Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2026
308. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the estimated cost of relaunching the noise mitigation grant scheme at its previous rate; the estimated cost of increasing funding for the night-time economy grassroots venue support scheme by 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and by the cost of inflation since Budget 2026; and to cover the total number of applicants in 2025. [46648/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Noise Mitigation Grant Scheme (NMGS) was launched in 2023 with an allocation of €2m. The scheme was targeted at late night venues, such as nightclubs, late bars and late-night venues to implement noise emission mitigation measures to reduce noise emanating from late night entertainment associated with the premises. The scheme awarded 32 grants totalling just over €1.5m to late-night venues across the country.
There are no plans to relaunch the Noise Mitigation Capital Grant Scheme, however the Department was allocated €6m in Budget 2026 for 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 and support community and voluntary groups in increasing participation in arts and culture. The Department is in the process of designing the specifications of the scheme and it is hoped it will be launched in the coming weeks.
The Grassroots Venue Support Scheme was first launched in 2025 with an allocation of €500k and grants of up to €15,000 were awarded to 34 venues to host events showcasing the talent of emerging and grassroots artists.
The cost of increasing funding for the Night-Time Economy Grassroots Venue Support Scheme by 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and by the cost of inflation since Budget 2026 is listed below.
|
Allocation in 2025 |
5% increase |
10% increase |
15% increase |
20% increase |
3.6%* increase |
|
€500,000 |
€525,000 |
€550,000 |
€575,000 |
€600,000 |
€518,000 |
*Cost of Inflation is based on figures released from the Central Statistics Office covering the period of March 2025 to March 2026
There were 45 eligible applications for the 2025 Grassroots Venue Support Scheme, which would have required a budget totalling €675,000.
Following the introduction of the support in 2025, increased funding of €1 million, double the level of last year, has been provided in 2026 to support grassroots live performance venues. I recently announced that 60 venues have been offered funding of up to €20,000 from the 2026 Scheme. This is an increase in funding and an increase from the 34 venues supported in 2025.
