Written Answers Nos. 1341-1361
1341. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the timeline for when 2024 sports capital grants will be received by successful organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42127/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities in 2024 from the 2023 round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF), representing the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland.
Provisional allocations to equipment-only projects were announced on 16 May 2024 and applicants were advised that they should demonstrate a substantial amount of progress on their project to facilitate the drawdown of the grant by the end of June 2025.
Provisional allocations to capital projects were announced on 10 October 2024 and applicants were advised that they should demonstrate a substantial amount of progress on the project to facilitate the drawdown of the grant by 27 September 2026.
Following the announcement of the provisional allocations, applicants must apply to get the grant formally approved by the Department and upload all the required documentation before payments can be processed.
1342. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide a timeline for when applications will open for 2025 sports capital grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42128/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities in 2024 from the 2023 round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF), benefitting over forty sports, as well as multi-sport facilities, throughout the country. This represents the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland.
In line with previous rounds of the programme, a review of the current funding round will be undertaken and that review will inform the timing of the next round of the CSFF. However, I would anticipate that the next round should be announced in 2026.
1343. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the details of the messaging provider downloaded on his Ministerial phone; the details of any provider downloaded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42173/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's ICT Unit makes available as standard SMS/MMS messaging application on all departmental phones. The underlying provider is 3 (Three).
The downloading of additional messaging applications beyond this is a matter for each individual.
1344. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the reason Wicklow County Council was not successful in their funding application under the LSSIF to develop a swimming pool in west Wicklow, despite an underspend in this budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42194/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCapital support for new swimming pools, and the refurbishment of existing pools, is provided by my Department through the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) which has allocated €28.9 million to date to 9 swimming pool projects. This includes funding support for a swimming pool project in County Wicklow, the ‘Wicklow Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre’ at Station Road, Wicklow Town.
Wicklow County Council submitted applications under both the 2018 and 2024 rounds of the LSSIF for the development of a swimming pool in Blessington. The 2018 application sought design funding, while the 2024 application sought funding towards a 'Swimming Pool Build'. In both rounds of LSSIF, all applications were assessed in accordance with the published scoring criteria. The total amount of funding sought under the 2018 and 2024 rounds of the LSSIF substantially exceeded the resources available for allocation. Following a comprehensive assessment process, the development of a swimming pool in Blessington project did not achieve the requisite criteria to qualify for grant support under either round of the scheme.
Ireland’s first National Swimming Strategy was published in August 2024, and it sets out a vision to provide everyone in our country with an opportunity to swim. The Working Group tasked with developing the Strategy consisted of representatives from my Department, Swim Ireland, Sport Ireland, Active Disability Ireland, Ireland Active and the local authorities.
The resultant Strategy includes an Action Plan containing over 50 actions across five thematic strands, focusing on providing improved facilities, increasing access for people with disabilities, improving the culture of inclusion, better coaching supports, increasing safety awareness and providing a pathway that allows for the nurturing and development of potential high performers.
The public consultation that informed the development of the National Swimming Strategy suggested that existing swimming pool stock is insufficient and, as a result, a key focus of the Strategy is on providing improved facilities. There is a specific action in the strategy to complete an in-depth analysis of swimming pool provision within Ireland with particular reference to identifying gaps in provision. Swim Ireland, the National Governing Body for swimming, is currently undertaking an analysis of the type and nature of swimming pool ownership in the country and will publish a report in this regard in the coming period. This report will be central to the future development of swimming pool facilities.
In support of the Strategy, additional funding of €500,000 was provided to Swim Ireland in 2024 for the deployment of swimming activators to work within local authority areas, focusing on increasing participation amongst under-represented groups and improving coaching supports and facilities. This additional funding will also be provided in 2025 and 2026 – totalling €1.5 million over three years.
Responsibility for the delivery of the Strategy’s Action Plan is shared across Government Departments, State Agencies and other key stakeholders, including local authorities. Sport Ireland has recently established an oversight group of key stakeholders to give leadership, policy direction, prioritisation and mobilisation of resources to support, monitor and measure the Strategy’s implementation.
My current focus is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF, 2018 and 2024, and this process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round. The timing will also be considered in the context of the determining the detailed spending allocations within my Department under the National Development Plan as recently agreed by Government.
1345. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if specific funding can be provided for sporting bodies or organisations registered with Sports Ireland to assist specifically with securing high performance coaches, rather than the current focus on funding being made available for equipment and capital infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42268/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, including how the distribution of funds to National Governing Bodies of sport for high performance sport is administered.
