Written Answers Nos. 549-568
549. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the precise opening date in February 2026 for the next round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund; whether the scheme guidelines have been finalised; and if he will publish the final guidelines in advance of the scheme opening. [16716/26]
View answer550. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport what objective criteria will be used in the February 2026 round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund to identify “under-invested” areas and sports; whether a county-by-county capital allocation analysis from previous rounds informed this targeting; and if he will publish that assessment. [16717/26]
View answer551. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the maximum grant thresholds that will apply in the February 2026 round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund for local, regional and equipment-only applications; whether match funding requirements will differ from the 2023 round; and whether any reduced match requirement will apply to smaller or rural clubs. [16718/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 549, 550 and 551 together.
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.
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 2026 round of the CSFF in the coming months. The precise date has not been decided at this point. It is anticipated that the next CSFF round will particularly target areas and sports that have been under-invested in over the years.
The Department is currently collating feedback from sporting clubs and organisations. This feedback is proving very valuable for the Department to better understand the experiences, needs and challenges faced by clubs and other organisations. This feedback, along with the review of the 2023 round, will inform our preparations for the next round. The new guidelines will be published in advance of the next round and will include details on the thresholds that will apply for local, regional and equipment-only applications and the match funding requirements.
My aim is to have as many eligible sporting bodies as possible applying, by simplifying the application process and guidelines and carrying out a wide-reaching communications campaign. All clubs and organisations registered with the Department's grant management system will be automatically notified when the next round of the CSFF is opened.
552. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide a county-by-county breakdown of approvals under the 2023 round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund, including total funding approved, number of successful applications, total applications received, and the average grant awarded per county, in tabular form. [16719/26]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out as follows:
|
County |
Total number of applications received |
Number of successful applications |
Total allocated per county |
Average grant awarded per county |
|
Carlow |
56 |
52 |
€5,232,806 |
€100,630.88 |
|
Cavan |
54 |
51 |
€5,139,033 |
€100,765.35 |
|
Clare |
122 |
117 |
€9,037,315 |
€77,242.01 |
|
Cork |
363 |
344 |
€29,108,020 |
€84,616.34 |
|
Donegal |
148 |
139 |
€14,249,825 |
€102,516.73 |
|
Dublin |
463 |
434 |
€38,646,892 |
€89,048.14 |
|
Galway |
201 |
190 |
€17,065,345 |
€89,817.61 |
|
Kerry |
162 |
153 |
€14,406,067 |
€94,157.30 |
|
Kildare |
112 |
102 |
€8,812,989 |
€86,401.85 |
|
Kilkenny |
77 |
77 |
€6,548,046 |
€85,039.56 |
|
Laois |
74 |
71 |
€7,092,368 |
€99,892.51 |
|
Leitrim |
34 |
32 |
€3,622,730 |
€113,210.31 |
|
Limerick |
153 |
152 |
€15,109,363 |
€99,403.70 |
|
Longford |
29 |
28 |
€2,035,554 |
€72,698.36 |
|
Louth |
84 |
80 |
€8,036,599 |
€100,457.49 |
|
Mayo |
111 |
107 |
€10,839,937 |
€101,307.82 |
|
Meath |
145 |
143 |
€13,136,152 |
€91,861.20 |
|
Monaghan |
52 |
48 |
€4,624,094 |
€96,335.29 |
|
Offaly |
73 |
70 |
€6,150,277 |
€87,861.10 |
|
Roscommon |
73 |
68 |
€5,480,483 |
€80,595.34 |
|
Sligo |
75 |
71 |
€6,769,072 |
€95,339.04 |
|
Tipperary |
143 |
137 |
€11,292,141 |
€82,424.39 |
|
Waterford |
102 |
101 |
€9,456,053 |
€93,624.29 |
|
Westmeath |
87 |
79 |
€8,249,149 |
€104,419.61 |
|
Wexford |
125 |
119 |
€10,677,065 |
€89,723.24 |
|
Wicklow |
93 |
82 |
€7,172,737 |
€87,472.40 |
|
Grand Total |
3211 |
3047 |
€277,990,112 |
€91,234 |
553. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the statutory or regulatory basis under which pension increases under the Eircom Superannuation Defined Benefit Scheme require approval from his Department; whether such approval is mandated by primary legislation, secondary legislation, shareholder governance arrangements, or administrative protocol; the date on which the most recent 2.1 percent pension increase proposal was received by his Department; the date on which it was forwarded to the Minister for Finance; and the expected date of final approval and payment to pensioners. [16735/26]
View answerI consider proposals for pension increases under the Eircom Superannuation Scheme in accordance with section 10 of the Eircom Superannuation Scheme Rules, which were originally adopted under section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Act 1983. Section 10 states that the company may grant such increases in such pensions and preserved pensions under this Scheme as may be authorised from time to time by the Minister with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance.
