Written Answers Nos. 511-547
514. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department is aware of capacity issues in terms of primary school places in Kildare town; the steps she will take to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64017/25]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that the provision of school places to meet the needs of children and young people at primary and post primary level, including children and young people with special educational needs is an absolute priority of mine.
Since 2020, my department has invested over €382 million in school infrastructure across County Kildare. The department is continually planning for and investing in existing and new schools to ensure that every child in the State has access to a school place.
As the Deputy may be aware, in order to plan for school provision and analyse the relevant demographic data, my department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and uses a geographical information system, using data from a range of sources, including CSO census data, child benefit and school enrolment data, to identify where the pressure for school places across the country will arise and where additional school accommodation is needed at primary and post-primary level.
The annual enrolment process for new Junior Infants at primary and new First Years at post-primary is a very large-scale operation that is transacted at close to 4,000 schools across the country, involving some 140,000 pupils. While my department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note that enrolment pressures can be driven by duplications of applications, applications from outside an area, and school of choice factors. Notwithstanding the above, in some areas, demographic pressures and other factors are driving a requirement for additional school places.
Primary school enrolments at national level have been in decline for a number of years and this downward demographic trend is also now apparent at first year post primary level. There are, however continued pressures in some areas where there is high demand with continued population growth and housing development driving the need for additional school places.
My department’s main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998.
Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available, a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
I want to assure the Deputy that my department will keep the school place requirements in Kildare school planning area under review.
515. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth if she intends to publish an implementation plan for the opportunities for youth strategy; when the plan will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64018/25]
View answerOpportunities for Youth: National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services is the strategic framework for the youth work sector, published in September 2024. The strategy aims to build awareness of youth services, strengthen youth services, and ensure that youth services remain accessible and of value to young people across Ireland.
The implementation of the strategy will be reported on via the Young Ireland governance structures. Both implementation, and the cooperation of all relevant actors, will be supported through a new National Youth Sector Reference Group as well as a group comprising representatives from departments and agencies that provide funding to or interact with the youth sector. Action 50 in the Education Plan for 2025 aims to establish these structures by the end of 2025.
My officials are drafting an operational action plan to support implementation of the strategy, and engagement with stakeholders involved in the delivery of these actions will take place in early course.
516. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Education and Youth the amount of the youth affairs 2025 budget that is allocated for capital projects; the channels that exist for communities to access that funding to secure a youth space; if specific funds are reserved for repurposing old buildings as youth spaces; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64019/25]
View answerArising from Budget 2025, €84.9m has been allocated for current and capital expenditure for the benefit of young people, an increase in funding of €7 million, or almost 9%, on the 2024 budget. Over the period from 2021 to 2025, the level of current Exchequer funding for youth services and programmes will have increased by over 34%.?
In 2025, a total of €500,000 in capital funding was allocated to the Youth Affairs Unit to strengthen youth service infrastructure. This funding was primarily directed towards supporting newly established UBU Your Place Your Space services and assisting national youth organisations in purchasing essential equipment. Of this amount, €150,000 was specifically ring-fenced to cover set-up costs for the new UBU services, ensuring they have the necessary resources to commence operations effectively, as outlined in the table below.
|
New UBU Services - ETB Capital Allocations 2025 |
Amount |
|
Cavan and Monaghan ETB |
€15,000 |
|
Donegal ETB |
€15,000 |
|
Kerry ETB |
€15,000 |
|
Kildare and Wicklow ETB |
€15,000 |
|
Kilkenny and Carlow ETB |
€15,000 |
|
Laois and Offaly ETB |
€15,000 |
|
Longford and Westmeath ETB |
€15,000 |
|
Louth and Meath ETB |
€15,000 |
|
Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB |
€15,000 |
|
Tipperary ETB |
€15,000 |
|
Total |
€150,000 |
In addition, a separate capital provision of €350,000 was made under the Youth Services Grant Scheme. This funding is intended for small-scale works and ICT improvements within existing youth services, helping to upgrade facilities and enhance digital capacity. Together, these investments reflect a dual approach: enabling the establishment of new youth services while also improving infrastructure and technology for existing national organisations.
I am also pleased to announce that, arising from Budget 2026, an additional €8 million in current and capital funding has been allocated to support the sustainability and development of youth services. This investment strengthens the foundation for inclusive, high-quality provision - ensuring continuity, expanding reach, and enabling services to respond to the evolving needs of Ireland’s diverse youth population.
The increased funding will support both operational delivery and infrastructure improvements across the youth sector. It will enable services to maintain and expand tailored supports for young people, while also facilitating essential upgrades to facilities, equipment, and digital infrastructure where appropriate.
The strategic direction for youth services will be guided by the Opportunities for Youth framework, with a particular focus on Strategic Objective 2 and Actions 9, 10, and 13:
• Objective 2: Young people are able to meaningfully shape the content of youth work services, schemes and policy.
• Action 9: Map the availability and distribution of youth work and wider youth services and facilities throughout Ireland, charted against key demographic data.
• Action 10: Develop and implement a policy for youth spaces and facilities at a local level.
• Action 13: Ensure provision for suitable indoor and outdoor spaces for young people and provide support for such spaces through relevant infrastructure and community development schemes.
The overarching vision is to ensure that all young people have access to safe, inclusive, fit-for-purpose spaces that support meaningful engagement, development, and participation. This additional investment represents a significant step toward achieving that vision and reflects the department’s ongoing commitment to creating environments where young people can thrive.
The Budget documentation published sets out funding for key measures and actions agreed for the coming year. As the Deputy may be aware, in line with standard practice, the final allocation of funding for the department for 2026 will be set out in the 2026 Revised Estimates Volume (REV), which is due to be published in the coming weeks. Further details on the 2026 allocations for the department will be available after the 2026 REV process is complete.
517. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the measures in place to sports clubs in transitioning to using renewable sources of energy. [62850/25]
View answerMy Department is committed to climate action and reducing emissions in line with national targets to reduce emissions by 51% by 2030 as part of the path to net zero emissions by 2050. Sports clubs have a vital role to play in the transition to a low-carbon society and my Department is expanding supports to facilitate this transition.
The Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) has funded a range of sustainability measures including modifications to sports facilities to reduce energy consumption by, for instance, restricting funding for floodlighting to lower energy use LED floodlights. Under the 2023 CSFF round, applicants were encouraged to demonstrate their commitment to climate adaptation through their:
• reduction in energy usage.
• adoption of renewable energy technology.
• development of electric vehicle charging facilities.
• use of sustainable building materials.
• biodiversity protection and restoration.
• reduction in resource usage i.e. sustainable waste and water management.
• development of sustainability strategies/climate action plans.
• promotion of positive behavioural changes amongst members/users.
• active travel facilities.
In addition, as part of the 2023 CSFF application process, a guidance note was designed by my department to assist clubs in improving their energy use, biodiversity promotion, resource use and transport in and around their facilities. Applicants were also made aware of a range of funding available from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) which may also be applied for when carrying out capital works.
518. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the position regarding recommendation 7 of the Budgetary Oversight Committee in its report on the 481 tax credit from 2023 (details supplied); the actions he will take to ensure that this recommendation is implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62856/25]
View answerMatters relating to intellectual property rights in general, fall under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. Standard contracts between producers and creative rights holders vary widely with different approaches throughout Europe. In this context, creatives currently operate under a range of different work-related agreements. Section 481 does not obligate one set of terms over another.
As in other sectors in Ireland, the specific terms and conditions of employment of performers are a matter for consideration by the members of SIPTU/Equity and other trade unions, in negotiation with the organisations and companies that engage them under the terms laid down by legislation under the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
Where individuals believe they are being deprived of employment rights, they may make a formal complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) where the matter will be dealt with by way of mediation or adjudication leading to a decision that may be enforceable through the District Court.
The application process for a Section 481 Certificate requires the producer company and qualifying company, as defined by the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 to sign an undertaking in respect of quality employment and must provide details of any Workplace Relations Commission decisions applying to the qualifying company, the producer company or other companies in the group. Where those decisions include a nding against such a company, conrmation is necessary that the nding has been implemented or a satisfactory explanation provided.
Along with the additional training requirements, the Producer Company and Qualifying Company are required to give undertakings, not only to be in compliance with all obligations in the field of environmental, social and employment law, but crucially to have in place written policies and procedures in relation to Grievances, Discipline and Dignity at work (including harassment, bullying and equal opportunity).
A producer who does not comply with the employment and skills development requirements may not be eligible for the tax credit. The monitoring of compliance with employment rights legislation is the responsibility of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and the Labour Court - the mechanisms of the State for regulating employment law.
519. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he would consider expanding access to the basic income for the arts scheme to include luthiers and instrument makers in recognition of their vital role in the arts sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62935/25]
View answerI was delighted to have secured an allocation for a successor scheme to the Basic Income for the Arts pilot as part of Budget 2026. While the detail of the future scheme will need to be agreed by Government, this is a major milestone for the arts in Ireland and I am particularly pleased that the research my Department conducted provided Government with a clear evidence base upon which to make that decision.
Eligibility criteria and parameters for a successor scheme have not been finalised. The cost of the Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) pilot scheme was €35m for a full calendar year for 2,000 artists to participate, with each recipient receiving €325 a week. There were over 8,200 eligible applicants to the pilot scheme in 2022. To have funded all those eligible would have cost approximately €139m per year.
With an allocation of €18.27m in my Department’s 2026 Estimate, I look forward to the design and delivery of the successor scheme next year.
I can confirm that the BIA pilot scheme will end in February 2026, which is when the final pilot payment will be made to the current cohort of recipients. While eligibility is not yet finalised, a new cohort of recipients will be selected based on eligible applications for the successor scheme, so therefore it will not be the same 2,000 recipients.
The research has consistently demonstrated both the positive impact the BIA has had for those in receipt of it and how difficult it is to work as an artist in Ireland given the income precarity prevalent in the sector. The BIA successor scheme will help to sustain the careers of those artists who will receive it and retain their talent in the arts sector.
Stakeholder consultation and engagement with other relevant Government Departments on the design of the new scheme will continue to determine details such as the duration, eligibility and selection method, the details of which have not yet been decided. Once the parameters of the scheme have been agreed by Cabinet I intend to publish them.
520. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the number of vacancies which arose at principal officer level for the years 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025 in his Department and agencies under the aegis of his Department; the number of these vacancies filled between internal and external methods; the number of vacancies each year at principal officer level filled by mobility; the number of internal competitions for principal officer grade run by his Department since 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63020/25]
View answerThe Department of Culture, Communications and Sport was established in its current configuration on 01 June 2025.
The number of vacancies at Principal Officer level since 1 June 2025 is six.
Of these, two were new posts to assist with the Department’s preparations for the Presidency of the EU, in Dublin and Brussels. Both posts were filled internally by competition in the Principal Officer grade.
Additionally, an internal competition is currently underway for Acting Up to Principal Officer to fill one vacancy.
Two further vacancies were advertised via Civil Service Mobility with one position filled to date.
The recruitment method for the one remaining vacancy is currently under consideration.
The details of vacancies, recruitment method to fill the vacancies and status are set out in tabular form as follows:
|
Vacancies at Principal Officer Grade |
Recruitment Method |
Current Position |
|
Corporate Division EU Presidency Role Brussels (New Post) |
Internal Competition |
Position Filled |
|
Corporate Division EU Presidency Role Dublin (New Post) |
Internal Competition |
Position Filled |
|
Communications Division (Lateral Transfer) |
Internal Competition |
Process Underway |
|
Sports Division (Retirement) |
Civil Service Mobility |
Position Filled |
|
Communications Division (Vacant on transfer of functions) |
Civil Service Mobility |
Process Underway |
|
Culture Division (Lateral Transfer) |
To be confirmed |
Vacant |
With regard to staffing in bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information sought by the Deputy is an operational matter for those bodies and not something for which I have direct day-to-day responsibility.
521. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the funding his Department has given to MMA Sports in the past five years; if his department plans to increase this funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63254/25]
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.
