Written Answers Nos. 591-611
592. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of reading school places available in primary schools in Skerries, Rush, Lusk, Balbriggan, Garristown, Naul, Oldtown, Ballyboughal, Rolestown, Meakstown, Saint Margarets and north Santry, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4499/26]
View answer593. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of reading school places available in primary schools in Swords, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4500/26]
View answer594. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth the number of children on waiting lists to access a reading school place in Skerries, Rush, Lusk, Balbriggan, Garristown, Naul, Oldtown, Ballyboughal, Rolestown, Saint Margarets, Meakstown and north Santry, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4501/26]
View answer595. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Education and Youth to provide details of any plans to open additional reading school places in Skerries, Rush, Lusk, Balbriggan, Garristown, Naul, Oldtown, Ballyboughal, Rolestown, Saint Margarets, Meakstown and north Santry for the academic year 2025-26; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4502/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 592 to 595, inclusive, together.
This government is fully committed to supporting students with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for students with special educational needs.
At present, there are four special schools, and fourteen special classes attached to mainstream schools to support students with a specific learning disability such as severe dyslexia. I want to acknowledge the excellent work they do. It is important to note they were established at a time when there were much fewer additional supports in schools.
In pursuit of a more inclusive education system it is important, as far as possible to support students to attend their local mainstream schools. This means that children and young people can be educated with their peers and are not required to travel long distances to attend special schools or classes.
15,000 special education teachers have been provided to enable schools to achieve this objective. In practical terms this means schools get a substantial additional teaching allocation to support students with special education needs who are in mainstream classes.
The additional resources are intended to support students with the greatest level of need, including those with a specific learning disability such as dyslexia, dyscalculia or dysgraphia.
Of course, I recognise the importance of building the capacity of teachers in mainstream schools to meet the needs of all students. To support this, 338 places are funded each year for teachers to attend post-graduate special education needs programmes. The NCSE offers dedicated professional learning opportunities for teachers supporting students with additional needs. The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) also provides professional learning opportunities that are available to all primary and post-primary school teachers on supporting children and young people with special educational needs.
Funding is also made available to schools for the purchase of specialised equipment to assist students. Schools can apply to the NCSE, through their local special educational needs organiser (SENO) for such support.
The need for any additional provision or resources for schools to support students with dyslexia is kept under constant review by the NCSE. Enrolments to schools are a matter for each board of management and parents apply directly to schools, therefore, the information requested by the Deputy is held at a local level.
A list of all mainstream and special schools is available on my department's website on gov.ie. In addition, a list of schools with special classes; broken by location and class designation is available on the NCSE website (ncse.ie/special-classes).
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to reach their full potential.
596. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the amount of the €75 million in funding to support the postal network that will be directed towards services in Dublin west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3958/26]
View answerThe Government is committed to a sustainable An Post and post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure throughout Ireland. The Programme for Government states that the Government will continue to provide the nationwide network of post offices with funding to ensure their sustainability and enhance the value they bring to local communities.
In that regard, on 13 January 2026, Government approved renewed funding for the Post Office Network over the next 5 years (2026-2030), at an enhanced amount of €15m per annum from my Department.
In line with the Programme for Government, the funding will support the stability and sustainability of the nationwide network of post offices, protecting and nurturing a commercially-focused Post Office Network. It will also support access for citizens to the key social benefits of the Post Office Network and help citizens access services effectively and equitably.
The Government also agreed the principles on which the funding model will operate, which include:
• maintaining access to the network across urban and rural Ireland, ensuring no community is left behind;.
• aligning individual funding with criteria including the degree of isolation and the sustainability of each post office.
• ensuring a minimum revenue threshold for post offices;; and.
• recognising offices of cultural or geographic significance—such as those on inhabited islands or in Gaeltacht areas.
It should be noted that An Post is a commercial State body with a mandate to act commercially. An Post has statutory responsibility for the State's postal service and the post office network. Decisions relating to the network, including decisions relating to specific post offices are operational matters for the Board and management of the company and not one in which I have any function. The terms under which Postmasters contract with An Post is a matter between the Postmasters and An Post and any negotiations are a matter for both parties directly.
597. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport noting that the An Post pensioners were awarded an increase in their pensions in September 2025, the reason the increase has not been paid to the pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4326/26]
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.
598. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an up-to-date progress report in respect of a club in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3490/26]
View answerReply not received from the Department.
599. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the timeframe for the application portal for the community sport facilities fund-sports capital and equipment fund to come online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3519/26]
View answerOver 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.
In line with previous rounds of the Fund, a review of the current funding round has been undertaken and will be published shortly. 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.
600. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 489 of 25 November 2025, if the review of filing lists and other records held in his Department provided information relating to the records of the Departmental Council working party over the period 1982 to 1983 that produced report No. 1635; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3521/26]
View answerUnder the Telecommunications (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2025 (S.I. No. 237/2025), all relevant functions under the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983 were transferred to me from the then-Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications.
As part of the transfer of functions, officials in my Department have liaised with officials in the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment with respect to records on the matter referred to, and that Department has confirmed that it holds no files on the matter. Accordingly, my Department does not have access to the files in question, if such files still exist. Officials in my Department are reviewing filing lists and other records which are held to ascertain if such records relating to the "Departmental Council" exist, no such records have been identified at present.
The Department of Posts and Telegraphs was abolished in 1984 and any relevant files should have been transferred to the Department of Communications, however I would also note that the abolition of the Department of Posts and Telegraphs pre-dated the National Archives Act 1986 and therefore the obligation to preserve government records; so it is also possible that all files may not have survived.
601. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when a person (details supplied) will receive an eircode for their property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3601/26]
View answerCapita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, assigns Eircodes to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations. An Post collects information on all new and existing buildings, as well as changes to existing addresses and Tailte Éireann (formerly Ordnance Survey Ireland) provides the geo-locations for these buildings. An Post GeoDirectory (APG), a subsidiary company of An Post and Tailte Éireann, issue a new release of database files monthly to Capita in accordance with their revised licence agreement.
Tailte Éireann have confirmed that the property has a verified geo-location. An Post have confirmed to my officials that the property in question was previously designated as derelict and as per their data processes An Post will update their database to include this property, and the updated information will be included in the next update of the database files supplied to Capita from APG in April.
Capita have advised my officials that they will continue direct contact with the individual in question and will continue to monitor the case, reverting to them with updates as soon as further information is available.
602. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to list the roles within public or semi-State organisations under his Department that are excluded from the single public service pension scheme; the number of people employed in those roles, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3613/26]
View answerEmployees of non-commercial State bodies under the aegis of my Department have access to membership of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme, subject to the relevant provisions of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012, as amended. Employees of those bodies who do not have entitlement to Single Scheme membership normally have access to the pre-existing pension scheme of the body employing them, or to a pre-existing scheme of a different public body.
Administration of pre-existing pension schemes of the non-commercial aegis bodies, including maintaining records of numbers and grades of scheme members, is an operational matter for the aegis bodies themselves, and not something for which I or my officials have day to day responsibility.
The commercial state bodies under the aegis of my Department (An Post, RTE and TG4) are not “public service bodies” and accordingly, employees of those bodies do not have access to the Single Scheme or to other pension schemes restricted to “public servants”.
603. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide an update, including a timetable on the planned extension of the basic income for artists scheme; the position of the current participants in the scheme; if they will be or can apply to be part of the next scheme,; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3687/26]
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.
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. I intend to take a memorandum to Government in the coming weeks and once the parameters of the scheme have been agreed by Government I intend to publish them.
604. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the measures being taken to address persistent mobile phone coverage blackspots on regional and national roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3690/26]
View answerMobile network operators are continuously enhancing and improving their network coverage across both rural and urban areas. However, it is acknowledged that the quality of network coverage is not uniform across the country.
The availability of mobile phone coverage is primarily a matter for mobile network operators, operating on a commercial basis in a liberalised market, regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). ComReg is statutorily independent in the exercise of its functions in accordance with section 11 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002.
In the first instance, where customers are not receiving coverage, they should contact the customer care team of their mobile phone operator to make a complaint regarding poor coverage and follow their official complaint procedure. Complaints, if not resolved to the consumer's satisfaction, can then be escalated to ComReg.
It should be noted that ComReg completed a Multi-band Spectrum Award in January 2023 to assign long term rights of use in four spectrum bands to enable operators to provide improved services to meet increasing consumer demand for mobile services. This award represented a 46% increase in the harmonised spectrum assigned for the provision of wireless broadband services, including 4G and 5G, in Ireland and included significant coverage obligations for operators.