My Department received a request from Eir on 08 August 2025 to approve a pension increase of 2.1% for Eir pensioners, for pre and post vesting day service, with effect from 01 July 2025. A request for formal advice on the proposed pension increase was submitted by Department officials to NewERA on 17 November 2025. NewERA submitted its report to the Department on 06 February. The proposal was put to me on 12 February and I approved the pension increase on that date. My Department submitted a formal consent request to the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitilisation on 13 February. I understand that the Minister for Public Expenditure gave his consent to the request on 23 February and that the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, which is also required to give effect to the pension increase, was sought on the same date. This concurrence by the Minister for Finance was given on March 3rd.
555. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the steps being taken to ensure that capital investment in sports facilities is reaching grassroots and community clubs in a timely manner; the measurable targets in place to address reported funding shortfalls and facility backlogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16887/26]
View answerThe 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.
Over a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities from the 2023 round of the 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 finalised 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. My department is aiming to announce the opening of applications in the first half of this year.
The Department is currently collating feedback from sporting clubs and organisations and this provides valuable input to our ongoing preparations for the next round. New guidelines will be published in advance of the opening of the next round which will include eligibility and likely assessment criteria for the next round. My aim is to have as many eligible sporting bodies as possible applying, by simplifying the application process and guide and carrying out a wide-reaching communications and engagement campaign.
556. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the way his Department balances funding allocations between elite sport and grassroots participation programmes; and the proportion of overall sports funding allocated to each in the most recent financial year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16888/26]
View answerSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding across its various programmes.
For detail of the funding in place, I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
557. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the oversight and compliance mechanisms that are in place to ensure that sporting bodies in receipt of public funding adhere to governance, transparency and safeguarding standards; and if he will provide details of any sanctions applied in cases of non-compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16889/26]
View answerSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards. Its remit includes the allocation of funding to National Governing Bodies, Local Sports Partnerships and other funded bodies, for the design and implementation of a range of targeted programmes and initiatives to promote increased sports participation.
While Sport Ireland does not have a statutory role in relation to the regulation of governance in sports bodies, it plays an important role in promoting, supporting, and strengthening good governance practices across the sector — including the adoption and implementation of the Governance Code for Sport.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to these matters. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
558. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the specific measures being taken to ensure that funding for arts and cultural organisations, particularly in rural and regional areas, is distributed equitably; and if he will provide details of any delays or funding shortfalls reported in the current financial year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16890/26]
View answerThis 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. I have asked the Arts Council to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to specific measures being taken to ensure that funding for arts and cultural organisations, particularly in rural and regional areas, is distributed equitably and for details of any delays or funding shortfalls reported in the current financial year. Please contact my private office if you not hear from them within ten working days.
In regard to arts capital funding, my Department has run a number of funding programmes under the Cultural Capital Scheme in recent years, most recently Stream E which provided grants of up to €50,000 for capital works and equipment. In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, my Department is developing a new programme of capital funding for arts and culture organisations across the country. This will see much needed capital supports for arts and culture organisations. My Department is in the process of designing the specifications of the scheme, including the setting of eligibility criteria.
