Written Answers No. 176-198
176. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the details of which of the Digital Ireland 20 high-level objectives and 90 specific deliverables his Department will be responsible for; the budgetary allocations that will be made for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16805/26]
View answerThe Government’s updated National Digital and Artificial Intelligence Strategy was published in February 2026. It sets out Ireland’s ambition to strengthen its position as a digital leader and global hub for applied AI innovation, building on our talent base, reputation and innovation ecosystem.
My Department has been designated lead for the majority of the deliverables under Pillar 4 of Digital Ireland “Invest: Digital and AI Infrastructure for a Digital Ireland”. These deliverables span the full spectrum of digital connectivity infrastructure, from completing the National Broadband Plan and achieving universal gigabit connectivity, to developing subsea cable routes, building infrastructure resilience, and driving next-generation technologies including 5G, quantum communications and 6G research. The deliverables are set out in the table below:
|
Deliverable No. |
Deliverable |
Timeline |
|
38 |
Updated Digital Connectivity Strategy |
In 2026 |
|
39 |
Complete National Broadband Plan deployment |
In 2026 |
|
40 |
Enable Gigabit broadband connectivity to every premises |
By 2028 |
|
41 |
Promote and facilitate the creation of new subsea cable connectivity routes from Ireland to Europe |
By 2030 |
|
42 |
Support development of more cables on new and diverse routes and partner with neighbouring states to develop response and repair capacities |
Ongoing |
|
44 |
Build preparedness capacities across the digital infrastructure sector to counter potential vulnerabilities, including: protection of State infrastructure from extreme climate events (including examining the use of satellite services to mitigate the risk of terrestrial backhaul outages); strengthening consumer protections in service outage scenarios; enhancing systems for public warnings, emergency alerts and Emergency Call Answering Services |
By 2030 / By 2027 (ECAS) |
|
48 |
Implement strategic pilot digital initiatives: exploit 5G capabilities through 5G Standalone pilots, including within the Public Service in Health and Public Safety |
Ongoing |
|
49 |
Expand Quantum communication networks in partnership with EU Member States |
Ongoing |
|
50 |
Foster experimentation and develop advanced communication technologies, e.g. 6G |
Ongoing |
Pillar 4 Budget Allocation under the National Development Plan 2026 – 2030:
|
Project Title |
2026 |
2027 |
2028 |
2029 |
2030 |
Total |
|
National Broadband Plan |
€433,000,000 |
€153,000,000 |
€107,500,000 |
€97,500,000 |
€71,500,000 |
€862,500,000 |
|
EuroQCI (European Quantum Communication Infrastructure) |
€2,000,000 |
€2,000,000 |
€2,000,000 |
€2,000,000 |
€2,000,000 |
€10,000,000 |
|
Public Warning System |
€1,000,000 |
€12,500,000 |
€1,000,000 |
€1,000,000 |
€1,000,000 |
€16,500,000 |
|
Subsea Cable State Intervention |
€650,000 |
€1,723,000 |
€1,073,000 |
€1,823,000 |
€2,423,000 |
€7,692,000 |
|
Subsea Cable Repair |
€0 |
€500,000 |
€500,000 |
€500,000 |
€500,000 |
€2,000,000 |
|
Total |
€436,650,000 |
€169,723,000 |
€112,073,000 |
€102,823,000 |
€77,423,000 |
€898,692,000 |
My Department also holds responsibility for additional deliverables under Digital Ireland covering online safety, digital regulation and public service digitalisation, as set out in the table below.
