152. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport further to the recent announcement of the Arts Capital Investment Fund (details supplied), his plans to expand the scheme to allow for the development of facilities where there are none in place. [74073/26]

My Department provides capital grants towards maintaining and enhancing existing arts and culture infrastructure but does not provide funding for the purchase of buildings or land. In accordance with their functions under the Planning and Development Acts, the local authorities prepare county and city development plans which incorporate plans for cultural infrastructure at a local level. Accordingly, proposals for the development of new arts and culture facilities are a matter in the first instance for the local authority.

The Arts Capital Investment Fund will support arts and culture facilities across the country to purchase equipment and undertake refurbishment works, including climate action upgrades, health and safety upgrades and works to provide universal access. It will also support community and voluntary groups with funding for equipment to increase participation in arts and culture.

If I may also draw the Deputy's attention to my Department's €6 million Artist Workspaces Scheme. Local authorities outside Dublin City Council are invited to propose projects which enable them to provide additional artist workspaces in their regions on a sustainable basis and produce fit for purpose workspaces. Funding of up to €300,000 is available for densely populated local authority areas and €150,000 for other local authorities. The scheme to date has funded to 9 local authorities, providing support for 10 projects and 30 artist workspaces. My Department welcomes applications under this Scheme and I encourage any local authority that has not yet applied to consider an application to develop artist workspaces in their area. Full details including guidelines and the application form are available at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/publications/creative-arts-grants-and-funding/

Other grant schemes exist that support the acquisition of buildings and sites for development as multi-use community facilities, for instance the "Building and Land Acquisition Measure" of the Department for Rural And Community Development and the Gaeltacht's "Town and Village Renewal Scheme". Such facilities may incorporate a cultural function.