In its 2024 budget, published today (11 October), the government announced a €4m increase in Arts Council funding, bringing the total to €134m. The funding was announced during a press conference today with Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, during which a range of funding initiatives for 2024 were detailed. 

The allocation of €134m is the largest amount received by the Council to date, following its budget increase in 2021 from €80m to €130m – the level at which it remained for three years.

‘The increase in public investment in the arts in recent years is hugely welcomed’, said Professor Kevin Rafter, Chair of the Arts Council, commenting on the announcement. ‘When I was appointed Chair in 2019, the Arts Council’s budget was €75m and following today’s budget it will be €134m next year. While the figure for 2024 is at the lower end of what had been sought to address increased costs in the arts sector, it is still a positive acknowledgement of the work of artists, arts workers and arts organisations throughout the country.

Director of the Arts Council Maureen Kennelly said: 

We are on the cusp of an explosion in the arts in Ireland and have witnessed the fruit of investment in arts development, with Irish artists featuring regularly in international awards and shortlists. We work to support more people to make excellent art and to participate in Ireland’s artistic life, no matter where they live or who they are.  

Minister Martin also announced a €1m increase for Culture Ireland, which promotes Irish arts abroad, bringing its funding for 2024 to €7.6m. A new €1.9m pilot initiative for regional arts venues has also been announced, which will support the provision of building and equipment needs, artists workspaces, and adapting facilities to reduce energy needs.

Additionally, TG4 has been allocated €19.8m in funding – a €4.8m increase on last year; funding of €500,000 from the Department’s Gaeltacht Support Schemes has been allocated to enable young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to experience Gaeltacht summer college courses; and the Basic Income for the Arts scheme will be funded again in 2024 for the second year of its three-year pilot. National cultural institutions will also benefit from an enhanced tax relief on donations, raising the cap from €6m to €8m in 2024. 

Commenting on the funding announcements, Minister Catherine Martin said:

The sectors overseen by my Department have great impact across society and they have shown extraordinary resilience in the face of, first, the Covid-19 crisis, and then increases in the cost of living. It has been a priority throughout my term as Minister to ensure that we can respond to these, and other, challenges in a robust and sustainable manner.

For further details on all announcements, visit https://shorturl.at/jlINY