Written Answers Nos. 142-161
142. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the steps Monaghan County Council needs to take to secure funding for sports facilities at the convent lands in Monaghan town. [34926/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Community Sports Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
Over a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities in 2024 from the 2023 round of the CSFF, representing the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland. Details of these allocations are available on the Department's website. In line with previous rounds of the programme, a review of the current funding round will be undertaken and that review will inform the timing of the next round of the CSFF. However, I would anticipate that the next round should be announced in 2026.
In 2024, the second round of the LSSIF received an unprecedented demand for funding. On 4 November 2024, grants totalling €173 million were awarded to 35 projects. Details of these allocations are also available on the Department's website.
With regard to a future round of the LSSIF, I am committed to ensuring sustained investment in sports facilities to meet our ambitious goals for sports participation nationwide. The Programme for Government commits to maintaining sports funding to get more people participating in all levels of sport, particularly targeting cohorts in society where there are lower than average participation levels including people with disabilities and older people. Once the next round of LSSIF opens Monaghan County Council will be eligible to apply for funding.
My current focus is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF and this process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round. I would expect however that the period of time to a future LSSIF round will be less than the period of time between the first and second rounds.
143. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the details for the next round of the community sports facilities fund will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34627/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to supporting the sporting ecosystem so more people can participate, reap the benefits of sport, and fulfil their potential from grassroots right up to high performance level. We will achieve this through a number of measures including maintaining sports funding to get more people participating in all levels of sport, particularly targeting cohorts in society where there are lower than average participation levels. This includes people with disabilities and older people.
Sport is vital to our sense of togetherness and community, from local clubs to professional and high-performance teams and athletes. The Community Sport Facilities Fund, the CSFF, is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country.
Sports grants provide new or improved facilities helping people of all ages and backgrounds to participate in sport to the best of their ability in their local areas. Clubs in turn are better able to serve their communities with the help of this fund. These vital improvements will ensure that more people than ever have access to the sports they love in their local areas.
Over a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities in 2024 from the 2023 round of the CSFF, representing the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland.
In line with previous rounds of the programme, a review of the current funding round of the CSFF will be undertaken and that review will inform the timing of the next round. However, I would anticipate that the next round should be announced in 2026.
144. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will consider making an application for a future stage of the Tour de France to be held in Ireland, some of which can be held along the Wild Atlantic Way, particularly taking in part of County Clare. [34739/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of the first major international sporting events held in Ireland was the Grand Départ of the Tour de France in 1998 and I would of course welcome its return to this island at some point in the future. It would be a real showcase for the spectacular scenery all along the Wild Atlantic Way and elsewhere in Ireland.
Major international sporting events can play a key role in increasing sporting participation, boosting domestic and international tourism and promoting Ireland as a destination for education and business opportunities. They present a wonderful opportunity to showcase the island of Ireland and our world-class tourism and sports offering to Europe and the world. The Government continues to support the hosting of major sports events in Ireland and to explore further hosting opportunities.
The 2024 government policy and strategy framework for the hosting of Major International Sporting Events is the first of its kind in Ireland and fulfils a commitment under the previous Programme for Government. The policy provides a framework in relation to how Government should support major international sporting events, the benefits it should seek to derive from such events, the supports it could offer and the kind of events it would prioritise. This framework and its further development will guide future bid activity and ensure Ireland remains competitive and strategic in pursuing these opportunities.
With regards to the Deputy's specific reference to the hosting of a stage of the Tour De France, back in 2023 my officials met with counterparts from Northern Ireland on several occasions to examine a north-south proposal to host a future iteration of the Grand Départ. However, notification was received from the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland that, due to funding pressures, it had decided to cease its work on the proposed joint bid. Accordingly, given that the project was envisaged as a north-south all-island initiative, the Department did not proceed further with the proposal. Should the opportunity arise again to consider a bid to host the Grand Départ or any stage of the Tour de France, the experience gained through this process will be of use to any such future consideration.
145. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if additional funding will be made available to clubs and organisations successful on their sports capital funding applications with rising costs of construction works, meaning lower value in the funding approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34891/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities in 2024 from the 2023 round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF), benefitting over forty sports, as well as multi-sport facilities, throughout the country. This represents the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland.
Under CSFF 2023, applicants for local projects could apply for up to €200,000, increased from the previous maximum grant of €150,000. Maintenance equipment grants were capped at €40,000 and equipment grants of over €70,000 are only awarded in exceptional circumstances (such as to National Governing Bodies of Sport, NGBs). The maximum valid grant available for projects deemed to be of regional significance was increased from €300,000 to €500,000. In relation to capital applications, funding was distributed to both local and regional applications in line with the respective local / regional proportions of overall demand.
For regional capital applications, the top scoring 45 applications received at least 95% of their maximum valid grant and only the bottom scoring 2 applications received less than 50% of their maximum valid grant. For local applications, given the scale of funding available, recommended allocation amounts for valid applications were calculated using the Pobal index of deprivation as the primary calculation factor. The 500 applications from the most disadvantaged areas received a minimum of 90% of their maximum valid grant and only 1 application received less than 50% of the maximum valid grant.
There are no plans to provide additional funding before the next round. In line with previous rounds of the programme, a review of the current funding round will be undertaken and that review will inform the timing of the next round of the CSFF. However, I would anticipate that the next round should be announced in 2026.
146. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when he expects to receive and publish the report on the independent review of the night-time economy pilots (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34878/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn support of Action 19 in the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce and as part of the Department's key role in driving the Night-Time Economy in Ireland, we are funding 9 NTE Advisors in Dublin City, Cork City, Limerick City, Galway City, Kilkenny, Sligo, Longford, Buncrana and Drogheda.
The Night-Time Economy pilots are a significant project within the Night-Time Economy policy area and arguably one of the most impactful. This year I have allocated just under €1.4 million in funding to support these pilots to cover: salary costs; a funding package to roll out their plans, including support for Culture Night Late and Cruinniú Late.
The Advisors are helping to drive and support a more sustainable Night-Time Economy in their local areas. The Department engages with them regularly and supports their development. They also work collaboratively on larger projects which have included a late night transport campaign in partnership with the National Transport Authority, and a late night safety campaign. Each is responsible for developing specific action plans for their own areas. The Department has detailed Service Level Agreements with each Local Authority setting out key objectives and deliverables.
Following a competitive tendering process in 2024, Communiqué International were appointed to conduct a review of the 9 Night-Time Economy pilots, to look critically at the structures involved in supporting the Advisors, the visibility and impact of each in their respective areas, the future roll-out of the pilots and whether a further roll-out is warranted and what needs to be put in place to make this model effective.
I understand that the review of the pilots has now concluded and the subsequent Report is due to be finalised very shortly. The Report will detail a set of recommendations in relation to the future of the pilots. Once the Report is received, we will undertake a consultation exercise with the County and City Management Association and the wider Night-Time Economy Implementation Group in relation to those recommendations on the future roll-out, prior to publication. I would expect that publication will take place soon after.
147. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to detail improvements and actions he will take, along with National Broadband Ireland, to ensure that businesses and residents are not left without internet services for an extended period of time, as has happened after storm Éowyn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34633/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing extensive service disruption to telecommunications networks during Storm Éowyn, I have met with both mobile and fixed telecoms providers on the necessary measures they are taking to build further resilience into these networks.
I made it clear to telecoms providers at the recent Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce (MPBT) that there must be a significant improvement in response times to restore services following future storm events.
I have written to individual operators seeking more detail on the actions that they have already taken since the storm and any remaining actions they intend to take before next winter.
My Department is also reviewing the statutory powers available to the Minister and ComReg, in relation to requirements on operators, regarding:
• Storm-related information gathering and sharing.
• Network integrity, i.e. maintaining networks in a proper state.
• Obligations regarding network restoration and related timeframes.
• Informing consumers about network & service restoration.
