Written answer
Departmental Policies
The Culture Card remains under consideration, but has no 2027 funding; the Department will continue exploring its development while supporting youth cultural participation through existing programmes.
160. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to confirm whether the proposed Culture Card is still under consideration by his Department; and whether work will continue to develop the card for launch at a later date. [73991/26]
Comment on this
163. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his Departments plans to introduce a Youth Culture Card, as committed to in the Programme for Government; and whether funding will be provided in 2027 for the same. [73791/26]
Comment on this
166. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on his Department's proposed culture card. [74393/26]
Comment on this
I propose to take Questions Nos. 160, 163 and 166 together.
The Programme for Government committed to “examine the introduction of a Culture Card for 16 and 17-year-olds to access theatre, music and art events”. The delivery of a youth Culture Card was always subject to budget allocation, and while Budget 2027 has not provided funding for the roll-out of the programme in the coming year, the Department will continue to explore the development of the Culture Card for our young people, in line with the Programme for Government commitment.
Our overarching aim here is to support increased participation in cultural life among young people in Ireland, encouraging engagement with arts and creative industries at a critical developmental stage. This remains an important priority.
Options for the development, operation, scope and funding structure for Culture Cards are currently being explored further. Anticipated benefits would include stimulating lifelong creative engagement, improving wellbeing outcomes, and providing direct economic stimulus for the cultural and creative sectors. In addition, the proposal would support broader priorities around online safety and youth engagement, offering alternatives for social engagement of young people beyond their mobile phones.
The proposed Culture Card is just one way to increase young people's cultural engagement. The Department already supports a range of institutions, programmes, and initiatives that create opportunities for young people nationwide, including through Creative Ireland’s Creative Youth Action Plan, and funding for initiatives such Local Creative Youth Partnerships, Creative Schools and Cruinniú na nÓg, among others.