Written Answers Nos. 465-480
465. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will consider organising a commemoration to mark the 2026 150th anniversary of the Catalpa Six Rescue; if he has liaised with his Australian counterparts on this historic event; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69936/25]
View answerThe commemorations framework was established to ensure that key events are identified and remembered appropriately. The State’s approach to commemorations is based on collaboration and partnership and the delivery of meaning and appropriate commemorative programming primarily through our key stakeholders and project partners.
Earlier this year I formed the Commemorations Advisory Committee to provide independent advice and guidance to the State and key partners on commemorative matters. This can include identifying events that could be marked and the most appropriate ways to do so within the resources available.
Events, personalities and themes can be commemorated through our four key pillars of commemorations- community-led commemorations, historical exploration, artistic and creative expression and State-led Commemorations.
Considerable resources both financial and staffing are required for a national commemoration such as the recent Daniel O’Connell event and the annual National Famine Commemoration. The programme for State events will be created in consultation with the Commemorations Advisory Committee and has already been confirmed for next year.
My Department will contact relevant stakeholders to see how the 150th anniversary of the Catalpa Six Rescue could be marked with the time and resources available. This could include the National Museum of Ireland- which holds the Catalpa flag and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade who have an established network worldwide including Australia.
The other avenue that we can explore is our community-led commemorations. This empowers local communities to mark and remember significant events, personalities and themes with support from a local authority and the Department through the annual Local Authority Community Commemorations Grant.
This approach to commemorations has been particularly successful and has created many meaningful and engaging initiatives. I note that it was with support from this Department and identifying and engaging key stakeholders including the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, that we were able to assist Kildare County Council with the plans to return the John Devoy Chair from America to Kildare County Archives. This was part of a wider John Devoy 100 Programme, which took place in 2024 to mark the centenary of the visit of John Devoy, a key figure in the Catalpa Rescue, to his native County Kildare from his home in New York.
466. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will recognise the heritage value of draft net fishing, which dates back to licences granted in the 1800s in estuaries such as those in County Mayo. [69999/25]
View answerIn December 2015, Ireland ratified the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Ireland’s obligations under the Convention include the establishment of a National Inventory for Intangible Cultural Heritage to protect, promote and celebrate Irish living cultural heritage practices, customs, crafts and traditions. The National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage was launched in 2019 and now has 42 inscribed practices.
An Expert Advisory Committee (EAC) was established to guide the work on Ireland’s implementation of the Convention and to assess applications for inscription to the National Inventory. The EAC considers the following questions when assessing the applications:
• Is the nominated element an example of Intangible Cultural Heritage
• Is there adequate community support & engagement for the element
• Is the nominated element passed from generation to generation
The EAC provides recommendations to the Minister of Culture, Communications and Sport who makes the decision on inscriptions to the National Inventory. The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport accepts applications for inscription on an ongoing basis. Further details on the application process, and the National Inventory itself can be viewed at https://nationalinventoryich.ccs.gov.ie/.
467. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69049/25]
View answerUnder section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, the Minister for Culture, Communication and Sport with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, approves any superannuation schemes submitted by An Post. The operation of the schemes is a matter between the management of An Post, staff representatives and the trustees of the schemes.
In accordance with the Act and the relevant Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, An Post must seek Ministerial approval from both Ministers to increase pensions and deferred pensions for members of the An Post superannuation scheme. Section 2.13 of the Code of Practice for Governance of State Bodies Superannuation and Remuneration annex sets out that NewERA advice should be sought in respect of pension amendment proposals, as is appropriate in their role as commercial and financial advisors to the Ministers.
On 23 October 2025, An Post wrote to my Department requesting consent for an increase to pensions in payment and deferred pensions, arising from its agreements with employee representative groups. It is not possible, at this point, to set out the specific timeframe within which the decision-making process will be concluded by both shareholding Ministers in respect of increases submitted for consent. It should be recognised that the time taken for the pension approval process is necessary to ensure that robust governance procedures are in place.
468. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the promised pension increases for An Post pensioners of 6% increase with effect January 2025 and 1% increase with effect June 2025 will be paid to all those in receipt of an An Post pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69119/25]
View answerUnder section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, the Minister for Culture, Communication and Sport with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, approves any superannuation schemes submitted by An Post. The operation of the schemes is a matter between the management of An Post, staff representatives and the trustees of the schemes.
In accordance with the Act and the relevant Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, An Post must seek Ministerial approval from both Ministers to increase pensions and deferred pensions for members of the An Post superannuation scheme. Section 2.13 of the Code of Practice for Governance of State Bodies Superannuation and Remuneration annex sets out that NewERA advice should be sought in respect of pension amendment proposals, as is appropriate in their role as commercial and financial advisors to the Ministers.
On 23 October 2025, An Post wrote to my Department requesting consent for an increase to pensions in payment and deferred pensions, arising from its agreements with employee representative groups. It is not possible, at this point, to set out the specific timeframe within which the decision-making process will be concluded by both shareholding Ministers in respect of increases submitted for consent. It should be recognised that the time taken for the pension approval process is necessary to ensure that robust governance procedures are in place.
469. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when his Department will approve pension increases for An Post pensioners. [69127/25]
View answerUnder section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, the Minister for Culture, Communication and Sport with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, approves any superannuation schemes submitted by An Post. The operation of the schemes is a matter between the management of An Post, staff representatives and the trustees of the schemes.
In accordance with the Act and the relevant Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, An Post must seek Ministerial approval from both Ministers to increase pensions and deferred pensions for members of the An Post superannuation scheme. Section 2.13 of the Code of Practice for Governance of State Bodies Superannuation and Remuneration annex sets out that NewERA advice should be sought in respect of pension amendment proposals, as is appropriate in their role as commercial and financial advisors to the Ministers.
On 23 October 2025, An Post wrote to my Department requesting consent for an increase to pensions in payment and deferred pensions, arising from its agreements with employee representative groups. It is not possible, at this point, to set out the specific timeframe within which the decision-making process will be concluded by both shareholding Ministers in respect of increases submitted for consent. It should be recognised that the time taken for the pension approval process is necessary to ensure that robust governance procedures are in place.
470. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will investigate through National Broadband Ireland (NBI) the reason a series of properties (details supplied) were excluded from the NBI rollout scheme in a village. [69433/25]
View answerThe Government is committed to the rollout of highspeed broadband across the country, and the National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the Government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland where the commercial telecom operators' reach will not extend.
The government identified a need to deliver broadband services where commercial operators would not operate such as in parts of rural Ireland. As part of the NBP, the government appointed National Broadband Ireland (NBI) to deliver wholesale broadband services to those parts of the country not served by commercial operators.
Along with the NBP intervention contract with NBI, progress is also being made by commercial operators in expanding their next generation networks throughout the State and ensuring the targets set out in the Digital Connectivity 2022 strategy are achieved.
The premises in question are in the BLUE area on the broadband map which is available on 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.
The activities of commercial operators delivering high-speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and the Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.
If a person lives in the BLUE area and after contacting their Retail Service Provider are told they cannot get access to greater than 30Mbps, they should raise a query via the webform on secure.dccae.gov.ie/forms/NBP-Customer-Service.aspx and the department will escalate with the commercial operator to investigate this matter further.
Per information available at https://bbchecker.comreg.ie/ the village in question is currently capable of receiving High-Speed Broadband from open eir’s local High Speed Broadband cabinet
The five premises in the Deputy’s question are also included in open eir’s Full Fibre to the Home (FTTH) deployment programme per information available at www.openeir.ie/fibre/broadband-checker. The Department does not have sight of information that provides an estimated timeline of when open eir will provide a full fibre connection. However, open eir have communicated to the department that they will fibre enable these premises as part of their fibre upgrade plan.
471. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the status of the An Post pension increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69677/25]
View answerUnder section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, the Minister for Culture, Communication and Sport with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, approves any superannuation schemes submitted by An Post. The operation of the schemes is a matter between the management of An Post, staff representatives and the trustees of the schemes.
