Pádraig Rice
Question:464. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Education and Youth to respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66219/25]
View answerDepartmental Correspondence
Questions (464)
Written answers
My department provides a payroll service to over 3,700 schools and the Payroll Division relies on schools to submit information in a timely manner. In this situation, there was incomplete information submitted by the school to support the application for payment. A member of my staff contacted the school on Friday 21 November and requested the necessary information. The information has been received and the teacher will receive payment including arrears on Thursday 4th December.
School Staff
Questions (465)
Darren O'Rourke
Question:465. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Education and Youth the breakdown of the results of exceptional reviews and SNA SENO reviews, in primary and post-primary and special schools, in the past year; the number and percentage of these reviews that led to an increase in SNA allocations; the number of additional SNAs employed as a result; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66224/25]
View answerWritten answers
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is, in the first instance, the primary body responsible for the matter the Deputy has raised. I will arrange for your query to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
Deputies are also welcome to raise such queries with the NCSE directly through their dedicated Oireachtas query line at oireachtasqueries@ncse.ie.
School Funding
Questions (466)
Liam Quaide
Question:466. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Education and Youth the date the next tranche of projects to receive funding under the annual climate action summer works scheme 2026 will be announced. [66289/25]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, in November 2025 the Minister announced the first tranche of approvals under the new Climate Action Summer Works Scheme. 297 projects were approved to proceed and involve primary, post primary and special schools, along with projects in all counties and across all categories of works. The investment in the first tranche of applications is in the region of €90m.
Under this scheme, approved applications from schools that were not reached for funding or market prioritisation reasons in 2026 will qualify to be assessed for purposes of the funding available for climate action summer works in subsequent years.
It is anticipated that the next tranche of approvals will be announce in the latter half of 2026.
School Funding
Questions (467)
Liam Quaide
Question:467. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Education and Youth if her Department will reconsider a school’s (details supplied) application under the annual climate action summer works scheme 2026, given the urgent nature of the works and the critical road safety concerns that exist if the works are not carried out promptly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66290/25]
View answerWritten answers
The purpose of the Climate Action Summer Works Scheme (CASWS) is to enable individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works on a devolved basis that, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. The CASWS operates on a multi-annual basis across a number of categories of works.
It is envisaged that approvals in any given year will involve a spread of categories rather than the traditional single category at a time. This is aimed at managing market capacity and maximising value for money opportunities for school authorities.
The CASWS will operate on a multi-annual basis. In November 2025 the Minister announced the first tranche of approvals under the new Climate Action Summer Works Scheme. 297 projects were approved to proceed and involve primary, post primary and special schools, along with projects in all counties and across all categories of works. The investment in the first tranche of applications is in the region of €90m.
Given that funding is limited in any particular year it is necessary to prioritise applications. Under the new climate action summer works scheme which operates on a multi annual basis, like previous summer works schemes, applications from schools, including Ballygiblin National School, that are not reached for funding or market prioritisation reasons in 2026 will qualify to be assessed for purposes of the funding available for climate action summer works in subsequent years.
Full details of the of the announcement and the list of schools approved in the first tranche, the Circular (0029/2025) for the scheme and guidance documents for schools can be found at the below link;
www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/services/summer-works-scheme/
It remains open to a school to apply for funding under the Department's emergency works scheme. The purpose of the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) is to provide funding specifically for unforeseen emergencies, or to provide funding to facilitate inclusion and access for pupils with special needs. It does so by ensuring the availability of funding for urgent works to those schools that are in need of resources as a result of an emergency situation.
An emergency is deemed to be a situation which poses an immediate risk to health, life, property or the environment, which is sudden, unforeseen and requires immediate action, and in the case of a school, if not corrected would prevent the school or part thereof from opening.
The EWS operates on the basis of a minimal scope works to address the emergency situation.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (468)
Albert Dolan
Question:468. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide the Department’s annual expenditure on State Claims Agency costs for the years 2020–2025. [66349/25]
View answerWritten answers
The State Claims Agency (SCA) is mandated by Government to act on behalf of the state in managing claims under the National Treasury Management (Amendment) Act 2000 which allows for the delegation to, and the conferral on, of functions in relation to the management of certain claims against the state.
