Written Answers Nos. 449-472
449. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the number of vacancies at each grade of higher executive officer and above within his Department as of 18 September 2026, in tabular form. [68046/26]
View answerThe table below sets out all vacancies at the grades of Higher Executive Officer and above within this Department as of 18 September 2026:
|
Grade: |
Number of Vacancies: |
|
Principal Officer (PO) |
2* |
|
Assistant Principal (AP) |
1 |
|
Senior Archivist |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer (HEO) |
3 |
*At present, two vacancies exist at PO level, however, both vacancies are currently being filled on an acting basis.
It is anticipated that a number of the above vacancies will be filled via the internal redeployment following the conclusion of Ireland's Presidency of the European Union.
450. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the capital and current budget allocation for the Irish Museum of Modern Art, in each of the years 2025 and 2026, in tabular form. [68058/26]
View answerPlease see below information requested by the Deputy regarding the annual funding allocation to the Irish Museum of Modern Art. The table below sets out the operational funding provided to IMMA from Subhead A5 of my Department's Vote in 2025 and 2026.
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
2025 |
2026 |
|
Current Funding |
€7,939,000 |
€8,588,000 |
|
Capital Funding |
€320,000 |
€335,000 |
|
Total |
€8,259,000 |
€8,923,000 |
The figure above for current funding in 2025 includes an additional grant of €109,000 to supplement the cost of pensions.
451. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport what budget was allocated to Ireland’s EU Presidency Conference on Online Safety for Children and Young People in Dublin Castle on the 10th and 11th of September organised by the Department as part of Ireland's EU presidency. [68148/26]
View answer452. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the budget that was allocated to the EU Presidency Conference on Traditional Sports and Games held on the 22 September 2026. [68158/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 451 and 452 together.
The Revised Estimates Volume 2026 provided an allocation of €4m for the EU Presidency costs for my Department as well as an additional €4m allocation through Culture Ireland to support the development and roll-out of the Presidency Culture Programme across a number of strands both at home and abroad.
The REV allocation will support the 10 key events in Ireland which my Department is responsible for during the Presidency across the culture, media, telecommunications, postal and sporting areas. These include conferences, senior official level meetings, and an Informal Ministerial level meeting.
The Irish Presidency Conference on Online Safety for Children and Young People "Shaping the future online safety framework for children and young people in the EU" which was held in Dublin Castle on the 10th and 11th of September was attended by key parties, including Ministers and representatives from EU Member States, involved in online safety across Europe. They came together to listen to the results of expert data and analysis, discuss and reflect on the online experience of children and young people and the risks to their safety online, and to consider the next steps needed to shape the future online safety framework for children and young people across the EU. It was attended by approximately 250 people over the two days of the conference, and it was an important event in the Presidency calendar.
The EU Presidency Conference on Traditional Sports and Games took place on the 22nd of September in Croke Park. Approximately 200 stakeholders from across Ireland and Europe gathered together to discuss issues of common interest to all sports. Speakers came from across Europe to discuss issues such as growing sports participation, changing demographics and their effects on sports and the role of sports as cultural heritage.
The Department, worked together with the OPW and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to ensure that any proposed expenditure in relation to the above events was monitored carefully and appropriately managed. Suppliers for catering, accommodation and transport were drawn from framework agreements in place for the EU Presidency where applicable and other costs were estimated in line with the relevant procurement guidance as appropriate. We have yet to receive the final invoices for the services provided at the two events. It should also be noted that the Department has been awarded separate grants from the European Commission to cover some of the costs associated with these two events.
In addition to covering costs of EU Presidency conferences and meetings, the REV allocation will support Presidency outreach and engagement activities along with other associated staffing costs.
453. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department provides any funding schemes that a walking football club could apply to help purchase walking football goals, footballs, bibs, cones and other training and playing equipment. [68123/26]
View answer464. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department provides any funding schemes that a walking football club could apply to for help purchasing walking football goals, footballs, bibs, cones and other training and playing equipment. [68124/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 453 and 464 together.
The 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 next round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) is now open. A new online grant management system for CSFF, SPRAOI, went live on Monday 28 September.