Specifically in relation to National Broadband Ireland, NBI has advised my Department it is working with the wider telecommunications sector on storm preparations and agreements for sharing resources for future repairs following storms.
NBI have several new measures in progress at present, including:• liaising with the ESB to prioritise the restoration of electrical supply to high-priority NBI sites, • the sourcing of additional generators, and • enhancing internal workflow systems to facilitate swifter and more efficient repairs and improved communications with customers.
It should be noted that NBI is building a resilient fibre network, with diverse fibre routes out of their exchanges, which provide a backup, in the event of a fibre break. Once the national network is fully deployed, these resilient routes will all be in place, adding further resilience and robustness to the network.
148. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the plans there are to improve sports and recreation facilities in west Wicklow, in particular the swimming pool for west Wicklow, a sports centre for Baltinglass and a walkway around the Blessington lakes. [34986/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Community Sports Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
The LSSIF was established under the National Sports Policy, published on 25 July 2018, to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects, typically those requiring investments greater than the maximum available under the CSFF. The aim of the fund is to provide investment in sporting infrastructure that will reinforce the Department’s stated sporting objectives such as increasing active participation in sport, including female participation and participation by those with a disability as well as increasing social participation and improving high performance in sport.
Over a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities in 2024 from the 2023 round of the CSFF, representing the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland. The total investment over the first two LSSIF rounds (2019 and 2024) stands at €297 million, with funding allocations provided to 68 large-scale projects.
Since 2015, almost €17 million was allocated to over 300 sporting projects in Wicklow through the CSFF. In addition, a total of €2.23 million in LSSIF funding has been awarded to Wicklow-based projects. Of this, €1.79 million was allocated to Wicklow Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre to upgrade to the swimming pool facilities and this project is yet to commence. €436,032 was allocated to Charlesland Athletics Track for replacement of the athletics track and this work is now complete.
The Programme for Government commits to supporting the sporting ecosystem so more people can participate, reap the benefits of sport, and fulfil their potential from grassroots right up to high performance level. It will achieve this through a number of measures including continuing to support the funding of sports capital projects and assessing the distribution of funding to maximise participation in all sports at community and national level and continuing to work with sporting organisations to promote equality of access to sporting facilities and to drive increased participation in sport.
150. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the next phase of the large-scale infrastructure fund will be open for applications. [34631/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Community Sports Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
Over a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities in 2024 from the 2023 round of the CSFF, representing the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland. Details of these allocations are available on the Department's website www.gov.ie/en/publication/3f9fa-community-sport-facilities-funding/. In line with previous rounds of the programme, a review of the current funding round will be undertaken and that review will inform the timing of the next round of the CSFF. However, I would anticipate that the next round should be announced in 2026.
In 2024, the second round of LSSIF received an unprecedented demand for funding. On 4 November 2024, grants totalling €173 million were awarded to 35 projects. Details of these allocations are available on the Department's website www.gov.ie/en/service/6f3f3-large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif-2024/#lssif-allocations. As a result of the significant demand, a range of valid applications did not receive an LSSIF allocation at the initial allocation stage.
With regard to a future round of the LSSIF, I am committed to ensuring sustained investment in sports facilities to meet our ambitious goals for sports participation nationwide. The Programme for Government commits to maintaining 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.
My current focus is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF, 2018 and 2024, and this process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round. I would expect however that the period of time to a future LSSIF round will be less than the period of time between the first and second rounds.
151. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if there are plans to bridge the gap between local authorities and telecom providers with a view to ensuring more resilient communications during and post weather events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22892/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing on from Storm Éowyn there has been a lot of focus on the lessons to be learned to ensure that there is much better coordination between the various stakeholders who have a role to play in making communication networks more resilient for next winter.
Resilience actions can include taking actions to harden the networks in advance of storms, such as having extended-life batteries at mobile sites and strengthening masts to withstand severe wind gusts. But proper resilience planning also involves having clear protocols in place to deal with the damage and disruption that will inevitably occur notwithstanding investments in hardened infrastructure. In relation to the gap between the network operators and the local authorities there is a need to have a much clearer understanding and agreement about who does what in the immediate aftermath of a severe weather event.