As requested, the annual costs paid to the SCA by my Department are as follows:
|
Year |
Total Amount Paid (€) |
|
2025 (to date) |
1,221,875.79 |
|
2024 |
1,432,429.37 |
|
2023 |
2,885,914.83 |
|
2022 |
1,665,900.73 |
|
2021 |
1,619,270.17 |
|
2020 |
1,770,420.54
|
Film Industry
Questions (469)
Paula Butterly
Question:469. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Culture; Communications and Sport his assessment of the current distribution of film-industry infrastructure and funding across the State; if he will consider targeted supports or new initiatives to promote film-industry growth and infrastructure at regional level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65209/25]
View answerWritten answers
A range of supports are provided for screen productions in Ireland, including regional productions. These are kept under review on an ongoing basis to ensure that we remain an attractive location for inward investment and continue to develop our domestic industry. In 2024, Screen Ireland invested over €6.5 million in productions, festivals, initiatives and activities that contributed to the nationwide development of the screen sector. This included €4 million awarded through the agency’s Nationwide Additional Production Fund. Screen Ireland also provided funding supports for talent and skills development initiatives across the country, such as the agency’s National Talent Academy Network, with key bases in Limerick and Galway.
In 2025, Screen Ireland ring-fenced funding of €5.5 million for nationwide development and Irish language storytelling. Over 50% of the live action feature film and TV drama in Screen Ireland’s 2025 slate of productions is expected to be produced or filmed on location in regions outside of the traditional filmmaking hubs of Dublin and Wicklow – including counties Donegal, Limerick, Galway, Monaghan and Sligo.
Ireland is home to several world-class film studios, boasting state-of-the-art production and post-production facilities and various support infrastructures which have helped to attract incoming productions from studios and content streaming companies, including unscripted productions.
Screen Ireland’s National Talent Academy network includes the National Talent Academy for Film and Television led by Ardán in Galway, the National Talent Academy for Animation led by Animation Ireland, the National Talent Academy for VFX led by Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet and three regional Crew Academies currently managed by the Atlantic Academy in Galway, Film in Limerick in Limerick and Clermont Enterprise Hub in Wicklow. The network has been established to develop a highly skilled, diverse talent and crew base throughout the country, offering a wide range of activities for the Irish screen industry, including courses, programmes and career opportunities.
Addressing innovation, skills development and sectoral growth, the National Talent Academies are the result of additional stimulus investment provided by my Department and form part of a wider strategy to support skills development across all regions of Ireland. They also seek to address educational skills gaps in the screen sector, and drive more Irish talent from all backgrounds and disciplines into the sector and develop greater awareness of it as a career path.
Sports Funding
Questions (470)
Robert Troy
Question:470. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the eligibility of schools to apply for the upcoming sports capital scheme, in collaboration with a local sports club; and the details of the criteria involved. [65212/25]
View answerWritten answers
Funding for sports facilities in schools is primarily a matter for the Department of Education and Youth.
However, third level colleges, Education and Training Boards and schools are eligible to apply for CSFF funding but can only do so jointly with sports clubs. Such applications must provide evidence of facility-sharing arrangements that will allow sports clubs to use the proposed facilities throughout the year when not in use by the school.
Broadband Infrastructure
Questions (471)
Danny Healy-Rae
Question:471. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the reason for the delay with broadband installation to a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65251/25]
View answerWritten answers
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the Government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.
The premises in question was originally located in the BLUE area on the broadband map, which can be accessed on the Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/5634d-national-broadband-plan-map/. The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high-speed broadband services. The Department defines high-speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload.
Following a query from your constituent, the Department reviewed the case and reclassified this address and nearby premises to the Intervention Area (AMBER) in Q2 2025; they will be served by the State-led NBP rollout. National Broadband Ireland (NBI) advises that connecting these reclassified premises requires additional network capacity and associated build works. NBI further advise that they are currently unable to provide a specific anticipated connection timeframe and request that your constituent registers for updates specific to their Eircode via https://nbi.ie/eoi/.
NBI will publish confirmation of timeframes to their website as they become available on the NBI website at https://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.
