Written Answers Nos. 162-181
162. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the reason for the underspend of €3.2 million in respect of swimming pool grants to local authorities; if there have been similar underspends in 2024 and 20025; the way in which his Department intends to fund and support municipal swimming pool construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34914/25]
View answerPreviously, Government support for new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools was provided through the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP). 52 pools have been completed under the LASPP with a Lucan project currently under construction. The pool underspend relates to slower than anticipated progress on this project, but I understand that the local authority is expecting that the works will be completed shortly.
My Department's capital support for any new swimming pool projects is now provided through the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The aim of the LSSIF is to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects, including swimming pools. These are projects where the Exchequer investment would be greater than the maximum amount available under the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF). In some cases, these may be projects where the primary objective will be to increase active participation in sport. In other cases, these may be large scale venues/stadia where the focus is more related to social participation and high-performance sport. The total investment in the LSSIF currently stands at €297 million, of which €28.9m was allocated to 9 swimming pools as set out below.
Laois: Portarlington Leisure Centre Swimming Pool
Sligo: Waterpoint Aqua Park
Kilkenny: The Watershed Development,
Limerick: Askeaton Pool and Leisure
Wicklow: Wicklow Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre
Louth: Dundalk Leisure Centre
Galway: Galway Regional Aquatic & Fitness Centre
Dublin: Samuel Beckett Civic Campus Phase 2
Edenderry Swimming Pool
Furthermore, funding of up to two million was provided towards the design costs of the leisure centre project in Buncrana and Mullingar Regional Sports Complex, both of which have swimming pools at their core.
In addition, in August 2024, Ireland’s first National Swimming Strategy was published and it sets out a vision to provide everyone in our country with an opportunity to swim. The Working Group tasked with developing the Strategy consisted of representatives from my Department, Swim Ireland, Sport Ireland, Active Disability Ireland, Ireland Active and the local authorities.
The resultant Strategy includes an Action Plan containing over 50 actions across five thematic strands, focusing on providing improved facilities, increasing access for people with disabilities, improving the culture of inclusion, better coaching supports, increasing safety awareness and providing a pathway that allows for the nurturing and development of potential high performers.
Responsibility for the delivery of the Strategy’s Action Plan will be shared across Government Departments, State Agencies and other key stakeholders, including local authorities. Sport Ireland has established an oversight group of key stakeholders to give leadership, policy direction, prioritisation and mobilisation of resources to support, monitor and measure the Strategy’s implementation.
My current focus is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF, 2019 and 2024, and this process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round. I would expect however that the period of time to a future LSSIF round will be less than the period of time between the first and second rounds.
163. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when his Department will begin to implement the new national swimming strategy by investing in pools and swimming facilities allowing everyone an opportunity to swim, as outlined in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34970/25]
View answerIreland’s first National Swimming Strategy was published in August 2024 and includes an Action Plan containing over 50 actions across five thematic strands, focusing on providing improved facilities, increasing access for people with disabilities, improving the culture of inclusion, better coaching supports, increasing safety awareness and providing a pathway that allows for the nurturing and development of potential high performers.
The public consultation that informed the development of the National Swimming Strategy suggested that existing swimming pool stock is insufficient and, as a result, a key focus of the Strategy is on providing improved facilities. There is a specific action in the strategy to complete an in-depth analysis of swimming pool provision within Ireland with particular reference to identifying gaps in provision. Swim Ireland, the National Governing Body for swimming, is currently undertaking an analysis of the type and nature of swimming pool ownership in the country and will publish a report in this regard in the coming period. This report will be central to the future development of swimming pool facilities.
Responsibility for the delivery of the Strategy’s Action Plan will be shared across Government Departments, State Agencies and other key stakeholders, including local authorities. Sport Ireland has established an oversight group of key stakeholders to give leadership, policy direction, prioritisation and mobilisation of resources to support, monitor and measure the Strategy’s implementation.
Capital support for new swimming pools, and the refurbishment of existing pools, continues to be provided by my Department through the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund, which to date has allocated €28.9 million to 9 swimming pool projects. While my current focus is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF, 2018 and 2024, I would expect that the period of time to a future LSSIF round will be less than the period of time between the first and second rounds.
164. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his views on expanding existing supports for community groups to put on cultural events, including exhibitions and concerts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33620/25]
View answerThe Creative Ireland Programme is an all-of-Government initiative led by my department that is designed to promote individual, community and national well-being. Its core proposition is that participation in cultural activity by everyone drives personal and collective creativity, with significant implications for individual and societal well-being and achievement.
Since 2018, the Creative Ireland Programme has invested in local communities, through a strategic partnership with local government with my department allocating funding of €36.8 million to the 31 local authorities to support the delivery of over 7,350 creative and cultural projects throughout the country.
In implementing Creative Communities, local authorities have demonstrated how creative and cultural projects with local communities, broadens access to, and participation in, cultural and creative activities, including events, exhibitions and concerts. This encompasses Cruinniú na nÓg, the National Day of Creativity for children and young people, that delivered 1,300 events across the island of Ireland on Saturday 7th June.
Under Creative Youth, my Department invests in Local Creative Youth Partnerships based seven in Education and Training Boards, with an eighth due to be established this year. In partnership with the Department of Education and Youth and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, this initiative ensures young people themselves are at the heart of developing and implementing opportunities to engage with creative and cultural activities.
Under Creative Health & Well-being my department works with the Department of Health to fund collaborations between Creative Ireland and Health Ireland teams on local authorities, with over €2 million being invested in 2024 and 2025. Projects range across social prescribing, social inclusion, health promotion, supporting people living with dementia and their families, end of life and bereavement, supporting international protection applicants, and children with chronic health conditions
The Creative Ireland Programme is in place until 2027 and will continue to collaborate across Government and in tandem with arts, community and voluntary organisations, to support them to be creative within their locales.
In addition, my Department has allocated €2.5 million towards the development of initiatives to support a vibrant inclusive and culturally diverse Night-Time Economy including concerts. The outcome of the Small-Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools scheme, that supports not-for-profit festivals and summer schools, will be announced shortly.
The Arts Council also provides financial support to a range of festivals, large and small, both single art form and multidisciplinary. This includes the Strategic Funding stream, which supports organisations critical to the national arts infrastructure, while the Festivals Investment Scheme is specifically designed to offer support to local/voluntary organisations to develop arts festivals.
165. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide an update on the basic income for the arts scheme; if he plans to extend or amend the scheme when the pilot programme ends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33757/25]
View answer169. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the next steps for the basic income for artists scheme following the completion of research indicating its success; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34317/25]
View answer180. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if the basic income for the arts scheme will be extended long term (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34676/25]
View answer184. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he intends to expand, extend and retain the basic income for the arts scheme as a permanent support for artists and their work. [34826/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 165, 169, 180 and 184 together.
The Programme for Government commits to assessing the Basic Income for the Arts pilot research scheme to maximise its impact. I appreciate the importance of the Basic Income support for artists, which is why last week I announced that Cabinet had agreed to my proposal to an extension of six months to allow for further evaluation of the pilot data. This will also give sufficient time to engage in stakeholder consultation and to evaluate the data which will provide the evidence base for Government to make decisions on the next steps.
The primary objective of the scheme is to help artists deal with precarious incomes and to prevent talent from leaving the sector for economic reasons.
My Department has been undertaking a comprehensive research programme based on this data and is currently preparing a report examining the first 24 months of the scheme. I also recently published a paper which collects the experiences of BIA recipients, who were interviewed by a sociologist. A cost-benefit analysis paper is also being prepared. It will compare the benefits and costs arising from the BIA in order to determine its net value.
While the research phase of the pilot scheme is still ongoing, it is clear from evidence collected to date under the scheme that it is having a positive impact on participants. This data shows that the BIA payment is having a consistent, positive impact across almost all indicators - affecting practice development, sectoral retention, well-being, and deprivation.
Artists in receipt of the support are typically able to devote more time to their art, produce more pieces of work, experience a boost to their well-being through greater life satisfaction and reduced anxiety, and are protected from the precariousness of incomes in the sector to a greater degree than those who are not receiving the support.
I know that the BIA support is hugely valued by artists in receipt of it, it has also been the subject of much positive commentary at home and in an international context and makes an important statement about the value placed on the arts in Ireland.
A Government decision will be required on a successor scheme to the pilot, and I intend to bring proposals for a permanent intervention to Cabinet as part of Budget 2026, based on the evidence arising from the research programme and stakeholder engagement.
166. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the measures his Department is taking to increase female participation in sport at grassroots level. [34819/25]
View answerFemale participation in sport is an important element of both the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 and the associated Sports Action Plan 2024-2027 and represents a core priority for me and my Department.
This Government is committed to a "Sport for All" approach aimed at ensuring that all persons can partake equally in sport and physical activity, regardless of gender. This commitment is reaffirmed in the Programme for Government and is also reflected in Sport Ireland's Women in Sport Policy.
The Women in Sport (WIS) funding programme, administered by Sport Ireland, was first established in 2005 and since then over €30 million has been invested through the National Governing Bodies of Sport and the Local Sports Partnerships.
This month Sport Ireland announced an investment of €4 million under the WIS Programme for 2025. This is vital funding to support sporting bodies, and my Department will continue to support programmes to increase women’s participation in all sports and to progress strategic objectives for women in sport across all areas including active participation, coaching, officiating, and leadership.
The Irish Sports Monitor (ISM) Report for 2024, shows that sport participation levels among women is at 47%, an increase of one percentage point since 2023, and the gender gap is now less than 3%.
As Minister for Sport I will continue to tackle issues to ensure that women’s sport reaches parity with its male equivalent and that females do not drop out of sport due to a lack of adequate training facilities or access to opportunities.
167. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the timeline for the implementation of sports capital grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34887/25]
View answerOver a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities in 2024 from the 2023 round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF), representing the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland.
Provisional allocations to equipment only projects were announced on 16 May 2024 and applicants were advised that they should demonstrate a substantial amount of progress on their project to facilitate the drawdown of the grant by the end of June 2025.
Provisional allocations to capital projects were announced on 10 October 2024 and applicants were advised that they should demonstrate a substantial amount of progress on the project to facilitate the drawdown of the grant by 27 September 2026.
Following the announcement of the provisional allocations, applicants must apply to get the grant formally approved by the Department and upload all the required documentation before payments can be processed.
In line with previous rounds of the programme, a review of the current funding round will be undertaken, and that review will inform the timing of the next round of the CSFF. However, I would anticipate that the next round should be announced in 2026.
168. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport in light of current funding arrangements ending this year, if he will commit to a strategic investment of €15 million per annum in the post office network over the coming five years, to sustain and strengthen this essential public service in communities across the State. [34827/25]
View answerThe Government is committed to a sustainable An Post and post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure throughout Ireland. The Programme for Government states that the Government will continue to provide the nationwide network of post offices with funding to ensure their sustainability and enhance the value they bring to local communities. My Department is working to deliver on this and is engaging with relevant stakeholders in relation to the funding. Additionally, my Department is working with Government colleagues to secure future funding in line with the Programme for Government.An amount of €10 million per annum is currently being provided over a three-year fixed term (2023-2025) to An Post. An Post then disperses this funding across the post office network, with all contractor post offices benefitting from the Government funding with the objective of securing the stability of the Network. The funding is being paid monthly for each 12-month period. There has been over €23 million claimed by An Post for the period 2023 to end April 2025 for the network.It should be noted that An Post is a commercial State body with a mandate to act commercially. An Post has statutory responsibility for the State's postal service and the post office network. Decisions relating to the network, including decisions relating to specific post offices are operational matters for the Board and management of the company and not one in which I, as Minister, have any function. The terms under which Postmasters contract with An Post is a matter between the Postmasters and An Post and any negotiations are a matter for both parties directly.
170. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the status of the National Broadband Ireland roll-out across Cork county; the number of houses that have benefitted from the installation of fibre broadband; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34988/25]
View answerI have been advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that over 41,164 premises are now passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and 45,746 available to order/pre-order in County Cork, with 14,429 premises now connected. A further circa 40,830 premises in County Cork will be passed by NBI’s high speed fibre broadband by the end of the contract.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Cork can be monitored via https://nbi.ie/reps. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries. It should be noted that NBI provide this information for County Cork based on NBI deployment areas rather than exact county boundaries.
171. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the timeline for the pension increases to come into effect for retired An Post workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34876/25]
View answerUnder Section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 ('the Act'), I, as Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, approve any superannuation schemes submitted by An Post.In accordance with the Act, and the relevant section of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, An Post must seek Ministerial approval from both myself and the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform to increase pensions and deferred pensions for members of the An Post superannuation scheme.Prior to the transfer of the relevant Ministerial functions on 1 June 2025, An Post submitted a request on 26 January 2025 seeking approval for a proposed increase of 1.4% to pension payment and deferred pensions in the An Post Superannuation Scheme. The consent of the then-Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform was conveyed to An Post on 29 May 2025.The operation of the schemes is a matter between the management of An Post, staff representatives and the trustees of the schemes.
172. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will consider initiating a programme akin to Talent Search, operated by the Australian government, whereby children and adolescents are tested for their sporting prowess and given an introduction to sports they may never have experienced before with a view to making the country more competitive across a wider field of sports at the Summer Olympic Games. [34738/25]
View answerSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, including the recognition of sporting bodies for funding purposes.I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to its role in the matter mentioned by the Deputy. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
173. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the steps his Department is taking to ensure regional balance when it comes to film and audiovisual production throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35000/25]
View answerGovernment supports for the audiovisual industry in Ireland includes the Section 481 tax relief and funding schemes provided by Screen Ireland and Coimisiún na Meán.
A thriving audiovisual sector in Ireland requires a balance between domestic and incoming international production. Screen Ireland is the development agency for the Irish film, television and animation industry and it adopts a dual approach to sectoral development to provide strong funding levels for local, independent, Irish filmmaking and TV drama production, while also attracting large-scale, international productions to the country. Screen Ireland recognises the importance of continuing to support existing production hubs, while encouraging the development of emerging hubs so that new opportunities for local and international production can take place across Ireland, bringing the cultural and economic benefits to the entire country.
In 2024, Screen Ireland invested over €8 million in projects, initiatives and activities that contributed to nationwide development of the sector. Screen Ireland ring-fenced at least €3.7m in its 2024 planned expenditure for nationwide activity and the actual outturn was higher due to demand. It included a Nationwide Additional Production Fund that funded a wide range of sectoral stakeholders and events across the regions, including organisations with both a national remit and those with a regional focus. The Screen Stakeholders Scheme offers programme funding for a broad range of learning and development courses, programmes and initiatives.
The National Talent Academies Network was established in 2021 to develop a highly skilled, diverse talent and crew base throughout the country, offering a wide range of activities for the Irish screen industry including courses, programmes, mentoring and shadowing opportunities. Addressing innovation, skills development and sectoral growth, the Talent Academies are the result of additional stimulus investment provided by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport and forms part of a wider strategy to support skills development across all regions of Ireland.
In Gaeltacht areas, Screen Ireland, TG4 and Údarás na Gaeltachta work in partnership with Irish language production companies to continue to foster Irish language film and TV production. Irish language film is in a new era, thanks to the success of films like An Cailín Ciúin. Further implementation of the coordinated strategy to grow the Irish screen industry nationwide, both economically and culturally, will involve all stakeholders continuing to work in partnership.
'Smaointe', the Irish language Slate Scheme has also been launched which is valued at €1m and has a closing date of 31st July 2025 for applications.
174. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will outline some of his Department's priorities for Budget 2026 as the Estimates process commences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34316/25]
View answerWhile preparatory work on Budget 2026 has commenced in my Department, and formal consideration will be held with my senior officials over the course of the next number of weeks and months in this context, there are a number of factors to be considered before future priorities can be solidified.
Not the least of these is the publication of the Summer Economic Statement, which typically takes place in early July. Following this, I expect there will be a formal communication from the Minister of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Sector Reform and Digitalisation outlining the fiscal space arising, which will frame the priorities for the Department in the context of the available funding.
There is also the matter of pre-Budget submissions from, and consultation with, sectoral stakeholders, which assist my consideration of Budgetary priorities.
My general goal is, of course, to see significant and positive development across all sectors under my Department's aegis. However, given the foregoing, the consideration of Budget 2026 priorities has yet to be finalised.
175. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update for organisations on the large scale sport infrastructure fund reserve list. [34639/25]
View answerIn 2024, the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) received an unprecedented demand for funding, amounting to €665 million from 96 applications. As a result of this significant demand, a range of valid applications did not receive an LSSIF allocation at the initial allocation stage.