While the biggest impact caused to telecoms networks during and after Storm Éowyn was the loss of grid power over large areas, the response to the damage caused to the networks was hindered by the sheer level of fallen trees and vegetation. Given that the fixed networks run along the roadside, unlike the electricity networks which run cross-country, those copper and fibre overhead networks are more susceptible to roadside vegetation. Clarity about responsibility for the management of that vegetation is needed.
That means clarity about who is responsible for trimming the trees and branches and how often that should be done. And it means having clarity about procedures to clear trees and branches from roads after a storm in a way that does not do further damage to communication networks infrastructure. While the sheer volume of debris that was created by Storm Éowyn may have overwhelmed the operators, the local authorities and other stakeholders this time, there will be no excuse to not be prepared for a recurrence of this kind of storm next winter.
My Department is liaising with both the Local Government Management Association and directly with local authorities to bottom out issues such as these. The Department is particularly focusing on understanding the impacts of Storm Éowyn on the worst affected counties. The local authorities are still in the process of finishing their post-storm assessments and my officials will work with them to identify the key issues that need to be addressed to ensure much improved restoration times in the future.
152. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the steps he is taking to support the development of arts and cultural facilities in Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34999/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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. Ireland is world renowned for our rich, diverse and vibrant arts sector.
There have been significant increases in support for arts and culture across the country, including Mayo, in recent years. Within my Department, there are a number of measures in place to support the arts at amateur and professional levels including:
• Annual funding provided to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for its work in the protection and promotion of Irish traditional music and culture.
• The Music Capital Scheme, managed by Music Network on behalf of my Department, provides funding for the purchase of musical instruments to both non-professional performing groups/ensembles and professional musicians.
• A small-scale local festivals and summer schools scheme designed to support local cultural festivals and summer schools that may not be eligible under funding criteria for larger scale events supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council and similar bodies.
• Creative Ireland Programme funding in 2025 is supporting the delivery of a number of creative projects nationwide.
• The pilot capital support scheme for the Night Time Economy will support the development of vibrant late night arts and culture scenes in Irish cities, towns and villages as well as additional capital to assist in the provision of building and equipment needs.
• In 2025 €8m, which is the highest level of funding for Culture Ireland since its establishment, will support more Irish artists to launch and develop their careers on an international stage.
• The Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme which is €105m scheme involving 2,000 artists and creative arts workers nationwide.
• Funding for the Safe to Create Programme, including Minding Creative Minds, that supports all artists and creatives across the country.
• Funding is provided for cultural events such as Other Voices and Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann that in turn helps to sustain the arts at all levels.
• Funding programmes within the Broadcasting and Media area also serve to promote many artists and creative talents from across the music sector.
More broadly, under the Arts Act 2003 the Arts Council has primary responsibility for the development of the arts in Ireland and Budget 2025 has provided record funding of €140 million for the Arts Council, an increase of 75% since 2020. The Arts Council is committed to increasing public engagement in the arts in Ireland, including County Mayo, and it provides financial support to a number of initiatives aimed at increasing public access, participation and engagement in the arts.
Additionally, a network of cultural infrastructure, such as The Mary Robinson Centre and Westport Town Hall, exists throughout the country with the majority in the ownership of local authorities. Annual support, including programming and revenue supports, is provided to these arts centres 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. Under Stream E of the Cultural Capital Scheme, grants of up to €20,000 are available at 85% grant funding rate. Local authority owned facilities are subject to a maximum 60% grant funding rate.
Larger grants of up to €50,000 are provided at a maximum grant funding rate of 70%, or 60% for local authority owned facilities.
As part of the Programme for Government, the Government has also committed to examining the feasibility of a minor capital works grant scheme to support arts and cultural facilities that are not funded through The Arts Council. Work in relation to this proposal is underway in my Department at present.