Another cultural capital funding scheme available from my Department is the €6 million pilot Artist Workspaces Scheme which was launched in June 2024. Under this scheme, local authorities outside Dublin City Council are invited to propose projects which enable them to provide additional artist workspaces in their regions on a sustainable basis and produce fit for purpose workspaces. Funding of up to €300,000 is available for densely populated local authority areas and €150,000 for other local authorities.
All applicants for arts capital funding are assessed against eligibility criteria as set out in the schemes guidelines. Grantees are also required to comply with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 13/2014 - Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds.
559. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the oversight mechanisms that exist to ensure that public funding for major cultural and heritage projects is spent efficiently and transparently; and if he will provide details of any projects where governance or accountability issues have been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16891/26]
View answerThis Government places great value on culture and the arts sector. As outlined in the Programme for Government, I recognise that they are essential to a well-rounded society, providing opportunities for education, expression and community engagement.
In that context, the National Cultural Institutions (NCIs) NDP Programme is a key investment programme in my Department’s National Development Plan portfolio incorporating a number of capital redevelopment projects across our National Cultural Institutions, the majority of which are being delivered in partnership with the OPW.
All of these projects are appraised and progressed in line with the Infrastructure Guidelines which set out value for money principles for the evaluation, planning and management of public investment projects. Furthermore, sector specific Governance and Operational Arrangements have been developed and are in place between the Department, the OPW and the NCIs. They include governance and institutional oversight structures for the planning, design and implementation phases of the projects.
In line with this , following approval of Preliminary Business Case, each project is overseen by a dedicated Steering Group with representatives from the NCI, the Department and the OPW. The group provides strategic direction based on the continuous evaluation, planning and refinement of estimated costs carried out as the project progresses towards Final Business Case.
The day-to-day management of each project is overseen by the tripartite Project Team incorporating specialist expertise from the project Design Team. Project Teams are responsible for the development and maintenance of project specific risk management plan and regularly report to Steering Groups on progress, costs and any identified risks or issues.
Over the years my Department has also run a number of funding programmes under the Cultural Capital Scheme, most recently Stream E which provided grants of up to €50,000 for capital works and equipment. In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, my Department is developing a new programme of capital funding for arts and culture organisations across the country. This will see much needed capital supports for arts and culture organisations. My Department is in the process of designing the specifications of the scheme, including the setting of eligibility criteria.
Another cultural capital funding scheme available from my Department is the €6 million pilot Artist Workspaces Scheme which was launched in June 2024. Under this scheme, local authorities outside Dublin City Council are invited to propose projects which enable them to provide additional artist workspaces in their regions on a sustainable basis and produce fit for purpose workspaces. Funding of up to €300,000 is available for densely populated local authority areas and €150,000 for other local authorities. A separate scheme called Space to Create with funding of €3m is in place for co-operation with Dublin City Council in the development of up to 60 artist workspaces.
All applicants for arts capital funding are assessed against eligibility criteria as set out in the schemes guidelines. Grantees are also required to comply with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 13/2014 - Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds.
560. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when his Department intends to publish a detailed breakdown of the additional €600,000 allocated to an organisation (details supplied), specifying the programme areas to which the funding will apply and the outputs expected in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16904/26]
View answerComhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) was founded in 1951 and is involved in the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music. It is an unincorporated cultural movement with branches nationally and worldwide. Its aims and objectives are to promote Irish Traditional Music, dancing, and the Irish Language, to foster and promote traditional singing both in English and Irish and to create a closer bond among all enthusiasts of Irish music and traditions on a global basis. The organisation has continued to grow, and its membership has expanded across the globe to places as far away as Tokyo and Columbia.