Grants totalling €173 million, benefiting 35 individual projects, were allocated under the second round of the LSSIF in November 2024. With this announcement, the cumulative investment from the LSSIF since 2020 now reaches €297 million. My current focus is on ensuring delivery of projects granted funding under the first two rounds of the LSSIF and this process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round.
Valid and eligible applications that did not receive funding under the 2024 LSSIF round are on a reserve list in the event that any additional funding becomes available. Any ordering or prioritisation of that reserve list will only be considered should additional funding become available. I would anticipate that such prioritisation of projects would be informed by alignment with the National Sporting Policy and other relevant policies such as the National Swimming Strategy.
176. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the supports available for an art house cinema in Galway, following the recent closure of a cinema (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33618/25]
View answerOne of the core policies of my Department is to recognise and to enhance access to the arts, culture and audiovisual sectors in Ireland by promoting and encouraging artistic expression, cultural awareness and participation through an appropriate policy, legislative and resource framework. The Arts Council is the national agency for funding, developing and promoting the arts in Ireland and it works within the framework of the Arts Act 2003. Primary support for the arts in Ireland is delivered by the Arts Council and funding to the agency has increased steadily in recent years, reaching a record high of €140 million in 2025. The Arts Council supports and develops the arts in Ireland through grant funding, project awards, support to individual artists, and support to venues, publications and resource organisations. The Arts Council is committed to increasing public engagement in the arts in Ireland and it provides financial support to a number of initiatives aimed at increasing public access, participation and engagement in the arts. Proposals for the development of facilities are a matter in the first instance for the local authority. County and city development plans, including for the arts sector, are drawn up by local authorities in accordance with their functions under the Planning and Development Acts. Much of the existing nationwide infrastructure of arts venues and centres was initiated and funded by local authorities. They are eligible for annual programming funding from the Arts Council.
In April 2025, the lease of the facility referred to by the Deputy reverted to local authority after the previous operator offered to surrender the leaving all relevant moveable assets in place to allow any new operator to have the benefit of existing equipment. This means that the local authority can seek an alternative operator for the building.
Last month, the Council called for expressions of Interest for the future management of the facility and this remains open.
In terms of support by way of capital funding, my Department focuses on providing grant funding to assist and maintain arts and cultural facilities. Under Stream E of the Cultural Capital Scheme grants of up to €20,000 are available at 85% grant funding rate. Local authority owned facilities are subject to a maximum 60% grant funding rate.
Larger grants of up to €50,000 are provided at a maximum grant funding rate of 70%, or 60% for local authority owned facilities. As part of the Programme for Government, the Government has also committed to examining the feasibility of a minor capital works grant scheme to support arts and cultural facilities that are not funded through The Arts Council. My Department will commence work on this examination shortly.
177. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the number of persons currently availing of the basic income for the arts scheme. [34054/25]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to assessing the Basic Income for the Arts pilot research scheme to maximise its impact. I appreciate the importance of the Basic Income support for artists, which is why last week I announced that Cabinet had agreed to my proposal to an extension of six months to allow for further evaluation of the pilot data. This will also give sufficient time to engage in stakeholder consultation and to evaluate the data which will provide the evidence base for Government to make decisions on the next steps.
There are currently 1969 people receiving the payment.
The primary objective of the scheme is to help artists deal with precarious incomes and to prevent talent from leaving the sector for economic reasons.
My Department has been undertaking a comprehensive research programme based on this data and is currently preparing a report examining the first 24 months of the scheme. I also recently published a paper which collects the experiences of BIA recipients, who were interviewed by a sociologist. A cost-benefit analysis paper is also being prepared. It will compare the benefits and costs arising from the BIA in order to determine its net value.
While the research phase of the pilot scheme is still ongoing, it is clear from evidence collected to date under the scheme that it is having a positive impact on participants. This data shows that the BIA payment is having a consistent, positive impact across almost all indicators - affecting practice development, sectoral retention, well-being, and deprivation.
Artists in receipt of the support are typically able to devote more time to their art, produce more pieces of work, experience a boost to their well-being through greater life satisfaction and reduced anxiety, and are protected from the precariousness of incomes in the sector to a greater degree than those who are not receiving the support.
I know that the BIA support is hugely valued by artists in receipt of it, it has also been the subject of much positive commentary at home and in an international context and makes an important statement about the value placed on the arts in Ireland.