|
Deliverable No. |
Deliverable |
Timeline |
|
4 |
Launch Ireland’s Government Digital Wallet, including an online age verification mechanism (OGCIO lead; D/CCS supporting) |
End 2026 |
|
68 |
Support and resource Coimisiún na Meán in implementing the Online Safety Code |
Ongoing |
|
69 |
Progress enhancements to the EU Online Safety Framework, including review and potential revision of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive during Ireland’s EU Presidency |
Ongoing |
|
71 |
Support Coimisiún na Meán to lead a public awareness campaign on AI-generated non-consensual intimate images (D/CCS supporting An Coimisiún) |
Ongoing |
|
72 |
Coimisiún na Meán and the AI Advisory Council to review and update taxonomies of online harms with regard to AI-enabled harms (D/CCS supporting An Coimisiún) |
Ongoing |
|
73 |
Implement the National Counter Disinformation Strategy through funding for media literacy, fact-checking and disinformation research |
Ongoing, Budget 2026 allocation of €1.1 million |
|
75 |
Implement an age verification tool through the Government Digital Wallet, protecting users’ rights including privacy (OGCIO lead; D/CCS supporting) |
Ongoing |
|
76 |
Work with like-minded Member States to explore age restrictions on social media for those under sixteen |
Ongoing |
177. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the actions he is taking to expand investment in community sports facilities, grassroots clubs and shared school and community sports infrastructure; the way in which funding under existing capital programmes is being prioritised to address gaps in provision in densely populated urban constituencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16766/26]
View answerMy Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). Sporting organisations can apply directly for CSFF funding while applications to the LSSIF must be made through either a National Governing Body (NGB) of Sport or a Local Authority. In 2024 over a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to community sports clubs and facilities from the CSFF while grants totalling €173 million were awarded from the LSSIF. This is a an all-time record investment level in sport in Ireland.
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 given the existing demands on the CSFF.
Availability and ease of access to sports facilities, whether in a club setting, on public lands or in other amenity areas, is a key factor in drawing more people to participation in sport. Planning for future facilities’ needs, locations and types is a particular focus of our current Sports Action Plan.
However, the use to which lands are put is ultimately a matter for the relevant local authority and my Department does not fund the acquisition of land for sport.
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 sports' National Governing Bodies and local authorities to collaborate in this regard.
181. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the funding allocated this year for the Dublin city and Fingal LSPs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16809/26]
View answerSport Ireland's network of Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) play a crucial role in implementing the National Sports Policy (NSP) and increasing participation levels in sport and physical activity particularly in underrepresented groups. The LSPs deliver targeted programmes to a range of cohorts including older adults, people with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and those living in disadvantaged communities.
Sport Ireland announced a record €33.36 million in core funding for National Governing Bodies of Sport, Local Sports Partnerships and other funded sports bodies on 21 January 2026. Of this total, the LSP network received €12.66 million which represents an increase of 5.9% compared to 2025.
Core funding is allocated to fund six nationally designated roles which are uniform across the LSP network. The salaries for these roles are standardised nationally and do not vary according to the population size of the community served by the LSP.
Certain LSPs receive additional core funding where there are independently governed, as they must cover office and organisational overheads themselves. Both Dublin City and Fingal LSP are part of a Local Authority structure so do not receive funding in this regard.
The following is a breakdown of the funding allocated this year to Dublin City and Fingal LSPs:
|
LSP |
Core Funding |
Women in Sport Funding |
Total Funding |
|
Dublin City |
€436,474 |
€18,000 |
€454,474 |
|
Fingal |
€405,563 |
€30,000 |
€435,563 |
This funding for LSPs is also supplemented by additional investment from other funding streams, including Dormant Account Funding and the European Social Fund Programme.
Additionally, Sport Ireland allocates €1.2 million at local level to fund a national network of Sports Inclusion Disability Officers with one assigned to each of the 29 LSPs.
182. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether his Department intends to issue updated guidance on eligibility for State sports capital and infrastructure funding in cases where local sports grounds are not fully community-owned, including situations where affiliation with Croke Park or third-party investment structures results in partial ownership resting with an external entity; if he will clarify how such arrangements affect a club’s ability to access State funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16802/26]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to continued sports funding to get more people participating in all levels of sport, particularly targeting cohorts in society where there is lower than average participation levels. Availability and ease of access to sports facilities, whether in a club setting, on public lands or in other amenity areas, is a key factor in drawing more people to participation in sport. Planning for future facilities’ needs, locations and types is a particular focus of our current Sports Action Plan.
My department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). Sporting organisations can apply directly for CSFF funding while applications to the LSSIF must be made through either a National Governing Body (NGB) of Sport or a Local Authority. CSFF and LSSIF capital project applications require proof of title, which must be either freehold ownership or a long-term lease accompanied by permission to carry out the works.
Grant management procedures issued by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation require that the Department dilligently protects the State investment. To meet this requirement, it is necessary for the grant recipient to enter into a formal legal agreement with the Minister and, where grant totals exceed €400,000, a legal charge is placed on the relevant property or land.
