AQW 50029/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 30/06/2026
Answered On Date: 06/07/2026
Priority Written: Yes

Question:
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.

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.