Emer Currie
Question:663. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the main policy achievements of his Department since 22 January 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30473/26]
View answerTuesday, 28 April 2026
Questions (663)
Written answers
As stated in my Department's Statement of Strategy 2025-2028, the mission of my Department is to lead and enable the development of the culture, communications, media and sport sectors, to contribute to an Ireland that is active, connected and thriving.
The main policy and legislative priorities for my Department are detailed in the Statement of Strategy 2025-2028 which is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/organisation-information/statement-of-strategy-2025-2028/.
Some of the main achievements of my Department since 22 January 2025, which have helped to advance key priority areas, are outlined below.
Culture and Arts
• Cruinniú na nÓg 2025 took place with over 1,000 free creative activities for young people
• Commencement of the construction project for the redevelopment of Crawford Art Gallery in Cork
• National Archives published the records of the 1926 Census
• Grant funding of €1.4m announced for Culture Ireland’s promotion of Irish arts globally
• Publication of the Expert Advisory Committee Independent Review of the governance and organisational culture of the Arts Council
• Applications were opened for the new Basic Income for the Arts scheme
• Details of the America250 commemorative programme were announced
• Late-night museum scheme launched in support of the ongoing development of a diverse Night-Time Economy in Ireland with funding of €420,000
• Funding of €1m allocated to the Grassroots Venue Support Scheme aimed at supporting small established live performance venues
• Grant schemes announced for Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools, with a maximum grant of €5,000 available following a competitive application process
• Communications
• The National Broadband Plan marked the first connections to high-speed fibre broadband on Achill Island
• Funding of €15m per annum over a 5-year fixed period (2026-2030) to support a sustainable, nationwide post office network
• New Sectoral Adaption Plan unveiled to protect Ireland’s communications networks from extreme weather
• Series of measures were put in place to improve emergency response in the telecommunications sector
• Media and Broadcasting
• National Counter Disinformation Strategy has been published
• The Media Regulation Bill and the Revised General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill have been published
• Coimisiún na Meán launched the Digital Transformation Scheme which aims to support the Irish media sector in a time of rapid transition with a focus on digital skills training and technology.
• €10m allocated to Coimisiún na Meán to support public interest journalism
• Coimisiún na Meán progressed the implementation of Ireland’s online safety framework
• Increased funding of €5.4m was secured for TG4 in Budget 2026, with provision for a new digital news service
• Sport
• Record investment of €28.5m in high performance Sport for 2026
• First NFL Game in Ireland delivered €104.5m for the Irish Economy
• €4m funding for Women in Sport Programme
• Publication of a new International Sports Diplomacy Framework for Ireland
• Funding of up to €5.7m was announced to help ensure that the 2027 Ryder Cup produces a lasting legacy in Adare, in the wider Limerick region and in Ireland as a whole
• Record investment of over €33m in core funding support to sporting organisations
• Confirmation that Ireland will host 7 games of UEFA EURO 2028 including 5 group games, a round of 16 game and a quarter final