I propose to take Questions Nos. 398 and 400 together.
My Department, through its agencies and bodies under its aegis, works to deliver climate action, the transformation of our energy systems, the protection and resilience of our environment, and a resource–efficient economy. Capital funding provided by my Department, including through its agencies, supports the delivery of secure and sustainable supplies of energy, a robust system for the regulation of Ireland’s energy markets and infrastructure, and the protection of Ireland’s environment and reducing Ireland’s carbon emissions.
In this context, my Department does not have direct responsibility for the delivery of individual infrastructure projects, with the majority of its capital funding provided via grant programmes administered by agencies of the Department. Such grants are typically provided to recipients in accordance with strictly specified criteria, which avoids the possibility of budget overruns for the Department on individual grant awards.
During the period specified by the Deputy, my Department had responsibility for the www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/publications/national-broadband-plan/ which, following a 2025 transfer of functions, now falls within the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport.