I have no role in this process and have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to this matter. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 working days.
1346. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to outline the feedback his Department has received from the various sporting organisations on their interpretation and implementation of the long-term player development (LTPAD) model; the challenges that have been expressed by these sporting organisations in their implementation of the LTPAD model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42269/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, including programming such as its high performance strategy and athlete development.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to this matter. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 working days.
1347. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if the current 19 national sports governing bodies can be expanded to include further sporting governing bodies under the high performance funding programme; if the international carding scheme can be expanded to further sporting disciplines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42271/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, including programming such as its high performance strategy and athlete development.
I have no role in this matter and have accordingly referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 working days.
1348. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on the roll out of fibre broadband under National Broadband Ireland for the mid-Cork region; the measures that are being taken to ensure improvement on current estimated connection timelines in this region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42272/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that over 43,880 premises are now passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and 48,000 available to order/pre-order in County Cork, with 14,996 premises now connected. A further circa 38,120 premises in County Cork will be passed by NBI’s high speed fibre broadband by the end of the contract.
The NBI rollout to Mid Cork includes the Carriganimmy , Ballingeary and Dunmanway Deployment Areas (DA’s) each with 4050, 886 and 4197 premises respectively.
NBI have advised that the Carriganimmy DA is at a Survey complete stage with an anticipated connection timeframe of July 2026 – December 2026. Dunmanway DA and Ballingeary DA are both at Network Build in Progress stage with anticipated connection timeframes of July 2026 – December 2026.
According to NBI, the Millstreet area which is included in the Rathmore DA and the Coachford area which is included in the Templemartin DA are currently at a status of available to order / pre order.
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 Cork based on NBI deployment areas rather than exact county boundaries.
1349. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to outline his plans for the expansion of the night-time economy action plan outside of Cork city, to include rural towns and villages in Cork county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42273/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn support of Action 19 in the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce and as part of the Department's key role in driving the Night-Time Economy in Ireland, we are funding 9 NTE Advisors in Dublin City, Cork City, Limerick City, Galway City, Kilkenny, Sligo, Longford, Buncrana and Drogheda.
The Night-Time Economy pilots are a significant project within the Night-Time Economy policy area and arguably one of the most impactful. This year I have allocated just under €1.4 million in funding to support these pilots to cover: salary costs; a funding package to roll out their plans, including support for Culture Night Late and Cruinniú Late.
The Advisors have been carrying out consultation exercises in their local areas and each have established a Night-Time Economy committee consisting of a diverse range of stakeholders, all with a view to producing a cohesive action plan/strategy for their location. The Advisors are also required to provide updates to the Night-Time Economy Implementation Group, of activities in relation to the pilots and share any wider policy issues impacting on the NTE at a local and national level.
The Night-Time Advisors continue to stimulate the Night-Time Economy in their local areas and have adopted a strategic approach, through a range of interventions and grant schemes which has been informed by their strategies/action plans, all with the aim of to developing and promoting a safe, inclusive and diverse Night-Time Economy.
Following a competitive tendering process in 2024, Communiqué International was appointed to conduct a review of the 9 Night-Time Economy pilots, to look critically at the structures involved in supporting the Advisors, the visibility and impact of each in their respective areas, the future roll-out of the pilots and whether a further roll-out or expansion of the pilots is warranted and what needs to be put in place to make this model effective.
I understand that the review has now concluded, and that the Report will detail a set of recommendations in relation to the future of the pilots and the wider NTE programme. I am expecting that Report very shortly and I look forward to reviewing its findings and, in consultation with key stakeholders including the local authorities, mapping out the path forward for this valuable initiative.
1350. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide data on public participation in arts and cultural events over the past three years, detailing the number of participants by demographic factors such as age, gender and geographic location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42274/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra1351. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will provide data on the economic impact of the arts and culture sector in the State, including contributions to GDP, employment figures and the number of businesses operating within the sector, for the last three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42275/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1350 and 1351 together.
My Department’s Arts and Culture programme aims to promote and develop Ireland’s world class artistic and creative strengths at home and abroad, maximising their societal and economic value for the country, and supporting Arts and the entertainment sector to develop and grow. As Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, I allocate funding towards this arts and culture programme and I will look to sustain and, where possible, increase that support in the context of the forthcoming Estimates process. While there is research on the economic impact of the arts and culture sector, the figures sought by the Deputy are not routinely collected by the Department.