Another area of funding administered by my Department is the pilot Artist Workspaces Scheme. This was launched in June 2024 with a total fund of €6 million to enable local authorities increase the provision of Artist Workspaces across Ireland. Capital grants up to a maximum of €300,000 may be made available to larger urban local authorities, with grants up to a maximum of €150,000 being made available to the remaining local authorities, including Laois. The maximum grant available will be 60% of the eligible costs.
153. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the reason for the €10.9 million underspend on subhead B7 ‘Cultural infrastructure and development’ projects in 2023; the details of all large-scale culture infrastructure and development projects that have not been progressed; the reasons therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34913/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe B7 Cultural Infrastructure & Development Subhead provides capital funding to support the arts capital programme of my Department. The objective of this programme is to assist arts and culture organisations, local authorities and National Cultural Institutions to upgrade their arts facilities or develop high quality, well-designed and sustainable facilities to maximise access to and participation in arts and cultural activities. Many of the projects are multi-year in nature and spend varies from year to year.
The B7 Subhead totaled €36.692 million in 2023 which included an allocation of €30.192 million for the year and a carryover of €6.5 million from the previous year. In that year, the total expenditure from the subhead was €25.783 million. A total of €7.8 million was carried into 2024, leaving an underspend of €3.109 million.
There a number of reasons for the underspend in this subhead in that year. In particular, the subhead funds the redevelopment of a number of National Cultural Institutions under the NDP which will redevelop the institutions for generations to come. These projects often involve the redevelopment of city-centre heritage buildings, which is a challenging undertaking by its very nature. While work is ongoing on most of the projects in the Department’s NDP portfolio, they are at various stages of project life cycle of the Infrastructure Guidelines. The development of these complex projects is based on a thorough business case process and involves economic analysis, detailed design, applications for planning permission, extensive procurement processes and the input of specialist expertise. In 2023, spend was not as anticipated due to delays in a number of projects contributing to the eventual underspend. An update on the current position of these projects and all other Project Ireland 2040 projects is available on the My Project Ireland Interactive Map and Tracker website.
Additionally in 2023, some projects across a number of smaller capital schemes did not progress within their time frame due to various issues such as delays in completion of legal charges to be placed on grantees’ properties or delays due to cost increases with grantee needing to secure further funding. COVID-19 also stalled and then slowed down a small number of projects and accordingly these projects didn’t progress as expected in 2023.
154. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the number and details of capital projects affected due to the €11.5 million underspend in 2023 of the large-scale sport infrastructure fund, with only 21% of its original approved capital funding being spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34915/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) was established under the National Sports Policy, published on 25 July 2018, to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects, typically those requiring investments greater than the maximum available under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme, now known as the Community Sports Facilities Fund.
The aim of the LSSIF is to provide investment in sporting infrastructure that will reinforce the Department’s stated sporting objectives such as increasing active participation in sport, including female participation and participation by those with a disability as well as increasing social participation and improving high performance in sport.
Under the most recent, second, round of the LSSIF, grants totalling €173 million, benefiting 35 individual projects, were announced on 4 November 2024. With this announcement, the cumulative investment from the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund since 2020 now reaches €297 million. A full list of the LSSIF projects is available on my Department's website: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/campaigns/large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif/
The high rate of inflation since the initial announcement of LSSIF grants has been well documented, particularly construction inflation. Many grantees have since re-engineered their projects to manage rising construction costs, which resulted in delays in commencing and progressing projects. My Department’s officials are working closely with grantees to progress their projects.
It is expected that several round 1 (2019) LSSIF projects are due to be completed this year or significantly progressed. These include the Connacht Rugby Sportsground, Munster Rugby Centre of Excellence, Charlesland Athletics Track, Askeaton Pool & Leisure Centre, Renville Sports and Community Centre, phase 3 of the Munster Technological University Community Sport Project, East Galway Sports Campus, Enniscorthy Sports Hub, Meath GAA's Páirc Tailteann, RDS Main Arena Redevelopment, St. Thomas's Community Multi-Sports Complex, and phase 2 of Waterford GAA's Walsh Park.