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. A review of the 2023 CSFF round is nearing finalisation and will be an important input to the detailed design of eligibility and other rules for a 2026 round.
Question No. 183 answered with Question No. 175.
184. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to outline any plans to provide additional capital support to arts and cultural facilities. [16748/26]
View answerAs outlined in the Programme for Government, the Government believes that culture and the arts are essential to a well-rounded society, providing opportunities for education, expression and community engagement.
A network of cultural infrastructure exists throughout the country, with the majority in the ownership of local authorities. Annual support, including programming and revenue supports, is provided to this arts and culture infrastructure by local authorities and the Arts Council. My Department focuses on providing capital grant funding to assist development and to maintain these arts and cultural facilities.
The 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. 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.
In line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, my Department was allocated €6m in Budget 2026 for 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.
185. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide an update on the progress made to date in relation to the implementation of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16770/26]
View answerIn terms of implementation of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act, the main development was the establishment, in 2023, of Coimisiún na Meán, Ireland’s independent online safety and media regulator.
An Coimisiún is now at the heart of Ireland's online safety framework. The OSMR Act, along with the EU Digital Services Act under which An Coimisiún is Ireland’s Digital Services Coordinator, and the EU Terrorist Content Online Regulation for which An Coimisiún is a competent authority, are the main elements of Ireland's online safety framework.
2025 saw the full application of Ireland's first Online Safety Code, implemented by Coimisiún na Meán, as provided for under the OSMR Act. The Code obliges designated video-sharing platform services to take measures to protect children online, including, under Part B, the obligation to implement robust age assurance measures to ensure children do not normally see adult-only content, like pornography. A failure to adequately fulfil obligations under the framework can lead to significant financial sanctions and continued non-compliance can lead to criminal sanctions for senior management under the OSMR Act.
I plan to make online safety a key theme of Ireland's Presidency of the European Union next year. In this context, the EU Audio Visual Media Services Directive, which is the basis for Ireland's Online Safety Code, will be evaluated over the coming year. Further measures are likely to be proposed at European level during Ireland's Presidency, and Ireland will work with all stakeholders to ensure that additional legislative proposals are robust in addressing harms posed to children online.
More broadly, having regard to broadcasters and providers of audiovisual on-demand media services, under the Broadcasting and other Media Regulation Acts 2009 – 2022, Coimisiún na Meán has responsibility for the development and application of a range of media service codes and rules that govern the standards and practices of these services. These include the Code of Fairness, Impartiality and Objectivity in News and Current Affairs for radio and television broadcasters, Media Service Code and Media Service Rules for Audiovisual On-demand Media Service Providers and the Code of Programme Standards.
Coimisiún na Meán continues to develop and implement its compliance framework on an iterative basis in accordance with the evolving regulatory regime for online and broadcast media at national and European Union level, and is independent in the discharge of its functions. Further details of Coimisiún na Meán's compliance framework can be found at www.cnam.ie/industry-and-professionals/codes-legislation/codes-and-rules/
186. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when he will sanction the modest occupational pension increase for former An Post workers which has been agreed between An Post and worker representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6898/26]
View answerUnder section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, 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, namely, to increase pensions in payment for members and deferred members of the An Post Superannuation Scheme by 6% per annum with effect from 1st January 2025 and 1% from 1 June 2025, arising from its agreements with employee representative groups. In line with both the Code of Practice for State Bodies and the relevant legislation, Ministerial consent has been granted and this was conveyed to An Post on 25 February 2026.
I hope you will appreciate that as the operation of the schemes is a matter between the management of An Post, staff representatives and the trustees of the schemes, I cannot comment on when the approved increase will be received.
187. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if the criteria for the basic income for the arts is due to change; the number of payments in total that will be made available for successful applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14599/26]
View answerI was delighted last month to announce that the Government had agreed on the broad parameters for a successor scheme to the Basic Income for the Arts pilot. Applications will open for the new scheme in May with 2,000 places available for artists to receive a weekly payment of €325. The BIA is an initiative which I believe sets Ireland apart in how we support our artists.
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. The research clearly demonstrated both how precarious and difficult it is to be an artist and also the positive benefits for society as a whole if we invest in our artists.
The BIA research has consistently demonstrated both the positive impact of the payment and I look forward to rolling out the successor scheme in the coming months. The BIA will help to sustain the careers of those artists who will receive it and to retain their talent in the arts sector.