Sports Facilities
Questions (472)
John McGuinness
Question:472. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if formal approval has been given for the purchase of maintenance equipment (details supplied). [65254/25]
View answerWritten answers
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 Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) representing the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland.
The club referred to by the Deputy was allocated €80,044 in the 2020 round and €186,869 in the 2023 round of the CSFF. The club has not sought formal approval for either of these grants. The Department will process any request for formal approval when the required information has been uploaded to the Online Sports Capital Register on www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie.
Sport and Recreational Development
Questions (473)
Sorca Clarke
Question:473. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department has assessed the prevalence of sexual harassment, bullying and verbal abuse experienced by girls in community sports settings; the safeguarding measures in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65294/25]
View answerWritten answers
There is simply no place for abuse of any kind in sport and there should be zero tolerance for any actions that endanger welfare, whether for players, coaches or those who work for and support sports across the country. It is vital then when concerns and complaints are raised they are taken seriously and dealt with in an appropriate and sensitive manner.
Sport Ireland works with National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) to ensure that appropriate policies are put in place to take a proactive approach to safeguarding by identifying and mitigating risks to player welfare. It also works with NGBs to ensure mechanisms are in place to appropriately react to and handle complaints or issues when they arise.
In this regard, Sport Ireland has an extensive suite of Guidelines and Codes of Practice for the protection of children in sport, consistent with child protection guidance and legislation.
In August 2023, a new national Code of Conduct template for sporting organisations was launched by Sport Ireland. The Code sets out a set of guidelines and principles that promotes the behaviour and conduct expected from our athletes, coaches, parents/guardians, supporters, referees/officials, and club members. All NGBs were asked to use the Code as an opportunity to review their existing policies and procedures for handling code breaches to ensure that we have a safe and respectful environment for all involved in Irish sport.
Ultimately, NGBs are independent autonomous organisations responsible for their own governance including safeguarding procedures and disciplinary and complaints processes. I would urge anyone who experienced harm or abuse in sports or who wishes to report issues related to abuse or inappropriate or unlawful behaviours, to contact the relevant safeguarding officer or the Gardaí.
Considerable efforts are being made with regard to addressing barriers to participation experienced by teenage girls. Sport Ireland launched the 'Her Moves' campaign in 2023 in response to the Girls Get Active Research Report which highlighted barriers teenage girls face when participating in sport and physical activity. The campaign encompasses a number of initiatives, including the delivery of workshops on coaching teenage girls that are designed to equip coaches to break down barriers to participation for girls and create spaces where they feel supported. Over 1,000 coaches across Ireland have participated to date in this.
Sports Funding
Questions (474)
Malcolm Byrne
Question:474. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide an update on the planned football academies for which funding was announced in Budget 2026. [65346/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Programme for Government commits to considering, with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), mechanisms to support the creation of football academies.
This follows on from the provision, by my Department, of an additional funding grant of €1 million to the FAI in 2024. This funding has enabled the FAI to appoint an Academies Administrator to support the development of new academy programmes and to track their impact. The grant has also enabled the FAI to produce its League of Ireland Global Findings Report on developing football academies in Ireland, including an audit of existing academy structures and needs.
The report outlines 50 recommendations which, if implemented in the coming years, should create a strong Academy system that would underpin a sustainable domestic football league and, ultimately, strengthen the quality of players coming through to the national teams.
As part of Budget 2026, I was pleased to announce a €3 million multi-annual allocation to support the development of a modern and professional academy system that will provide the structures and pathways required to support future generations of Irish players, male and female, and maximise the potential of Irish football.
Specific details regarding how this investment will be channelled will be set out in due course following engagement between the FAI and Sport Ireland, the development agency for Irish sport. I have met with Sport Ireland and the FAI on this matter and I have asked my officials to track progress in this regard.
The Government is committed to supporting the development of Ireland’s sporting ecosystem and the support that continues to be provided for football is a key example of that commitment in action.
Artists' Remuneration
Questions (475)
John McGuinness
Question:475. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his plans to make the basic income for the arts (BIA) pilot scheme permanent (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65384/25]
View answerWritten answers
I 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.
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 is ongoing 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.
