1525. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the changes in policy he has instituted with regard to Culture Ireland since his appointment as Minister. [57363/26]

As Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport under the Arts Act 2003 I have statutory responsibility for the promotion of the arts both inside and outside the State. Culture Ireland is a business unit of my Department, established in 2005, Culture Ireland's mission is to promote Irish arts worldwide.

Culture Ireland runs a regular funding scheme to support the international presentation of work by Irish artists and companies. In 2025 over 5,500 artist presentations in over 50 countries to audiences of almost 7 million were funded through Culture Ireland. This activity supports sustainable careers in the arts in Ireland by funding the presentation costs of international touring.

Culture Ireland also develops opportunities for Irish artists and companies to showcase their work at key strategic international international festivals, venues, galleries and art markets including the Venice Biennales, the Edinburgh Festivals, Folk Alliance International, Celtic Connections, the London and Frankfurt Book Fairs and Tanzmesse to name but a few.

Culture Ireland builds relationships and networks with arts and cultural organisations, relevant public bodies, state agencies and Government departments at home and abroad to advance the global impact of Irish artists.

Since becoming Minister in 2025 my policy initiatives in relation to Culture Ireland include:

- Increasing core funding by 10% from €8m to €8.8m in 2026, the highest level of funding in Culture Ireland's history to support Irish artists international ambitions and grow their global audiences;

- Begun work on a new strategy for Culture Ireland to replace the previous strategy which was developed pre-pandemic. The international touring landscape has changed significantly post Covid and I want to review Culture Ireland's strategy and further refine its policy objectives to ensure it remains effective.

- Allocated €4m for Cultúr 2026 the Culture Programme as part of Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, ensuring that Irish citizens and those in other EU Member States have the opportunity to enjoy the best of contemporary Irish arts and culture;

- Allocated €600,000 for a special initiative called Canada/Ireland 180 in 2027 which will help to establish access to Canadian touring networks for Irish artists.

- Agreed to fund comedy, independent comedy panellists have been appointed to assist Culture Ireland in the assessment of future comedy applications.