Clubs and organisations not previously registered with the Department can now register on SPRAOI. The window for funding applications will run from Monday 19 October 2026 to Friday 26 February 2027.
454. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his plans to mark the sesquicentenary of the disestablishment of the Church of Ireland as the State Church in 1869. [68223/26]
View answerThe Commemorations Unit in my Department ensures that the significant historical events and themes which have been highlighted in the Programme for Government, by the Commemorations Advisory Committee, or through key stakeholders are appropriately marked and remembered.
The Unit has not yet received any proposals to mark this anniversary. The 160th anniversary of the Irish Church Act of 1869, will take place in 2029. This saw the end of the Church of Ireland being the State Church and the transfer of property and assets to Ecclesiastical Commissioners and later to the purposely formed Representative Body of the Church of Ireland (RCB).
The Irish Church Act may be considered within the context of the commemoration of the Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829. The bicentenary of this Act will also take place in 2029, and has been identified in the Programme for Government and by the Commemorations Advisory Committee as an anniversary that could be marked by the State.
If the Deputy is aware of proposals to mark the Irish Church Act of 1869, there are a number of avenues for support.
Local communities and interest groups that want to take part are supported by my Department through the local authority network. Each year a funding allocation has been provided to local authorities to develop community-led commemorative programming. The initiatives chosen for support are at the discretion of each local authority. The contact details for the Commemorations Co-ordinates are available on the commemorations page on Gov.ie.
Public bodies, sectoral stakeholders and third level institutions can bring forward proposals for commemorative events or programmes directly to the Unit.
All initiatives supported by my Department are required to be in keeping with the established principles of commemorations including historical authenticity, accessibility, inclusion and respectful remembrance.
455. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to outline the extent Ireland complies with the EU Digital Networks Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68347/26]
View answerGiven the importance of the electronic communications sector to both the economy and society, robust regulation of networks and services in a manner that enables investment, ensures operational resilience and trust, and appropriate consumer protection, requires a coherent regulatory approach.
In January 2026 the European Commission published its proposed Digital Networks Act which contains a number of new policy proposals for regulating the electronic communications market. This file is currently being negotiated via the Telecommunications and Information Working Party in Brussels. My officials are engaging with the European Commission as part of the Presidency of the European Council and expect to deliver a substantial Progress Report at the Formal Ministerial Council in Brussels on December 1st.
My Department recently held a public consultation on the Digital Networks Act to hear from stakeholders who will be impacted by this proposal. My officials are currently assessing the responses. When the Digital Networks Act comes into force, which is still subject to negotiation, my Department will do everything possible to ensure that Ireland can meet its obligations.
456. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to outline the extent Ireland complies with the European Electronic Communications Code; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68348/26]
View answerIreland transposed the European Electronic Communications Code in 2023 which saw ComReg designated as the competent authority for the purpose of enforcing the Code. It provided new powers for ComReg including a new civil enforcement regime and an updated criminal enforcement procedure, the power to set minimum quality of service standards for consumers, and allows ComReg to take interim measures where necessary and sets a higher penalty for the commission of indictable offences.
Given the importance of the electronic communications sector to both the economy and society, robust regulation of networks and services in a manner that enables investment, ensures operational resilience and trust, and appropriate consumer protection, requires a coherent regulatory approach.
There is regular engagement with ComReg to discuss a range of policy and regulatory issues, including resourcing and funding of the regulator to enable it deliver on its current and evolving statutory remit. This includes legislating to ensure there is clarity around existing and additional functions that may be designated, and that relevant enforcement powers and consumer protections are in place.
457. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he has considered proposals seeking additional funding for TG4 in Budget 2027; and the approach being taken by his Department to such proposals in the budgetary process. [68869/26]
View answerThe Programme for Government, Securing Ireland's Future, sets out this Government's commitment to continuing to support the growth of TG4 in meeting its public service remit.
