Vol. 1087 No. 3
69. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide an update on the basic income for the arts scheme, the number of applicants by county in tabular form; the timeline for approvals and to outline if each county will be given an equitable allocation of recipients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44127/26]
78. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the successor scheme to the basic income for the arts will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44454/26]
103. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when applicants for the new basic income for the arts scheme will be informed that they are selected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44508/26]
105. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if, in view of applications for the successor scheme to the basic income for the arts pilot greatly exceeding the number of places available on the scheme, if consideration is being given to expanding the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44453/26]
114. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the number of applications that were received for the basic income for the arts; and when recipients will be informed and begin to receive payment if they are successful. [43460/26]
123. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on the roll-out of the basic income for the arts scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44287/26]
I welcome the basic income for the arts, BIA, scheme and commend the Minister on securing funding to make it permanent. This is a genuinely progressive policy and is especially important to County Clare, with our rich arts tradition, from traditional music to visual arts and literature. I ask for an update on the application process, a breakdown by county and an outline of how rural counties such as Clare will be treated equally when faced with other more populated counties and urban centres.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 69, 78, 103, 105, 114 and 123 together.
I thank the Deputy for his question and for his support for the basic income for the arts scheme. The main objective of the scheme is to support professional artists whose creative practice is based in Ireland. The scheme will provide 2,000 artists with a weekly payment of €325 for a period of three years. There has been significant international interest in the scheme, which clearly illustrates the value Ireland places on art and our artists here at home. Indeed, when it comes to the arts, Ireland as a small country punches well above our weight across film, music, and literature and this is in part due to the sustained investment in professional artistic practice.
Funding for the arts through the Arts Council, Screen Ireland and Culture Ireland is at the highest level ever in the history of the State. In February, the Government agreed to making the basic income for the arts scheme permanent, which was a major milestone for the arts in Ireland. Research conducted by the Department provided the Government with a clear evidence base on which to make that decision. The research clearly demonstrated both how precarious and difficult it is to be an artist and the positive benefits for society as a whole, which we are all very aware of, if we invest in our artists.
The pilot scheme was underpinned by a robust research project consisting of a randomised controlled trial with a treatment group of 2,000 and a control group of 1,000. The research element will continue in the successor scheme.
An independent cost-benefit analysis of the pilot published late last year shows that the scheme produced over €100 million in social and economic benefits; for every €1 of public money invested in the pilot, society received €1.39 in return. The net cost of the basic income for the arts pilot went from €105 million to under €72 million due to tax generated and savings on social welfare payments.
Late last year the Department conducted a public consultation into the basic income for the arts scheme. This consultation received over 17,000 submissions with 97% of respondents in favour of making the scheme permanent, showing very much the value of the scheme and how it is appreciated not only by those in the arts sector but also by society at large. With an allocation of €18.27 million for this year, the Department will be in a position to fund 2,000 artists. At the launch in February the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, stated that over time he would like to expand the scheme beyond 2,000 artists, should more funding become available in future budget cycles.
We have seen strong demand for the scheme, with approximately 10,000 applications submitted. For the pilot scheme more than 9,000 applications were received. Participants are selected using an anonymous random selection process. This is considered the fairest selection process where there is not enough funding to provide the scheme to all eligible applicants. All applicants had to complete a comprehensive survey at time of their application and those who will receive the payment will provide data on an ongoing basis. The applications submitted show that there is great variety in the Irish arts sector today. A diversity of arts practices, ages and geographical distribution is visible. The data collected as part of the application is very much a snapshot of the sector in 2026 and will be a strong resource for the Department in terms of developing future policy for the arts. A report setting out this data will be published in due course.
The Department has begun eligibility assessments, which will continue throughout the summer. Given the volume of applications it is difficult to be precise about the date applicants will be informed but it will certainly be September at the earliest. The first payment to selected recipients will be made before the end of 2026 and will be backdated to September 2026 if necessary. Compliance with eligibility will be continuously recorded and assessed throughout the time a recipient receives the payment. All successful participants will need to register with Revenue as self-employed and pay schedule D income tax where appropriate on the basic income for the arts scheme.
This is a ground-breaking support for the arts in Ireland, as Deputy Cooney recognises, and is significant for the artists in our country. It makes Ireland a world leader in how we support our artists and culture. It will help to sustain the careers of those artists who will receive it and retain their talent in the arts sector. Applications were received from every county in the country and the county breakdown for applications will be sent separately to Deputy Cooney.