The focus of the successor scheme is to support professional artists whose creative practice is based in Ireland.
I will publish guidelines in the coming weeks setting out the detailed eligibility criteria for the new scheme. The broad parameters of the new scheme will be as follows:
- 2,000 artists will receive a payment of €325 per week
- the payments will last for 3 years
- participants of the pilot scheme can apply for the new scheme if they are eligible under the criteria of the new scheme
I am grateful to my Government colleagues for their support for this ground-breaking support for the arts in Ireland and recognising the importance of supporting artistic practice. This support makes Ireland a world-leader in how we support our artists and culture and will help to sustain the careers of those artists who will receive it and retain their talent in the arts sector.
189. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the work being done by his Department to regulate AI to protect children from misinformation and toxic online culture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16768/26]
View answerThe EU Artificial Intelligence Act, amongst other things, prohibits certain AI systems from being sold or used because they are particularly dangerous. These "prohibited practices" include AI-enabled manipulative techniques which can be used to persuade persons to engage in unwanted behaviours, or to deceive them by nudging them into decisions in a way that subverts and impairs their autonomy, decision-making and free choices.
The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment is responsible for implementing the EU AI Act in Ireland, through the Regulation of Artificial Intelligence Bill 2026. Under the Bill it is envisaged that Coimisiún na Meán, amongst other things, will act as a Market Surveillance Authority in relation to prohibited practices in respect of the entities that it already regulates, such as social media platforms.
Separately but relatedly, as set out in the National Digital and AI Strategy, the Government is committed to advocating with the European Commission to explore amending the AI Act to expand its list of prohibited AI practices to include AI systems that enable the generation of child sexual abuse material and non-consensual intimate images. This is also being led by the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
Finally, in April 2025, the National Counter Disinformation Strategy was published. The Strategy is rights-based and sets out 9 commitments and 36 actions aimed at countering the harmful effects of disinformation, including misinformation. More information regarding the Strategy is available on the Strategy web page.
191. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when applications for the Creative Climate Action Fund III will open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16808/26]
View answerThe Creative Climate Action Fund III (2026-2029) was launched by my Department on 13 February, with applications due by 15 April 2026.
The fund, which is totalling €6.5 million, is led the Creative Ireland Programme within my Department. It will be delivered in partnership with the Shared Island Initiative of the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment.
My Department is seeking proposals that respond creatively to key national climate priorities, including those set out in the Climate Action Plan 2025, the National Dialogue on Climate Action, and the work of the Just Transition Commission. The goal is to support ambitious projects that can bring together expertise from the arts and culture sector, climate science, and community engagement.
Grants of between €400,000 and €750,000 will be available for projects delivered over a 36 month period, with the aim of supporting organisations with the capacity to work in the intersection of culture and climate, and experience in delivering public engagement projects at scale.
192. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the efforts his Department are making to support wider diversity and participation in sport from underrepresented groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16798/26]
View answerThis Government is committed to a "Sport for All" approach aimed at ensuring that all persons can partake equally in sport and physical activity, regardless of gender, age, social-economic status, disability, or membership of minority groups such as the LGBTI+ community, the Traveller community or other ethnic minorities. This commitment is reaffirmed in the Programme for Government.
Sport Ireland's network of Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) plays a crucial role in implementing the National Sports Policy and increasing participation levels in sport and physical activity particularly in underrepresented groups. The LSPs deliver targeted programmes to a range of cohorts including ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, the unemployed, and those living in disadvantaged communities.
Sport Ireland announced a record €33.36 million in core funding for National Governing Bodies of Sport, Local Sports Partnerships and other funded sports bodies on 21 January 2026.
The LSP network was allocated €12.66 million which represents an increase of 5.9% compared to 2025. This funding is supplemented by additional investment from other funding streams, including Dormant Account Funding (DAF) and the European Social Fund Programme.
€500,000 was allocated to LSPs through the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion fund as part of DAF in 2025. The Fund supports LSPs to deliver projects that remove barriers to participation in sport and physical activity for individuals from diverse and underrepresented communities.
