1545. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether his Department is considering additional funding for community arts centres and cultural venues in County Galway to support rural arts participation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59109/26]

As outlined in the Programme for Government, the Government believes that culture and the arts are essential to a well-rounded society, providing opportunities for education, expression and community engagement.

There has been significant investment by my Department in arts and culture across the country in recent years, including substantial capital funding to venues and arts organisations in Galway through various capital funding schemes and programmes. Two current capital projects include the refurbishment of a derelict building into a much needed multipurpose cultural space at Nun’s Island and upgrade works at the Town Hall Theatre.

In Budget 2026, my Department was allocated €6m for a new programme of capital funding for arts and culture organisations across the country, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government. A pilot scheme has been under design in recent months and my Department recently secured sanction for the scheme from the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform & Digitalisation. The scheme will provide capital supports for arts and culture facilities across the country and will also support community and voluntary groups in increasing participation in arts and culture. It is hoped this scheme will be launched in the coming weeks.

I wish to also draw your attention to ‘The Artist Workspaces Scheme’ operated by my Department, aiming to provide funding to Local Authorities to enable them to provide additional capacity and availability of artist workspaces in their regions on a sustainable basis. Local Authorities are invited to propose projects which can accommodate and address the demand for artist workspaces in their regions and produce workspaces that are fit for purpose, design focused and accessible. Each Local Authority can apply for up to €150,000, with €300,000 available to densely populated local authority areas such as Galway City Council. There is a match funding requirement of 40%.

My Department would welcome an application under this Scheme from Galway City Council and/or Galway County Council. Full details of the scheme including Guidelines and Application Form are available at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/publications/creative-arts-grants-and-funding/#artist-workspaces-capital-scheme Creative Arts: Grants and Funding.