I thank the Minister. My question today is important. Will rural counties such as Clare receive an equal share of the BIA scheme? The randomised selection model is fair in principle as it ensures no bias in individual selection. However, fairness in process is not the same as equity of outcome. Clare has a proud professional arts community but artists in rural counties often lack access to the institutional networks, residencies and funding bodies that provide the proof of professional practice needed for the scheme. The structural disadvantage is real and will result in the pool of eligible applicants being skewed toward urban centres with large populations. Therefore, a random draw will still produce an urban-heavy result. How will this structural issue be resolved?
Over 10,000 people made applications for this particular round of the successor to the basic income for the arts scheme. The Department is in a position to support only about 20% of them. This means just over 2,000 artists will be supported and the other 80% will be left disappointed. This is about a similar level of disappointed applicants as we saw in the original pilot scheme launched by the then Minister, Catherine Martin. It is disappointing to see that the scheme is not growing. We welcomed at that time that there would be another round of funding coming for three years but the fact it is not growing and that more artists are not being supported and will not be able to enjoy the very real benefits of the scheme, which were charted by the research undertaken, is a letdown and I know many artists in the sector feel let down.
The Minister of State referenced that continuing research will be undertaken on the impact of the financial support on the second group of artists who receive it. Will he give us more detail about what is being measured and what is being examined? Will it be the same as the first time or are other benefits of the scheme being considered? Has consideration been given to putting the basic income for the arts scheme on a statutory footing so there would be real certainty that the scheme is an established part of the State's support for the artistic community?
It is good to hear that progress is being made and that the Minister of State expects at some stage, probably in October by the sounds of it, that the scheme will start but will be backdated to September. This will mean that 2,000 more artists will benefit from a basic income and, hopefully, it will help them in their output and artistic endeavours. It is about trying to ensure that others in future can benefit and that this is rolled over. The Minister of State mentioned that €18 million has been set aside for this year. This seems to suggest that if it does not start until the end of September, or is not backdated to the end of September, there may be a surplus. Is this expected to be spent this year or will it be rolled into the budget for next year's basic income?
I will take Deputy Ó Snodaigh's question first. The budget is allocated for this year to be able to pay 2,000 applicants from September onwards. While every effort is being made to give people early decisions, the payment will be backdated to September so nobody will lose out financially by virtue of any delay in being approved. The budget will be utilised by the end of this year.
To respond to Deputy O'Gorman on the scheme and its permanence, I recognise the previous Minister, Catherine Martin, and her initiative in establishing the pilot. The Government has progressed and built on it. We have made it permanent. We have been clear that this will be a permanent scheme. I do not believe it needs to be on a statutory basis for it to be a permanent scheme. We have been clear from a policy point of view and a budgetary point of view that it is something that will be continued.
In terms of the specific research that will continue to be carried out, I will get Deputy O'Gorman a further response specifically on what is being measured and how it compares to previous research which was significant. Having a treatment group of the 2,000 who were in the scheme and a control group of 1,000 who were outside of it was significant research and important in relation to seeing the scheme become permanent and built upon. In relation to more participants, it is something we have indicated we would like to be able to do but it is budgetary dependent. Making it permanent is a significant step forward, as is making sure new artists and more artists are able to participate and have an opportunity to avail of it.
Deputy Cooney has advocated very strongly for his county. There have been 10,000 applicants and 2,000 will be able to participate and will be successful for participating in the scheme. The approach that is planned to be taken is an anonymous random selection process. The assessment is that this is the way to be fair to all artists who have applied and to have the best possible spread representative of the number of artists who have applied. Our objective is to be fair and equal and give as many people as possible the opportunity to participate. Obviously there will be different participants this time in the scheme compared to the pilot scheme, and the objective is to ensure that as many people as possible can avail of the support.
The approach will be that randomised, anonymised selection process to make sure that people have faith in how the selection is being done and everybody has an equal opportunity to benefit from it.
68. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he can provide an update on the American Presidents trail as we approach America 250; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44534/26]
A total of 23 US Presidents have had Irish heritage, with many coming from Northern Ireland. As the Minister of State knows, I floated the idea of an American Presidents trail in the House early last year. I thank the Minister for his great support. I ask the Minister of State for an update on the progress of this project.
I thank the Deputy for his question and his advocacy for this worthy project and his work on it. Significant progress has been made in advancing Ireland’s America250 programme, which is the State’s national commemorative initiative marking the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence. It is being delivered across this year and 2027, and the programme is being supported by €200,000 in funding from my Department to ensure a fitting and meaningful series of commemorative events.
