To ask the Minister for Communities whether he will make a bid for capital funding for 2025-26 to enable and improve (i) accessibility; and (ii) health and safety, for arts working spaces and audience areas, including studios, theatres and office spaces.

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, as my Department’s Arms-Length Body responsible for the arts, provides advice to my Department regarding capital needs in relation to the arts sector.

My decisions on the allocation of my Department’s capital funding budget which is provided by the Executive are made after analysis and prioritisation of various capital funding proposals in a very difficult budgetary situation.