That said, recent Arts Council research published on 16 July 2025 shows the significant contribution of arts events to the Irish economy, putting the total spend at €1.5 billion. The Arts Events Related Spend National Survey 2024 is the first part of a multi-part Arts Council research project.
In addition to gathering data on how people spend their money on arts events, the survey also examined the financial benefits that the arts and culture can bring to other sectors of the economy. The research analysis also drew on the results from the https://artscouncil.ie/news/new-research-by-the-arts-council-shows-that-irish-arts-audiences-are-returning-to-pre-covid-levels/ which was published in February, to deliver an estimate of the spending associated with attending Arts Activities events over a 12-month period. The full report can be found on the Arts Council website.
Separately research by the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO) reveals that the Irish music industry is a significant contributor to the national economy, generating €1 billion annually and employing over 13,400 people. The full report can be found on the IMRO website.
1352. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the measures he is taking to address the significant shortage of swimming instructors nationally to meet the demand for swimming lessons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42278/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s first National Swimming Strategy sets out a vision to provide everyone in our country with an opportunity to swim. It includes an Action Plan containing over 50 actions across five thematic strands, focusing on providing improved facilities, increasing access for people with disabilities, improving the culture of inclusion, addressing challenges in recruiting and retaining swimming instructors, better coaching supports, increasing safety awareness and providing a pathway that allows for the nurturing and development of potential high performers.
The public consultation that informed the development of the Strategy identified the retention of swimming instructors, with a positive view on career progression, as a pressing concern. This issue was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic whereby the exodus of trained professionals has led to labour shortages and the inability for some providers to be able to resource swimming lessons supported by the required staffing levels. The Strategy seeks to address these staffing issues so that swimming facilities can operate effectively and be resourced to provide effective educational programmes. The Strategy also endeavours to support additional opportunities for young people to access lessons, to ensure optimal use of pool times for lessons and coaching, and to further embed the provision of aquatics and water safety as components of school curriculums.
In support of the Strategy, additional funding of €500,000 was provided to Swim Ireland in 2024 for the deployment of swimming activators to work within local authority areas, focusing on increasing participation amongst under-represented groups and improving coaching supports and facilities. This additional funding will also be provided in 2025 and 2026 – totalling €1.5 million over three years.
Responsibility for the delivery of the Strategy’s Action Plan is shared across Government Departments, State Agencies and other key stakeholders, including local authorities. Sport Ireland recently established an oversight group of key stakeholders to give leadership, policy direction, prioritisation and mobilisation of resources to support, monitor and measure the Strategy’s implementation.
1353. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on the research being carried out on the basic income for arts pilot scheme; whether a permanent form of this scheme will form part of his negotiations for Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42279/25]
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 I recently 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.
No decisions on the scale and scope of a successor scheme have yet been made. 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.
1354. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department is considering measures to expand the basic income for artists scheme in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42290/25]
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 I recently 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.
No decisions on the scale and scope of a successor scheme have yet been made. 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.
1355. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport how a US-based performance group, which is looking to perform their show in Ireland, may engage with the Arts Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42356/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Arts Council is the national government agency for funding, developing and promoting the arts in Ireland. 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. 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.
I have asked the Arts Council to make direct contact with the Deputy and provide him with the information he has requested. Please contact my private office if you do not hear from the Arts Council within ten working days.
1356. Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when funding will be approved for a small-scale local festival and summer schools programme 2025 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42361/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recently announced a funding allocation of €293,252 for 64 events to support Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools taking place around Ireland in 2025.
This scheme is designed to assist local cultural events which may not be eligible under funding criteria for larger scale events such as those supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council and similar bodies. The closing date for applications was 4 April 2025 and allocations were published on 24th July 2025. Funding was subject to a maximum grant of €5,000.
The Old Fort Quarter Festival which will celebrate Portlaoise’s rich medieval heritage through live music, re-enactments, artisan markets, and interactive workshops was allocated support of up to €4,500 for eligible costs.
1357. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the amount spent by his Department and State bodies under its aegis on travel and subsistence in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42460/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt should be noted that my Department, in its current configuration, was established at the beginning of June 2025.
The details sought by the Deputy for the functions under the remit of my Department in the period since 2021 (when the former Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media was established) are set out in tabular form below.