The American Presidents trail is a key initiative within the programme. The Department is working closely with local authority partners to identify communities across the island with ancestral connections to former US Presidents, recognising the important contribution of Irish heritage to the American story. It is proposed that a native tree and interpretive information panel will mark the connection, creating a lasting legacy for local communities and visitors. A co-ordinated tree planting initiative is being developed as part of the trail.
Significant progress has also been made on the literary legacies of the American presidents' trail. Two publications, one for a general audience and another for younger readers, will provide a more widely accessible form of the presidents trail. The general publication is scheduled for completion in advance of the 4 July anniversary, with the children’s edition expected in the autumn. Work is also continuing in partnership with the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland on the wider delivery of the America250 programme.
All activity will be guided by the established principles of commemorations: respectful remembrance, historical authenticity, inclusivity and accessibility. The American Presidents trail will leave a lasting legacy, celebrating the contribution of Irish communities to the American story while delivering cultural, educational and tourism benefits.
I thank the Minister of State. I am glad that progress is being made. The actions announced are the start of what will, hopefully, be a fully-fledged tourist route. I strongly believe that this proposal could be a positive North-South project. It could also be a major attraction for US visitors, especially those with Irish links, and could be comparable to the Wild Atlantic Way. I have pinpointed several key counties to consider with a suggested route. Ultimately, however, this map would benefit all parts of Ireland. This project should be a part of a national strategy for Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland.
Strong support for this project has also come from the shared island unit in the Department of the Taoiseach in respect of developing the two-year programme. That is important. It is also important that we are undertaking this project on an all-island basis, because all of the island has contributed to the American story and to the development of the American nation over the past 250 years. This has been the case throughout all levels of American society but the most high-profile way has been through the number of American presidents with Irish heritage who have served their country. I will certainly continue to ensure that the Department engages with the Deputy on his ideas to make sure the project and the presidents’ trail are as impactful as possible and that any ideas in this regard are used and brought to reality. I recognise once again the Deputy’s advocacy for and work on this trail.
Never has it been so important to highlight the close relationship we have with the United States. This trail would promote our close ties. It is a perfect example of the use of soft power. Soft power is something we have in the context of the US and we need to constantly remind ourselves of this fact, develop it and not take it for granted. It has contributed to the massive investment in this country by the US. The trail would also fit perfectly, as the Minister of State said, with the goals of the shared island unit. It would boost the economy of Northern Ireland and deliver benefits that we cannot predict. It would also improve co-operation between both parts of this island and develop relationships that currently do not exist. This is the best way to unite our island. We hear a lot of divisive talk about North and South, but this is the perfect opportunity where we can bring North and South together, build relationships and unite people.
I agree fully. The shared experience and history of both parts of our island have been crucial to bringing our island together. When Irish people have gone abroad, from North or South, and built relationships abroad, that has been extremely positive. Those international relationships bring our own island together as well, whether this concerns our shared heritage of people travelling over the decades and centuries to America, or within the European Union context, where sharing the European project also brought our island together in terms of removing borders. We saw the challenge posed when that process started to be reversed through Brexit. In terms of looking towards the contribution that North and South have made to America, there is a real opportunity there to ensure this is part of our shared future and brings us together in the context of our clear similarities and shared history and contribution.
72. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will consider amending the Sport Ireland Act 2015 and expand the definition of competitive sport and recreational sport to include “all forms of sporting activity which through organised participation, aim at expressing or improving performance and at obtaining improved results in competition at all levels through organised participation” and “all forms of sporting activity which through casual or regular participation aim at expressing or improving mental well-being, self-esteem and at forming social relationships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43446/26]
I thank the Deputy for raising this important topic for consideration. Sport Ireland, as the Deputy knows, is the statutory body that we have assigned with responsibility for the recognition of sports in Ireland. As part of the recognition criteria, Sport Ireland must be satisfied that an activity meets the criteria for sport as outlined in section 2 of the Sport Ireland Act 2015, which was adopted from the Council of Europe’s definition of "sport". The Act defines competitive and recreational sport, a common theme being physical activity with the aim of improving physical fitness. It defines "competitive sport" as meaning: "all forms of physical activity which, through organised participation, aim at expressing or improving physical fitness, and obtaining improved results in competition at all levels". It also defines "recreational sport" as meaning: "all forms of physical activity which, through casual or regular participation, aim at expressing or improving physical fitness and mental well-being, and forming social relationships".