Those MBSA2 licence obligations place a key focus on delivering improved coverage to population centres, such as places where people work and live, rather than solely focusing on geographical coverage. They also focus on improving network coverage of the national primary road network. Those obligations come into effect on an incremental basis 3, 5 and 7 years after the licences were first awarded in 2023. As such, it is expected that ComReg will assess operators’ compliance with their 3-year obligations under the MBSA2 licence this year.
Operators continue to add new capacity to their networks using their newly acquired radio spectrum. The timing of the improvements delivered by mobile operators are influenced in part by their ability to acquire and build new sites for increased coverage.
While my Department has no role in developing site-specific strategies for mobile coverage improvements, the Department’s Digital Connectivity Strategy published in 2022 sets ambitious targets for fixed and mobile connectivity. A refresh of this Strategy is currently being undertaken.
To assist consumers to choose the network provider that best meets their needs, ComReg continually updates and enhances its online national outdoor mobile coverage map (available at: https://coveragemap.comreg.ie) which provides information on mobile network operators’ outdoor coverage for 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G mobile networks.
605. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the way in which the increased remote working demand is being factored into broadband rollout plans for rural and small-towns in County Laois; whether additional investment will be prioritised to close the digital divide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3692/26]
View answerIn December 2022, Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy was published which supports the ambition outlined in the National Digital Strategy and set out a number of targets including that all Irish households and businesses will be covered by a Gigabit network no later than 2028.
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 National Broadband Plan (NBP) was established to bridge the digital divide and ensure that all regions, including rural and small-town areas such as those in County Laois, have access to gigabit-capable broadband infrastructure. This facilitates remote working and supports balanced regional development.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that there are circa 13,000 premises in the Intervention Area (IA) in County Laois and NBI has passed almost 12,000 of these premises which are ready for service. Over 5,000 of these premises are now connected. NBI expect to have passed the remaining 1,000 premises in County Laois by the end of the network deployment. Based on current plans and achievements, the Department expect to deliver the deployment of the NBP by the end of 2026, as per the Programme for Government commitment.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Laois which can be monitored via nbi.ie/reps. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries. It should be noted that NBI provide this information for County Laois based on NBI deployment areas rather than exact county boundaries.
Along with the NBP intervention contract, progress is being made by commercial operators in expanding their next generation networks throughout the State and ensuring the targets set out in the Digital Connectivity strategy are achieved.
Regarding future investment, the 2025 Our Rural Future framework states that “rural Ireland [will not be] left behind in the digital economy,” while the program for government 2025 commits to “increase the number of remote working hubs and ensure dedicated spaces to support local entrepreneurs and starts-ups.”
606. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the position regarding the regulation of the advertising and promotion of infant and follow-on formula both in traditional media and online; the actions he will take to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3824/26]
View answer607. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the position regarding the implementation of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022 in relation to the advertising and promotion of infant and follow-on formula both in traditional media and online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3825/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 606 and 607 together.
The Broadcasting Act 2009, as amended by the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022 (enacted in March 2023), provides that Coimisiún na Meán may make media service codes for broadcasters, audiovisual on-demand media providers and designated online services providing for standards and practices to ensure, among other things, that commercial communications protect the interests of the audience. This includes the making of codes where the commercial communications relate to matters likely to be of direct or indirect interest to children, that the interests of children are protected, having particular regard to the general public health interests of children.
In this regard, section 46N(7) of the Broadcasting Act 2009, as amended, provides that Coimisiún na Meán may make codes that provide for standards and practices in relation to broadcasters and providers of audiovisual on-demand media services that –
“may prohibit or restrict, in accordance with law, the inclusion in programmes of commercial communications relating to foods or beverages considered by the Commission to be the subject of public concern in respect of the general public health interests of children, in particular infant formula, follow-on formula or those foods or beverages which contain fat, trans-fatty acids, salts or sugars”
Section 139k(5) of the Act provides that in relation to designated online services, an online safety code that may be made by Coimisiún na Meán –
“may prohibit or restrict, in accordance with law, the inclusion in programmes or user-generated content of commercial communications relating to foods or beverages considered by the Commission to be the subject of public concern in respect of the general public health interests of children, in particular infant formula, follow-on formula or foods or beverages which contain fat, trans-fatty acids, salts or sugars."
Having regard to the position on the regulation of infant formula and follow-on formula, Coimisiún na Meán’s General Commercial Communications Code (Radio and Television Broadcasters) includes specific rules addressing commercial communications for infant and follow-on formula that appear on radio and television. Commercial communications for infant formula for use by infants during the first 6 months of life are prohibited. In addition, commercial communications for follow-on formula must comply with the rules set out in section 21 of the Code, including compliance with all relevant Irish and European legislation and with rules, regulations and codes of practice issued from time to time by a relevant competent authority.
