Written Answers Nos. 476-498
476. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to outline any plans he has to introduce a regional uplift for film and television production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37418/25]
View answerAs part of Section 481 film tax relief, a regional uplift was in place from 2019 to 2023 for productions made in the regions. As it was a taxation measure, it was introduced by my colleague the Minister for Finance and any further tax incentives for regional production would be a matter for him.
Screen Ireland is the development agency for the Irish film, television and animation industry. In 2024, Screen Ireland invested over €8 million in projects, initiatives and activities that contributed to nationwide development of the sector. At least €3.7m was ring-fenced last year for planned expenditure on nationwide activity with the outturn being 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, established in 2021, develops 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 me as Minister 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 valued at €1m is now live with a closing date of 31st July 2025 for applications.
A thriving audiovisual sector requires a balance between domestic and incoming international production. Screen Ireland 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.
477. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the levels of support made available by his Department, the Arts Council or other agencies of the State for the development and support of musical theatre in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37419/25]
View answerUnder the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council has primary responsibility for the development of the arts in Ireland and Budget 2025 has provided record funding of €140 million for the Arts Council. 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.
The Arts Council invests funding in a range of art forms and developmental projects including Creative Schools, Creative Places, Creative Europe and Culture Night. For example, Culture Night, in collaboration with RTÉ, creates opportunities for artists at all levels. Details of all these programmes are available on the Arts Council's website. The Council also supports festivals across the country providing opportunities for performances of many forms.
I am informed by the Arts Council that the development of Musical Theatre in Ireland is currently supported through both the Theatre and Music & Opera teams. In recent years the development, presentation and touring of musical theatre work has been supported by the Arts Council.
In its most recently published music policy Advancing Music: Music Policy and Strategy, the Arts Council identifies new strategies which propose increasing links with intersecting art forms. One of these will involve the Music, Opera and Theatre teams working together on the development of a new approach for the support of music theatre and musical theatre artists and organisations.
Specifically musical theatre work has been supported through the following Arts Council schemes; Theatre Projects, Arts Grant Funding and Touring in recent years. Productions include the Lords of Strut ‘Dream Factory’, and a production and tour of Shane O’Reilly’s ‘Gold in the Water’. There have also been a number of works in development supported by Cathal Cleary, Gare S. Lazare, Anthony Keigher and Landmark Productions.
Within my Department, there are a number of measures in place to support the arts at amateur and professional levels including:
• Annual funding provided to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for its work in the protection and promotion of Irish traditional music and culture.
• The Music Capital Scheme, managed by Music Network on behalf of my Department, provides funding for the purchase of musical instruments to both non-professional performing groups/ensembles and professional musicians.
• A small-scale local festivals and summer schools scheme designed to support local cultural festivals and summer schools that may not be eligible under funding criteria for larger scale events supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council and similar bodies. The maximum funding available under this scheme is capped at €5,000.
• Creative Ireland Programme funding is supporting the delivery of a number of creative projects nationwide.
• In 2025 €8m, which is the highest level of funding for Culture Ireland since its establishment, will support more Irish artists to launch and develop their careers on an international stage.
• The Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme which is €105m scheme involving 2,000 artists and creative arts workers nationwide.
• Funding for the Safe to Create Programme, including Minding Creative Minds, that supports all artists and creatives.
• Funding is provided for cultural events such as Other Voices and Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann that in turn helps to sustain the arts at all levels.
• Funding programmes within the Broadcasting and Media area also serve to promote many artists and creative talents from across the music sector.
Additionally, a network of cultural infrastructure exists throughout the country with the majority in the ownership of local authorities. Annual support, including programming and revenue supports, is provided to these arts centres by local authorities and the Arts Council. These arts centres are where artists and audiences meet and this is a key part of the Arts Council strategy to invest in public engagement. My Department focuses on providing capital grant funding to assist development and to maintain these arts and cultural facilities. Funding is administered through applications received for specific grant schemes.
Notwithstanding the official supports described above, it would be appropriate to mention the significant number of commercial sponsors who also contribute towards the national associations and annual programmes for amateur drama and musicals. I take this opportunity to acknowledge their generous support to the national bodies and also to commend the special contribution of the title sponsor of the RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival in Athlone which took place from the 8th to the 16th of May this year in Athlone under the auspices of the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland.
478. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for a status update on the roll-out of the high-speed broadband network under the national broadband plan; for a breakdown of expenditure from the €400 million allocated in Budget 2025, to date and for the remainder of the year; to detail possible budget shortfalls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37467/25]
View answer€400m was allocated to the National Broadband Plan ( NBP) as part of the 2025 Estimates Process.
NBP expenditure this year to date, Jan 2025 to Jun 2025, is €185.5m.
Overall the project is on time and on budget though there is a profile issue in relation to expenditure this year. My Department is currently engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation in relation to this.
As of June 2025, over 380,000 premises have been passed representing over 68% of the total Intervention Area (IA) with some 420,000 premises forecasted to be passed by the end of 2025.
4,400 new connections are now being completed monthly, with over 134,000 premises connected at the end of June.
479. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the funding earmarked for the development of grassroots football academies and player development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37470/25]
View answerThe development of football is fundamentally a matter for the FAI, which, like all National Governing Bodies of sport (NGBs), is an independent, autonomous body that is responsible for the organisation and development of its own sport.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to explore new mechanisms for the creation of football academies with the FAI and the League of Ireland. An important piece of work in this context is supported by an additional funding grant of €1 million to the FAI in 2024, including €300,000 to enable it to produce a detailed report on the development of football academies. I expect that the report will include a deep baseline audit of existing academy structures and needs, and that this will inform the development of any academy development plan. I understand that this audit is currently underway .
The additional funding also enabled the FAI to recently appoint an Academies Administrator, to support the development of new academy programmes and to track their impact.
I look forward to further engagement with the FAI on this topic and to receiving the report in due course.
480. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the funding allocated for local sports partnerships, for the years 2020 to 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37471/25]
View answerSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards. It also has responsibility for the allocation of funding across its various programmes, including to Local Sports Partnerships.
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.
481. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the funding allocated to Culture Ireland for 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37472/25]
View answerCulture Ireland is a unit of my Department with responsibility for the promotion of Irish Arts internationally. In doing so, they work with international presenting partners and annually funded bodies to bring high quality Irish arts, across all artforms, to global audiences.
In 2024 Culture Ireland supported over 5,500 artist presentations in over 50 countries to audiences in excess of 6.5 million.
In 2025, Culture Ireland's allocation is €8 million.
Details of the funding allocations for Culture Ireland from 2022 onwards are as follows:
|
Year |
Allocation |
|
2025 |
€8m |
|
2024 |
€7.6m |
|
2023 |
€6.6m |
|
2022 |
€4.6m |
In relation to annual expenditure relating to Culture Ireland since 2005, I would refer the Deputy to the published annual appropriation accounts at: www.audit.gov.ie/en/publications/appropriation%20accounts/#:~:text=Appropriation%20Accounts%202021,expenditure%20related%20to%20each%20Vote
482. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the funding allocated to the Euro 2028 advance legacy fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37473/25]
View answerMajor international sporting events can play a key role in increasing sporting participation, boosting domestic and international tourism and promoting Ireland as a destination for education and business opportunities. They present a wonderful opportunity to showcase the island of Ireland and our world-class tourism and sports offering to Europe and the world.
At the time of bidding for EURO 2028, the UK and Ireland partnership committed c. £45 million (equivalent to €53 million) to a central Legacy and Impact fund to support the delivery of socio-economic benefits to communities across the UK and Ireland. The majority consisted of funding from governments, with host football associations also contributing to the fund.
Ireland's proportional share of this legacy funding will be contingent on a number of factors including how many tournament matches are played here. Following the publication of the match schedule by UEFA towards the end of this year, I will be in a position to quantify this amount.
483. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for details and costings on a possible annual commemorations programme to replacement the decade of centenaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37475/25]
View answerThe Decade of Centenaries Programme was the cross-government approach to ensure that the significant centenaries between 2012-2023, were remembered appropriately, meaningfully and with sensitivity.