The level of public funding to our public service media providers is determined with regard to the provisions of the Broadcasting Act 2009, under which Coimisiún na Meán submit annual recommendations in respect of requisite level of public funding required to permit TG4 to fulfil its statutory public service objects. The most recent such funding recommendation, covering 2027, was submitted to me by An Coimisiún on 30 June this year and is informing my considerations as part of the 2027 Budget and Estimates process regarding the funding for TG4 in 2027.
It is worth noting that in its review of public funding allocations for this year, An Coimisiún recommended a funding level of €66.34m for TG4. The allocation which was secured in Budget 2026 amounted to €65.376m, which is 75% greater than the amount allocated in 2020. This is indicative of successive Governments' commitment to ensuring stable, sufficient funding for public service broadcasters to maintain quality programming and public trust.
458. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on the payment of a Sports Capital Grant to a club (details supplied); whether the claims submitted in May 2026 have been fully processed; and when payment will issue. [68933/26]
View answerMy Department is experiencing record levels of drawdown applications under the Community Sport Facilities Fund, with the value of claims received significantly exceeding the levels recorded at the same point in previous years.
Claims continue to be processed and my Department is working to facilitate the earliest possible payment of all valid claims.
In the case of the specific payment application in question, I can confirm that a valid claim has been submitted and this is currently being processed.
459. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the measures introduced since Storm Éowyn to improve the resilience of mobile phone and broadband networks during prolonged power outages. [68837/26]
View answerMy Department has had significant engagement with industry in the development of resilience and emergency response, primarily via the establishment of the Telecommunications Response and Resilience Group (T-RRG). Cooperation and coordination between industry and Government via the Group will improve sectoral preparedness for, and response to severe weather incidences. For example, to:
• improve the physical and power resilience of networks
• coordinate and communicate more effectively during emergencies
• prioritise key infrastructure to provide minimum levels of connectivity during emergencies
The fixed and mobile networks are fully liberalised and privatised and operate in a competitive market. My Department does not have any current plans to invest in their network resilience. However, operators have independently assessed their preparedness and committed to a variety of network-specific measures, including:
• Reviewing the power requirements of sites
• Acquiring additional back up battery and generator capacity
• Preventative network maintenance
• Enhancing redundancy with back-up routes to their core networks
• Accelerating the use of satellites to provide additional resilience
Operators have identified key locations in their mobile networks which they advise will provide a basic layer of service for voice and text to the broadest possible area if backup power is maintained during a power outage. Operators have committed to development of resilience measures for these sites and to prioritise them during restoration where possible. My Department is engaging with State and semi-State colleagues to seek their support to enhance the resilience and restoration of these locations.
My Department is continuing to work with industry and colleagues across Government to identify and address coordination gaps between telecommunications operators and operational State response to severe weather incidences – effective management of access paths and roadside vegetation during recovery is key to speeding restoration of connectivity.
My Department continues to work with the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) to improve their regulation of outage information and incident reporting within the telecommunications sector.
My Department has liaised with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for provisions to be included in the draft National Cyber Security Bill which would amend both the Communications Regulation Act, 2002 and Communications Regulation and Digital Hub Development Agency (Amendment) Act 2023 to ensure that my existing powers in relation to resilience and information gathering during incidences are retained and enhanced.
Other provisions in the forthcoming National Cyber Security Bill, which transposes the Network and Information Security Directive (NIS2), will bring further positive changes to network resilience requirements. ComReg has been designated as the National Competent Authority for both CER and NIS2 as they apply to critical entities in the Digital Infrastructure sector.
460. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will provide an update on the Community Sports Facilities Fund; the timeframe for an announcement to be made; and when it will open for applications. [68943/26]
View answerThe new round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) is now open. A new online grant management system for CSFF, SPRAOI, went live on Monday 28 September and any clubs that are not already registered with the Department may do so now.
The window for funding applications will run from Monday 19 October 2026 to Friday 26 February 2027.
Further information about the programme including details of all previous allocations can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/services/sports-capital/
461. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the expected timeline for the procurement process to begin for the cell broadcast public warning system CB-PWS; the expected timeline for the system to be fully operational; and the procedures in place in the meantime as we head into the winter months. [68838/26]
View answerIreland enacted an SMS-based emergency public warning regulation via S.I 583 of 2023 allowing me, as Minister, to direct operators to transmit a public warning to users of their services via SMS in the event of a major emergency or disaster. Warning the public by SMS is of limited effectiveness during an emergency as this technology is impacted by network capacity, congestion and character limits.