The physical activity and fitness underpinning the statutory understanding of sport is important due to the significant physical health benefits associated with sport, for both the individual and for society. These benefits are central to the rationale that we all have and agree on for public investment in sport. The existing definitions give regard to persons with disabilities and older people participating in sport as they begin by noting that sport "includes all forms of physical activity", which can include a wide range of adapted and disability-inclusive forms of sport. There is a risk that a widening of the definition of "sport" by relaxing physical activity conditions could result in an overly expansive understanding of sport that would encompass almost any organised recreational pastime involving competition. Accordingly, I do not propose at this juncture to amend the Sport Ireland Act 2015 as proposed by the Deputy. It is, though, something that can be considered in the context of the development of the next national sports strategy, which will set out a framework for the next ten years. Everything should be up for consideration to make sure we have the right approach, and I am happy to have a good discussion on this matter in that context.
I am asking this question because activities such as chess are not recognised as sports in Ireland. Chess is recognised as a sport in 24 of the 27 EU member states and in over 100 countries worldwide. It is recognised as a sport by the Olympic movement, which holds its own chess Olympiad. After football, chess is the most widely played sport in the world. It has been played for over 1,500 years. Chess has great health benefits for the ageing by stimulating the brain and has multiple benefits for children taking up sport.
I am asking the Minister of State to agree to a change in wording of the definition of "sport" to allow chess to become a sport.
This could have multiple benefits for bridge and similar games. It is a small change that could make a massive difference and have a huge impact on chess players right around the nation.
I thank the Deputy. I agree chess is a great game, one I played from an early age.
Any change that is made to the definition of "sport" within the legislation will have repercussions, not just for chess, and will have to be considered very carefully. We do not have any plans to change it but we are just coming to the end of the period covered by our first ever ten-year national policy for sport, which has been very impactful in bringing sport forward and improving participation across all sports in the country. From this autumn onwards, we will be doing the public consultation to have a new policy agreed by the end of next year to see us through the following ten years. We really want this to continue to be transformative for sport. The issues and their full implications should rightfully be considered in that context. I am happy to have the discussion and I thank the Deputy for raising the matter this morning.
The Minister of State’s response is positive. I cannot ask for more than that. I ask that he keep the matter on the radar as we begin the consultation for, and the implementation of, a new sports strategy. If he bears it in mind, I will be happy to work with him in that regard.
All topics should be up for consideration. Whenever we come to framing a ten-year national sports policy on the direction of travel for our NGBs and everyone working within sport, it is important to have thorough discussions. As I said about a couple of other matters earlier, let us make sure the consideration and consultation are thorough. All points, including the upsides and downsides, should be fully considered and we should have as much consensus as possible in making sure the next national sports policy is really strong, is as comprehensive as it can be, serves our communities as well as it possibly can and ultimately assists sporting competitions while, importantly, having physical activity and well-being at its core.
73. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on the total funding allocated to the large-scale sport infrastructure fund, LSSIF, to date; to provide a breakdown of funding awarded to each individual project, the amounts that have been drawn down or are in the process of being drawn down; the details of projects that have yet to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44338/26]
I ask the Minister for an update on the LSSIF, including detail about each project. Maybe the Minister of State can give me that afterwards. I do not expect him to list them all. I also ask for the amount that has been drawn down and the amount that has yet to be drawn down.
The LSSIF, as the Deputy knows, was established under the national sports policy to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects to be able to progress. Previously, there was a gap in that there was no such fund to enable larger projects to proceed. While it is aimed primarily at national governing bodies and local authorities, it is also open to other bodies. In this regard, I refer to applications that would necessarily have to be made and prioritised by a local authority in the process.
The cumulative investment under the LSSIF since 2020 has been €297 million across 68 projects. To date, €60 million has been drawn down by grantees, and the following projects have been completed: the linear walkway and playing fields project in Meath; phase 1 of Walsh Park in Waterford; the regional athletics hub in Limerick; the Dundalk Leisure Centre facilities refurbishment project; phases 1 and 2 of the Munster Technological University athletics track in Cork, in the Deputy’s own part of the world; St. Conleth’s Park in Kildare; Charlesland athletics track; Munster Centre of Excellence in Cork; Askeaton Pool and Leisure; Cavan Regional Sports Campus; St. Thomas’s multisport complex, phase 1; and the Dexcom Connacht rugby stadium in Galway.
A number of other LSSIF projects are due to be completed this year or significantly progressed, for example, the RDS main arena and Páirc Tailteann in County Meath. My officials continue to work closely with fund grantees to help them progress their projects. Nine construction projects approved under the 2018 LSSIF programme have yet to commence. In addition, two have indicated their intention to withdraw their grant allocation. All applicants allocated funding under the 2024 round of LSSIF are working through the procedures required under the infrastructure guidelines, which set out the value for money guidelines for the evaluation, planning and management of public investment projects.