Under the 2020 and 2023 rounds of the CSFF allocations were made to a number of organisations in respect of martial arts. Of these, one applicant specifically referenced MMA sports and received a provisional allocation of €264,096.
In line with previous rounds of the Fund, a review of the current funding round is being undertaken. I have asked my Department to prepare for a further round of the CSFF in 2026.
522. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the concerns of an organisation (details supplied) in relation to the condition of their temporary headquarters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63294/25]
View answerI have met, in April this year, with the organisation in question and its National Governing Body and I am fully aware of the collective efforts to improve the main headquarter facilities for the sport.
While I am supportive of efforts to upgrade the organisation's current headquarters, I wish to note that the two streams under my remit that are available to sports organisations to apply for capital funding support are the Community Sport Facility Fund (CSFF) and the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). It is intended to open a new CSFF round in the first half of 2026.
523. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the position regarding the development of new Headquarters for an organisation (details supplied) to be based in Dún Laoghaire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63295/25]
View answer524. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will agree to meet with the officer board of an organisation (details supplied) to discuss the construction of a new, permanent facility for their headquarters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63296/25]
View answer525. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his views on the need to develop a new, high-performance headquarters for an organisation (details supplied); his views on weather this will be of benefit for sailors of all ages and abilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63297/25]
View answer526. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will engage with Sport Ireland in relation to the development of a new headquarters for an organisation (details supplied) to be based in Dún Laoghaire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63298/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 523, 524, 525 and 526 together.
I met with the organisation referred to by the deputy in April 2025 and my officials met again with the organisation in June.
My Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). Given the likely cost of the project referred to by the deputy, LSSIF would seem to be the most relevant funding programme. The organisation referred to by the Deputy did not apply for funding under the most recent 2024 round of LSSIF.
My current focus is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF (2018 and 2024) and this process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round. No decisions have yet been made regarding the next round of LSSIF.
Sports Ireland is funded by my Department and 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. However, Sport Ireland has no specific role in the development of headquarters for National Governing Bodies of Sport outside of the Sport Ireland Campus. Nonetheless, I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to this matter. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
527. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the details of the capital funding programmes and grants from his Department, and any other body for which he has responsibility for, which sporting organisations in County Laois are eligible to apply; the details of funding programmes and/or grants currently open or the date when a subsequent funding programme and/or grant is scheduled to be opened for which a sporting organisation is eligible to apply, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63436/25]
View answerMy Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). Sporting organisations can apply directly for CSFF funding when the fund is open to applications. Applications to the LSSIF must be made through either a National Governing Body of Sport or a Local Authority.
Over a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities in 2024 from the 2023 round of the CSFF, representing the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland. €6,825,214 million was allocated to 72 sporting projects in County Laois under the 2023 round. In line with previous rounds of the Fund, a review of the current funding round is being undertaken. I have asked my Department to prepare for a further round of the CSFF in 2026.
The LSSIF was established under the National Sports Policy, published in 2018, to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects, typically those requiring investments greater than the maximum available under the CSFF. To date, €297.5 million in funding has been awarded under LSSIF 2018 and LSSIF 2024. In the 2018 round, Laois County Council received an allocation of €462,952 to renovate facilities at Portarlington Leisure Centre Swimming Pool. The project is expected to commence drawdown in 2026.
My current focus is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF and this process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to any capital funding programmes and grants for which sporting organisations in County Laois could be eligible to apply to Sport Ireland. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
528. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the percentage of Exchequer funding which was provided to each State agency under the remit of his Department in 2024/2025, for its capital and current funding, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63437/25]
View answerDetails of Departmental allocations for 2024 and 2025, including the breakdown of current and capital funding to State agencies, are provided in the Revised Estimates Volumes, available online at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/collections/the-revised-estimates-volumes-for-the-public-service/.
529. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the specific steps his Department is taking to reform and modernise the public-service broadcasting funding model, in view of the recent decline in licence-fee revenue and related controversies surrounding RTÉ; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63438/25]
View answerAs part of the decision in July last year on the funding of RTÉ and public service media and content, the Government decided that the TV licence system would be retained, while being underpinned by measures designed to improve collection and compliance in order to maximise revenue generation.
To this end, Government reconvened the interdepartmental Technical Working Group (TWG) on the Reform and Enhancement of the Television Licence to examine potential measures. The Group is due to report to me by the end of November, at which point I will consider their findings and decide the next steps in conjunction with my Government colleagues.
In terms of the wider legislative framework, the General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill published in April this year aims to reform the assessment of the funding needs and the performance of our public service media providers and to enhance the legislative underpinning of their corporate governance. It provides Coimisiún na Meán with greater authority to identify targets, assess performance, and hold RTÉ and TG4 to account for their performance and to recommend funding levels for both providers to Government.
The revised General Scheme was submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport for pre-legislative scrutiny. The Committee published their report on 17 September 2025 and my officials are currently examining the 84 recommendations. Following my consideration of the matter and finalisation of the Bill, I will bring it to Government for approval and subsequent publication.
530. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an updated timeframe for the full implementation of the Coimisiún na Meán’s regulatory regime for online media and broadcast content; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63439/25]
View answerCoimisiún na Meán was formally established on commencement of the Online Safety and Media Regulation (OSMR) Act on 15 March 2023, and under section 10 of the Broadcasting Act, 2009, as amended by the OSMR Act, Coimisiún na Meán is independent in the exercise of its functions.
In February 2024, An Coimisiún was formally designated as Digital Services Coordinator for Ireland under the Digital Services Act. In September 2024, Coimisiún na Meán was formally designated as a competent authority under the EU Terrorist Content Online Regulation. In October 2024, An Coimisiún adopted Ireland’s first online safety code. In October 2025, An Coimisiún was formally designated as a competent authority under the EU Transparency and Targeting of Political Advertising Regulation.
Having regard to broadcasters and providers of audiovisual on-demand media services, under the Broadcasting and other Media Regulation Acts 2009 – 2022, Coimisiún na Meán has responsibility for the development and application of a range of media service codes and rules that govern the standards and practices of these services. These include the Code of Fairness, Impartiality and Objectivity in News and Current Affairs for radio and television broadcasters,Media Service Code and Media Service Rules for Audiovisual On-demand Media Service Providers and the Code of Programme Standards.
