Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 May 2026
57. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on the implementation of the National Counter Disinformation Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33371/26]
View answerThe National Counter Disinformation Strategy was published in April 2025. A multi-stakeholder Steering Committee, supported by a broader Coordination Group, has been overseeing implementation since June 2025. Terms of reference, membership and minutes of meetings for the Committee and the Group are available on the Strategy web page.
The first progress update was published on the Strategy web page in December 2025: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/f346e655/20251219_NCDS_Implementation_Update.pdf. It is planned to publish the next progress update in June 2026.
2025 highlights include the holding of the first Disinformation Forum, the Media Literacy Ireland Annual Conference and Ireland joining the Steering Group of the OECD Hub on Information Integrity.
Implementation of the Strategy is being accelerated in 2026 with the disbursement of the €1.1 million in funding which I secured in Budget 2026. Coimisiún na Meán has commenced a scheme to support media literacy activities and will shortly launch a scheme to assist fact-checking initiatives. My Department is finalising arrangements with a partner in respect of research initiatives and it is hoped to launch a scheme in that regard very shortly as well.
