Written Answers Nos. 314-331
314. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the oversight that exists to ensure that complaints relating to governance failures or misconduct at local committee level are handled consistently, fairly and transparently by national governing bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33835/26]
View answerNational Governing Bodies of sport (NGBs) are independent autonomous organisation, and as such, are responsible for governance at national, local and other levels of their sports, including disciplinary and complaints processes.
Sport Ireland, as Ireland's sports development agency, works with NGBs to ensure that appropriate governance and safeguarding policies are put in place, as well as mechanisms to handle complaints or issues when they arise. This work is underpinned by Sport Ireland's Governance Code for Sport, compliance with which is a condition of funding for NGBs.
The Code highlights principles-based governance and contains five principles addressing, among other things, leadership, transparency, accountability and integrity. The detailed level of Code implementation under the Code is differentiated by organisation size, i.e. for very small (Type A), medium (Type B) and large (Type C) organisations.
Regarding safeguarding, Sport Ireland has set criteria for safeguarding compliance. This is a compulsory requirement for NGBs linked to funding. This criteria is reviewed twice annually.
Further to this, Sport Ireland works with NGBs to ensure that appropriate policies are put in place to take a proactive approach to safeguarding by identifying and mitigating risks to player welfare. Sport Ireland also works with NGBs to ensure mechanisms are in place to appropriately react to and handle complaints or issues when they arise
In August 2023, a new national Code of Conduct template for sporting organisations was launched by Sport Ireland.. The Code sets out guidelines and principles promoting the behaviours and conduct expected from athletes, coaches, parents and guardians, supporters, referees and officials, and all club members.
All NGBs are expected to use this template Code of Conduct as an opportunity to review their existing policies and procedures for handling code breaches, to ensure a safe and respectful environment for all involved in Irish sport.
315. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will provide a list of all capital projects, including sports, cultural and communications infrastructure projects funded under the remit of his Department including under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund, which have been completed on time and within budget in Carlow in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33501/26]
View answer316. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will provide a list of all capital projects, including sports, cultural and communications infrastructure projects funded under the remit of his Department including under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund, which have been completed on time and within budget in Kilkenny in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33502/26]
View answer317. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will provide a list of all capital projects, including sports, cultural and communications infrastructure projects funded under the remit of his Department (including under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund), which have been completed on time and within budget in Louth in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33655/26]
View answer318. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will provide a list of all capital projects, including sports, cultural and communications infrastructure projects funded under the remit of his Department (including under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund), which have been completed on time and within budget in Dublin West in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33680/26]
View answer322. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will provide a list of all capital projects, including sports, cultural and communications infrastructure projects funded under the remit of his Department including under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund, which have been completed on time and within budget in Dublin in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33828/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 315, 316, 317, 318 and 322 together.
I propose to take Parliamentary Questions 33828/26, 33680/26, 33655/26, 33502/26, and 33501/26 together.
My Department provides funding for a wide range of capital projects across Ireland across the sport, culture and communications sector.
The Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) support clubs and organisations to deliver sporting facilities across the country. With respect to these programmes, the Department provides funding towards the overall cost of each project. Accordingly, the ultimate cost or budget of each project, as well as its timeline for delivery, is a matter for the relevant grantees. Details of all CSFF allocations are available on the Department's website at Community Sport Facilities Fund / Sports Capital and Equipment Fund Allocations
(www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/collections/sports-capital-programme-allocations/). A full list of the LSSIF projects is available on my Department's website: Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) 2018 (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/services/large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif-2018/) and Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) 2024 (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/services/large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif-2024/).
My Department also provides capital funding to organisations in the arts and culture sectors to improve facilities. Details of Grants and Funding for cultural institutions is available at Culture: Grants and Funding. (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/publications/culture-grants-and-funding/). A list of all previous Arts & Culture grants and schemes is available at Creative Arts: Grants and Funding - Previous Schemes. (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/publications/creative-arts-grants-and-funding-previous-schemes/). Again, the responsibility for the overall budget and delivery of projects rests with the various organisations.