In accordance with the Act and the relevant Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, An Post must seek Ministerial approval from both Ministers to increase pensions and deferred pensions for members of the An Post superannuation scheme. Section 2.13 of the Code of Practice for Governance of State Bodies Superannuation and Remuneration annex sets out that NewERA advice should be sought in respect of pension amendment proposals, as is appropriate in their role as commercial and financial advisors to the Ministers.
On 23 October 2025, An Post wrote to my Department requesting consent for an increase to pensions in payment and deferred pensions, arising from its agreements with employee representative groups. It is not possible, at this point, to set out the specific timeframe within which the decision-making process will be concluded by both shareholding Ministers in respect of increases submitted for consent. It should be recognised that the time taken for the pension approval process is necessary to ensure that robust governance procedures are in place.
472. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if the in-depth analysis of swimming pool provision in Ireland being carried out under the National Swimming Strategy will assess gaps in individual towns over a certain population level, as well overall regional levels; the rationale for this approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69756/25]
View answerThe public consultation that informed the development of the 2024 National Swimming Strategy suggested that existing swimming pool stock is insufficient and, as a result, a key focus of the Strategy is on providing improved facilities.
There is a specific action in the strategy to complete an in-depth analysis of swimming pool provision within Ireland with particular reference to identifying gaps in provision.
Swim Ireland undertook an analysis of the type and nature of swimming pools in the country and is due to publish an executive report of its findings this week, with the full report scheduled to be published early in 2026. I look forward to reviewing the report, which will, I have no doubt, be central to the future development of swimming pool facilities, by enabling better decision-making with regard to targeting investment more effectively.
While the provision of public swimming pools is ultimately a matter for local authorities, my Department provides capital funding support through the Community Sports Facilities Fund and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund. I encourage prospective applicants to review the guidelines of both schemes, as part of their preparatory process for future rounds.
Given the challenges of increased demand and a growing population, I consider that there is real merit in the development of municipally-backed shared facilities and I encourage all stakeholders to collaborate in this regard.
473. Deputy Máire Devine asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the way in which his Department plans to support Dublin City Council’s passed motion to seek UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage designation for the culture of The Liberties, Dublin 8, to hold and protect the characteristics and memories of our city’s working-class traditions in addition to our industrial, historical and social heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69769/25]
View answerIn December 2015, Ireland ratified the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which aims to safeguard, appreciate and raise awareness of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) while also providing for international cooperation and assistance in this area.
As required under the Convention, Ireland maintains a National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which to-date includes over 40 inscribed ICH practices from communities around the country. The National Inventory aims to safeguard and raise awareness of Ireland’s intangible cultural heritage locally, nationally, and internationally.
I note Dublin City Council’s intention to seek Intangible Cultural Heritage designation for the culture of The Liberties, on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Culture of Humanity. There is a two-step process to applying for inscription on the UNESCO list. Under UNESCO criteria, a practice must be inscribed on Ireland's National Inventory before it can be put forward for UNESCO recognition.
My Department accepts applications for inscription to the National Inventory on an ongoing basis. Full information on Ireland’s National Inventory and how to apply for inscription can be found at: https://nationalinventoryich.ccs.gov.ie/national-inventory/.
Practices and living cultural heritage elements listed on Ireland’s National Inventory can seek nomination by the State for inscription on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, to which Ireland is entitled to make a maximum of one nomination per year.
Should a practice inscribed on Ireland’s National Inventory of ICH wish to be considered for nomination to the UNESCO Representative List, it would first need to be considered by Ireland’s Expert Advisory Committee on ICH, which then makes a recommendation to the Minister of Culture for decision.
To date, Ireland has also been successful in having five elements of our living heritage inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity: Uilleann Piping; Hurling , Irish Harping, Falconry, and Dry Stone Construction.
474. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 483 of 25 November 2025, his plans in relation to the future of core of the Dublin’s Digital Hub Development Agency (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69977/25]
View answerThe Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) is a statutory body operating under the aegis of my Department. Informed by the finding of a strategic review in 2020 that the DHDA is not required in order to sustain the continued growth and development of the Irish digital economy, 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 disposal of the properties is a matter in the first instance for the DHDA and the LDA and I expect that this will take place early next year.
Additionally, my officials are working with other Government Departments and public sector bodies to expedite the disposal of DHDA's remaining properties in a way that can maintain the legacy of the DHDA in the local area and enable the dissolution of the DHDA as a legal entity.
475. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport further to the recommendation included in the European Commission's 2025 Rule of Law Report for Ireland (details supplied), the steps taken to address this recommendation; the expected timeline for the completion of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69988/25]
View answerThe 2025 Rule of Law Report recognised the progress made towards reforming the framework in place to provide funding for public service media that is appropriate for the realisation of its public service remit while guaranteeing its independence and it recommended that these reforms are completed.
The primary instrument for reform is the revised General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill, approved by Government and subsequently published in April 2025. The General Scheme gives effect to recommendations of the Future of Media Commission, Expert Advisory Committee on Governance and Culture in RTÉ and Article 5 of the EU European Media Freedom Act. The General Scheme will:
• improve the legislative underpinning for the corporate governance of RTÉ and TG4, including by assigning the Comptroller and Auditor General as auditor of RTÉ;
• reform the system of assessing the performance of, and recommending funding for, RTÉ and TG4 by giving Coimisiún na Meán the authority to assess and identify performance commitments and make multi-annual funding recommendations to Government every 3 years and strengthening its role in assessing, on an annual basis, the degree to which public funding enabled the providers to fulfil their public service remit and safeguarded their editorial independence; and
• provide for the conversion of the existing Broadcasting Fund to a platform-neutral statutory Media Fund to be overseen by Coimisiún na Meán to provide funding for the production, archiving and distribution of public service content by the wider sector.
The 2025 Rule of Law Report noted that most stakeholders considered the General Scheme a positive development.
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 with 85 recommendations on 17 September 2025. The recommendations are currently being considered and the next step will be to finalise the drafting of legislation and bring the Bill to Government for approval and subsequent publication.
476. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether contributions from the State or from employers towards the My Future Fund pension scheme will be reckonable as income for the purposes of assessing the eligibility of an individual or household for any means-tested services or schemes operated by his Department. [70017/25]
View answerI am advised that services and schemes operated by my Department for individuals or households are not means-tested and therefore the Department does not assess reckonable income.
477. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if it is his official policy position that comedy should be recognised as an art form; if his response is binding on Culture Ireland as an entity within his Department; and whether his response to this question constitutes a written policy direction for the purposes of section 5(3) of the Arts Act 2003 and a binding request of the Arts Council under section 9(1)(e) of the same Act.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70177/25]
View answerAs I said at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Culture, Communications and Sport, and elsewhere, once the review of governance and culture in the Arts Council is concluded, it is my intention, as part of a broader reform, to examine how the activity of the Arts Council, and by extension Culture Ireland, can be widened to support more art forms, including making any appropriate changes to the Arts Act 2003.
To commence this process, I have asked officials to engage with the Arts Council to begin consideration as to how they will widen the range of artforms they support. In this context, I will also be examining funding eligibility through Culture Ireland to ensure a consistent approach.
478. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the average time over the past six years it has taken to produce a stamped final bill in his Department from the time when his Department has received government approval for the general scheme and the heads of a bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70268/25]
View answerMy Department does not record the information requested in the format sought in the question.
479. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will provide a schedule of all funding and grant aid provided by heading and subhead to Kildare, Wicklow and Meath local authorities in 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025; the amount returned and or not expended over the same period. [70304/25]
View answerIt should be noted that my Department was re-configured as the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport at the beginning of June 2025. The details sought by the Deputy in relation to all funding and grant aid provided to Kildare, Wicklow and Meath local authorities in the years in question for the current functions under the remit of my Department are set out in the table below.