My Department is working with the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Defence to establish “IE-Alert”, developing the technology, expertise, processes and public awareness necessary to establish a holistic public warning system to effectively warn the public of threats during an emergency.
As part of the programme, my Department is leading on the procurement of a Cell Broadcast Public Warning System (CB-PWS) for transmitting public warning messages. I expect procurement of the CB-PWS to begin this year.
IE-Alert will be part of the existing emergency communications structures that are in place, such as TV, radio and social media.
462. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide an update on the roll-out of the basic income for the arts scheme; the number that applied; how many were eligible; the number that have been accepted; the date on which payments commence; and the number of the participants were participants in the pilot scheme. [68879/26]
View answerIn February this year I announced that the Government had approved a permanent successor to the Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme and that 2,000 artists would be provided with funding of €325 per week for three years. 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 deadline for application to the Basic Income for the Arts 2026 - 2029 was 5pm on Tuesday 12th May, with over 10,000 applications received by the deadline.
Like the pilot scheme selection is via an anonymous random selection process, this is considered the fairest method where there is not enough funding for all eligible applicants. The selection process took place in May with independent oversight by EY. The selection ranked all applications from 1 - 10,000 and eligibility checks then started from the first selected applicant to determine if those selected were eligible. That assessment process is ongoing to determine the final 2,000 applicants who will receive the BIA.
I appreciate that applicants are eager to know the outcome, however, in order to protect the integrity of the scheme the assessment process is by necessity very intensive and time consuming. No two professional arts practices are the same and therefore the proofs supplied vary considerably.
My Department is processing the applications as promptly as possible and I anticipate that payments will commence shortly. All successful candidates will receive the full allocation of €325 per week for three years.
463. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport If he will clarify whether books and purchases from local bookshops will be eligible under the proposed culture card scheme; if consideration has been given to the role of independent and local bookshops in supporting literacy, culture, community engagement and town centre vitality; and if he is aware of concerns within the bookselling sector regarding recent closures of local bookshops and the challenges facing the industry. [68889/26]
View answerThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to examine the introduction of a Culture Card for 16- and 17-year-olds to support greater participation in creative arts across Ireland. While the scope of what the Card could be used for is still being actively considered, it is anticipated that any Culture Card would cover a wide range of cultural offerings, including bookshops, theatre, music, cinemas, and other services, including from commercial providers. The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport recognises the important role of booksellers in Irish cultural life.
Options for the development, operation and scope for use of the Card are currently being developed by my Department. The overarching aim is to support increased participation in cultural life among young people, encouraging engagement with the arts and creative industries at a critical stage in their development, across a range of artistic and cultural disciplines.
As part of this process, officials from the Department have recently undertaken a series of bilateral meetings with European Member States in which different forms of Youth Culture Cards are already operational. The Department is taking the learnings, best practices, and insights from these international models, particularly regarding technical and administrative design, and multiple options are currently under active consideration.
The scope, rollout model, funding structure, and user age range are still under active consideration and are all subject to budget allocation.
465. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will examine introducing stronger statutory safeguards for residential property bidding, including requirements to verify the identity and purchasing capacity of bidders, greater transparency and auditability of online bidding platforms, and measures to ensure that advertised guide prices represent a genuine evidence-based estimate of expected selling value; and if he will consider establishing a centralised or independently auditable bidding register to address concerns regarding phantom bids, unverified bidding and significant discrepancies between asking and eventual sale prices. [68031/26]
View answerHouse auction bidding is regulated primarily through the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PRSA), which licenses and regulates auctioneers and estate agents, and by the bidding process rules followed by licensed firms, including requirements for proof of funds, bid recording, and transparent handling of offers.
The PSRA’s remit in oversight of licensed estate agents is to ensure agents operate in compliance with the legislation and ensure transparency in engaging with both their clients and potential purchasers. Where licensed agents fail to comply with the respective legislation, the PSRA may investigate complaints received, or open an investigation of its own volition.