Coimisiún na Meán continues to develop and implement its compliance framework on an iterative basis in accordance with the evolving regulatory regime for online and broadcast media at national and European Union level, and is independent in the discharge of its functions. Further details of Coimisiún na Meán's compliance framework can be found at: www.cnam.ie/industry-and-professionals/codes-legislation/codes-and-rules/.
531. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the measures his Department is putting in place to ensure that grant schemes for the arts and culture sector, including performance, visual arts, and international promotion, remain sufficient and accessible in the face of rising operational costs and inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63440/25]
View answerMy Department has overseen a very significant growth in funding for arts and culture in recent years. Budget 2026 will maintain and increase funding across a wide range of key initiatives. On 7 October I announced the details of €1,514,678,000 in funding allocated to my Department which will see increases across all areas, with a total 9.5% rise across the Department.
The Department’s Arts and Culture programme aims to support and develop engagement with, and in arts, culture and creativity by individuals and communities thereby enriching lives through cultural and creative activity; to promote Ireland's arts, culture and creativity globally; and to drive a more vibrant and diverse Night-Time Economy.
In Budget 2026, I confirmed that I will bring a successor scheme to the Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme to Government later in 2026 with the intention of embedding a permanent basic income in the Arts and Culture sector. I also announced an increase of 10% in Culture Ireland's 2026 allocation bringing their total allocation to a record level of €8.8m. Screen Ireland 2026 allocation increased by €2.1 million to support the development of new strategies to grow the gaming and special effects sectors in Ireland and to increase support to the indigenous and incoming screen industry. Other initiatives include an additional allocation of €600,000 to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann who celebrate their 75th Anniversary and €1 million in funding, double the 2025 allocation, for the 2026 round of the Grassroots Music Venue Support scheme to support independent music venues and artists across the country. Support also continues for Creative Ireland and the National Cultural Institutions.
In regard to the Arts Council, I have maintained record funding of over €140 million for the agency in 2026. The final allocation will be set out in the 2026 Revised Estimates Volume. The Arts Council invests in artists, organisations and arts infrastructure through competitive funding schemes and their funding supports artists and organisations.
532. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the way in which his Department will ensure that capital investment, including funding through the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund, is distributed equitably across rural and urban counties; the timeframe for the next tranche of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63441/25]
View answerMy Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
Over a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities in 2024 from the 2023 round of the CSFF, representing the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland.
In line with previous rounds of the programme, a review of the current funding round is being undertaken. I have asked my Department to prepare for a further round of the CSFF in 2026.
In 2024, the second round of LSSIF received an unprecedented demand for funding. On 4 November 2024, grants totalling €173 million were awarded to 35 projects. As a result of the significant demand, a range of valid applications did not receive an LSSIF allocation at the initial allocation stage.
All valid applications were assessed in accordance with the scoring matrix, which was published online when the scheme was launched and remains available online for viewing on the gov.ie website. Following the initial scoring process, consideration was also given to the various sporting types receiving funding and the regional spread of such funding over the two rounds of LSSIF as well as alignment with policies such as the National Sports Policy 2018-2027, the National Development Plan 2021-2023 and the Climate Action Plan 2024.
My current focus is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF and this process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round. No decisions have yet been made regarding the next round of LSSIF.
533. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide an update on the Government’s consideration of either EU or national policy measures to introduce stricter age-verification requirements for access to digital platforms. [63453/25]
View answerIn the first instance, it is worthwhile reiterating the significant progress made on this issue in Ireland. Since July of this year, under Coimisiún na Meán’s Online Safety Code, designated video-sharing platforms established in Ireland, including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X, are obliged to implement effective age assurance measures to ensure that, for example, adult-only video content cannot normally be seen by children. Also, since July, guidance on implementing Article 28 of the Digital Services Act, which deals with protecting minors, has been in place, setting out how platforms should address the risk of children and young people being exposed to illegal online content including by means of age verification or age assurance. Failure to adequately fulfil these obligations can lead to significant financial sanctions and continued non-compliance can lead to criminal sanctions for senior management in relevant digital platforms under the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act.
Notwithstanding this progress, I believe that more needs to be done to ensure robust age verification, given its importance to keeping children safe online. It is a vital part of the picture in terms of providing real assurance that children are the age they claim to be and to ensure they are not exposed to harmful or illegal content. I am working across Government and with all stakeholders to ensure children and young people can be safe from harmful or illegal content online, in particular, through a new Government measure to support age verification. I am seeking the inclusion of a commitment to this effect in the Government’s updated National Digital Strategy which will be published later this year.
In addressing age verification, we must seek to ensure that there are trustworthy systems in place that are interoperable and respect users’ rights, including data protection rights. To that end, my officials are continuing to work with the Government’s Chief Information Officer and his Office to look at practical technical solutions to age verification as part of the Government's Digital Wallet being developed using MyGovID.
In addition, right across Europe, member States are examining the question of prohibiting access by children and young people to social media platforms – the so-called “digital age of majority”. Ireland is also considering its position on this matter but I believe that any decision would be better taken by the EU and EU Member States together. However, it must be acknowledged that there are differing views on various aspects, for example, as to whether there should be an age of digital majority at all, if there is one, what age it should be, or whether it should be an outright ban or a ban subject to parental consent.
I will continue to work with all stakeholders, nationally and internationally, to ensure robust safety measures, including robust age verification, are in place to protect children and young people from inappropriate, harmful and illegal online content.
534. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if National Broadband Ireland is ahead of the roll out schedule in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63578/25]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.
The Programme for Government – Securing Ireland’s Future published in January 2025 sets a number of targets which include the completion of the installation of high-speed fibre broadband to 1.1 million people, including homes, farms, and businesses nationwide, by 2026.
The Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the broadband map, which is available on www.gov.ie/en/publication/5634d-national-broadband-plan-map/. The AMBER area is to be served by the network deployed under the NBP State led intervention.
National Broadband Ireland (NBI) have advised that the premises in question is included in the Glencar Deployment Area which is at the Network Build Stage with an anticipated connection timeframe of July 2026 - December 2026.