With regard to sport funding specifically, details of capital and equipment funding can be found on my Departments website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/collections/sports-capital-programme-allocations/
|
Year |
Amount |
Details of Funding or Grant-Aid |
Local Authority |
Amount Retuned / Not Expended |
|
2022-2023 |
€250,000 • €114,030 paid in 2022 • €72,751 paid in 2023 |
Outdoor Public Space Scheme 2021
(Project consisted of a moveable cover over the public space outside Solstice Arts Centre in Navan including large pagodas, civil works, lighting, cabling, two high definition projectors) |
Meath County Council |
€63,219 withdrawn as not required |
|
2023 |
€50,000 allocated |
Commemorations Local Authority Grant |
Kildare County Council |
€256 |
|
2023 |
€183,901.55 |
Creative Communities and Creative Health & Wellbeing Funding |
Kildare County Council |
€2,268.76 |
|
2023 |
€56,900 |
Local Authority Funding Scheme |
Kildare County Council |
N/A |
|
2023-2025 |
€250,000 |
Creative Climate Action Fund II (2023-2025) |
Kildare County Council |
€0 |
|
2023 |
€97,041 allocated |
Community Sport Facilities Fund |
Kildare County Council |
Awaiting documentation from KCC to draw down |
|
2023 |
€15,000 allocated |
Commemorations Local Authority Grant |
Meath County Council |
€0 |
|
2023 |
€161,903.00 |
Creative Communities and Creative Health & Wellbeing Funding |
Meath County Council |
€1,617.91 |
|
2023 |
€67,300 |
Local Authority Funding Scheme |
Meath County Council |
N/A |
|
2023 |
€200,000 allocated |
Community Sport Facilities Fund |
Meath County Council |
Awaiting documentation from Meath County Council to draw down |
|
2023 |
€50,000 allocated |
Commemorations Local Authority Grant |
Wicklow County Council |
€8267 |
|
2023 |
€146,903.00 |
Creative Communities and Creative Health & Wellbeing Funding |
Wicklow County Council |
€0 |
|
2023 |
€250,000 |
Outdoor Public Space Scheme 2021
(project was construction an Amphitheatre Performance Space at La Touche car park in Greystones) |
Wicklow County Council |
Project did not proceed - €250,000 withdrawn |
|
2023 |
€59,000 |
Local Authority Funding Scheme |
Wicklow County Council |
N/A |
|
2023 |
€544,030 allocated |
Community Sport Facilities Fund |
Wicklow County Council |
Awaiting documentation Wicklow County Council to draw down |
|
2024 |
€15,000 allocated |
Commemorations Local Authority Grant |
Kildare County Council |
€708 |
|
2024 |
€234,636.47 |
Creative Communities and Creative Health & Wellbeing Funding |
Kildare County Council |
€6,504.22 |
|
2024 |
€56,900 |
Local Authority Funding Scheme |
Kildare County Council |
N/A |
|
2024 |
€275,000 paid |
Arts and Culture capital Scheme 2016-2018.
Grant to Meath County Council regarding Solstice Arts Centre.
