Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2026
307. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the estimated cost of expanding the after-hours funding strand for national cultural institutions on a phased basis over five years to allow for the extension of opening hours to 10pm. [46647/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe potential expansion of opening hours for National Cultural Institutions is primarily a question for each National Cultural Institution itself, and decisions regarding opening hours cannot be made by my Department on their behalf.
The Night-Time Economy encompasses a broad range of social, cultural, and economic activities that occur between approximately 6pm and 6am. It is an important component in the development of towns and cities, playing a crucial role in economic growth, cultural vibrancy, social vitality, and urban regeneration. The Night-Time Economy pilots are a priority project for the Department to support the development of the Night-Time Economy in Ireland, and would be the main avenue of support, should later opening hours come into force in the Institutions.
For the purpose of giving an estimate based on a phased introduction of the change, it is assumed that the NCIs would remain open until 10PM on one day per week in 2026, two days per week in 2027, and so on. I would ask the Deputy to note that these figures may be affected by further increases in pay and other costs during the period in question.
The National Concert Hall and the Abbey Theatre already remain open to 10PM or later on numerous occasions during the year to facilitate the holding of concerts, plays and similar events.
The National Archives is also National Cultural Institution but is a functional division of my Department and the staff costs are borne from within my Department's overall allocation for pay.
It should be noted that there are numerous factors which can impact on the costs of extending the opening hours of a National Cultural Institution, including, for example, additional staff costs in the form of overtime payments or the necessity to increase overall staff numbers to maintain an equal level of service to evening visitors to a National Cultural Institutions. There are also additional non-pay costs that may be incurred as a result of longer opening hours, such as cleaning and maintenance, energy consumption, and other ancillary costs.
|
National Cultural Institution |
2026 |
2027 |
2028 |
2029 |
2030 |
Total over 5 years |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
€6,564,641 |
€14,300,100 |
€22,740,396 |
€32,407,368 |
€43,345,390 |
€119,357,895 |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
The Crawford Art Gallery is closed for renovations and has been excluded from this exercise |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
€209,253 |
€439,432 |
€692,106 |
€968,948 |
€1,271,745 |
€3,581,484 |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
€448,321 |
€916,058 |
€1,403,940 |
€1,912,716 |
€2,443,170 |
€7,124,205 |
|
Chester Beatty |
Figures are not available at this time and will be provided to the Deputy directly |
|
|
|
|
|
|
National Library of Ireland (staff & security) |
€74,377 |
€153,218 |
€236,721 |
€325,096 |
€418,560 |
€1,207,972 |