My Department provides annual funding to Comhaltas under Category A of the A6 subhead. Funding of €2,550,000 was provided in 2025. An increase of €600,000 was announced in this year’s Budget Statement, bringing the annual allocation to €3,150,000 for the current year.
Official funding and liaison with CCÉ is conducted at national level, respecting the autonomy of the organisation to make arrangements for their 20 centres and 450 branches. The official support is allocated towards the operational costs of the Cultúrlann in Monkstown, the regional and outreach centres, assistance to branches including support for the staging of regional and provincial fleadheanna, and diaspora network development. Additional support was provided in 2026 in recognition of the 75th anniversary of the founding of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and to support continued development of the organisation. This additional funding will enable Comhaltas to make progress on their strategic planning as outlined in the Comhaltas 2030 Prospectus published in 2025. Amongst other things, it will support the strengthening of the management and reporting framework in the organisation in recognition of the remarkable growth in recent years. CCE currently conduct c.1,500 classes per week and organise 44 fleadhanna. An estimated 3,000,000 people engage annually with the Comhaltas organisation worldwide.
This support aims to provide for consistent and assured funding through the year of a very successful community based voluntary association. I believe this support will empower the continued growth of CCÉ and sustain their important work on cultural heritage and development. My Department remains satisfied with the general application of resources to best effect as determined within CCÉ and with the arrangements reflected in the service level agreement concluded annually with the Department. Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is required to enter into this agreement with the Department on an annual basis, with a view to ensuring that resources are used in a proficient and cost-effective manner to deliver quality services to the public. This agreement sets out the role of the Department in enabling Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann to fulfil its mandate.
561. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department intends to undertake an assessment of the need to expand a network (details supplied) to strengthen the promotion of Irish culture nationwide; whether Kildare North will be considered as a potential location in any such assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16905/26]
View answerComhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, which is the organisation referred to in the question, has developed strongly over the 75 years as the national association for the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music and dance, a voluntary commitment complemented by their promotion of the use of the Irish language.
The CCÉ network of regional and outreach centres has developed over the decades. The CCÉ centre in Clontarf, Dublin (An Clasac) is the regional hub for counties Dublin, Wicklow, Carlow and Kildare. The CCÉ regional centre (Áras an Mhuilinn) at Mullingar is in close proximity to Kildare North. Consideration of the organisation or expansion of the network of centres is an internal matter for Comhaltas. In the coming years, my Department will continue to work closely with CCÉ to strengthen the organisation and to support the development of services for performers and access for the wider audience.
562. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the options available to residents in an estate (details supplied) regarding broadband services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16992/26]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the Government initiative to deliver high-speed broadband to all premises in Ireland. In addition, Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy published in December 2022, sets out a number of targets including that all Irish households and businesses will be covered by a Gigabit network no later than 2028.
The estate in question is in the BLUE area on the broadband map which is available on https://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 advised they cannot get access to greater than 30Mbps, they should raise a query by clicking on “contact us” in the Contact section on https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/5634d-national-broadband-plan-map/ and the Department will escalate with the commercial operator to investigate this matter further.
The estate in question is currently capable of receiving speeds in excess of 30 Mbps from open eir’s local High Speed Broadband cabinet per information available at https://bbchecker.comreg.ie/.
The estate is also included in open eir’s Full Fibre to the Home (FTTH) deployment programme per information available at https://www.openeir.ie/fibre/broadband-checker. The Department does not have sight of information that provides an estimated timeline of when commercial operators will provide a full fibre connection to the area, other than what’s on the open eir messaging.
Commercial operators continue to upgrade their networks throughout the State to primarily urban areas and contribute materially to achieving the Digital Connectivity Strategy targets. Commercial operators have indicated that their networks will be upgraded to all urban areas by 2028.
The Department is continuing to monitor these upgrades to ensure any unnecessary barriers to this investment are addressed so that the risk of any potential areas where the availability of Gigabit connectivity services is limited is mitigated. These measures include making the processes to access existing infrastructure easier and ensuring new housing developments are designed to facilitate telecommunications connectivity from the outset.
563. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he is aware of any existing difficulties in the rollout of the National Broadband Ireland (NBI) campaign due to overlap between legacy infrastructure problems and commercial provider coverage; if he is aware of any measures or alternatives for residents who have issues with establishing a connection resulting from ‘direct buried ducting’; if he is aware of any reported difficulties in the NBI rollout in north County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17041/26]
View answerThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the Government initiative to deliver high-speed broadband to all premises in Ireland. In addition, Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy published in December 2022, sets out a number of targets including that all Irish households and businesses will be covered by a Gigabit network no later than 2028.
The NBP contract, signed on 19 November 2019, provides for a future proofed high-speed broadband network to be deployed by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) to people living and working in the intervention area.
Under the NBP, NBI is contractually obligated to re-use existing third-party infrastructure, including poles, ducting and chambers. Where repairs or replacements are required, NBI provides the necessary details and requests these works through an agreed process. Once the works have been completed, the third party notifies NBI, and the infrastructure is then approved for use by NBI.
NBI have advised that to date they have not encountered issues relating to “direct buried ducting” in North County Dublin.
NBI also advise that nationally 100% of the third-party infrastructure that NBI intends to use as part of the rollout has been surveyed, and 96% of the required remedial works have now been completed. This infrastructure is either already in use or is actively being brought into use as part of NBI’s deployment. The remaining 4% will be completed by the end of 2026, in line with the expected completion data of the main infrastructure build of the NBP.
Along with the NBP intervention contract, commercial operators continue to upgrade their networks throughout the State to primarily urban areas and contribute materially to achieving the Digital Connectivity Strategy targets. Commercial operators have indicated that their networks will be upgraded to all urban areas by 2028.
The Department is continuing to monitor these upgrades to ensure any unnecessary barriers to this investment are addressed so that the risk of any potential areas where the availability of Gigabit connectivity services is limited is mitigated. These measures include making the processes to access existing infrastructure easier and ensuring new housing developments are designed to facilitate telecommunications connectivity from the outset.
564. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide the required information to an organisation in respect of an allocation under a previous round of funding under the Sports Capital Programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17055/26]
View answerThe club referred to by the Deputy was successful in a number of applications under the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF), formerly the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme. The club has been allocated a total of €410,311 since 2005.
In the 2023 round of funding, the club was allocated €160,311 towards the development of a Ball Wall & Synthetic Grass area with fencing & lighting
The club recently applied for Formal Approval and my officials are assisting the club with regard to this formal approval. A detailed email was sent to the club on 13 January 2026 with some queries. The club responded to these queries on 16 February and my officials replied on 23 February to advise the club that the quotations supplied do not comply with the CSFF requirements and to outline what is required of the club in order for the project to be formally approved.
565. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Cultúir, Cumarsáide agus Spóirt in ainneoin go bhfuil cinneadh déanta aige gan comóradh Stáit a eagrú i gcuimhne ar éalú an tseisir Fíníní ó Charcair Fremantle in Iarthar na hAstráile 150 bliain ó shin ar bord an long Catalpa, an bhfuil sé i gceist ag an Stát an t-éacht cróga seo a chomóradh le hócáid ar bith i bhforas cultúrtha náisiúnta ar dháta an éalaithe i mí Aibreáin nó ar an dáta a tháinig siad i dtír i Nua Eabhrac i mí Lúnasa 1876; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [17151/26]
View answerMar a luadh sa Dáil an tseachtain seo caite, ní féidir leis an Stát ceannaireacht a dhéanamh i ngach clár comórtha. Dá réir sin, is é cur chuige mo Roinne tacú le pobail áitiúla agus le daoine aonair a bhfuil suim acu ann agus iad ag cruthú a dturas comórtha féin.