A Government decision will be required on a successor scheme to the pilot, and I intend to bring forward proposals for a permanent intervention in the context of Budget 2026, based on the evidence arising from the research programme and stakeholder engagement.
178. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the steps his Department is taking to ensure the resilience of the communications system used to contact the emergency services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34640/25]
View answerIn light of the disruption to communication services experienced in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn my Department has been progressing a number of actions to ensure that the communication sector becomes more resilient to the effects of severe weather.
Contact with the emergency services happens through the Emergency Call Answering System (ECAS). While it was reported that people were unable to contact the ECAS which provides the 999/112 services, it should be noted that at no time was this service interrupted and the call centre remained fully operational during and in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn. Where individuals had difficulty in contacting the service, this was due to a total loss of fixed line or mobile telephone service in their areas. For those individuals who have a mobile phone, but whose operator was experiencing service outages, they would have been able to contact ECAS on any other mobile operator’s network where that network was available.
Both my Department and the operators have been reviewing their overall preparedness and resilience in light of the storm. The biggest impact to the communication networks in the aftermath of the storm was the sustained loss of grid power owing to the significant damage to the electricity network. While mobile and fixed network operators maintain both batteries and emergency generators at key sites, the length of the grid power outage coupled with site access issues caused by downed trees and vegetation overwhelmed their back-up strategies in some locations. My Department is progressing actions to ensure that site access issues are improved before next winter.
My Department is also developing a longer-term plan to identify where additional measures may need to be taken to build additional resilience into communication networks in anticipation of the forecast worsening effects of climate change. A draft of this Climate Resilience Adaptation Plan will be published later this year.
179. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department is examining ways to improve accessibility and fairness in the application process for the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme, particularly to support community groups and clubs in areas of higher deprivation that may lack the administrative capacity or resources of organisations in more affluent areas; if his Department is aware of any evidence or analysis indicating that communities in lower-income or higher-deprivation areas are less successful in securing funding through the programme; and whether this has been considered in the development of future rounds or targeted supports under the scheme. [34998/25]
View answerOver a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities in 2024 from the 2023 round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund (formerly the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme), representing the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland.
For all regional capital applications, the scoring system was designed to, inter alia, reward applications from disadvantaged areas, applications that showed evidence of sharing and that had engaged with the planning process. Recommended allocations were calculated using the same methodology used for previous rounds and were based on the assessment score and the maximum valid grant.
The top scoring 45 applications received at least 95% of their maximum valid grant and only the bottom scoring 2 applications received less than 50% of their maximum valid grant.
In relation to local applications, given the scale of funding available and the time required to assess the applications, it was agreed that officials would focus on the validity of applications, on ruling out invalid applications or elements thereof. Recommended allocation amounts for valid applications were then calculated using the Pobal index of deprivation as the primary calculation factor.
The 500 applications from the most disadvantaged areas received a minimum of 90% of their maximum valid grant and only 1 application received less than 50% of the maximum valid grant.
As was the case in 2018, 2020 and 2023 allocations, applicants that charged once-off entrance fees (in addition to annual membership fees) of over €1,000 or annual membership fees of €1,500 or more were excluded.
In line with previous rounds, a review of the current funding round will be undertaken and that review will inform the timing of the next round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund. The review will consider whether any further improvements can be made to ensure that communities in lower-income or higher-deprivation areas are successful in securing funding. I would anticipate that the next round should be announced in 2026.
181. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 122 of 28 May 2025, the timeframe for the publication of the large-scale sports infrastructure fund reserve list for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34636/25]
View answerIn 2024, the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) received an unprecedented demand for funding, amounting to €665 million from 96 applications. As a result of this significant demand, a range of valid applications did not receive an LSSIF allocation at the initial allocation stage.
Grants totalling €173 million, benefiting 35 individual projects, were allocated under the second round of the LSSIF in November 2024. With this announcement, the cumulative investment from the LSSIF since 2020 now reaches €297 million. My current focus is on ensuring delivery of projects granted funding under the first two rounds of the LSSIF and this process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round.
Valid and eligible applications that did not receive funding under the 2024 LSSIF round are on a reserve list in the event that any additional funding becomes available. Any ordering or prioritisation of that reserve list will only be considered should additional funding become available. I would anticipate that such prioritisation of projects would be informed by alignment with the National Sporting Policy and other relevant policies such as the National Swimming Strategy.
