2024. [36598/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, including the recognition of sporting bodies for funding purposes, and other such matters.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to its role in the matter mentioned by the Deputy. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