Regarding the Communications sector, my Department is delivering the National Broadband Plan. It is expected that the deployment phase will be completed this year and the overall programme remains on time and within the overall budget. National Broadband Ireland (NBI)'s website contains a detailed update on progress within each county, accessible at County Fibre Progress and Broadband Rollout Updates | NBI. (https://nbi.ie/where-are-we-working/). Further details are available on specific areas across the country and can be monitored via https://nbi.ie/reps/.
Updates on the progress of larger capital projects under the National Development Plan can be accessed via the MyProjectIreland Interactive Map and Tracker, accessible at MyProjectIreland Interactive Map and Tracker (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/collections/myprojectireland-interactive-map-and-tracker/).
319. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the steps being taken to ensure that young people have a meaningful and structured voice in decision making on social media regulation and other online safety policies that directly affect them, including proposals to restrict access based on age; the mechanisms in place to consult with children and young people on such measures; the way in which he plans to ensure that youth perspectives inform the development of future digital and online safety policies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33711/26]
View answerThe protection of children and young people in the online world is of utmost importance to me. For that reason, I have made the issue my priority for Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the EU. As part of the Presidency Programme, I will be hosting a high-level conference in Dublin dedicated to online safety for children and young people. It will be an opportunity to review the existing framework, to identify where change is needed, and to hear the latest ideas for improvement.
I believe that it is vital that we ensure that the voices of children and young people are heard when designing an online world that is both safe for them and meets their needs. Accordingly, my Department is holding a Youth Forum next month to engage with different age groups of children, from around the country, to get their views, concerns and ideas.
The outcome of that Forum will inform our preparations for the Presidency and will be presented to the Presidency conference. I hope that will ensure that young people’s perspectives are at the heart of the Conference’s deliberations.
320. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department or any bodies and agencies under his aegis use software and or products from a company (details supplied); and the duration and cost of the contract; and the services they avail of from the company. [33716/26]
View answerMy Department does not use any software or products from the named company.
321. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether a sports club or school can spend a portion of the Sports Capital Grant on consultants for the purpose of delivering the awarded project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33763/26]
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 levels throughout the country. The fund aims to foster an integrated and planned approach to the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and assists the purchase of non-personal sports equipment.
The CSFF does not provide funding toward professional fees including consultancy fees. Full details of the CSFF and the type of projects funded can be found at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie.
323. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide a detailed breakdown of funding provided in 2026 by his Department for mental health and wellbeing support services for elite athletes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33901/26]
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. It also has responsibility for the allocation of funding across its various programmes.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to this matter. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
324. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether he is satisfied that the Arts Council has expanded eligibility for funding to all sectors of the arts; whether he is aware of any sector still excluded; the reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33910/26]
View answerUnder Section 2 of the Arts Act 2003, “Arts” means any creative or interpretative expression (whether traditional or contemporary) in whatever form, and includes, in particular, visual arts, theatre, literature, music, dance, opera, film, circus and architecture, and includes any medium when used for those purposes.
The Arts Council is the national government agency for funding, developing and promoting the arts in Ireland. Their role is to advocate, advise, invest and partner with others, to cultivate a vibrant arts community at the heart of Irish society.
As art forms and arts practices develop, the Arts Council continually reviews their work to support the arts in Ireland and responds accordingly to these developments. Art is never static, it is always evolving and so must the Arts Council.
One example is the recent formation of the Multidisciplinary Arts team, tasked with exploring how best to support multidisciplinary arts practice. The formation of this team has been in direct response to the evolving practices the Arts Council have seen in the sector and in their applications, as well as in response to feedback from the sector, that single artform schemes are incompatible with this type of practice.
I have asked the Arts Council to make direct contact and provide the Deputy with further information in relation to how they have expanded eligibility for funding to other sectors of the arts. Please contact my private office if you do not hear from the Council within the next ten working days.
325. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the Community Sports Fund will be opened; whether the amounts available will allow for increased costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33914/26]
View answerIn 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 which I expect to open in the first half of the year. 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 currently collating feedback from sporting clubs and organisations and this provides valuable input to our ongoing preparations for the next round. This includes, inter alia, considering the impact of the increase in costs since the last round of grants were approved in 2024. New guidelines will be published in advance of the opening of the next round which will include grant amount thresholds, eligibility and likely assessment criteria.
My aim is to have as many eligible sporting bodies as possible applying, by simplifying the application process and guidelines, and by carrying out a wide-reaching communications campaign.
All clubs and organisations registered with the Department's will be automatically be notified when the next round of the CSFF is opened.
The CSFF is currently temporarily closed for registrations in order to facilitate migration to a new IT system. Organisations that are currently registered will automatically transfer to the new portal. The new system portal will be launched and open to new registrations in the coming weeks. Further details of this will be published and communicated broadly.
326. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the number of civil and public servants employed by his/her Department in each of the past ten years, in tabular form. [33947/26]
View answerThe Department of Culture, Communications and Sport was established in its current configuration on 1 June 2025. The below table sets out the number of civil servants employed by the Department in each year.
|
Year: |
Number of Civil Servants Employed: |
|
2025 |
521 |
|
2026 (to date) |
537 |
327. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether any direct financial supports are available to individual families of children with additional and high sensory needs for home-based adaptations, including the development of sensory gardens or therapeutic outdoor spaces at a private residence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33799/26]
View answerMy Department provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People, to assist those in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The suite of grants, which include the Housing Adaptation Grant for Disabled People, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, are funded by my Department with a contribution from the local authority.
The Housing Adaptation Grant for Disabled People is available for the carrying out of works of adaptation that, in the opinion of the local authority, are reasonably necessary for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for a member of the household who has an enduring physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual disability. In general, these grant schemes can be used for works such as level access showers, accessible bathrooms, access ramps, stair lifts, fixed track hoists or extensions. Grant aid may be considered for the provision of infrastructural and safety related adaptations for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for a member of the household who has a disability to create appropriate space for applicants with specific sensory needs not including the provision of sensory equipment. Therefore the development of sensory gardens or therapeutic outdoor spaces are not within the scope of the scheme.
The administration of the grants scheme, including the assessment, approval and prioritisation of grant applications under the various measures, is the responsibility of each local authority. Having considered all of the circumstances in any particular case, it is a matter for the local authority to determine grant eligibility.
Local authorities, in administering the scheme, work with qualifying applicants to secure the most beneficial outcome possible in line with the applicants' financial circumstances and within the parameters of the grant scheme.
328. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a person (details supplied) employed by Tailte Éireann will receive the agreed salary outlined in their employment contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33815/26]
View answerTailte Éireann is an independent Government agency under the aegis of my Department. Tailte Éireann provides a property registration system, property valuation service and national mapping and surveying infrastructure for the State. Under Section 8 of the Tailte Éireann Act 2022, Tailte Éireann is independent in the performance of its functions.
I am aware of the issue raised in relation to the transfer of staff from Ordnance Survey Ireland (OSI) to Tailte Éireann and the associated matter of higher scale appointments.
By way of background, Tailte Éireann is the State agency formed on 1 March 2023 following the merger of Ordnance Survey Ireland, the Property Registration Authority and the Valuation Office. All the functions previously carried out by the Property Registration Authority, the Valuation Office, and Ordnance Survey Ireland are now being performed by Tailte Éireann.
As I understand it, public pay policy, which falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, allows for public servants assimilating into a new organisation to transfer to the equivalent general service grade where doing so is equal to, or more beneficial than, their current terms. Grades of a higher value than the equivalent general service grade can be ring-fenced on a personal to holder basis. This ensures that no staff member is disadvantaged by the redeployment process.