It will not come as a surprise to the Minister of State that I have asked this question before at committee meetings. To be fair, he knows my form on this. I do not begrudge anybody getting money they have applied for, or any of the sports bodies that have applied on behalf of clubs, mainly national clubs but what irks me is that, as he said, nine projects from 2018 have still not commenced. We just need to take the bull by the horns at some stage and have a realistic conversation with some of those organisations to say that, if they are not drawing down the money, it is going to be reallocated for another worthy project. I say this not out of a desire to take the money from any applicant. The reality is that some organisations have been sitting on the money for the best part of eight years, as the Minister of State said. I understand the difficulties and the amount they have to raise. It is onerous to draw down from the fund but, at the same time, we need the moneys drawn down. I am a massive supporter of the good the funding does. I would like to see allocations become more frequent but it is hard to argue for that when a fairly high proportion of clubs have still not commenced projects or drawn down the money.
I acknowledge the Deputy’s point on the need for realistic conversations with all applicants to make sure they are moving forward on drawing down the money. I assure him that those conversations are happening. We want to, and we have delivered the message that, these projects need to progress. The Government allocated the projects funding with the objective of seeing them come to fruition.
Between the two rounds so far, 68 applicants across the country have received funding. The projects probably would never have been able to get off the ground or be in a position to be viable without this State investment. We do need to see them move forward, however. This is not something that is going to be on the never-never. We are making it very clear to all of the projects that they need to be moving forward. My team is actively engaging with those behind them with the objective of making sure they can proceed to construction.
The Minister of State says this will not be on the never-never but the reality, as he said, is that nine projects have not commenced since 2018. There are more that have been allocated funding in a subsequent round. Deadlines need to be imposed. It gives me no satisfaction to say here that this is State money and that if State money were allocated for projects in any other field, we would be asking about it. We want accountability and transparency. We want projects delivered, let us be truthful. If the initial projects envisaged, or scaled-back versions, if required, could be completed, it should be explored. If those concerned are having difficulties with fundraising or whatever, it is a matter of helping them to bridge the gaps. Ultimately, however, we need projects completed.
There are sports clubs the length and breadth of the country crying out for substantial money like what has been allocated under the fund. The money for a certain project in Cork, which I will not mention here but with which the Minister is familiar, has been sitting there for six years, undrawn. Other potential suitors were interested in availing of it. A particular organisation has sat on it and withheld it from going towards a very positive project. The gun needs to be put to some of these organisations’ heads and they need to get on with the works.
I assure the Deputy that no project that has been given approval for funding is sitting on funding. We are spending all the money we have, managing the LSSIF funding stream to the nth degree and making sure it is getting invested. Likewise, we want to make sure every project is moving forward.
We will have one more round of the LSSIF over the term of the Government. I want that to be as early in the term as it can be but it will certainly be in the second half of it. It will be contingent on where we are at with projects. Projects that are not moving forward will have to be taken off the books so new ones can be considered. In the meantime, we are working with those involved to drive their projects forward and make sure that we see them completed so people can avail of and enjoy the benefits of these great facilities. We are working to try to deliver that.
70. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the measures he is taking to support grassroots sports clubs in north Dublin that are experiencing increased demand due to population growth; whether he is satisfied that existing funding programmes are sufficient to meet infrastructure needs, including in respect of pitches, clubhouses, changing facilities, lighting and accessibility improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44489/26]
Ba mhaith liom ceist a chur ar an Aire Stáit faoi chúrsaí spóirt i dtuaisceart Bhaile Átha Cliath. Is iontach an infheistíocht atá déanta sa chlub Shells, but what steps are being taken to support grassroots sports clubs across north Dublin, including with clubhouses and changing facilities, in light of the recent bad weather? The weather this year, certainly the rain, was the worst in a long time. Multiple sports clubs had young girls and boys who could not play because of the lack of all-weather pitches.
I thank the Deputy for his question and for his ongoing advocacy for the role that sport plays in our communities. I was glad to join him recently for a visit to Shelbourne Football Club. It was great to see the work happening there. I know the club recently completed a new astro pitch, which is making a real difference.