Awarded €300,000 in 2017 |
Meath County Council |
Awaiting final technical documentation in order to pay balance of €25,000 |
|
2024 |
€15,000 allocated |
Commemorations Local Authority Grant |
Meath County Council |
€332 |
|
2024 |
€181,903.00 |
Creative Communities and Creative Health & Wellbeing Funding |
Meath County Council |
€344.46 |
|
2024 |
€67,300 |
Local Authority Funding Scheme |
Meath County Council |
N/A |
|
2024 |
€15,000 allocated |
Commemorations Local Authority Grant |
Wicklow County Council |
€15,000 |
|
2024 |
€190,903.00 |
Creative Communities and Creative Health & Wellbeing Funding |
Wicklow County Council |
€1,399.46 |
|
2024 |
€59,000 |
Local Authority Funding Scheme |
Wicklow County Council |
N/A |
|
2025 |
€15,000 allocated |
Commemorations Local Authority Grant |
Kildare County Council |
€10,531 |
|
2025 |
€246,602.68 |
Creative Communities and Creative Health & Wellbeing Funding |
Kildare County Council |
€31.30 |
|
2025 |
€90,000 allocated |
Participation Nation |
Kildare County Council |
Awaiting documentation KCC to draw down |
|
2025 |
€15,000 allocated |
Commemorations Local Authority Grant |
Meath County Council |
€1,650 |
|
2025 |
€185,918.75 |
Creative Communities and Creative Health & Wellbeing Funding |
Meath County Council |
€1.21 |
|
2025 |
€105,000 allocated |
Participation Nation |
Meath County Council |
Awaiting documentation Meath CC to draw down |
|
2025 |
€171,705.93 |
Creative Communities and Creative Health & Wellbeing Funding |
Wicklow County Council |
€0 |
|
2025 |
€15,000 allocated |
Commemorations Local Authority Grant |
Wicklow County Council |
€5,419 |
|
2025 |
€105,000 allocated |
Participation Nation |
Wicklow County Council |
Awaiting documentation Wicklow CC to draw down |
All funding and grant aid provided under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) to Kildare, Wicklow and Meath local authorities for the years 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025 are set out in the table below and are also published on the Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/campaigns/large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif/. Projects approved under the first round of Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF), allocations awarded in 2020, received top-up allocations to address increased inflation and construction costs. Meath County Council was originally allocated €2,012,276 for the Linear Walkways and Playing Fields project. Wicklow County Council received an original allocation of €864,177 for the Wicklow Swimming Pool project and €309,642 for the redevelopment of the Charlesland Athletics Track.
|
Year |
Amount |
Details of Funding or Grant-Aid |
Local Authority |
Amount Retuned / Not Expended, if applicable |
|
2023 |
€320,370 (LSSIF Top-up Allocation) |
Linear Walkways & Playing Fields |
Meath County Council |
NA |
|
2023 |
€932,423 (LSSIF Top-up Allocation) |
Wicklow Swimming Pool |
Wicklow County Council |
NA |
|
2023 |
€126,390 (LSSIF Top-up Allocation) |
Charlesland Athletics Track |
Wicklow County Council |
NA |
|
2024 |
€3,000,000 |
Sallins Park Community Sports Centre (Kildare) |
Kildare County Council |
Awaiting documentation KCC for draw down |
|
2024 |
€1,000,000 |
St. Colmcilles Piltown Development (Meath) |
Meath County Council |
Awaiting documentation Meath CC for draw down |
|
2024 |
€2,300,000 |
Seafield Sports & Community Facility (Meath) |
Meath County Council |
Awaiting documentation Meath CC for draw down |
|
2024 |
€1,100,000 |
Trim Arena (Indoor Athletics Facility) (Meath) |
Meath County Council |
Awaiting documentation Meath CC for draw down |
480. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport in view of the prevalence of the internet, digital communications and social media in society, the measures to foster a more secure digital environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70358/25]
View answerFostering a secure digital environment encompasses a wide range of policy responsibilities, including cyber security, which is the responsibility of the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
In terms of online safety, the establishment of Coimisiún na Meán as Ireland's independent online safety and media regulator represents a transformational step forward. An Coimisiún is now at the heart of Ireland's online safety framework and is holding platforms to account with regard to fulfilling their regulatory obligations. In particular, An Coimisiún is focussed on protecting children and young people from harmful online content. Online safety is a top priority for me as Minister, and in particular, robust age verification. My Department is working with the Office of the Chief Government Information Officer to develop an age verification tool as part of Ireland's Digital Wallet. When fully in place, this will provide a safe, credible and trusted mechanism for ensuring that children and young people are unable to access adult content such as pornography.
Turning to the measures to protect networks and services, the European Electronic Communications Code Directive, transposed into Irish law in 2023 provides for a range of measures aimed at better protecting end-users.
In addition, my Department engages closely with the Department of Justice on a number of areas where legislative proposals, at both EU and domestic level are in development, including lawful interception, e-Privacy and combatting child sexual abuse material online to ensure the fundamental rights of users are safeguarded.
