Written Answers Nos. 51-70
51. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if funding is available through his Department to support insurance and safety-related costs for a local community playground; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8243/26]
View answerMy Department recognises the importance of playgrounds in communities throughout Ireland.
Funding for the delivery and upgrade of playgrounds has previously been provided under a number of schemes operated by my Department including the CLÁR Programme, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the LEADER programme, the Community Recognition Fund and the Local Enhancement Programme.
Under the schemes mentioned above, many community playgrounds have received funding for safety related costs such as perimeter fencing, access gates and re-surfacing of play areas. While the Department will continue to fund measures such as these in the future, there is no funding available towards ongoing costs such as insurance. Regarding access to insurance by community groups, the Government, through the Office to Promote Competition in the Insurance Market, continues to prioritise increased competition and capacity across the insurance sector, including insurance for community groups.
Playgrounds are vital community spaces for children, and my department has the schemes and funding in place to support their continued development. Further details of all funding available can be found on my department's website.
53. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the total level of funding allocated to County Cork under the Community Centres Investment Fund to date; if further funding will be made available under the fund in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8192/26]
View answerThe Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) was introduced to provide high quality, accessible, community spaces that are available to all groups in all communities in both rural and urban areas. Some €110 million has been allocated since 2022 for the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres and the construction of new centres where such a need has been identified. Over €10.7 million has been allocated to 189 projects in county Cork in the same period.
I am committed to delivering further iterations of the CCIF in the coming years in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government for this to become a permanent rolling fund. My officials are currently finalising the details of the next call for applications under the fund, which will focus on refurbishment to existing community centres.
I expect to open this new round of funding to applicants in the coming months with a view to announcing successful projects before the end of the year.
55. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether funding is available for a proposal (details supplied). [8049/26]
View answerThe Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) was introduced to provide high quality, accessible community spaces that are available to all groups in communities in both rural and urban areas. Some €110 million has been allocated since 2022 for the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres and the construction of new centres where such a need has been identified.
The 2023 CCIF was opened specifically for applications from community groups striving to build their own community centre to service local needs. This scheme provided funding of up to €6 million for new community centres on green or brownfield sites. Over €30 million was approved for the construction of 12 new community centres covering nine counties under the scheme.
I understand that the proposal referred to by the Deputy is seeking to develop a new build community centre and may potentially apply under a future round of the CCIF for new builds. I will certainly give consideration to opening another round of CCIF for shovel-ready new build community centres in due course. This will be after this year’s round of CCIF, which will focus on refurbishment works, has been concluded.
In the meantime, I note that substantial levels of investment in community facilities is also available through schemes such as LEADER, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
62. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her views on whether clear criteria should be put in place for the decision on whether or not there is a referendum on a United Ireland; the timing of such a referendum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8344/26]
View answerAs the Programme for Government states, this Government is 'committed to the unity of the Irish people and believes that this can only be achieved through a sustained focus on and investment in reconciliation and we remain steadfast in implementing the Good Friday Agreement in full'.
Our approach to unity is guided by Article 3 of the Constitution, as amended by the people in 1998 to incorporate the framework set out in the Good Friday Agreement.
Under that framework, the responsibility for calling a referendum on constitutional change rests with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
He is obliged to call a referendum if it appears likely to him that there is a majority in favour of a united Ireland.
The Secretary of State has stated publicly that he does not believe this standard has been met.
I am aware that there has been debate regarding what criteria the Secretary of State might rely upon in order to make his assessment, and whether those should be published.
The matter has also come before the courts in Northern Ireland, which found that the evaluation is a political judgement to be made based on a range of factors, and to be made honestly and with rigorous impartiality.
That is in keeping with the text and the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement.
On timing, the Taoiseach has stated that the Government is not planning for a referendum on unity and that we do not envisage one in the lifetime of this government.
In the event of a future referendum within the consent provisions of the Good Friday Agreement, the Government will make all necessary preparations in accordance with the terms of the Constitution and the principles and procedures of the Agreement.
Our focus is on moving forward with the vital task of building a lasting reconciliation between all communities on this island.
This is backed by our Shared Island Initiative, to which we have committed €2 billion through to 2035.
The Initiative is enabling the largest-ever programme of all-island investment across all sectors, to build a more connected island, in terms of infrastructure, services, our economy and, crucially, between people.
63. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the contact she and her officials have had with a person (details supplied) who is currently incarcerated in a German prison since September 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8646/26]
View answerI can confirm that officials in my Department, including in the Consulate General in Munich, are aware of this case and are providing ongoing consular assistance.
A dedicated consular officer in the Consulate has been assigned to support the family of this citizen and has provided support and advice to the citizen and his family in accordance with the Department’s Consular Assistance Charter. I can further confirm that staff in the Consulate General in Munich, including the Consul General and Deputy Consul General, have undertaken two consular visits to the citizen. I understand that the conditions of detention of this citizen are the same as those of any other person in his situation.
I wish to assure the Deputy that officials in my Department will continue to provide all appropriate consular assistance to the citizen.
As laid out in the Consular Assistance Charter, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and its Embassies and Consulates, are precluded from intervening in the judicial and legal processes of another country.
68. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her response to the suppression of peaceful protestors in Iran; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8625/26]
View answer71. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action she is taking with EU counterparts in relation to the situation in Iran; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8290/26]
View answer106. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on the situation in Iran. [8733/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 68, 71 and 106 together.