Sport and Recreational Development
Questions (476)
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn
Question:476. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if full funding will be provided to complete a project (details supplied) which was applied for in 2024; when the project will move to tender stage; and the timeline for construction and completion. [65679/25]
View answerWritten answers
Capital support for new swimming pools, and the refurbishment of existing pools, is provided by my Department through the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) which to date has allocated €28.9 million to 9 swimming pool projects.
In 2024, the LSSIF received an unprecedented demand for funding, amounting to €665 million from 96 applications. In parallel, funding towards design costs was allocated to the leisure centre project in Buncrana. This was done given the strategic importance of developing swimming pool infrastructure, in line with the National Swimming Strategy. The design team has been appointed and is currently working on the design element of the project, and the specific issues raised in the question will be considered once that work is complete. My officials remain in regular contact with the local authority which has responsibility for the further development of the project.
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.
Arts Funding
Questions (477, 478, 479)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:477. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if a stream of funding is available that the nearly 120 musical societies in Ireland can apply for to ensure that their community-based arts offering can continue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65691/25]
View answerAengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:478. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if funding is available which an association (details supplied) or its member organisations can apply for to continue to run its all-Ireland adjudication scheme for musical societies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65692/25]
View answerAengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:479. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if funding is available which an association (details supplied) or its member organisations can apply for to continue its mentoring scheme for secondary schools to encourage emerging young talent and to putt on annual school musicals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65694/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 477, 478 and 479 together.
This Government places great value on culture and the arts sector. As outlined in the Programme for Government, we recognise that they are essential to a well-rounded society, providing opportunities for education, expression and community engagement.
Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council has primary responsibility for the development of the arts in Ireland and Budget 2026 provided record funding of €140 million for the Arts Council. In regard to existing supports available from the Arts Council, I have asked the Council to reply directly to the Deputy.
Notwithstanding those existing supports, the Deputy will be well aware of my intention to widen the range of art forms and organisations supported by the Arts Council, in particular community and other groups. As the Deputy will also be aware, I want to take a comprehensive approach to the reform of the Arts Council and I intend to await the outcome of the work of the Expert Review Group before I consider my next steps.
In regard to capital supports for amateur arts, in Budget 2026, my Department was allocated €6m for a new programme of capital funding for arts and culture organisations across the country, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government. This will see much needed capital supports for communities, including funding essential equipment for organisations such as amateur drama groups and musical societies. My Department is in the process of designing the specifications of the scheme, including the setting of eligibility criteria. This will need the approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation before it is formally launched.
Question No. 478 answered with Question No. 477.
Question No. 479 answered with Question No. 477.
Craoltóirí Seirbhíse Poiblí
Questions (480)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:480. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Cultúir, Cumarsáide agus Spóirt an fios dó cén céatadán agus cén méid de chiste na stáisiún craolacháin poiblí náisiúnta a tháinig ó dhuaischomórtais a bhí ceangailte le cláracha raidió agus teilifíse chuile bhliain idir 2014 agus 2024; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [65705/25]
View answerWritten answers
Fórálann Alt 98 den Acht Craolacháin 2009 go bhfuil RTÉ agus TG4 neamhspleách de bhun a cuspóirí reachtúla, lena n-áirítear a gcuid oibríochtaí laethúla agus gníomhaíochtaí tráchtála. Mar go mbaineann an cheist seo le gníomhaíochtaí oibríochta agus tráchtála Chraoltóirí Seirbhís Phoiblí, níl aon fhreagracht ormsa mar Aire ina leith.
Na Meáin Chumarsáide
Questions (481)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:481. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Cultúir, Cumarsáide agus Spóirt an bhfuil ról ar bith aige faoin Acht um Rialáil Cearrbhachais, 2024 maidir le cinneadh a dhéanamh nó aird Údarás Rialála Cearrbhachais na hÉireann a tharraingt ar chrannchuir sheachtainiúla a bhfuil duaischistí a bhfuil níos mó ná €200,000 iontu atá á reáchtáil ag grúpa stáisiún raidió tráchtála; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [65706/25]
View answerWritten answers
Is féidir liom a rá leis an Teachta nach bhfuil ról dá leithéid agam faoin Acht atá luaite sa cheist.
