State funding for Cork Pride must be radically improved and increased, the Dáil was told as the current level of public funding was branded “pathetic”.

Solidarity TD Mick Barry made the comments during a debate on LGBTQI+ issues in the Dáil chamber on Tuesday, where it was revealed that the Cork County Council and City Council have contributed a total of just €8,000 for this year’s Cork Pride festival, due to take place in August.

Barry also revealed that Cork Pride is facing a potential loss of some €140,000 in annual financial support following the withdrawal of three of its title sponsors, and signals from several others that they may also not renew their annual support.

While the 2023 Cork Pride event, one of Ireland’s most important regional events for the LGBTQI+ community, will go ahead later this summer, the board has said that it may have to exhaust its reserves. In comparison to the paltry Cork pride funding from the State, Dublin City Council will give €160,000 to Dublin Pride this year.

Dublin Pride 2022. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Describing the contributions of €5,000 from Cork City Council and €3,000 from Cork County Council as "very stingy", Barry said he would be raising the matter in the Dáil this week.

“Cork Pride is a hugely important event in the life of the city,” said Barry, pointing out that Cork voters were among the strongest supporters of the Equal Marriage referendum in 2015.

Details emerged pf the extreme lack of funding in a letter the Cork Pride board to Cork city's councillors last week, as it appealed for an increase in public funding through the local authority to help secure its long-term future.

It said that, given the difficulty it faces in securing corporate sponsorships in the current economic climate, it is facing “its most challenging year to date”.

The Solidarity TD told the Dáil that the current level of funding is unacceptable.

"A successful Pride is important in any year, but it’s more important than ever this year, given the increase in physical attacks on LBGTQI+ people, and given the campaign to ban LGBTQI+ books in our libraries," Barry said.

TD Mick Barry has been focal about the rights of LGBTQI+ issues in Ireland, using his platform to also voice his concerns on trans healthcare in the Dáil yesterday evening.

Ireland has some of the worst trans-specific healthcare in the EU.

Yesterday in the Dáil I read out the experience of one young trans woman's attempt to access gender-affirming healthcare.

Join Trans Pride this year - July 1st Cork + July 8th Dublin#pride #cork #TransRights pic.twitter.com/fjIa9rX4Vv

— Mick Barry TD (@MickBarryTD) June 21, 2023