This period included the centenaries of many significant events that had a permanent and transformative effect on the nation including the 1916 Rebellion, the Partition of Ireland, the War of Independence and the Civil War.
There was significant investment from the government to ensure appropriate programming. This was at all times within established commemoration principles laid down by the Expert Advisory Group and in consultation with the All-Party Consultation Group on Commemorations.
The Decade of Centenaries Programme marked a distinct and unique period in our history. Following the conclusion of the Programme, it was recognised that people still wanted to explore their history and mark significant local anniversaries. There was also still considerable interest from stakeholders to maintain the good will and momentum build by the Programme.
In December 2023, the Government agreed to adopt a supportive and facilitative approach to the next phase of Commemorations while not recreating the Decade of Centenaries Programme in scope or scale, and in the context of the annual budget and resources available.
There has been continued current and capital investment by my Department in Commemorations since the conclusion of the Decade of Centenaries Programme. This included an annual current budget of €1.5m in 2024 and again this year. There has also been capital investment to the sum of €1.3m in 2024 to support legacy projects from the Decade of Centenaries Programme including the Trinity College led Beyond 22 project and the creation of the 20th Century History of Ireland Galleries by the National Museum of Ireland.
For the last two years these budget allocations have supported new commemorative projects but also key legacy projects from the Decade of Centenaries Programme including the RIA Local Historian Bursary and the continuation of the Local Authority Community Grant Scheme, which sees a collaborative approach to commemorations between the State, Local Authorities and community groups.
In May, I brought a Memo to Government announcing the formation and membership of a new Commemorations Advisory Committee which shows the commitment of this Department to commemorations. This committee, which recently held its first meeting, will provide expert and independent advice to the Government and other key stakeholders. Principles for commemorations will also be created by the group to assist and guide the State’s approach to future commemorations beyond the events of the Decade of Centenaries in line with the commitments set out in the Programme for Government.
This new phase has seen the extension of the scope of commemorations so that many historical events and themes can now been remembered using the successful and respectful commemorative structure. This has been warmly welcomed by stakeholders and has introduced new and engaging events and initiatives including the upcoming commemorative programme for Daniel O’Connell.
Plans are already underway for a number of diverse commemorative anniversaries in the coming years including the annual National and International Famine Commemorations, the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence and the centenary of the Dromcollogher Cinema fire in 2026.
I recognise that there will need to be continued investment in commemorations by my Department and this will be dealt with in the annual Budget and Estimates process.
484. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he recognises that investing €15 million per annum in the Post Office Network is not only good value for money but essential to maintain critical public access points in communities across the country as suggested by a union (details supplied). [37534/25]
View answer485. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the reason the Government not yet committed to a sustained annual investment of €15 million to safeguard vital services nationwide (details supplied). [37535/25]
View answer486. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department has assessed the cost to the State and to the communities if the Post Office Network continues to decline due to the lack of structured multi-annual funding. [37536/25]
View answer487. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will commit to using the Post Office Network as a delivery partner for more public services such as form generation, tourist information, register of electors and enabling all postmasters to become peace commissioners, to ensures that the €15 million investment delivers even greater community and economic impact. [37537/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 484 to 487, inclusive, together.
The 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/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. For the period 2023 to end June 2025, €25 million has been claimed by An Post 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
488. Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if a response will issue to correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37711/25]
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 I recently announced that Cabinet has 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 wellbeing 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 discussions, based on the evidence arising from the research programme and stakeholder engagement.
My Department will provide a response to the correspondence from the Deputy's constituent in line with the reply above.
489. Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the reasons preventing organisations combining Leader and Sports Capital Programme on a single project, notwithstanding there can be different phases and stages in projects and separate funding might be required for each of these stages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37726/25]
View answerThe Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) provides grants to assist in the development or refurbishment of sports facilities and the provision of sports equipment. Projects can combine funding from the Community Sports Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Leader Programme and, in this context, grantees must comply with Circular 13/2014 - Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds.
The circular provides that, where funding is being provided as part of a co-funding arrangement, grantees are required to provide annually to each grantor, as a condition of grant, a declaration as to the source, amount and purpose of all other funding they receive and a declaration that there will be no duplication of funding for the same activity/project. This declaration should also state if the Exchequer funding from all sources exceeds 50% of total income.
490. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the date and location for the international day of famine commemoration in 2025 will be announced; and whether he agrees that from 2026 onwards, it should take place on the same date as the national famine commemoration. [37783/25]
View answerThe International Famine Commemoration was developed in 2009, by the National Famine Commemoration Committee, whose main objective is to consider the most appropriate arrangements for the annual commemorations of the Great Irish Famine.
The aim of the International Famine Commemoration is to create an opportunity for the diaspora to collectively remember all those who suffered, died or were forced to emigrate due to An Gorta Mór. The Commemoration also acknowledges and celebrates the significant contributions of those who emigrated and of their descendants abroad.
Each year my Department works with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to identify viable options for the International Famine Commemoration and share these details with the National Famine Commemoration Committee. These can be places that resonate deeply or have a special connection to the Irish Famine, such as Famine Rock in Williamstown, Melbourne or Ireland Park, Toronto, Canada. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is also key in identifying relevant events or programmes of events that can complement and enhance the solemn State ceremony.
Scheduling the International Famine Commemoration to a specific day each year, would limit its possibilities in terms of local diaspora communities abroad and create a situation of competing resources with the National Famine Commemoration. It could also adversely affect government representation at both events which has always reflected the true value and importance the State has placed on these commemorations, our commitment to never forget and the continued and meaningful engagement with our diaspora.
I would like to assure the Deputy that we hope to have an announcement on the location of the 2025 International Famine Commemoration shortly and that discussions on the location of the 2026 event are well advanced.
491. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the Counter Disinformation Oversight Group, as committed to in the National Counter Disinformation Strategy, will be established; its future terms of reference; when the associated implementation plan will be developed and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37849/25]
View answer492. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport how his Department is working with other Government Departments and public bodies to coordinate a national response to disinformation and misinformation; and if no formal coordination mechanisms are currently in place, when they will be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37850/25]
View answer493. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport how his Department is supporting national media literacy initiatives and promoting public trust in reliable information sources in line with the National Counter Disinformation Strategy; and if no new initiatives or funding have been introduced in 2025, whether and when they are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37851/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 491 to 493, inclusive, together.
The National Counter Disinformation Strategy was published on 15 April 2025. It is built around five principles, one of which is countering disinformation through increased cooperation, collaboration and cooperation. The Strategy was developed by an independently chaired multi-stakeholder working group which included a range of Government Departments.
In terms of oversight of implementation, my Department leads a steering committee to be supported by a broader coordination group. The steering committee is comprised of this Department, the Department of An Taoiseach, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Education, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) Ireland, Media Literacy Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman.
The steering committee met for the first time on 20 June. Draft terms of reference and a draft implementation plan are being considered and will be finalised and published in due course.
There are commitments and actions in the Strategy relevant to media literacy. For example, Commitment 4 includes an action to hold bi-annual disinformation summits and on 23 June, I attended a media literacy disinformation forum in Limerick, organised by Media Literacy Ireland and EDMO Ireland.
There are already funding schemes in place to support media literacy. For example, the most recent funding round (Round 56) of the Sound and Vision 4 Scheme opened in April of this year and will make funding available for media literacy projects on TV and radio. Funding awards in respect of Round 56 will be announced in August 2025.
The Programme for Government commits to funding the implementation of the Strategy and the Department is developing proposals for this, including for media literacy, as part of the Estimates process, subject to the availability of resources.
494. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he is aware of proposals to use lands, previously identified for a centre of excellence for soccer, as a multi-purpose athletics facility in Glanmire, County Cork; if he will support such a proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37922/25]
View answerMy Department is not aware of proposals regarding alternative use for lands referred to by the Deputy and such proposals to repurpose the site is ultimately a matter for Cork County Council as the landowner.
In relation to the Football Association of Ireland's (FAI) previously proposed Munster Centre of Excellence in Glanmire, €2,025,699 was provisionally allocated in grant funding under the LSSIF. However, the FAI wrote to the Department on 10 May 2023 to advise that it no longer intended to proceed with the LSSIF-funded Centre of Excellence in Glanmire.
