Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2026
573. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether an assessment has been carried out of the potential impact on Irish civil society organisations, cultural organisations, equality bodies and media organisations if the AgoraEU programme is not substantially strengthened within the next EU budget cycle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37757/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been closely engaged with negotiations on the proposal for a Regulation establishing the AgoraEU programme 2028-2034, which would serve as a successor to the current Creative Europe programme as well as for the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values funding programme.
As part of this process, DCCS has considered the potential impact of the proposed programme on relevant Irish stakeholders, in particular across the culture and media sectors. DCCS engages regularly with relevant government Departments. state agencies and with the sectors impacted, including via the Creative Europe Desks Ireland, national representative bodies, and European stakeholder networks.
At its meeting on 12th May 2026, the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport (EYCS) Council agreed a partial general approach (PGA) on the proposed Regulation. This PGA will be the basis for all future negotiations by the Council on AgoraEU.
Finally, I would note that the PGA agreed at EYCS Council is partial in that it excludes detail on the overall funding level for the programme, as the final allocation of funding must be agreed as part of the wider EU Multi-Annual Financial Framework negotiations. The level of funding under the next EU budget cycle is therefore a matter for the Minister of Finance.