In addition, the following LSSIF Round 1 design elements are due to be completed or significantly progressed this year: Cavan Regional Sports Campus, Dalymount Park redevelopment, iRos Roscommon, and TU Dublin at Grangegorman Campus. The first two projects listed above have also received LSSIF Round 2 funding.
I look forward to a range of exciting and much needed LSSIF-funded facilities coming on stream in the months and years ahead.
155. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the steps being taken to fulfil the Programme for Government’s commitment to maintain funding for the Post Office network; if the Government intends to back this commitment with real and lasting investment to secure the future of the network and safeguard these essential community services in the long term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34875/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to a sustainable An Post and post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure throughout Ireland. The Programme for Government states that the Government will continue to provide the nationwide network of post offices with funding to ensure their sustainability and enhance the value they bring to local communities. My Department is working to deliver on this and is engaging with relevant stakeholders in relation to the funding. Additionally, my Department is working with Government colleagues to secure future funding in line with the Programme for Government.An amount of €10 million per annum is currently being provided over a three-year fixed term (2023-2025) to An Post. An Post then disperses this funding across the post office network, with all contractor post offices benefitting from the Government funding with the objective of securing the stability of the Network. The funding is being paid monthly for each 12-month period. There has been over €23 million claimed by An Post for the period 2023 to end April 2025 for the network.It should be noted that An Post is a commercial State body with a mandate to act commercially. An Post has statutory responsibility for the State's postal service and the post office network. Decisions relating to the network, including decisions relating to specific post offices are operational matters for the Board and management of the company and not one in which I, as Minister, have any function. The terms under which Postmasters contract with An Post is a matter between the Postmasters and An Post and any negotiations are a matter for both parties directly.
156. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide an update on the progress made to date by Coimisiún na Meán on the implementation of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34923/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Online Safety and Media Regulation (OSMR) Act provided for the establishment of Coimisiún na Meán as Ireland’s independent online safety and media regulator. The legislation also provided for a new regulatory framework for online safety, updated the regulatory frameworks in respect of broadcasting services and audiovisual on-demand media services and assigned to An Coimisiún the powers and functions with regard to supervision and enforcement.
Part 3 of the OSMR Act provides that An Coimisiún is independent in the exercise of its functions and that it shall submit an annual report on its activities, which is laid before each House of the Oireachtas by the Minister. The 2023 Annual Report is the latest such report available.
Part 8A of the OSMR Act provides for the regulation of designated video-sharing platforms established in Ireland including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and X. It sets out obligations to protect users, including children and young people, from harmful online content and for the development by An Coimisiún of online safety codes. In October 2024, An Coimisiún’s adopted Ireland's first such code. Part A obliges designated platforms to have age verification systems with respect to content which may impair the physical, mental or moral development of minors. Part B, which will apply from July 2025, obliges them to implement effective age assurance measures to ensure that, for example, adult-only video content cannot normally be seen by children.
Part 4 of the OSMR Act inserted a new Part 3A into the Broadcasting Act, 2009. This Part required CnaM to establish and maintain a register of providers of audiovisual on-demand media services established under Ireland’s jurisdiction in accordance with the EU’s revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD). As detailed in the Annual Report 2023, CnaM published the first such register on 30 November 2023.
Part 5 of the OSMR Act inserted a new Part 3B into the Broadcasting Act, 2009, updating the duties, codes and rules which may be applied to providers of television and radio broadcasting services, and to providers of audiovisual on-demand media services. In December 2024, CnaM revised these codes and rules, which cover, for example, programme standards, commercial communications and accessibility and fairness, objectivity and impartiality in news and current affairs reporting.
157. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 39 of 6 March 2025, for an update on his engagement with stakeholders on the matter of maintaining public ownership of the Pálás cinema in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34912/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraPálás Arthouse Cinema Galway was operated by Element Pictures T/A Picture Palace Cinema Ltd for 7 years under a lease from Galway City Council. The cinema closed on 28 February 2025.
