Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 December 2025
428. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether any funding streams are available to upgrade accessibility access in an arts centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71230/25]
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.
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 this arts and culture infrastructure 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.
Cultural capital funding available at present in my Department includes Stream E of the Cultural Capital Scheme, where grants of up to €20,000 are available to not-for-profit dedicated arts and culture organisations at 85% grant funding rate. Larger grants of up to €50,000 are provided under Stream E at a maximum grant funding rate of 70%. Local authority owned facilities are subject to a maximum 60% grant funding rate.
I understand that the arts centre to which the Deputy refers has received capital funding of over €1.95m in the past from my Department over previous funding schemes, including €50k under Stream E. Department officials have informed me that they have also applied again for further funding under Stream E and I hope to make further announcements on this scheme shortly.
As the Deputy may be aware, in Budget 2026 my Department was allocated €6m for a new programme of capital funding for arts and culture organisations across the country, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government. My Department is in the process of designing the specifications of the scheme, including the setting of eligibility criteria but it is envisaged that upgrading of accessibility of arts and culture facilities would be included.