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2021 |
108,586 |
|
2022 |
460,951 |
|
2023 |
541,905 |
|
2024 |
630,599 |
|
2025 to date |
282,618 |
The amount spent by the State bodies under the aegis of the Department is an operational matter for those bodies.
1358. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he has considered the Commission for Communications Regulation “Know Your Customer (KYC) Guidance Document - draft”, and to confirm whether any legislative action would be necessary to address the matters cited (details supplied); if he intends to take any; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42560/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to tackling scam calls and texts across electronic communications networks and services. Both my Department and the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), the statutorily independent regulator under the aegis of my Department, continue to explore and evaluate interventions to protect consumers from nuisance communications. Whilst I am not currently considering legislative action in relation to the matter raised by the Deputy, there are actions ongoing to reduce nuisance communications.
ComReg established an industry action group to address the growing menace of scam calls and texts, the Nuisance Communication Industry Forum (NCIF). This cross-industry body builds on the work of the previous Nuisance Communications Industry Taskforce (NCIT), established in February 2022.
In April of 2024, having been informed by the submissions to its consultation in June 2023 and by the work of the NCIT, ComReg mandated six interventions. The interventions focus on restoring trust in Ireland’s telecommunications services by identifying and deploying interventions to decrease the prevalence and damaging effects of nuisance communications. These include:
• Do Not Originate (DNO) list: a list of numbers that will be blocked for call origination.
• Protected Numbers (PN): The blocking of numbers that have not been assigned by ComReg.
• Fixed – Calling Line Identification (CLI) Call Blocking: Identifies and blocks scam calls originating from international networks but presenting as an Irish landline caller.
• Mobile CLI Call Blocking: Identifies and blocks scam calls originating from international networks presenting as an Irish mobile caller.
• SMS Sender ID Registry: Allows businesses to register their Sender ID. Operators would then block any SMS message bearing a Sender ID from an unregistered source.
• Voice-firewall: Software that identifies and blocks scam calls from Ireland or abroad and will help protect against future more sophisticated scams.
The NCIF will assist and oversee the implementation of ComReg’s Decision Instruments, mandating this package of interventions.
These interventions are at various stages of deployment and so the impact of these efforts will likely be enjoyed and recognised by the Irish consumer in a phased manner. Operators have already implemented a number of these measures to tackle nuisance communications, which have blocked around 30 million scam calls since 2023.
1359. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the status of the public warning system. [42565/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn November 2023, Ireland put in place a mobile SMS-based emergency public warning system, via S.I 583 of 2023, as required under Article 110 of the EU Electronic Communications Code Directive. This system enables mobile phone operators to send texts to the public on behalf of the Government during an emergency.
Last year, my Department engaged the services of Analysys Mason to provide technical advice for the procurement of a cell based public warning system that will replace the current SMS system. This new system will allow for localised alerting based on network mast location. This work is currently ongoing in collaboration with the Department of Defence and the Office of Emergency Planning and it is intended that procurement of the new system will begin in 2025.
1360. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the measures he is taking to accelerate the roll out of high-speed broadband in underserved rural communities; the means by which his Department is coordinating with the National Broadband Plan to ensure timely delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42647/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the Government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.
I am advised by NBI that there are over 564,000 premises in the Intervention Area (IA) and design work has been completed for 100% of these. NBI has also passed over 381,000 premises in the intervention area and are connecting circa 4,400 premises to their fibre network per month. NBI expect to have passed over 420,000 premises by end of 2025.
NBI also advise that 411,235 premises, across all counties in mainly rural areas, can now order or pre-order broadband and over 136,730 premises are already connected.
Along with the NBP intervention contract, progress is being made by commercial operators in expanding their next generation networks throughout the State and ensuring the targets set out in the Digital Connectivity strategy are achieved.
Based on current plans and achievements, the Department expect to deliver the deployment of the NBP by the end of 2026, as per the Programme for Government commitment.
1361. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will consider providing support funding for a production (details supplied) at Cork opera house due in October 2025, given this production provides an accessible avenue for students currently studying the play; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42772/25]
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 Arts Council recognises the many and varied ways theatre artists work and supports artists to engage with audiences across Ireland and beyond in the creation, development, production and dissemination of theatre.
I have asked the Arts Council to make direct contact and provide the Deputy with the information requested in relation to funding and grant opportunities available for theatre productions. Please contact my private office if you do not hear from the Council within the next ten working days.