One of my key goals as Minister of State for sport is to see an increase in participation levels. As the Deputy pointed out, the availability of access to sports facilities, whether in a club setting, on public lands or in other amenity areas, is a key factor in drawing more people to participation in sport. Planning for future facilities' needs, locations and types is a particular focus of our current sports action plan. Through the sports action plan, we have two particular funds aimed at delivering funding to clubs. Those funds are the community sport facilities fund and the large-scale sport infrastructure fund. Over the past decade, over €96 million has been allocated to 1,435 sporting projects in Dublin under the community sport facilities fund, benefitting 57 different sport types.
Given the challenges of increased demand and a growing population, I consider that there is real merit in the development of municipally-backed shared facilities. As my Department does not purchase the land, local authorities have a key role to play here, including through the development plan process and through the processes by which they secure and acquire land. I also encourage sports' national governing bodies to work with local authorities to ensure that the land can be used to deliver sporting facilities. My Department is engaging with local authorities, particularly in Dublin, to see how we can work together to ensure we get maximum impact from the funding that will be put in there and particularly to see how we can address that challenge around land and space. We must ensure there are facilities available in communities for people to participate in.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit agus le gach duine atá ag obair sa Department faoi láthair. I thank the men and women of Dublin City Council, go háirithe na laethanta seo. They have put in more toilets than we have seen previously and are doing work in north Dublin. North Dublin has been neglected for too long. It is one of the main reasons I got involved. It is great to see that there is work being done. I thank the council for all the work at the Kilmore West Recreation Centre and the all-weather pitch at the Stardust Memorial Park, which I recently visited. I spoke to one of the executives in Dublin City Council and it is good to see that things are moving.
The Minister mentioned the multi-sport complex systems that we see in parts of southern European cities where all clubs use the facilities. It is not just one single clubhouse. Any club can use those facilities. That is an approach we should consider. We in Ireland need to move away from the idea of clubhouses for single clubs. We can put in more money, get better facilities for all clubs and get grassroots participation up.
I also want to ask about Killester Basketball Club, one of the largest basketball clubs with the largest number of female players. I would love for the Department to bring it any attention.
I thank the Deputy. I outlined previously that nearly 1,500 projects have been supported across Dublin through the community sport facilities fund. That has a big impact on communities, as I know the Deputy knows. We want to continue and do more in that regard. The benefit of building those facilities is that we are seeing increased participation. We are particularly seeing more and more young girls playing sport at the same level as young boys, and staying with it. That brings pressure and a need for more facilities. We are going to continue to invest but we want to do so in as strategic a way as possible. We are working with local authorities to ensure we are making the most of the land available. That involves working with local authorities and encouraging national governing bodies to work together to see where they can collaborate. We must structure the community sport facilities fund in a way that encourages that collaboration.
In the next round, we will be focusing strongly on encouraging schools to work with clubs. Often, there are school facilities that investment could significantly improve or through which new facilities could be developed. They can be available to students during the day and to the community outside of school time. We can maximise the impact and return on investment.
I appreciate that update. We will kill two birds with one stone with that approach. We will give children the opportunity at break time in school to get away from the books and get onto the pitch to play football, rugby or whatever they want to play. The club would then benefit later.
There are two projects I would love to highlight. I welcome Dublin City Council's plan for an 11-a-side, 3G all-weather pitch. As the Minister of State knows, Dublin produces the best footballers. I will also mention the upgrade to all-weather pitches at Stardust Memorial Park and in Kilmore West Recreation Centre. Dublin Bay North is a broad constituency, which runs from Fairview to Howth and Darndale. Across the constituency, there is a lack of these all-weather pitches. I welcome the fact that the Department is looking at that issue. The Minister mentioned continuing to increase the participation levels for young women and boys and ensuring they continue to play sports. We need to give them all-weather pitches and nearby toilets. It makes it easier for parents and the hard-working coaches coming down on a Saturday night. I appreciate that.
The Deputy and I could have a debate about which county produces the best footballers. There would, however, be no debate about which county produces the best goalkeepers for the number 1 jersey.
We want to ensure that the investment we are making this time around delivers the biggest impact. We want to ensure clubs collaborate. There is some low-hanging fruit in our education system. Schools could do with better facilities and if we can put the facilities on the school grounds where a club is working with the school, there will be a great dividend for the community on all fronts. We will focus on working in education and with local authorities. That is the message we have been getting out there. We will push hard once we launch the round over the summer to ensure we get the best possible bang for the investment we are putting in. We want legs on the ground, lungs being busted and people getting great enjoyment from their involvement in sport.
75. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide an update on TV licence sales for each of the years 2024, 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43818/26]
I ask the Minister of State to provide an update on TV licence sales for each of the years 2024, 2025 and to date 2026. I ask him to make a statement on the matter.
