Written answer
Departmental Funding
Dance is supported through Arts Council grants, resource organisations and festivals, with funding to the artform up 30% since 2019. The Minister did not commit to a dedicated fund for young dancers’ international trips, noting that funding priorities are for the Arts Council to determine.
537. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the funding schemes or financial supports available to dance schools, youth dance groups and community-based performing arts organisations to assist with the costs of participating in national and international performance opportunities; and whether consideration will be given to introducing a dedicated fund to support young dancers selected to represent their communities at prestigious international venues, such as Disneyland Paris, in March 2027. [73452/26]
Comment on this
Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council has primary responsibility for the development of the arts in Ireland and I have managed to secure record funding for the Arts Council of over €143.5 million for the Arts Council from my Department in Budget 2027.
The Arts Council recognises the significant contribution of dance to Ireland’s artistic, cultural and civic life. Dance is supported by the Arts Council as a professional artform, while also connecting closely with participation, education, youth practice, community engagement, health and well-being.
The Arts Council has continued to prioritise the development of dance. Since 2019, Arts Council funding to dance on behalf of the state has increased by 30%, reflecting both the quality of work being made and the need to strengthen the wider ecology for artists, companies, venues, festivals, resource organisations and audiences.
This investment is delivered through a range of funding programmes and strategic supports. These include Dance Artist in Residence awards, Dance Bursary awards, Dance Project awards and Agility awards, alongside support for artists and organisations through other Arts Council funding schemes.
These awards support artists at different career stages, enabling research, experimentation, creation, touring, professional development and engagement with communities.
The Arts Council also supports key resource organisations across the country which provide essential infrastructure for the dance sector. These include Dance Ireland, Dance Limerick, Dance Cork Firkin Crane and Galway Dance, each of which plays an important role in artist development, studio access, residencies, mentoring, audience development, regional engagement and professional networking. Their work is central to ensuring that dance development is not concentrated in one location and is supported across the island.
In 2025, dance in Ireland demonstrated considerable ambition and visibility. A major milestone was the launch of Luail, Ireland’s national, all-island dance company, which opened Dublin Dance Festival with Chora at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre before touring to Wexford, Belfast and Cork. Irish dance artists and companies also continued to grow their international presence, with work by Teac Damsa, Junk Ensemble, United Fall, Attic Projects, CoisCéim and IMDT reaching major venues and festivals abroad.
The Arts Council also supports a broad festival infrastructure for dance, including Dublin Dance Festival, Top 8 Dance Festival, SpringMoves Festival, Light Moves Festival, Aerowaves Festival, Tipperary Dance Festival and other platforms that present Irish and international work, build audiences and create opportunities for artists to connect with presenters, peers and the public. These festivals are vital to the visibility of dance, supporting both established and emerging artists and contributing to Ireland’s international reputation for contemporary dance.
The direction and purpose of the increasing resources being allocated to foster and promote dance is a matter for the consideration of the Arts Council.