New €100 voucher for Irish teens, 16, as Harris gives ‘not dead in water’ last-minute Budget 2027 update after cash row
SIMON Harris has insisted a €100 voucher for teenagers to spend on arts and culture is “not dead in the water” just hours before Budget 2027.
There has been confusion on whether the culture card would be included in tomorrow’s cash plan after Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers told Arts Minister Patrick O’Donovan that he had sought too much money for his department.
The voucher, which could be a downloadable card, would allow teenagers entry to cinemas, theatres and music venues – with some TDs hoping sporting venues will be included in the initiative.
It has been suggested the card would be worth €100 and be provided to all 16-year-olds, which could cost between €7 and €8 million.
But the idea was slapped down by Chambers last week after a heated discussion with O’Donovan, with some reports suggesting the Arts Minister walked out of the meeting.
When asked by reporters this afternoon if the proposal was out the window, Tanaiste and Finance Minister Harris said: “The culture card is not dead in the water.
“Just to be clear, the culture card is a good idea.”
A spokesperson for O’Donovan also confirmed the proposal has been secured by the Minister – and the culture card could be rolled out by the end of 2027.
The spokesperson told RTE: “The money to progress the Culture Card has been secured by Minister O’Donovan, so the Department will now be able to continue its work in this area.
“So far, we have been engaging with our EU counterparts on their approach.
“We now need to engage with the cultural sector and draw up the terms of the scheme, and develop a framework of approved venues.”
They added: “All going well, we anticipate being able to roll it out by the end of next year.”
The cash boost for teens would see Ireland following in the footsteps of other European countries such as France, Spain and Italy, who already have their own versions of culture cards.
They range in value from €300 to €500.
The value and eligibility of the voucher is still to be determined and it is understood the final Budget 2027 decisions are still being hammered out this evening.
Harris also said today that the coalition is “ad idem” about helping first-time buyers but added his views on exempting them from stamp duty had not changed.
Taoiseach and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said he has a “favourable disposition” towards scrapping stamp duty for first-time buyers.
However, Harris has previously said abolishing stamp duty for first-time buyers would be a “bad measure” and a “tax cut for developers”.
The Fine Gael leader told reporters today: “The Government is ad idem that we help first-time buyers.
“We want to help people be able to buy their own home.
“We’re seeing a significant number of new homes being built, we’re seeing a significant number of people draw down their mortgage for their first-time home.
“The Government, of course, wants to build on that. There isn’t commitments in relation to the programme for Government around stamp duty.”