There are two key revenue streams associated with the TV licence, which are the revenue arising from television licences sold by An Post as statutory issuing agent and the allocation provided by the Department of Social Protection in respect of the provision of free television licences to recipients of the household benefits package. As I know the Deputy is aware, the number of television licences sold by An Post has been in decline over the past number of years. This has been driven by three factors. First, an ageing population means that the number of households qualifying for a free TV licence increases every year by between 13,000 and 20,000. Second, the number of households without a liable television set has increased, driven by changes in the way that people access audiovisual services. Third, there has been a marked increase in evasion since the revelations regarding presenter payments and governance failings in RTÉ in July 2023.
In this context, TV licence sales have continued to decline over the past number of years. In 2024, 792,000 TV licences were sold by An Post. In 2025, this figure was just over 768,000. To the end of May 2026, just under 300,000 TV licences were sold, a 4.5% year-on-year decline in the year to date. A total of 299,373 were sold to the end of May this year.
In July 2024, the Government decided that the TV licence system would be retained, underpinned by improvements in collection and compliance to maximise revenue generation. The technical working group on the reform and enhancement of the TV licence was reconvened to bring forward proposals to that effect. The Minister, Deputy O'Donovan, recently received the report of the group and will decide on the next steps with Government colleagues.
It is clear, based on the figures the Minister of State has outlined, that the TV licence funding model is completely broken. People are voting with their feet. The Minister of State has outlined a number of contributing factors. The single biggest contributing factor is scandal after scandal in RTÉ. In 2019, over 1 million TV licences were sold. The Minister of State is saying that in the first half of this year, fewer than 300,000 have been sold and in all of last year, only 768,000 were sold. This is a very significant decrease and it calls into serious question the fundamental funding model for public sector broadcasting in this State. When will decisions be made on the review that has been conducted and will the scrapping of the TV licence be considered?
I thank the Deputy. As I said in my initial response, the technical working group on the reform and enhancement of the TV licence has brought forward proposals to that effect.
The report from that group has only recently been received by the Department. That will be considered and I have no doubt over the next short period we will step it out in responding to it and plotting the way forward. There are real challenges there as we all accept. It is really important we see the continuing reform happening at RTÉ to build confidence in the public in terms of people purchasing their TV licence. I think we all agree it is more important than ever at the moment that we have a good public service broadcaster in this country and have that service. When we see what is happening in the level of disinformation and misinformation now in the online world, having a credible authoritative public service broadcaster is more important than ever. We have recognised that at Government level in putting the funding streams in place to support RTÉ. It is important we ensure there is a sustainable way forward and a strong broadcaster underpinned by that funding into the future.
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. I absolutely agree and that is why it is important to raise these issues. At the heart of this is the question of the funding model for good-quality public service broadcasting. I will give another example on this. I welcome the Ashbourne Women's Shed who are visiting today. There were a number of posts for local democracy journalism funded across the State but in Meath and Mayo those posts have been withdrawn. They are not being funded. It was an initiative on behalf of this Government and the previous government. It was a welcome and important initiative. It could be seen reflected in local online and print media covering local council meetings and court services. There needs to be increased investment in this initiative. In particular, the post in County Meath needs to be reinstated. The public in County Meath need to have the same access to that service as we have in other parts of the State.
There was a new round recently of those public service grants for coverage and journalism across different mediums, whether that is broadcast or print. Like the Deputy, I have seen the benefit and the impact of that in the increased coverage of what is happening in the public sphere by journalists. It is a very worthy scheme. I will certainly pass it back and ask the Department officials to consider the point the Deputy makes and to respond to him regarding Meath and Mayo. I expect it must be that from one round to the next not all applications would be able to be approved each time.
A sustainable funding model for our public service broadcaster and for public service broadcasting in general across different streams is really important in the country. It has been challenged. It is important we consider that and have debates and discussion around it. As a Government, we have committed to the TV licence. However, we have commissioned a report to look at how it can be reformed. We can all agree it is important that it is removed from the Government. That is a really important principle on which public service broadcasting is established in terms of a broadcaster. It is something we are taking seriously and will be coming forward, on the back of receiving the report, with that further direction of travel.
79. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will consider measures to strengthen the sustainability of local and regional media outlets serving rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44114/26]
I join with Deputy O'Rourke in congratulating Charlotte Davis who has her last day with that scheme tomorrow and is taking up a new role with the Western People. It has been a fantastic scheme.
