AQW 50029/22-27 Written question to the Minister for Communities
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail (i) any funding allocated to the Lyric Theatre for the 2026–2027 financial year; (ii) whether his Department is aware of reports that the organisation is facing a funding shortfall of approximately £200,000; and (iii) whether any additional funding or support is being considered to address this shortfall and ensure the continued delivery of its programmes and services.
Asked by Paula Bradshaw MLA on 30 June 2026
- Answered
- Written
- Priority
- Tabled
- 30 June 2026
- Answer due by
- 8 July 2026
- Answered
- 6 July 20266 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for Communities
- Priority question
- Yes
Answer
As the Executive has not yet agreed the Draft Budget 2026-2030, Interim Resource allocations for the first quarter (April – June) and second quarter (July – September) were made to ensure continuity of key public services. In these circumstances:
The Arts Council NI has committed funding of £807,500 to the Lyric Theatre through its 2026-27 Annual Funding Programme (AFP) representing 50% of the value of the AFP grant the organisation received for 2025-26, to cover the first six months of the financial year.
The Arts Council NI, as the arm’s-length body responsible for the disbursement of funding for the arts in Northern Ireland, is aware of a shortfall.
The Arts Council NI is not currently in a position to consider any additional funding or support.