Debate contribution: Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann
Debate contribution by Mr Gordon Lyons on .
- MLA
- Mr Gordon Lyons
- Party at the time
- Democratic Unionist Party
- Date
- 8 September 2026
- Type
- Debate contribution (made as a minister)
- Business
- Oral Answers to Questions
- Heading
- Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 5674058
Read the official Assembly record
Text
First, I recognise the fact that the arts are not funded to the level that we want to see them funded to. That stands out when you look at where the budget was 15 years ago compared with where it is today. I understand and fully appreciate people's concerns in relation to that. However, I have made it a priority. For as long as I have been in office, I have had some very difficult decisions to make. There are lots of things that I have not been able to fund as I would have liked to or as we did in the past. Despite that, however, I have increased the arts budget above inflation since I came into office in February 2024. Is that enough? No. Does it take us back to where we were in the previous decade? No, it does not. Nonetheless, I hope that it shows the commitment that I have made to make sure that the budget has been protected during that time. There has also been a considerable increase in the capital funds that have been made available to the Arts Council, from £1·3 million to £1·9 million, over the past couple of years. I understand the importance of community infrastructure and of people having musical instruments for bands, schools, other groups and individuals, and that is why that has been increased. We are in a really constrained budgetary environment, and I will do what I can with what I have. That is why I will also make sure that we deliver on the arts budget.
262 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
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