Under Regulation 15 of the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011 (Minimum Standards) Regulations 2020, which deals with offers to purchase property by private treaty, Property Services Providers (PSPs) must:
- bring all offers received in respect of a private treaty sale to their client (unless their client has instructed otherwise);
- acknowledge receipt of all offers in writing;
- not imply to any person including their client that an offer has been received, if this is not the case; and
- notify their client if the PSP themselves is making an offer, or if an offer has been made by someone else within the licensed business, or if the person making an offer is related to the PSP or anyone else within the licensed business.
Section 55 of the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011 provides that a PSP must give an advised market value for land, where requested by a vendor. Section 56 states that the PSP cannot advertise the land for sale at a price less than the advised market value provided under Section 55 unless the vendor requests it to be adjusted.
I have asked my Departmental to examine the current bidding process in the Irish context and also to compare it to what takes place in other jurisdictions. This will inform work going forward on this area.
466. Deputy Gillian Toole asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the consideration being given to the payment of Housing Assistance Payment to parents or guardians of an adult with a disability, who may own a second property that could be adapted if necessary & lived in by their family member, with appropriately matched additional occupants with a disability, thereby removing them earlier from lengthy Local Authority social housing lists. [68070/26]
View answerThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) Scheme is deemed to be a social housing support under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014. As a long term housing support, an assessment of housing need must be completed in order for a household to qualify for HAP. Any household with an identified housing need is eligible for HAP.
In order for housing assistance to be provided under the Act the housing authority must be satisfied that the tenancy concerned is or would be a tenancy in good faith. Where there is a family relationship between the tenant and the landlord, the housing authority may seek evidence of a previous landlord and tenant relationship in respect of the property. This evidence may include:
• Proof of rent payments;
• A lease or tenancy agreement for the property; and
• Registration of the tenancy with the Residential Tenancies Board.
In order for a housing authority to be satisfied that a tenancy is or would be in good faith; the onus is on the applicant and landlord to prove that what is being proposed is a bona fide tenancy. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the housing authority to make a decision in each individual case.
HAP support is available to tenants in rent a room scheme arrangements; however, the rental of a room to a civil partner, son or daughter are excluded from this scheme. HAP cannot be paid where the tenant is seeking to rent within the family home, including the curtilage of the family home. HAP payments cannot be paid on homes that are acquired by family members solely to provide a housing solution to a particular HAP applicant or member of their household. A property should not be purchased for the sole purpose of obtaining HAP.
Disabled people can access social housing support through all of the available routes, namely, standard local authority housing, Rental Assistance Scheme, Approved Housing Bodies and the Housing Assistance Payment Scheme.
Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended. Regulation 23 of the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 sets out the aspects of a household's current accommodation to which the authority will have regard when determining a household's need for social housing support, which include the extent to which it meets any accommodation requirement arising from the enduring physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual impairment of a household member. The allocation of dwellings to qualified households is a matter for the local authority concerned, in accordance with their allocation scheme made under section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated Regulations.
My Department jointly published the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People (NHSDP) 2022-2027 and Implementation Plan with the Department of Health and the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality. The Strategy and Implementation Plan may be accessed on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/60d76-national-housing-strategy-for-disabled-people-2022-2027/.
467. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when a person (details supplied) will receive the test results and remediation option for dwelling (LK_ES1381) regarding the Defective Concrete Blocks, with testing carried out on 10th December 2025. [68063/26]
View answerThe Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022 as amended by the Act of 2025 sets out the framework under which the Grant Scheme which provides grant funding to people whose homes have been affected by Defective Concrete Blocks (DCB) operates.
A number of amendments contained in the 2025 Act came into operation on 25 February 2026 and more recently further provisions commenced on 27 May 2026.
The Scheme is underpinned by a national testing standard known as IS:465. The National Standards Authority Ireland (NSAI) on 2 June 2026 published a revised version of this standard-I.S. 465:2026.