Sa chomhthéacs seo, tá an Clár um Mhaoiniú Deontais Comórtha d’Údaráis Áitiúla 2026 díreach seolta ag mo Roinn. Scríobh mé chuig na húdaráis áitiúla uile ag leagan amach treoirlínte ardleibhéil chun cabhrú le pobail áitiúla comóradh a threorú agus a mhúnlú.
Oibríonn an tAonad Comórtha i mo Roinn go dlúth lenár bpríomh-chomhpháirtithe freisin chun a chinntiú go ndéantar comóradh cuí ar imeachtaí stairiúla suntasacha, lena n-áirítear trí chomhoibriú féideartha le Ard-Mhúsaem na hÉireann agus Leabharlann Náisiúnta na hÉireann.
Tá roinnt tionscnamh ó Ard-Mhúsaem na hÉireann á measúnú faoi láthair.
Tá Leabharlann Náisiúnta na hÉireann, ina bhfuil Bailiúchán John Devoy, tar éis a chinntiú cheana féin go bhfuil buaicphointí ón gcartlann seo ar fáil ar líne. Tá áthas orm a chur in iúl daoibh freisin go bhfuil sé deimhnithe ag an Leabharlann go ndéanfaidh siad atáirgeadh ardchaighdeáin de dhoiciméid bhunaidh ón mbailiúchán a bhronnadh ar Chomhairle Contae Chill Dara, atá ag smaoineamh faoi láthair ar thaispeántas féideartha níos déanaí sa bhliain.
566. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Cultúir, Cumarsáide agus Spóirt an bhfuil sé ar an eolas i dtaobh cad a tharla don bhratach, nó cá bhfuil an bhratach, a bhí ar foluain ar an long Catalpa le linn na heachtra agus í agus an criú ag saoradh seisear Fíníní Míleata óna bpríosúnacht i gCarcair Fremantle in Iarthar na hAstráile agus á dtógáil slán go Nua Eabhrac, SAM, in 1876, agus ar bratach í a bhronn duine d’Óglaigh 1916, Joe Clarke, ar Ard-Mhúsaem na hÉireann thar ceann Chlann na nGael Philidelphia, SAM, i mí Dheireadh Fómhair 1972 le bheith ar taispeáint mar chuid den bhailiúchán náisiúnta [17152/26]
View answerI am advised by the National Museum of Ireland that the flag to which the Deputy refers, forms part of its Historic Flags and Banners Collection and is preserved within the national collection. The flag of the whaling ship Catalpa, which had been purchased and outfitted by Clan na Gael in the United States to carry out the rescue, bears 36 hand-sewn stars and was the official United States flag in use from 4 July 1865 to 4 July 1867.
The Museum has confirmed that the flag was formally donated by the Clan na Gael (Philadelphia Branch) on 5 October 1972 and remains in its care. The items selected for display in the museum would be a matter for the National Museum. As with all items in the national collection, the flag is safeguarded by the Museum’s professional standards for conservation and collections management policies.
567. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Cultúir, Cumarsáide agus Spóirt an eol dó an bhfuil an Leabharlann Náisiúnta chun na doiciméid atá ina seilbh agus a bhaineann leis eachtra dhána ina ndearna na Fíníní an long Catalpa a chur go hIarthar na hAstráile chun seisear ' Fíníní Míleata' a shaoradh óna bpríosúnacht i gCarcair Fremantle agus iad a thionlacan slán go Nua Eabhrac, SAM, 150 bliain ó shin in 1876 a chur ar taispeáint sa Leabharlann nó taispeántas taistil a dhéanamh [17154/26]
View answerTá Bailiúchán John Devoy suite i Leabharlann Náisiúnta na hÉireann agus tá sí tar éis a chinntiú cheana féin go ndéantar buaicphointí ón mbailiúchán seo a dhigitiú agus a chur ar fáil ar líne. Tuigim gurb é seo an cur chuige is fearr ón Leabharlann atá freagrach as a cinntí coimeádaíochta féin.