The cinema operator offered to surrender the remainder of the lease to Galway City Council leaving all relevant moveable assets in place to allow any new operator to have the benefit of existing equipment. In April, GCC accepted the voluntary surrender. The Minister had a charge on the property along with other stakeholders the Western Development Commission and Screen Ireland. As Minister, I consented to the surrender of the lease to the City Council as did the other stakeholders, allowing the property revert to the Council. As a result, Galway City Council can seek an alternative operator for the building.
Galway City Council took surrender of the lease of the Pálás on 3 April 2025. On 29 May 2025, the Council called for expressions of Interest for the future management of the facility and this remains open. Details are available at www.galwaycity.ie/palas .
158. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will report on the operation of the large-scale sports infrastructure fund. [34925/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) was established under the National Sports Policy, published on 25 July 2018, to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects, typically those requiring investments greater than the maximum available under the Sports Capital & Equipment Programme (SCP).
The first allocations under LSSIF were announced in January 2020 with €86.4 million awarded to 33 different projects. Additional funding of €37.6 million was allocated to 27 of these projects in December 2023, bringing the total awarded under LSSIF 2018 to €124 million.
In 2024, the second LSSIF round received an unprecedented demand for funding, amounting to €665 million from 96 applications. Grants totalling €173 million , benefiting 35 individual projects, were allocated under this round in November 2024. With this announcement, the cumulative investment from the LSSIF now reaches €297 million.
With regard to a future round of the LSSIF, I am committed to ensuring sustained investment in sports facilities to meet our ambitious goals for sports participation nationwide. The Programme for Government commits to maintaining sports funding to get more people participating in all levels of sport, particularly targeting cohorts in society where there are lower than average participation levels.
My current focus is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF, 2019 and 2024, and this process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round. I would expect however that the period of time to a future LSSIF round will be less than the period of time between the first and second rounds.
159. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will support the Taxes Consolidation (Rights of Performers and Film Workers) (Amendment) Bill 2025, which seeks to link tax reliefs for film and television productions to compliance with the EU Copyright Directive and other basic protections for performers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34877/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that this Private Members Bill passed first stage in the Dáil on 10 June 2025. While quality employment is a key principle underpinning the operation of the Section 481 film tax relief, copyright is the responsibility of my Government colleague the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment while tax matters are the responsibility of the Minister for Finance. The Government will respond to the Bill when it next comes before the Houses of the Oireachtas for debate in the usual way.
160. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the status of the delivery of the new ICT system, which is needed to support a new CSFF round, as mentioned in his brief document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34634/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2022, my Department identified the need to replace the existing Sports Capital Programme grant management systems ('OSCAR'). The Department approved Pobal, a state-sponsored agency, as the preferred provider to design and develop the new system.
A departmental project team has been working with a Pobal project team to design the new systems. The anticipated deadline for delivery of both a fully developed online customer portal and an administrative case management system is March 2026. A data migration exercise will then be undertaken, followed by a pilot soft launch of the new system. It is anticipated that this will facilitate a new round of the Community Sport Facilities Fund in 2026.
161. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the status of and timeline for the publication of the report that will provide details from all agencies under his remit of capital projects that cost more than €500,000 and were either abandoned or materially failed to be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34637/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing my appointment as Minister, issues were brought to my attention regarding a failed ICT project in the Arts Council and an unused X-ray machine in the National Gallery. Both these projects were funded directly by my Department.
Given the serious nature of these issues, I wanted assurance in relation to capital expenditure in other areas under the aegis of my Department.
I therefore requested my Secretary General to write to all the State bodies under its aegis in the culture, sport and media sectors, seeking information with regard to expenditure on capital projects since 2020 to provide assurance to me and, more important, the public with regard to the management of capital expenditure. Bodies were asked to provide budgetary information on capital projects costing more than €500,000 since 2020.
In addition, bodies were asked to identify if there were other capital projects below this level of expenditure that should be brought to the Department’s attention for any other reason, such as where there has been significant expenditure on projects that were abandoned or have materially failed to deliver on their objectives.
My officials compiled a report on foot of the responses received. The report was published on my Department’s website on May 14th .