Sport Ireland has successfully applied to the European Social Fund (ESF+) Programme 2021-2027 and has been awarded €11 million for implementation of a social innovation and inclusion programme over the lifetime of the Programme. The ESF+ funding has enabled Sport Ireland to establish the Sport4Empowerment (S4E) Programme which aims to use sport and physical activity as tool for social inclusion and empowerment. S4E targets four population cohorts, in the form of youth at risk, ethnic minorities, persons living with disabilities and those from a disadvantaged backgrounds.
As Minister for Sport, I will continue to promote sport to all cohorts and work to remove barriers to participation.
193. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the supports available to local sports clubs that do not own their own land to access the sports capital grant to improve their facilities, such as all-weather pitches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16772/26]
View answerMy department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). Sporting organisations can apply directly for CSFF funding while applications to the LSSIF must be made through either a National Governing Body (NGB) of Sport or a Local Authority.
Capital grant limits for the CSFF are based on the security of tenure held by the applicant. Funding of up to €200,000 is available to organisations that either own the subject land or hold a lease registered with Tailte Éireann with at least 15 years remaining. For organisations without a registered chargeable title, capital funding is restricted to a maximum of €70,000.
The Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) provides that, if the land owner is entitled to apply for CSFF funding in its own right, then the landlord must make the application on behalf of the sports user.
Availability and ease of access to sports facilities, whether in a club setting, on public lands or in other amenity areas, is a key factor in drawing more people to participation in sport. Planning for future facilities’ needs, locations and types is a particular focus of our current Sports Action Plan.
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 sports' National Governing Bodies and local authorities to collaborate in this regard.
Question No. 194 answered with Question No. 172.
195. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether his Department has any concerns around the planned Ireland versus Israel Nations League fixtures; the engagement his Department has had with the FAI on the fixtures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16799/26]
View answerIt is important to make clear that National Governing Bodies of sport (NGBs), including the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), are independent, autonomous bodies responsible for the governance of their own sports, including the organisation of sporting fixtures, whether in domestic or international competitions. The Government and Sport Ireland have no role in determining or supporting the organisation of such fixtures.
In addition, neither the Government nor Sport Ireland, has a role in determining who can participate in international competitions organised by international sporting federations.
International sporting federations are responsible for determining the composition of their membership in line with their own internal rules. The international federations, in this case, UEFA, have a leadership role for their global games, and it is at this level that strategic decisions should be taken rather than by individual countries’ NGBs.
The FAI has decided to play the fixtures against Israel in the UEFA Nations League this Autumn, in accordance with its obligations as a member of UEFA, and having consulted with An Garda Síochána and other key stakeholders. The FAI briefed Minister O'Donovan and me on this matter last week and I understand that it will be engaging with the Norwegian Football Association to learn from its hosting of a match against Israel last year. The FAI has also advised that it has engaged with the Israeli Football Association, which has confirmed that it does not expect a significant number of Israeli fans to travel to Ireland for the fixture.
The FAI is completely within its rights to fulfil these UEFA fixtures and the I support its decision to do so in the context of its obligations as a member of UEFA and in enabling our athletes to compete at the highest level of International competition. The Government will not be calling for a boycott of the games.
On a wider note, I want to reiterate that Ireland supports ongoing efforts to implement the Comprehensive Plan to end the Gaza conflict. All parties must adhere to their commitments in full, desist from any actions inconsistent with what has been agreed, and continue to negotiate in good faith to ensure full implementation.
Question No. 196 answered with Question No. 149.
197. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on the rollout of the National Broadband Plan for Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16270/26]
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 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.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, over 451,550 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. 166,670 premises are already connected to the NBP high-speed broadband network. NBI are connecting circa 4,500 homes each month.
In the Deputy's own county of Cork a significant investment of €314 million is being made under the NBP. There are over 58,540 premises passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and 62,677 are available to order/pre-order, with 19,685 premises now connected. A further circa 24,450 premises in Cork will be passed by NBI’s high speed fibre broadband by the end of the network deployment.
Premises located in the Charleville , Dunmanway, Grenagh and Kilcrohane Deployment Areas (DAs) are currently in the network build phase. These premises have an anticipated date for connection between July 2026 and September 2026. Premises in the Ballingeary and Carriganimmy DAs are also at network build phase and have an anticipated connection date of between October and December 2026.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Cork and can be monitored via https://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 Cork based on NBI deployment areas rather than exact county boundaries.