Ireland has expressed its unequivocal condemnation of the violence, killing and brutal repression of protestors by the authorities in Iran. Minister McEntee reiterated this condemnation most recently at the Foreign Affairs Council on 29 January. The scale and extent of the violence meted out by the Iranian state against its own population is shocking and appalling.
While accurate reports as to the numbers killed, injured and interned still remain sparse due to the continuing communication blockages by the Iranian authorities, it is clear that thousands have been killed and many more injured and imprisoned. We hear disturbing reports that violent oppression continues against those in custody, and even the families of the dead face continued abuses.
While state repression has suppressed the recent protests, the underlying issues have not been addressed and the authorities have not engaged with or sought to meet the demands and wishes expressed by their own people.
Both the Government and the European Union have made clear our condemnation of these actions.
At the Foreign Affairs Council last week, the EU adopted sanctions against those responsible for the crackdown, including the Minister of the Interior and those involved in Iran’s continuing support for Russia's illegal war of aggression in Ukraine, and expanded export controls. These measures add to existing sanctions on Iran under three headings: human rights, support to Russia’s war on Ukraine, and the Iranian nuclear programme. All three are kept under constant review, with names of key individuals and entities added as appropriate.
The Foreign Affairs Council also agreed to designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps of Iran (IRGC) as a terrorist organisation. The IRGC were already subject to extensive EU sanctions under earlier listings.
Ireland joined in calling for a Special Session of the UN Human Rights Council on 23 January. The resolution adopted at that session, and the EU and Irish national statements to the session, clearly state our views on the current situation in Iran and their ongoing violation of human rights. The Council renewed for two years the mandate of the Independent Fact Finding Mission on Iran, set up by the HRC with Ireland's support in 2022, and charged it to investigate the recent and continuing events.
We echo the calls in the resolution, and by the UN Commissioner for Human Rights, to uncover and seek accountability for the actions Iran has tried to hide under a media and communications blackout. Iranian people are courageous and resourceful, and the truth will emerge.
The Government welcomes reports that the US and Iran may meet on Friday 6 February following extensive efforts by regional partners including Türkiye, Egypt and Qatar. I commend these efforts and hope they will lead to substantive dialogue. I urge the Iranian authorities to engage meaningfully with the international community, to address legitimate concerns, including regarding Iran's nuclear programme. We believe that diplomacy rather than military solutions offer the best way to address these serious concerns, if Iran is willing to meaningfully engage.
Ireland will continue to monitor the situation in Iran, and calls for the end of further violence and the restoration of communication services. The Government will remain in close coordination with our EU partners on this issue.
69. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland accepts the legitimacy of the current government in Venezuela; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8281/26]
View answer108. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she believes that recent events will have any impact on the serious violations of human rights in Venezuela; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8283/26]
View answer121. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action she is taking with EU colleagues with regard to Venezuela; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8279/26]
View answer125. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action she is taking with regard to the crisis in Venezuela; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8624/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 69, 108, 121 and 125 together.
The Government, in coordination with our EU partners, has been closely following the situation in Venezuela as it has evolved in recent weeks.
Immediately following the U.S. action on January 3, Ireland joined 25 other EU Member States in endorsing the statement issued by the High Representative calling for the principles of international law and the UN Charter to be upheld, under all circumstances.
On January 7, at the Coalition of the Willing meeting on Ukraine in Paris, Minister Mc Entee met with her EU counterparts and discussed the situation in Venezuela to shape a unified EU response.
Ireland, together with the EU, has been consistent in advocating for a restoration of democracy by means of peaceful and inclusive dialogue as the only durable resolution to the crisis in Venezuela.
Our focus remains on support for a peaceful transition to democracy that reflects the will of the people of Venezuela. There is an opportunity here not to be missed to encourage a move towards democracy and elections.
While our Government has been clear that Nicolás Maduro lacked any democratic legitimacy, Ireland's policy with regard to recognition is that we recognise States, rather than Governments. Ireland's position in relation to Venezuela reflects this policy, and aligns fully with the position of the EU.
Our Ambassador in Bogotá is in close contact with his EU counterpart in Caracas. We are aware of positive early engagement between the EU Head of Delegation and acting President Delcy Rodríguez.
It is vitally important that we engage with all actors and interlocutors in the Venezuelan context with a view to an inclusive process of dialogue and negotiation. A fully representative process must also be open to all sectors of the opposition.
At discussions of EU Members States in Brussels, Ireland supported any constructive role the EU may have the opportunity to take in facilitating a future transition.
The human rights situation in Venezuela remains of serious concern.
While the release of political prisoners over the past few weeks has been a welcomed and positive step towards respect for human rights in the country, it is important that we retain a focus on the human rights situation on the ground.
In that regard, Ireland, together with the EU, will continue urging for the unconditional release of all political prisoners and the full respect of human rights by all actors in the country, including respecting the rights of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
I am also deeply concerned by the risks of exacerbating the existing humanitarian crisis.
My Department stands firm in supporting the EU’s humanitarian response to the crisis, in addition to providing direct and much-needed support to the people of Venezuela through the Venezuela Humanitarian Fund and UNHCR Regional Migrant and Refugee Plan for Venezuela.