In the case of on-demand services, Coimisiún na Meán’s Audiovisual On-demand Media Service Code and Rules also addresses harmful commercial communications. While the code does not contain specific provisions on infant and follow-on formula, the code and rules prohibit commercial communications that encourage behaviour prejudicial to health or safety.
Coimisiún na Meán’s Online Safety Code requires that video-sharing platform service providers do not allow “audiovisual commercial communications that are harmful to children”. Furthermore, intermediary services, including online platforms are required to remove illegal content on their service, once they become aware of it. This would include any commercial communications that contravene Irish and EU law in respect of infant and follow-on formula.
It is my understanding that the regulation of infant and follow on formula has been identified as a matter for inclusion and consideration in a review of Coimisiún na Meán’s codes and rules for broadcasting. In this regard, An Coimisiún has informed my Department that it will engage with stakeholders in 2026, including relevant public health authorities, and the findings from this engagement will be considered as part of An Coimisiún’s work planning for the 2027 period.
608. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide an up-to-date contact list for queries from Oireachtas Members to agencies under his Department, in tabular form. [3867/26]
View answerIn line with Circular 25/2016 (“Protocol for the Provision of Information to Members of the Oireachtas by State Bodies under the aegis of Government Departments/Offices”), a contact list for queries from Oireachtas members to bodies under the aegis of my Department is provided below.
|
Body under the Aegis of the Department |
Oireachtas Email Address |
|
An Post |
OireachtasEnquiries@anpost.ie |
|
Arts Council |
Oireachtasqueries@artscouncil.ie |
|
Chester Beatty |
Oireachtasqueries@cbl.ie |
|
Coimisiún na Meán |
oireachtasqueries@cnam.ie |
|
Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) |
oireachtas@comreg.ie |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
oireachtas@crawfordartgallery.ie |
|
Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) |
oireachtas@thedigitalhub.com |
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) |
oireachtasqueries@imma.ie |
|
National Concert Hall |
Oireachtasquery@nch.ie |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
oireachtasqueries@ngi.ie |
|
National Library of Ireland |
oireachtasqueries@nli.ie |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
oireachtasqueries@museum.ie |
|
Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ) |
Oireachtasmembers@rte.ie |
|
Screen Ireland |
oireachtasqueries@screenireland.ie |
|
Sport Ireland |
oireachtas@sportireland.ie |
|
Teilifís na Gaeilge (TG4) |
Oireachtasqueries@tg4.ie |
609. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the sports capital programme will be open again for applications; to outline any other funding streams available for sports facilities in schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3891/26]
View answerFunding for sports facilities in schools is primarily a matter for the Department of Education and Youth.
Third level colleges, Education and Training Boards and schools are eligible to apply to my Department's Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) 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. There are no plans to change this approach given the existing demands on the CSFF.
In line with previous rounds of the Fund, a review of the current funding round has been undertaken and will be published shortly. I have asked my Department to prepare for a further round of the CSFF in 2026. It is anticipated that the next round will particularly target areas and sports that have been under-invested in over the years.
610. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the promised pension increases for An Post pensioners of 6% with effect January 2025 and 1% increase with effect June 2025 will be paid; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4046/26]
View answer623. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the increase to An Post pensions agreed in September 2025 will be approved; when it will be paid to members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4375/26]
View answer624. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the current status of the An Post pension increase request, submitted in October 2025, within his Department; the timeframe in which he and his Department anticipate the pension approval process to conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4482/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 610, 623 and 624 together.
Under 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.
611. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether he will introduce a model of multi-annual core funding for theatre companies, removing the need for actors to apply for funding for each individual project (details supplied). [4104/26]
View answerUnder the Arts Act 2003, the allocation of this form of grant funding is an operational matter for the Arts Council. I have asked the Arts Council to make direct contact with the Deputy in regard to the support model and funding they provide for theatre companies as set out in the Deputy's question. Please contact my private office if you do not hear from the Arts Council within the next ten working days.
Separately, Culture Ireland operates to support professional Irish artists in presenting and promoting their work to audiences around the world. It provides funding to professional Irish artists and arts organisations, including theatre companies, to present work at key international venues and events within their field, with grants primarily assisting with travel and travel-related costs.
