Irish teenagers to receive €100 voucher to spend on culture in budget

Teenagers in Ireland are set to receive a €100 voucher from the government to spend on cultural events.

The new initiative for 16-year-olds will be launched in next month’s budget, according to RTÉ .

Should it be successful, the scheme could also be extended to include all 17-year-olds in next year’s budget.

Those eligible will be able to redeem the card via digital download, giving them access to cinemas, theatres and live music venues.

Patrick O’Donovan, Irish Minister for Arts, Media and Culture, is expected to finalise his department’s budget allocation with Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers in the coming days.

The final specifics of the planned €100 voucher are currently being worked on by O’Donovan.

It is reported that the initiative could cost the government between €7 and €8million.

Some other European countries – including France, Spain and Italy – already have their own versions of these culture cards, ranging in value from €300 to €500, in a bid to get youngsters out, investing and engaging with the arts.

Fontaines D.C. at Reading Festival 2026.

CREDIT: Andy Ford for NME In early 2025, Ireland’s Programme For Government committed to an “examination of the introduction of a culture card for 16 and 17-year-olds”.

The department then started the preliminary stages of contacting potential stakeholders and partners for the scheme.

Some Government TDs have also called for sporting venues to be included in the initiative.

O’Donovan has looked into whether the proposed culture card might also apply to participatory activities such as workshops, classes and community-based experiences, too.

Earlier this year, Fianna Fáil TD Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere shared his party’s plans for a €100 culture card to be given to Irish citizens on their 18th birthday.