I have also been advised by NBI that over 22,830 premises are now passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and 23,850 premises are available to order/pre-order in the deputy’s own county of Kerry, with circa 6,395 premises now connected.
A further circa 4,600 premises in County Kerry will be passed by NBI’s high speed fibre broadband by the end of network deployment.
The latest information on when high-speed broadband will become available to the AMBER area can be found on National Broadband Ireland’s (NBI) website at nbi.ie/map/. This website is regularly updated providing the expected timeline for delivery and status of any works that are initiated at any point in time. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
535. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the total legal costs in defending judicial reviews of planning decisions involving his Department and/or agencies within the aegis of his Department for each of the years 2020 to 2024 and to date in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63616/25]
View answerMy Department was re-configured as the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport at the beginning of June 2025.
I am advised that there were no judicial reviews of planning decisions involving the current functions under the remit of my Department in the period since the establishment of the former Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in September 2020 to date in 2025.
In relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department, the details of legal costs incurred defending judicial reviews is an operational matter for the bodies themselves.
536. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to outline the planned cultural programme for Ireland's holding of the EU Council presidency in 2026. [63733/25]
View answerAs the Minister for Culture, I believe that Ireland’s Presidency of the EU in the second half of 2026 offers a unique opportunity to highlight and champion the best of Irish arts and culture, both traditional and contemporary. A strong culture programme will enhance Ireland’s reputation at European and international level and provide key showcasing opportunities for Irish culture and artists and highlight the strong state commitment to the provision of arts and culture in recent years.
My Department is co-ordinating the EU Presidency Cultural Programme and are working closely with the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to ensure that the offering is quality, memorable and in line with our overall Presidency approach and themes.
The programme, which is still in development, will entail both national and international activity including include events in Brussels, Paris, Berlin and Dublin as well as across the EU26 and selected other locations. My Department, through Culture Ireland, will lead out on the international cultural programme, including in Brussels, as well as overseeing the domestic programme which will include events with the National Cultural Institutions, Irish festivals and cultural organisations. Funding will also be made available to local authorities to ensure events take place in every county.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will lead on cultural relations programming across the Mission/Embassy network in the EU26, candidate countries and selected third countries.
While the programme is still under development an Interagency Presidency Cultural Programme Committee has been established to work collaboratively on all elements of the emerging programme.
The Strategic objectives of the programme include the following:
• Present the best of Irish Culture to audiences across Europe and beyond, leading to a deeper mutual understanding between Irish and other cultures and communities.
• Establish a legacy of creative, inclusive, and reflective programming that enriches Irish European ties.
• Developing audiences for Irish arts by presenting a vibrant, contemporary, diverse, and high-quality work, in line with Culture Ireland’s Strategy.
• Deepen cultural and academic collaboration between Irish and European institutions.
• Strengthening our global cultural presence and impact, in line with the Government’s upcoming Global Ireland 2040 Strategy.
Once details of the programme have been firmed up I intend to publish them on a dedicated website.
537. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide details of his plans and timeframe to bring RTE under the remit of the Comptroller and Auditor General; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63784/25]
View answerOn 7 May 2024, the Government accepted in principle the 116 recommendations of the Expert Advisory Committees appointed to carry out reviews of RTÉ in relation to Governance and Culture and Contractor Fees, HR and Other Matters. The re-assignment of the Comptroller and Auditor General as auditor of RTÉ was a key recommendation of the Expert Advisory Committee on Governance and Culture.
The General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill provides that the Comptroller and Auditor General will undertake the following activities in relation to RTÉ:
• carry out an audit of the RTÉ's annual accounts under section 5 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993;
• carry out, where the Comptroller and Auditor General considers it appropriate, a value-for-money examination under section 9 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993;
• submit, under section 11 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993;
• on foot of its annual audit, an audit report; and,
• on foot of an annual audit or any value-for-money examination, a special report.
The revised General Scheme was submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport for pre-legislative scrutiny and the Committee published their report on 17 September 2025. Following consideration of the recommendations, the next step will be Government approval and publication of the Bill.
538. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide the current allocation for housing-linked infrastructure in Cork City and Cork County for 2026, including roads, drainage, water and schools, and to state whether these allocations meet the projected population growth in the region. [63984/25]
View answer611. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has identified any infrastructure gaps in Blarney, Glanmire, Ballyvolane or Blackpool that may delay local delivery under the new housing plan; and if so, to list them. [63859/25]
View answer619. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the current water, wastewater, road, and public-transport infrastructure in Cork city and Cork county is sufficient to support the housing targets set for the region under Delivering Homes, Building Communities. [63879/25]
View answer629. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the Infrastructure First projects approved for Cork city and Cork county in 2023, 2024, and 2025; the funding allocated; and the expected impact on unlocking housing delivery in each location. [63895/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 538, 611, 619 and 629 together.
I have established a Housing Activation Office in my Department to coordinate and accelerate the delivery of infrastructure projects needed to enable housing development. The Office is actively engaged in identifying barriers to housing delivery and is coordinating with local authorities and infrastructure agencies to address these barriers.
In the coming months I will be bringing forward a €1 billion Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund to support direct investment in housing infrastructure. This new fund will operate alongside existing investment programmes such as the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund and the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund.
Cork City and Cork County Councils, under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) have been awarded €45.7m in Government funding to support housing enabling infrastructure projects. These projects will support the delivery of over 3,350 homes in Cork.
Cork has also received substantial support under the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF). Cork Docklands is the single largest URDF- supported project in the country, with over €350 m allocated. The funding will help to unlock the Docklands’ potential as a vibrant new urban neighbourhood. Further URDF support has been provided under Call 3, with allocations of €6m for Cork City and €8m for Cork County to address vacancy and dereliction.
The Revised National Planning Framework, sets out updated national and regional housing targets to 2040. These targets provide the basis for the local authority Housing Growth Requirements I issued to local authorities in July 2025. These updated growth requirements will be incorporated into local authority development plans to ensure a balanced approach to housing growth across all regions.
While I cannot comment on individual sites in advance of the opening of the Housing Infrastructure Investment fund, the HAO has been working closely with Cork City and Cork County Council, to identify the infrastructure projects needed to unlock key housing sites.
539. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the audit and reporting obligations that will apply to all delivery bodies under Delivering Homes, Building Communities; the schedule for publishing expenditure reports; and whether regional-level cost data will be included in these reports. [64410/25]
View answer540. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average cost per unit for social housing, affordable purchase, and cost-rental homes delivered in 2023 and 2024; the projected average unit cost under Delivering Homes, Building Communities for each year to 2030; and the measures in place to control unit-level cost inflation. [64401/25]
View answer541. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which the additional €6 billion referenced in Delivering Homes, Building Communities will be allocated across construction, land acquisition, infrastructure, subsidies, and administrative costs; and the timeframe for expenditure in each category. [64402/25]
View answer542. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the controls in place to ensure value for money in approved housing bodies-delivered housing projects funded under Delivering Homes, Building Communities; the audit mechanisms applied; and the criteria used to approve per-unit funding for approved housing bodies schemes. [64403/25]
View answer543. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the expected impact of construction cost inflation on the delivery targets set out in Delivering Homes, Building Communities; the inflation assumptions used in the plan; and the contingency measures in place to prevent cost overruns. [64404/25]
View answer544. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average acquisition cost of land used for housing delivery in the past two years; the expected land costs for new sites under Delivering Homes, Building Communities; and the steps being taken to reduce land acquisition pressures, including land-value capture and State-owned site activation. [64405/25]
View answer545. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a formal value-for-money review has been completed for the Housing for All programme; if so, the findings of the review; and the way in which these findings informed the design of Delivering Homes, Building Communities. [64406/25]
View answer546. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total projected expenditure on developer subsidies for affordable homes and cost-rental units under Delivering Homes, Building Communities; the expected per-unit subsidy in each scheme; and the evidence used to justify these subsidy levels. [64409/25]
View answer610. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected annual housing delivery for Cork city and Cork county under the new national plan Delivering Homes, Building Communities; and the expected output for each year to 2030. [63857/25]
View answer614. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the expected annual and cumulative delivery for each region, including Cork city and Cork county, under the new strategy Delivering Homes, Building Communities; the number of homes allocated to social housing, affordable purchase, and private market supply in each area; and the basis on which these allocations were determined. [63874/25]
View answer615. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of social homes to be delivered in Cork city, Blarney, Mallow, Glanmire and surrounding areas in each year to 2030 under Delivering Homes, Building Communities; and the supporting data used to assess local need in these areas. [63875/25]
View answer616. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of the 90,000 starter homes referenced in Delivering Homes, Building Communities that will be delivered in Cork city and Cork county; the expected annual output for each year to 2030; and the criteria used to decide regional distribution. [63876/25]
View answer617. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of homes delivered in each year from 2021 to 2024 under Housing for All; the gap between those results and the original annual targets; and how this delivery record informed the new 2030 targets in Delivering Homes, Building Communities. [63877/25]
View answer621. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected cost per unit across social, affordable, and market delivery streams under Delivering Homes, Building Communities; the measures in place to ensure value-for-money; and the steps being taken to prevent cost inflation seen in previous programmes. [63881/25]
View answer622. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether Cork City Council and Cork County Council have the staff, procurement capacity, and capital resources required to meet their delivery targets under Delivering Homes, Building Communities; and whether additional support will be provided. [63882/25]
View answer628. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether local authorities have sufficient planning, engineering, and procurement staff to meet the delivery targets under Delivering Homes, Building Communities; and whether additional staff or resources will be provided to Cork City Council and Cork County Council. [63894/25]
View answer630. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the affordability assumptions used in Delivering Homes, Building Communities for first-time buyers and cost-rental tenants; the income levels these assumptions are based on; and the measures planned to ensure affordability targets are met in each region. [63896/25]
View answer632. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the expected price range for the 90,000 starter homes referenced in Delivering Homes, Building Communities; whether regional price caps will apply; and the income bands targeted for these homes. [63898/25]
View answer633. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the projected homelessness figures for each year to 2030; the measures planned to stabilise and reduce homelessness; and how these projections informed the design of Delivering Homes, Building Communities. [63899/25]
View answer634. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the expected impact of Delivering Homes, Building Communities on rental supply and average rents; the number of cost-rental units planned annually; and the regional breakdown for Cork city and Cork county. [63900/25]
View answer636. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of young adults aged 18 to 34 still living in their family home; the increase in this figure since 2020; and how Delivering Homes, Building Communities aims to reduce this number, particularly in urban centres such as Cork. [63902/25]
View answer638. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the method used to calculate cost-rental rents under Delivering Homes, Building Communities; the projected rent levels for Cork city and Cork county; and whether cost-rental rents will remain below market levels throughout the tenancy. [63904/25]
View answer639. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the impact of Delivering Homes, Building Communities on middle-income households who do not qualify for social housing and who cannot afford current market prices; and the specific supports planned for this cohort. [63905/25]
View answer649. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the impact labour shortages are having on the cost of delivering social, affordable, and cost-rental housing; the cost assumptions used in Delivering Homes, Building Communities; and the measures planned to stabilise costs. [63922/25]
View answer653. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the labour cost inflation assumptions used in Delivering Homes, Building Communities; the expected annual labour cost increases to 2030; and how these assumptions affect projected housing costs. [63927/25]
View answer655. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total projected cost of delivering the 303,000 homes targeted in Delivering Homes, Building Communities; the projected annual expenditure to 2030; and the sources of Exchequer and non-Exchequer funding that will be used. [63930/25]
View answer657. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the loan-to-cost ratios applied in affordable purchase schemes; the financial criteria participating households must meet; and whether these criteria will change under Delivering Homes, Building Communities. [63933/25]
View answer659. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the financing structure for cost-rental homes under Delivering Homes, Building Communities; the average subsidy per unit; and how these subsidies ensure rent levels remain below market rates. [63935/25]
View answer660. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the assessment undertaken on the financial viability of private-sector delivery under Delivering Homes, Building Communities; the risk of reduced private output due to construction inflation or interest rates; and the contingency measures in place. [63936/25]
View answer664. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of wheelchair accessible and fully adapted social housing units delivered in 2023 and 2024; the annual targets to 2030 under Delivering Homes, Building Communities; and the regional distribution of these units. [63941/25]
View answer666. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of households assessed as high medical priority for housing; the number accommodated in 2023 and 2024; and the targets for addressing this group under Delivering Homes, Building Communities. [63943/25]
View answer672. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the BER standard required for all new homes delivered under Delivering Homes, Building Communities; the number of A-rated homes delivered in 2023 and 2024; and the expected annual share of A-rated completions to 2030. [63950/25]
View answer673. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the additional construction cost per unit arising from current climate and energy-efficiency standards; the cost assumptions used in Delivering Homes, Building Communities; and whether these costs pose delivery risks for social and affordable housing. [63951/25]
View answer676. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether embodied carbon calculations are required for housing projects funded by the State; the method used; and how embodied carbon considerations informed the design of Delivering Homes, Building Communities. [63954/25]
View answer684. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether the housing delivery targets in Delivering Homes, Building Communities align with the capacity set out in each local authority Development Plan; and where discrepancies exist, the changes that are required. [63962/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 539, 540, 541, 542, 543, 544, 545, 546, 610, 614, 615, 616, 617, 621, 622, 628, 630, 632, 633, 634, 636, 638, 639, 649, 653, 655, 657, 659, 660, 664, 666, 672, 673, 676 and 684 together.
