The government’s idea of a culture voucher has been criticised for lacking in ambition by the opposition.
In the traditional government party style of drip-feeding certain Budget measures to the public ahead of the publication date in order to drum up public interest, a €100 culture voucher for 16-year-olds was announced.
The voucher can be used on the likes of theatres, cinemas, and concerts.
Sinn Féin Senator Chris Andrews said it was a case of the government copying the opposition’s homework – poorly.
In August 2024, Andrews, then a TD for Dublin Bay South and the party’s culture spokesperson, launched a proposal for a €130 activity card, available to people between 4 and 16, and called for sports activities alongside cultural ones.
Based on a similar policy that was rolled out in Iceland, Andrews explained at the time, “this proposal looks to ensure that all children have access to sports and cultural activities by easing the financial burden on parents to provide extracurriculars.”
Now a Senator, Andrews remarked that the new government proposal was “repackaging and watering down” his own idea.
“Minister O’Donovan has floated a watered-down culture card that can be used for arts and music events. This proposed Card cannot be used for sports activities, and will only be made available to a small percentage of Ireland’s families,” he said.
“If Fine Gael wants to borrow Sinn Féin policies, it should at least borrow the ambition that came with them,” he joked.
Social Democrats TD Daniel Ennis also claimed that the government were taking ideas from his party.
Announced by the party in May, the Soc Dems’ version of the card called for a €150 sports and culture voucher for all children, and could be availed of by children from 6 to 18 years old.
Ennis said, “instead of listening to sense and adopting this policy, the government has created a tokenistic version of it, a weak gesture.”
“Unwilling to stand up to those with interests in the gambling industry, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have chosen not to divert funding towards sports and cultural activities and centres in disadvantaged areas, opting instead for a headline measure with very little substance,” the Dublin Central TD said.
Ennis noted that the plan is watered down even compared to Fine Gael’s own 2024 manifesto plan to have a €300 culture voucher.
“Adopting a strong policy for arts and culture would break down barriers to participation in our most vulnerable communities. The meagre measure mooted to be introduced in Budget 2027 will do little to improve access for many families,” the Soc Dems sports spokesperson said.
“On the other hand, sport is one of the most powerful tools we have in terms of intervention, integration and shifting a young person’s socioeconomic path. I’ve seen how sports, arts and culture have changed and saved people’s lives. It’s about time they receive adequate funding – arts and sports should not be an either/or,” Ennis said.