678. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the grants available to a community group to assist with the cost of a yearly musical festival; the terms involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2123/25]

I am very conscious of the contribution that festivals make to the artistic and cultural life of local communities and how these events make destinations attractive to domestic and international tourists.  I recognise also the challenges involved in arranging festivals, often involving significant financial outlay and commitments and a great deal of voluntary activity.  Accordingly, my Department and the relevant agencies under its aegis support the staging of festivals in a number of ways, which are outlined below.

My Department runs a Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools Scheme. This Scheme is designed to support local cultural festivals which are not in receipt of other central Government monies, and which may not be eligible under funding criteria for larger scale events supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council and similar bodies.

Events which are funded by the Arts Council and/or Fáilte Ireland are not eligible. Funding available under this scheme is typically capped at €5,000.

Full details of the 2024 scheme are available for reference on my Department's website at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/89595-small-scale-local-festivals-and-summer-schools/

This scheme is subject to a competitive assessment process, and applications are marked on the following criteria:

• Extent to which the projects meet the objectives of the scheme

• Realistic in terms of scale, costs, assistance sought and timeframe for delivery

• Demonstrate capacity to deliver project

• Level of own or supporting contribution (non-state) towards the project

It is envisaged that The Festivals and Summer Schools 2025 scheme will be launched in Quarter 1 2025. Expressions of interest can be emailed to F&SS@tcagsm.gov.ie.

The Arts Council also provides financial support to a range of festivals, large and small, both single art form and multidisciplinary arts festivals. Strategic Funding supports organisations which are critical to the national arts infrastructure while the Festivals Investment Scheme is specifically designed to offer support to local/voluntary organisations to develop arts festivals.

Fáilte Ireland supports a diverse selection of larger festivals and events throughout the country as part of their Strategically Funded Festivals. The Regional Festival Scheme, which they also support, is available to local community festivals and is administered by the local authorities. Each local authority manages their own application and grant process.