Local and regional media plays a vital role in rural communities. However, they are facing rising costs as they continue to operate this crucial service. Especially concerning is the €3.7 million broadcast levy that has to be paid to Coimisiún na Meán by local radio stations. Will the Minister of State consider measures to strengthen the sustainability of local and regional media outlets?
I thank Deputy Keogh for her question. As we have just discussed, we are all agreed that local and regional media outlets play a vital role in providing high-quality public service content and in contributing to the diversity and plurality of trusted voices in our media sector, which greatly enhances democratic participation and also provides safeguards for our information space. The Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill will provide for the establishment of a statutory media fund, which will provide a robust framework for supporting the wider media sector in the long term. A suite of funding schemes catering to all parts of the media sector currently operates on an administrative basis, pending the establishment of the statutory media fund.
In January of this year, Coimisiún na Meán announced a total package of approximately €15 million in supports for the wider media sector in order to enhance the provision of public-interest journalism, to assist the modernisation of technology and to support the upskilling of staff within the sector. Almost €5.7 million of that was awarded under the local democracy and courts reporting schemes to enhance the vital role of media service providers in reporting on public interest matters. We saw €3.8 million awarded through the news reporting scheme this year to support the provision of additional high-quality news and current affairs coverage. There was €2.7 million was awarded through the digital transformation scheme providing vital support, as the Deputy knows, for media outlets to enhance their technological and digital infrastructure, as well as to provide training and upskilling opportunities for staff in the context of the increasingly digitalised media landscape we are now seeing.
These supports are of particular important in rural areas where local, regional and community radio contributes significantly to the strength of communities and their access to trusted news. It is something to which we have been, and will stay, committed. I welcome the Deputy raising its importance here and her own strong commitment to seeing that public service in our regions, through our papers and our local radio, is very much supported.
I definitely welcome those funding schemes, especially the new ones that are going to come on board. Money does have to come in if it is going to go out, but that €3.7 million broadcast levy that has to be paid to Coimisiún na Meán is €1 million more this year than it was last year, which is an average 39% increase. For some local radio stations that is translating to €14,000. That was communicated at really short notice and it did not give them a lot of time to put finances in place. When we look back, that has increased 69% over two years and, as the Minister of State said, local media outlets are a trusted source of news when there is so much misinformation and disinformation out there. Our constituents rely on them for updates on local issues, such as weather, community events, road conditions and other local notices, especially in Mayo. The Midwest Radio death notices are very popular and are turned on in the kitchen every single morning. Midwest Radio is like a friend in the kitchen. I just want to make sure these local media outlets have enough support.
I hear what Deputy Keogh is saying in relation to the impact of costs but as she knows, neither the Government nor the relevant Department plays a role in formulating or approving the proposed income or expenditure of Coimisiún na Meán or in setting the levy. The preparation of those annual estimates of income and expenditure under Section 26(1) of the Broadcasting Act requires Coimisiún na Meán to submit such estimates to the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport. It is important to note that the Minister does not approve or agree the actual estimates or the annual budget. The Minister’s sole role is in conjunction with the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation to give an coimisiún consent for the publication of the budget on its website in accordance with Section 26(7) of the Act. That is the statutory position. I accept what the Deputy is saying and there have been many representations and points made in relation to the budget, which no doubt will be considered by Coimisiún na Meán, but there is a statutory separation between the Government and the commission under the Act.
I thank the Minister of State. I absolutely appreciate and value that separation between the Minister and Coimisiún na Meán. Given the shock that occurred across the county when that levy was announced, local radio stations in particular are struggling, and ahead of the approaching budget we should make sure they get as much support as possible. Older people in particular really rely on turning on that local radio station, getting the local update and hearing local voices. It is also vital, with some of the stations facing viability issues, that we consider local jobs. Many people start out in a local newspaper and then make it to sitting in the Gallery here in Dáil Éireann. We have to make sure that these radio stations can continue.
This ties back to the previous conversation we had about public service broadcasting and the importance of the separation of the Government from the distribution of funding in relation to achieving good public service in broadcasting and media across the country. That is why Coimisiún na Meán was established on a statutory basis. It then has a legal duty to set its levies in relation to that. The Government, as we just discussed, is giving significant funding with over €15 million distributed last year through Coimisiún na Meán. We all agree in the House today that we can see the benefits of that in terms of media and communication at local and regional level.
We will continue with the commitment in relation to that. It is important we keep that separation so the allocation of Government funding is not tied to how the coverage looks, other than that it serves the public in a neutral way and in a way that enhances the quality of communications, broadcasting and journalism at all levels from local right up to national but especially at local and regional level.