More than 137,000 new homes have been delivered since the beginning of 2021, with 92,300 of these delivered between 2022 and 2024, exceeding the combined target for that period by 5,300. While supply has increased significantly in recent years, the pace of housing delivery must accelerate even further in the coming years. To help drive this supply, record levels of investment are being provided for the delivery of Housing in 2026, with overall capital funding of over €9 billion announced in Budget 2026.
Delivering Homes, Building Communities, published on 13 November 2025, is Ireland’s new national housing plan. It is a wide-ranging action plan focused on housing supply and targeting homelessness and places Government focus on measures to activate supply alongside actions to support people who are homeless or experiencing housing challenges.
Crucially, the new plan seeks to significantly accelerate delivery by focusing on activating land and creating the optimal environment to encourage housing activity, including regulatory reform, tax incentives and the largest ever capital investment in the history of the State, with €275 billion invested in infrastructure over ten years through the National Development Plan.
Delivering Homes, Building Communities encompasses two pillars: activating supply and supporting people.
Pillar 1 focuses on activating the supply of 300,000 homes. This will be achieved through activating more land, providing more housing-related infrastructure, securing more development finance for home building, addressing viability challenges, particularly in apartment delivery, increasing the adoption of Modern Methods of Construction, improving labour skills in the residential construction sector, and working towards ending dereliction and vacancy.
Pillar 2 details how Government will support people. It sets out a series of key actions that work towards ending homelessness, supporting affordability and addressing the housing needs of people as they progress through life. In partnership with local authorities, the Land Development Agency (LDA) and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Plan will address the needs of the most vulnerable in our communities, make buying and renting homes more affordable, and support the development of villages, towns and cities across the country.
By addressing these priorities we will ensure the sustained increase in the supply of social, affordable and private homes that we need, while providing targeted supports for those who are most affected by the current housing challenges.
Reaching our housing 300,000 target will only be achieved through the individual and collective effort of the key delivery partners. Local authorities, together with AHBs, the LDA and the construction sector, will be critical to delivering and enabling the delivery of the quantum of homes needed over the lifetime of the plan. Central government will provide the policy, regulatory and funding frameworks to support housing delivery.
Each priority set down in the Plan contains a suite of actions. The implementation of each action will be led by a named Government department, State Agency or other body. Progress on the implementation of these actions will be regularly monitored and reviewed by the Cabinet Committee on Housing, ensuring effective oversight, accountability, and the timely delivery of all actions.
Targets
Delivering Homes, Building Communities aims to deliver 300,000 new homes in the period to 2030, including 72,000 social homes and 90,000 starter home supports.
Official housing completion data, published on a quarterly basis by the CSO and broken down by dwelling type and local authority can be found here: data.cso.ie/table/NDQ06.
Overall social and affordable housing provision statistics, updated quarterly, including details on social and affordable housing provision by each local authority are available here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/collections/overall-social-and-affordable-housing-provision/.
Delivering Homes, Building Communities and each local authority Development Plan are aligned with the First Revision to the National Planning Framework (NPF), published in April 2025, and the updated Economic and Social Research (ESRI) Institute research that projects the population of Ireland will reach approximately 5.74 million by 2031, increasing to 6.1m by 2040.
To ensure that local authority Development Plans reflect the requirements of the Revised NPF, I issued the NPF Implementation: Housing Growth Requirements Guidelines under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 in July 2025. These Guidelines set out the housing demand scenario to 2040 for each local authority, by translating the NPF housing requirements into average annual figures, and set out the requirement for planning authorities to commence the process of varying their development plan to meet the new housing growth requirements, aligning with the revised housing plan.
All local authorities prepare their own Housing Delivery Action Plan setting out their planned approach to meeting identified social and affordable housing needs. Cork City Council and Cork County Councils’ published plans are available on their official websites.
Providing More Social Homes
The Government plans to significantly increase the number of new social homes built each year from around 8,000 homes per year now to 12,000 homes per year in the coming years. To reach this goal, local authorities, AHBs and the LDA will need to work together and increase their building efforts.
Further information is available here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/providing-more-social-homes/.
Increasing Affordable Homeownership, Protecting Renters
15,000 Starter Home supports will be provided every year until 2030, while working on long-term solutions to make starter homes more affordable and sustainable.
Further information is available here:
- Starter Homes Programme: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/starter-homes-programme/.
- Starter Homes for Purchasers: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/starter-homes-for-purchasers/.
- Starter Homes for Renters: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/starter-homes-for-renters/.
- Additional Affordability and Activation Supports: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/additional-affordability-and-activation-supports/.
Supporting Specific Housing Needs
The Government helps people who may need extra support with housing especially older people, people with disabilities and Travellers. These groups can face unique challenges, so tailored housing and support services are provided to help them live independently and feel included in their communities. This approach promotes equality, choice, and a better quality of life for everyone.