Is prionsabail bhunúsacha na gcomóradh iad inrochtaineacht agus cuimsitheacht. Aithníonn agus tacaíonn an Roinn seo le digitiú agus comhroinnt ábhar foinse príomhúil don phobal i gcoitinne. Aithníodh é seo mar oidhreacht thábhachtach de chláir chomórtha le linn Clár Dheich mBliana na gCuimhneachán.
Is cineál taispeántais inbhuanaithe agus inrochtana é sin - meán is fearr chun an bailiúchán a chaomhnú agus atá ar fáil do chách, ní hamháin dóibh siúd a bhfuil an t-ádh orthu cuairt a thabhairt ar an Leabharlann Náisiúnta.
Tá áthas orm a thuairisciú freisin go mbeidh Leabharlann Náisiúnta na hÉireann ag bronnadh atáirgthe ardchaighdeáin d’earraí ón mbailiúchán ar sheirbhís leabharlainne Chomhairle Contae Chill Dara. Is suíomh an-oiriúnach é seo do thabhartas den sórt sin mar go bhfuil cathaoir John Devoy ag an gComhairle freisin, a tugadh ar ais ó Nua-Eabhrac le tacaíocht ó mo Roinn.
568. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the local campaign in Booterstown, County Dublin calling for the provision of a public swimming pool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17164/26]
View answer569. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his views on the merits of developing a public swimming pool in Booterstown, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17165/26]
View answer570. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the position regarding the process for the provision of a public pool; the way this can be initiated and supported at a local level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17166/26]
View answer571. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the position regarding any grant funding that is available to support the provision of a local swimming pool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17167/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 568, 569, 570 and 571 together.
One of the actions under the first-ever National Swimming Strategy, which was published in 2024, is the completion of an in-depth analysis of swimming pool provision within Ireland with particular reference to identifying gaps in provision and the environmental sustainability of facilities.
Swim Ireland, the National Governing Body for the sport, was tasked with this specific action with funding support from Sport Ireland. It published its Swimming Pool Gap Analysis Report recently and the report is available on Swim Ireland’s website at the following link: https://swimireland.ie/2025/12/09/swim-ireland-report-a-pool-within-reach-remains-a-distant-reality-amidst-critical-swimming-infrastructure-gaps/.
This in-depth analysis examined the condition and age of swimming facilities, community accessibility, the availability of swimming lessons, energy and sustainability practices, and the provincial and county-level distribution of pools across the island. The report is being examined by my Department and will be a key input to the future development of swimming pool facilities by enabling better decision-making with regard to targeting investment more effectively.
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 aim of the LSSIF is to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects, including the development of new swimming pools as well as the refurbishment of swimming pools. Applications under LSSIF must be made by either a Local Authority or a National Governing Body of Sport. Ultimately, it is a matter for those organisations to prioritise their capital development requirements.
The full marking scheme and assessment process for LSSIF 2018 and LSSIF 2024 is published on the Department’s website. I would encourage any prospective applicants to review the LSSIF scheme guidelines and key priorities as part of their preparatory process for a future LSSIF round. It is important to note that, while these resources can serve as a helpful reference, any new guidelines and conditions associated with a future round of the Fund may differ from those previously published www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/campaigns/large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif/
To date, €297 million has been allocated under LSSIF including €41.4 million for swimming pool and aquatic infrastructure projects. No application was received under the LSSIF for the provision of a swimming pool in Booterstown.
With regards to a new round of LSSIF, my current focus is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF and this process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round.
Pertaining to CSSF, in total over €1.5 million was allocated to swimming under the 2023 CSFF round and over €3.7 million in the last 10 years. Swimming may also have benefitted from allocations to multisport projects under the CSFF. Applications for the refurbishment of pools, pop-up pools, improvements of the energy efficiencies of pools as well as improvements to accessibility of pools can be made under the CSFF. In line with previous rounds of the Fund, a review of the current funding round is being undertaken. Preparations are underway 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.
