Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary has said that the insurance industry "has not delivered" on government reforms on insurance for local and agricultural shows.

Answering a parliamentary question in the Dáil on the topic, Minister Calleary said that insurance is a "major challenge" for these shows, and that he was frustrated that work of the previous government (in which was a minister of state at the department of enterprise) has not led to insurance deductions for businesses involved in local shows.

He was responding to a question from Sinn Féin Meath East TD Darren O'Rourke, who asked what funding was available for community festivals in his constituency.

The minister responded by saying that, while there are no funding schemes specifically for community festivals, there may be "avenues to support" available under the LEADER programme, which is funded through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

"LEADER has a strong focus on rural tourism and funding has been made available under LEADER for festivals and local tourism initiatives," Minister Calleary said, noting that the Samhain Festival of Food and Culture in Kells events received LEADER funding in 2024.

"In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER, funding of the proposed activity must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved LEADER local development strategy and it must comply with the EU regulations and operating rules," the minister said.

He explained that event organisers who wish the apply for LEADER funding should, in the first instance, contact the local LEADER action group.

Minister Calleary went on to say the local enhancement programme, which is accepting applications until the end of this month, can provide small capital grants to community and voluntary groups that, in come cases, can support groups that run local festivals.

The local enhancement programme provides €7 million in capital support annually.

For agricultural shows specifically, Minister Calleary highlighted the annual investment for these shows, which last year provided €1 million for 123 shows, and which is delivered through the Irish Shows Association.

"For many communities, the agricultural show is a fantastic statement of their pride, not just in their area but in the agriculture industry that underpins their area," Minister Calleary said.

In response, Deputy O'Rourke called for a dedicated funding stream for local festivals and events, and for such funding to be made multi-annual.

"A challenge for these groups is that there is competitive tendering and a competitive process every year. LEADER is very welcome but it has a cumbersome application for those seeking it," Deputy O'Rourke said.

Minister Calleary said that LEADER is "cumbersome" because it involves EU funding.

O'Rourke then raised the issue of insurance, saying that it is "tangentially [the minister's] responsibility in supporting projects such as this".

"These festivals are important for local communities for reasons we all agree on. Insurance can be a challenge and puts some of them at risk. That is potentially increasingly the case," the Sinn Féin TD added.

Minister Calleary said: "Insurance costs in this country continue to be a massive challenge, particularly for festivals, but also for businesses, including small businesses.

"I was a minister of state in the previous government in the Department of Enterprise, which led on this work. It is a matter of enormous frustration and anger to me that all of the work that we have done has not resulted in insurance deductions for small businesses, festivals, homeowners or car owners," he said.

"Insurance continues to be a challenge for festivals and for local voluntary groups. We work with the Department of agriculture, for instance, which provides funding for insurance for shows. Insurance is a major challenge," the minister added.

Minister Calleary said that he will ask officials to work with the Department of Tourism on the issue of insurance, and to work with various festivals to identify if supports are available, though any such supports would not be available for 2026.

"Insurance is a major challenge. The insurance industry has not delivered on the reforms that this government and previous governments have brought in," according to the minister.