Further information is available at the links below:
- Delivering Housing for Older People: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/delivering-housing-for-older-people/.
- Supporting Disabled People: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/supporting-disabled-people/.
- Meeting Traveller Accommodation Needs: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/meeting-traveller-accommodation-needs/.
Addressing Homelessness
There is a strong focus in the Plan on ending homelessness and providing the housing supports needed for older people, disabled people and Travellers to achieve long-term secure housing that meets their needs.
Further information is available here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/addressing-homelessness/.
Increasing Skills, Adopting Modern Methods of Construction
To deliver over 300,000 homes, Ireland’s construction sector must double its output. A key part of achieving this is increasing skills and adopting Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). MMC will speed up building, improve quality and make projects more sustainable and cost-effective. This requires a coordinated approach across Government, industry and professional bodies.
Further Information is available here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/increasing-skills-adopting-modern-methods-of-construction/.
Energy Performance
As a result of the Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) performance requirement for new buildings, all new dwellings completed since 30 December 2020 are typically A-rated. Fossil fuel heating systems have been phased out of new dwellings and renewable energy heat pumps are installed in almost all new dwellings.
The CSO Domestic Building Energy Ratings Quarter 2 2025 shows that 99% of BERs for new dwellings from 2020 to 2025 were A-Rated. It is expected that all new dwellings will be A-rated by 2030.
Facilitating Investment, Addressing Viability
To deliver 300,000 new homes, Ireland needs major investment of around €20 billion per annum in development finance. This will be met by Exchequer funding, investment by the LDA, lending by the Housing Finance Agency and through the many sources of finance available to the private sector.
The Government is focused on reducing construction costs, especially for apartments and higher-density housing, and making building more viable through measures like the Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme.
A range of measures have been put in place to reduce the cost of construction for social housing, including promoting the use of Modern Methods of Construction; the review of the Planning Design Standards for Apartments Guidelines for Planning Authorities; the development of standardised designs for social housing; new procurement approaches; streamlined approval processes; and measures to promote careers in construction.
Further to this, a dedicated work programme will be established to systematically review all available information on development costs on an ongoing basis. In line with a specific action in Delivering Homes, Building Communities, my Department will be examining all information on development costs on an ongoing basis to assess the impact of these measures and inform any future action to be taken to reduce costs and improve viability.
Further Information is available here: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/facilitating-investment-addressing-viability/.
547. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider an exemption from the registration and planning requirements under the Short-Term Letting and Tourism Bill 2025 for agritourism operators and owners of protected structures such as thatched cottages, in recognition of their role in rural economic development and heritage preservation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62725/25]
View answer548. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the way in which the proposed national register of short-term lets, to be implemented by Fáilte Ireland, will accommodate the unique circumstances of agritourism providers and heritage property owners in rural Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62727/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 547 and 548 together.
On 15 April, Government approved the General Scheme for the Short Term Letting and Tourism (STLT) Bill. This Bill, when enacted, will provide the statutory basis for the introduction of regulatory controls including a register for Short Term Lettings (STL) in Ireland, to be implemented and managed by Fáilte Ireland from 20 May 2026, ensuring compliance with the new EU Short Term Rental Regulation, which was adopted on 11 April 2024.
The decision to introduce a register for Short term letting has been broadly welcomed by the tourism sector.
From 20 May 2026, all STL hosts offering accommodation for periods up to and including 21 nights will be obliged to register with Fáilte Ireland via a digital system and confirm their compliance with planning requirements. The registration process will take just 5 minutes to complete and will result in a unique registration number being issued for each STL unit registered. This number must be displayed when listing the STL unit on any online platforms.
Fáilte Ireland has estimated that, based on data for September 2025 which has been screen scraped from publicly available STL listings across four major booking platforms, there are c.34,680 STL properties in the State currently being advertised online and up to 65% of these properties are advertised as “entire” houses and apartments. The research points to a 25% increase from an estimated 27,720 units listed in September 2022. It is important, in such a fast-growing area, that we have oversight and data on where this growth is happening.
The Planning and Development Act 2024 (Act of 2024) was enacted in October 2024 and is in the process of being commenced. In the meantime, the provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended (Act of 2000), and associated Planning and Development Regulations 2001 (Regulations of 2001) remain in force until the relevant sections of the Act of 2024 are commenced and the corresponding sections of the Act of 2000 are repealed. Unless specifically exempted, all development requires planning permission.
Under the Act of 2000, all development, unless specifically exempted under the Act or associated Regulations, requires planning permission. Articles 6, 7, 8 and 10 and Schedule 2 of the Regulations of 2001, as amended (the Regulations), set out various exemptions from the requirement to obtain planning permission. A review of the current Exempted Development Regulations is ongoing and a four-week public consultation period on the matter concluded on 26 August 2025. The consultation on exempted development regulations generated a significant response from the public and other stakeholders, with over 900 submissions received via the online consultation portal.
The value of short-term letting is acknowledged as part of a mix of tourism accommodation. The economic benefit of agri-tourism is also recognised as an important part of diversification of income for farming families, with tourism accommodation playing a role in the retention, refurbishment and repurposing of agricultural and other heritage buildings. The aim of the Government Policy, announced earlier this year is to ensure that accommodation in urban areas can be brought back into long term letting, while ensuring that the benefits, which appropriate levels of short term tourism letting can have for rural communities, can continue. My Department is currently drafting a National Planning Statement to provide greater certainty for existing and future operators of short term letting accommodation.
Following the approval received from Government on the 15 April to generally preclude new planning permissions for Short-Term Lets in large towns and cities, my Department is working to give effect to this decision. This involves a review of the current Planning Acts with a view to remove references to Rent Pressure Zones in respect of short-term lets. My Department is also currently developing a National Planning Statement (NPS) for the Short-Term Letting sector to supplement and support the introduction of the STLT Bill. It will consider a variety of factors, such as existing planning legislation, the long term housing need in the local authority area, the location of the proposed short term let and balancing housing need with the potential impact on tourism and economic development.