My Department continues to engage with officials from the Department for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation with a view to securing approaches to progress the matter in a manner that is consistent with established Government pay policy , the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026 and in line with the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA) code of practice.
329. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a list of all capital projects including social and affordable housing, water services, heritage and local authority-led projects funded under the remit of his Department which have been completed on time and within budget in Carlow in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33511/26]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
|
Bodies under the Aegis of DHLGH |
Oireachtas email |
|
An Coimisiún Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce |
oireachtas@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority |
oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.ie |
|
Construction Industry Register Ireland |
info@ciri.ie |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
|
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@gasnetworks.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Oireachtas@housingagency.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
oireachtasmemberqueries@lgma.ie |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
oireachtas@noac.ie |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
Property Services Appeal Board |
psabsecretary@psab.ie |
|
Property Services Regulatory Authority |
pq@psr.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Tailte Éireann |
Oireachtas@tailte.ie |
|
Uisce Éireann |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
oireachtas@valuationtribunal.ie |
|
Waterways Ireland |
oireachtas@waterwaysireland.org |
330. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide a list of all capital projects including social and affordable housing, water services, heritage and local authority-led projects funded under the remit of his Department which have been completed on time and within budget in Kilkenny in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33512/26]
View answerThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
|
Bodies under the Aegis of DHLGH |
Oireachtas email |
|
An Coimisiún Pleanála |
oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie |
|
An Fóram Uisce |
oireachtas@nationalwaterforum.ie |
|
Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority |
oireachtasqueries@ahbregulator.ie |
|
Construction Industry Register Ireland |
info@ciri.ie |
|
Docklands Oversight and Consultative Forum |
infodocklands@dublincity.ie |
|
Gas Networks Ireland |
oireachtas@gasnetworks.ie |
|
Heritage Council |
oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie |
|
Housing and Sustainable Communities Agency |
Oireachtas@housingagency.ie |
|
Housing Finance Agency |
oireachtas.enquiries@hfa.ie |
|
Land Development Agency |
oireachtas@lda.ie |
|
Local Government Management Agency |
oireachtasmemberqueries@lgma.ie |
|
National Oversight and Audit Commission |
oireachtas@noac.ie |
|
National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee |
ntacc@housing.gov.ie |
|
Office of the Planning Regulator |
oireachtas@opr.ie |
|
Property Services Appeal Board |
psabsecretary@psab.ie |
|
Property Services Regulatory Authority |
pq@psr.ie |
|
Pyrite Resolution Board |
oireachtasinfo@pyriteboard.ie |
|
Residential Tenancies Board |
OireachtasMembersQueries@rtb.ie |
|
Tailte Éireann |
Oireachtas@tailte.ie |
|
Uisce Éireann |
oireachtasmembers@water.ie |
|
Valuation Tribunal |
oireachtas@valuationtribunal.ie |
|
Waterways Ireland |
oireachtas@waterwaysireland.org |
331. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the report of the Local Democracy Taskforce, which was presented to him on 4 March 2026, will be published; whether he accepts that withholding the report until an implementation plan is finalised is unreasonable given the public interest in its recommendations; if, in the event of further delays in finalising the implementation plan, he will commit to publishing the report itself within two months of it having been presented to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33591/26]
View answerThe Local Democracy Taskforce, a key commitment in the Programme for Government, was established in July 2025 with the purpose of bringing forward a suite of reforms across the Local Government Sector. The Taskforce was to build on the considerable body of work previously undertaken by the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG), CLARE (Congress of Local and Regional Authorities) and the Seanad Reports.
The Local Democracy Taskforce presented its final report to me on 4 March 2026. A key consideration by the Taskforce when considering its Terms of Reference was that the recommendations made would be made in a manner that would allow for the successful implementation of the recommendations.
An Implementation Plan is currently under development that will allow for the implementation of the relevant recommendations by identifying key stakeholders and timelines required for each recommendation. I expect to bring the Final Report, along with an Implementation plan, to Government shortly.
