Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
559. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the oversight mechanisms that exist to ensure that public funding for major cultural and heritage projects is spent efficiently and transparently; and if he will provide details of any projects where governance or accountability issues have been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16891/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government places great value on culture and the arts sector. As outlined in the Programme for Government, I recognise that they are essential to a well-rounded society, providing opportunities for education, expression and community engagement.
In that context, the National Cultural Institutions (NCIs) NDP Programme is a key investment programme in my Department’s National Development Plan portfolio incorporating a number of capital redevelopment projects across our National Cultural Institutions, the majority of which are being delivered in partnership with the OPW.
All of these projects are appraised and progressed in line with the Infrastructure Guidelines which set out value for money principles for the evaluation, planning and management of public investment projects. Furthermore, sector specific Governance and Operational Arrangements have been developed and are in place between the Department, the OPW and the NCIs. They include governance and institutional oversight structures for the planning, design and implementation phases of the projects.
In line with this , following approval of Preliminary Business Case, each project is overseen by a dedicated Steering Group with representatives from the NCI, the Department and the OPW. The group provides strategic direction based on the continuous evaluation, planning and refinement of estimated costs carried out as the project progresses towards Final Business Case.
The day-to-day management of each project is overseen by the tripartite Project Team incorporating specialist expertise from the project Design Team. Project Teams are responsible for the development and maintenance of project specific risk management plan and regularly report to Steering Groups on progress, costs and any identified risks or issues.
Over the years my Department has also run a number of funding programmes under the Cultural Capital Scheme, most recently Stream E which provided grants of up to €50,000 for capital works and equipment. In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, my Department is developing a new programme of capital funding for arts and culture organisations across the country. This will see much needed capital supports for arts and culture organisations. My Department is in the process of designing the specifications of the scheme, including the setting of eligibility criteria.
Another cultural capital funding scheme available from my Department is the €6 million pilot Artist Workspaces Scheme which was launched in June 2024. Under this scheme, local authorities outside Dublin City Council are invited to propose projects which enable them to provide additional artist workspaces in their regions on a sustainable basis and produce fit for purpose workspaces. Funding of up to €300,000 is available for densely populated local authority areas and €150,000 for other local authorities. A separate scheme called Space to Create with funding of €3m is in place for co-operation with Dublin City Council in the development of up to 60 artist workspaces.
All applicants for arts capital funding are assessed against eligibility criteria as set out in the schemes guidelines. Grantees are also required to comply with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 13/2014 - Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds.