The FAI further advised the Department in February 2025 that it is looking at an alternative site to deliver a Centre of Excellence for soccer in Cork. Any proposed reallocation of the grant will require an assessment by my Department to ensure the new proposed project meets the overall objectives of the scheme and is in accordance with the established LSSIF guidelines.
495. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the implementation of the Dublin city task force recommendations will oversee regeneration of flat complexes in the south inner city; the actions that are envisaged; the funding allocated; and how these actions will be implemented. [36761/25]
View answerAs part of the Dublin City Taskforce Report, published in October 2024, section ‘Big Move 2’ outlined recommendations to prioritise the regeneration of housing complexes within the inner city.
On 24 June, Government agreed the approach to implementing the Taskforce for Dublin City set out in the Interdepartmental Group’s Report and Roadmap for Delivery. As set out in the report, given the Roadmap’s 10-year timeline for delivery and the overlap with existing Government commitments and decisions, it would not be realistic at this stage to provide an accurate full costing of the broad range of infrastructural or revenue costs associated with the 10 Big Moves and project scope in its entirety.
In light of these recommendations, and as articulated in the Programme for Government, this government will continue to support Dublin City Council to accelerate social housing regeneration schemes in Dublin.
Project plans for the regeneration of estates and flat complexes in Dublin City are a matter for Dublin City Council however my Department is making a number of funding channels available to Local Authorities (LA) and Approved Housing Bodies (AHB) in order to support LAs in progressing such regeneration plans. These include:
• Social Housing Investment Programme (SHIP).
• Affordable Housing Fund (AHF).
• Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF).
• Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL).
• Regeneration (for remedial works).
Funding allocations are made based on costed project submissions.
496. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the new agency established to implement the recommendations of the Dublin city task force will cover the entire Dublin City Council area; and how funding is being allocated. [36762/25]
View answerOn 24 June, Government agreed the approach to implementing the Taskforce for Dublin City set out in the Interdepartmental Group’s Report and Roadmap for Delivery.
Through the Roadmap a number of measures will be put in place to drive delivery of key projects and initiatives including a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) which will be established by and operate under the auspices of Dublin City Council.
The Roadmap for Delivery includes a map delineating a defined geographic area, comprising a “core area” within Dublin City, centred on O’Connell Street and adjoining streets, where a strong focus will be on investment in public realm and the built environment, and a wider area with a view to enhancing connectivity with other key assets and strengths of the city and with other key groups working in the area.
Given the Roadmap’s 10-year timeline for delivery and the overlap with existing Government commitments and decisions, it would not be realistic at this stage to provide an accurate full costing of the broad range of infrastructural or revenue costs associated with the 10 Big Moves and project scope in its entirety. Funding will be from multiple sources including Local Property Tax.
On 1 July 2025 Government agreed to change the Local Property Tax (LPT) allocation model to allow those authorities with an LPT income above their funding baselines to retain a greater portion of the surplus for their own use; increasing from 22.5% to 31% of the overall yield. Government also noted that any local authority who benefits from the move to 31% retention will be expected to use this additional funding towards urban regeneration programmes in their areas, and in particular, that Dublin City Council use additional funding towards the recommendations as set out in the Report of the Interdepartmental Group and Roadmap for Delivery on Dublin City Centre Taskforce Report as noted by Government on 24 June last. Government also agreed that each authority’s baseline will be increased in line with the increased yield expected from the LPT revaluation later this year. Both changes together will lead to an increase in own use LPT funding for Dublin City Council of €19m (before any local variation decision).
497. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his Department’s expenditure on hairstyling, make-up, personal grooming and general cosmetic expenses, in each of the years 2015 to 2025, in tabular form. [36998/25]
View answer498. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his Department’s expenditure on beauticians, make-up artists or hairdressing professionals, stylists or personal shoppers, specifying if such expenditure was on a contract or retainer fee basis, in each of the years 2015 to 2025, in tabular form. [37017/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 497 and 498 together.
My Department has not incurred any expenditure on beauticians, make-up artists, hair dressing professionals, stylists, personal shoppers, hairstyling, make-up, personal grooming and general cosmetics expenses in each of the years 2015 to 2025.