Sports Funding
Questions (482)
Eoghan Kenny
Question:482. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the amount of funding allocated to the sport of association football (soccer) through capital or equipment grants from all Department funding streams for each of the years 2020 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65739/25]
View answerWritten answers
My Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
The most recent two rounds of the CSFF were in 2020 and 2023. 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 the 2023 CSFF round, €50,513,475 was allocated to 536 soccer projects. Under the 2020 CSFF round €166,653,673 was allocated to 2,878 projects, €25,140,589 of which was allocated to 469 soccer projects. In addition,€77,924,273 was allocated to 849 multisport projects under both rounds many of which will benefit soccer.
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.
There have been two rounds of the LSSIF in 2018 and 2024. Of the total €297 million allocated under the LSSIF to date, €58,529,774 was awarded to soccer projects that are either directly sponsored by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) or projects that incorporate soccer elements. 6 projects under the first round of the LSSIF were allocated €11,779,774 in funding which includes two FAI-backed projects, Finn Harps and the Munster Centre of Excellence in Glanmire. Under LSSIF 2024, €46,750,000 was awarded to a further 6 soccer projects, which includes Dalymount Park and Sligo Rovers Stadium.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to any grants it may have allocated to soccer through capital or equipment grants for each of the years 2020 to 2025. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Orders.
Digital Hubs
Questions (483)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:483. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the steps he will take in response to issues facing the Digital Hub Development Agency (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65741/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) is body established by legislation in 2003 and operates under the aegis of my Department. As a state body, meeting its running costs is a matter in the first instance for the agency. As its commercial income has been insufficient to meet all its running costs, my Department has, since its establishment advanced Exchequer funding in order that it may pay costs as they fall due for payment. This will continue to be the case.
The Government decided in 2021 that the DHDA is to be dissolved, and all its properties transferred to the Land Development Agency (LDA) to support the development of affordable housing. Last year the LDA indicated that it only required certain properties, including the DHDA’s derelict sites, for housing.
The transfer of these properties is being expedited.
Defibrillators Provision
Questions (484)
Robert O'Donoghue
Question:484. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the current and planned funding streams to ensure that all sports grounds, clubs, and gyms have access to automated external defibrillators (AEDs); and if he will consider establishing a dedicated national fund to support the purchase, maintenance, and replacement of AEDs in sports facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65982/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) is the primary means of providing Government funding to sport and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. The Fund aims to foster an integrated and planned approach to the development of sports and physical recreation facilities, and it also assists the purchase of non-personal sports equipment.
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 benefitting over forty sports, as well as multi-sport facilities, throughout the country. This represents the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland.
CSFF provides funding for non-personal sports equipment up to a value of €40,000 and this includes defibrillators. Equipment grants of over €70,000 are awarded in exceptional circumstances (such as to National Governing Bodies of Sport).
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. It is anticipated that the next CSFF round will particularly target areas and sports that have been under-invested in over the years.
Departmental Staff
Questions (485)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:485. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the number of former secretary general’s, retired civil servants, directors of service, retired city/county managers or those of a similar grade in his Department that have subsequently served on State boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66000/25]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised that my Department does not keep such records, which would be a matter for the public body concerned.
My Department receives information from publicjobs regarding the suitability of candidates who have been shortlisted for appointment to positions on boards of State bodies under the aegis of my Department. In accordance with GDPR requirements, however, my Department does not retain these records beyond a point which is necessary.
Information on current membership of State Boards under the aegis of my Department is available on the publicjobs website.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (486, 487)
Alan Kelly
Question:486. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the amount his Department and any body under his aegis have spent on the services of a company (details supplied), by year and organisation in the years 2020 to 1 November 2025, in tabular form. [66074/25]
View answerAlan Kelly
Question:487. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the amount his Department and any body under his aegis have spent on the services of a company (details supplied), by year and organisation in the years 2020 to 1 November 2025, in tabular form. [66092/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 486 and 487 together.
My 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 payments by my Department to the companies in question 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.
Regarding bodies and agencies under my Department’s remit, these are operational matters for the agencies themselves.