Under the terms of the Scheme the Housing Agency acts as agent on behalf of the local authorities. Once a home has met the damage threshold for entry to the Scheme, the Housing Agency works with Chartered Engineers from an approved framework to help assess applications. This assessment includes surveys, sampling, testing and the categorisation of dwellings under the Scheme. Based on these evaluations, the Housing Agency then determines the appropriate remediation option and grant amount.
I am not in a position to comment on the testing timeframe for a specific case. For further information relating to this individual case, the Deputy may wish to contact the Housing Agency directly at the specific email address established to deal with queries from public representatives- publicreps@housingagency.ie.
468. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on progress on the Dowth National Park project; when the park masterplan will be published; if there will be a public consultation; and when he expects the park and associated facilities to be open to the public. [68118/26]
View answerThe Masterplan for Dowth National Park is currently being finalised and is expected to be issued for public consultation shortly. Once the Masterplan is adopted, a phased approach to providing public access to the National Park will be put in place.
469. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applicants who have availed of the €24,100 lump sum payment under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme, by year, for a location (details supplied), in tabular form. [68357/26]
View answer470. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applicants who have availed of the €24,100 lump sum payment under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme, by year, for a location (details supplied), in tabular form. [68359/26]
View answer471. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of applicants who have availed of the €24,100 lump sum payment under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme, by year, for a location (details supplied), in tabular form. [68358/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 469, 470 and 471 together.
The Cessation of Turf Cutting Compensation Scheme comprised 15 annual index-linked payments of €1,500. Late qualifying applicants can receive a single lump sum payment of €24,100 in lieu of 15-years of payments.
137 applicants on the referenced bogs have availed of the single €24,100 payment to date.
|
Bog Name |
2024 |
2025 |
2026 |
Grand Total |
|
Ardgraigue Bog |
30 |
8 |
4 |
42 |
|
Barroughter Bog |
2 |
31 |
33 |
66 |
|
Cloonmoylan Bog |
- |
9 |
20 |
29 |
|
Grand Total |
32 |
48 |
57 |
137 |
472. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the national planning statement on solar energy under the new Planning and Development Act 2024; and when he expects the statement will be ready to be published. [68431/26]
View answer482. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he will undertake a review of existing and operational solar farm developments to assess their impacts with a view to informing the development of updated national planning guidelines for solar energy projects. [68112/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 472 and 482 together.
In line with commitments in the Programme for Government 2025, my Department is working with the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE), which holds policy responsibility for renewable energy matters, in respect of the introduction of a number of National Planning Statements related to Ireland's Climate Action Plan target to increase the share of electricity generated from renewable sources up to 80% in 2030. This includes the preparation of a National Planning Statement for solar energy development.
Further to the commencement of Chapter 3 of Part 3 of the Planning and Development Act 2024 on 2 October 2025, provisions for National Planning Statements have been introduced to replace the provisions for Ministerial guidelines issued under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000. All existing Section 28 guidelines will, over time, be revoked and replaced with new National Planning Statements. Any current section 28 guidelines will however remain in force until revoked or replaced by a corresponding National Planning Statement. The timing of the issuing of National Planning Statements will be based on Government priorities.
In respect of sectoral national planning statements in particular there is also an important role for the relevant policy Department in collaborating with my Department on the development of these National Planning Statements. In that context, my Department is working closely with the DCEE as the Department with policy responsibility for this area of Government policy in order to identify the component factors relevant to the preparation of this National Planning Statement, including any appropriate environmental reporting and public consultation requirements, European obligations such as the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III), battery storage facilities and the possible timeframe for publication of the National Planning Statement.
In the interim it is the case that, as with the vast majority of development types, there are not specific guidelines for the development of solar energy. I am satisfied that the existing and evolving planning system, supported by Government policy more generally, provides a sufficiently robust policy and legislative framework to facilitate the rollout of solar energy development in a sustainable manner and to assist with meeting our renewable electricity requirements while balancing the perspectives of local communities and allowing for public and stakeholder engagement.
In line with EU Directive requirements, a strategic environmental assessment will be carried out on any draft National Planning Statement regarding solar energy development, with opportunity for consultation by the public and all stakeholders on the draft National Planning Statement.
