Written Answers Nos. 24-43
24. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the plans for research into sustainable initiatives to better finance sporting bodies into the future; the funding available for this research in budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52401/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra50. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will engage with the Minister for Finance in advance of budget 2026 to introduce targeted fiscal measures to improve affordability and participation in sport, including tax relief on sporting membership fees and a reduced VAT rate on sport and exercise classes, in order to encourage greater participation across all age groups and communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52424/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 50 together.
This Government is committed to supporting our sporting ecosystem so more people can participate, reap the benefits of sport and fulfil their potential, from grassroots right up to high performance level. In this regard, Government has invested well over €1 billion in sports infrastructure and development in Ireland since 2018. The return on investment in terms of community participation, inclusion, integration, and physical and mental wellbeing is, I believe, substantial.
The rate of active sports participation among adults is now 49%, the highest it has ever been. This is due in no small part to substantial Government investment in sport over recent years.
The National Sports Policy committed the Government to doubling funding in sport to more than €220m by 2027, compared to 2018 levels. I am pleased to say that this target has been reached two years ahead of schedule, with funding of over €230 million provided for sport in 2025, an increase of €21 million from the 2024 allocation of €209 million.
Earlier this year we announced Sport Ireland’s 2025 core funding allocations of €31.3 million to our National Governing Bodies for sport, Local Sports Partnerships and other funded sporting bodies, an increase of €13.5 million (or 76%) compared to 2018.
In terms of high-performance, we have allocated €27 million across Sport Ireland’s high-performance programmes for 2025 This is in line with the Government’s target of delivering €30 million per annum for high performance sport by 2027.
We have also announced investment of €4 million this year to Sport Ireland’s Women in Sport Programme to support the Government’s vision where women have an equal opportunity to achieve their full potential, while enjoying a lifelong involvement in sport.
In addition, €10 million has also been allocated to sport under the Dormant Accounts Fund for 2025. This funding will be released to successful applicants across two tranches during the second half of this year.
In terms of wider investment in sport, Government has made available several forms of tax relief to promote investment in sport. Most recently, in the last Finance Act, provision was made for a transferable tax relief for donations to national governing bodies of sport for specific purposes, including investment in equipment and high performance programmes.
I will continue to engage with the Minister for Finance in relation to taxation measures to support participation in sport and physical activity.
25. Deputy Seán Fleming asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department has identified any local barriers to the provision of high-speed broadband to every home, business and farm that wants it by the end of 2026. [38064/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to the rollout of highspeed broadband across the country, and indeed the National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the Government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland where the commercial telecom operators' reach will not extend.
Along with the NBP intervention contract (with National Broadband Ireland (NBI)), progress is being made by commercial operators in expanding their next generation networks throughout the State and ensuring the targets set out in the Digital Connectivity 2022 strategy are achieved.
Having said that, I acknowledge that at a local level, many challenges and issues can arise during the design, deployment and provisioning of such large scale digital infrastructure initiatives. This is one of the reasons that the Government established the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce. The Taskforce was established in 2016, re-established in December 2021, and continues as a initiative under the current Programme for Government. The Taskforce helps to ensure that, where barriers to telecoms infrastructure rollout within the State's control were identified, appropriate assessment and intervening measures are to be identified and action taken. The taskforce continues to identify and seek to resolve these issues as the network build progresses.
Based on current plans and achievements, NBI expects to deliver the deployment of the NBP by the end of 2026, as per the Programme for Government commitment.
The Department is aware of some evidence emerging, based on conversations with ComReg and commercial operators, that a portion of premises that do not form part of the NBP intervention area may ultimately prove not to be commercially viable in terms of being connected to a gigabit network by 2028.
My department is currently monitoring and assessing this situation and will be examining the optimal policy solution/s, including from a cost and legal perspective, to addressing such potential Gigabit Blackspots (GBS) as they are known.
However, it is also important to note that a number of commercial operators are planning to continue rolling out fibre networks into 2026 and under European State Aid rules any intervention by the State must not be seen to crowd out private investment.
27. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his plans to ensure the provision of playing pitches, courts and sports facilities in new residential or mixed-use developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52249/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport and physical activity are hugely important to our collective wellbeing and health, so it is in our national interest to promote increased participation in sport and activity at all levels, locally and nationally.
Availability and ease of access to sports facilities, whether in a club setting, on public lands or in other amenity areas, is a key factor in drawing more people to participation in sport. Planning for future facilities’ needs, locations and types is a particular focus of our current Sports Action Plan.
However, the use to which lands are put is ultimately a matter for the relevant local authority and my Department does not fund the acquisition of land for sport. However, where land is in use for sport, my Department operates two relevant capital funding programmes, namely the Community Sports Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
In 2024 over a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to community sports clubs and facilities from the CSFF while grants totalling €173 million were awarded from the LSSIF. This is a an all-time record investment level in sport in Ireland.
Given the challenges of increased demand and a growing population, I consider that there is real merit in the development of municipally-backed shared facilities and I encourage sports' National Governing Bodies and local authorities to collaborate in this regard.
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.
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.
28. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to consider expanding funding opportunities for amateur theatre productions in order to support the wider theatre scene and access to theatre at all levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52576/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is renowned for producing world class art, both amateur and professional and it is my ambition that this continues into the future. As outlined in the Programme for Government, we recognise that the arts are essential to a well-rounded society, providing opportunities for education, expression and community engagement.
Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council has primary responsibility for the development of the arts in Ireland and Budget 2025 provided record funding of €140 million for the Arts Council. The Arts Council is committed to increasing public engagement in the arts in Ireland and it provides financial support to a number of initiatives aimed at increasing public access, participation and engagement in the arts.
The Arts Council invests funding in a range of art forms and developmental projects including Creative Schools, Creative Places, Creative Europe and Culture Night. For example Culture Night, in collaboration with RTÉ, creates opportunities for artists at all levels. Details of all these programmes are available on the Arts Council's website. The Council also supports festivals across the country providing opportunities for performances of many forms.
Additionally, a network of cultural infrastructure 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 provides capital grant funding to assist development and to maintain these arts and cultural facilities. These arts centres are where amateur and professional artists and audiences meet and this is a key element in investing in public engagement.
Within my Department, there is a small-scale local festivals and summer schools scheme designed to support local cultural festivals and summer schools. The maximum funding available under this scheme is capped at €5,000. Creative Ireland Programme funding is also supporting the delivery of a number of creative projects nationwide.
Notwithstanding the official supports described above, it would be appropriate to mention the significant number of commercial sponsors who also contribute towards the national associations and annual programmes for amateur drama and musicals. I take this opportunity to acknowledge their generous support to the national bodies and local productions.
29. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide an update on the work being done to assess the project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF 2018 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52398/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Sports Policy, which was published in 2018, provided for the establishment of a Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The aim of the fund is to provide an open and transparent system for applying for grant assistance where the amount sought is greater than that available under the CSFF.
The evaluation procedures and guidelines for the LSSIF provide that, once provisional allocations are announced, the successful projects will undergo a further process of due diligence. This process includes a further review of projects including economic appraisals and feasibility studies as appropriate to comply with Infrastructure Guidelines as set out by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
With regard to LSSIF 2018, a number of projects have satisfactorily completed the assessment process and have reached the point whereby funding agreements are being finalised. In addition, a number of facilities have been opened to the public, such as the Linear Walkway and Playing Fields Project in Meath, Phase 1 of the Walsh Park redevelopment in Waterford, the Regional Athletics Hub in Limerick, Dundalk Leisure Centre Facilities Refurbishment project, MTU Athletics Track in Cork, Kildare GAA's St Conleth’s Park in Newbridge and the Charlesland Athletics Track in Wicklow. Furthermore, Munster Rugby's Centre of Excellence in Cork, the Sportsground redevelopment for Connacht Rugby, and Askeaton Pool & Leisure Centre are all due to open shortly.
The projects allocated funding from the 2024 round of LSSIF are currently making their way through the Infrastructure Gateways as set out by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. My officials are regularly engaging with the key stakeholders to actively progress these projects. While the timescale for the delivery of the project is ultimately a matter for the applicants, I am very keen to see as many LSSIF projects as possible progressing quickly.
30. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the plans to reopen the large-scale sport infrastructure fund; and if he will ensure that the criteria will allow for local authorities to secure funding for public swimming pools in towns such as Carrickmacross, County Monaghan. [52396/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCapital support for new swimming pools, and the refurbishment of existing pools, continues to be provided by my Department through the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF), which to date has allocated €28.9 million to 9 swimming pool projects.
The LSSIF is aimed primarily at local authorities and National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs). The 2024 round of the LSSIF was also open to other bodies, such as sports clubs, voluntary organisations, Education and Training Boards and third level institutions to apply with applications to be submitted and prioritised by a local authority and/or an NGB. The LSSIF did not receive an application for funding for a swimming pool at Carrickmacross.
In previous rounds of LSSIF, priority was given to projects that were identified as a priority within a local authority’s development plan and strategic vision, demonstrating cross sector collaboration and clearly identified local priorities. All project applications were subject to the Evaluation Procedures and Guidelines published on the Department’s website. The full marking scheme and assessment process for “LSSIF 2018 and LSSIF 2024” is published on the Department’s website.
I would encourage any prospective applicants to review the LSSIF scheme guidelines and key priorities as part of their preparatory process for a future LSSIF round. It is important to note that while these resources can serve as a helpful reference, any new guidelines and conditions associated with a future round of the programme may differ from those previously published.
Currently, LSSIF is closed to applications and the key focus at the moment is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF, 2018 and 2024, This process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round. The timing will also be considered in the context of the determining the detailed spending allocations within my Department under the National Development Plan as recently agreed by Government. I would anticipate that such prioritisation of projects would be informed by alignment with the National Sporting Policy and other relevant policies such as the National Swimming Strategy.
31. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the amount of funding that Sport Ireland provided to organisations in Offaly over the past three years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52243/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport 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 the matter mentioned by the Deputy. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
33. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the specific supports in place to ensure grassroots sports clubs have access to adequate and safe facilities, particularly in disadvantaged areas. [52508/25]
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 which has since been renamed as the Community Sports Facilities Fund (CSFF).
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.
Grants totalling €173 million, benefiting 35 individual projects, were allocated under the second round of the LSSIF in November 2024. With this announcement, the cumulative investment from the LSSIF since 2020 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 and this process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round. The timing will also be considered in the context of the determining the detailed spending allocations within my Department under the National Development Plan as recently agreed by Government.
34. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his plans to improve the condition of existing playing pitches, courts and sports facilities in community use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52250/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) is the primary means of providing Government funding to sport and community organisations at local, regional and national level 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.
Among the Fund's objectives is to assist voluntary and community organisations, national governing bodies (NGBs) of sport, local authorities and Education and Training Boards and schools to develop high quality, accessible, safe, well-designed, sustainable facilities in appropriate locations and to provide appropriate equipment to help maximise participation in sport and physical recreation.
Over €277 million 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. This included funding to improve the condition of existing playing pitches, courts and sports facilities in community use.
In line with previous rounds of the Fund, 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.
35. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his views on the assertion in the pre-budget submission by the Federation of Irish Sport that physical activity reduces chronic diseases and mental health pressures, easing the burden on the HSE, and that 97,000 cases of disease are prevented due to sport and physical activity annually resulting in healthcare cost savings of nearly €0.5 billion; his views on whether this data is further proof of the benefit of investing more in sport; if he will seek additional core funding for sport in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52511/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport 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, including the allocation of funding across its various programmes.
Sport Ireland focuses its work on ensuring that Ireland is an active nation where people are encouraged to start, continue to participate, progress and achieve in sport. Participation in sport helps to improve physical and mental health and contribute to a better quality of life.
The National Sports Policy committed the Government to doubling funding to sport to more than €220 million by 2027 and I am pleased to note that this target has been achieved two years ahead of schedule with €230 million for sport allocated in the last budget. As Minister for Sport, I am committed to supporting the wider sports sector and building on what has been achieved to date.
Funding for sport in 2026 will be considered by Government in the context of the annual budgetary process and I can assure the Deputy of my ongoing commitment to securing increased funding for the sports sector to continue to develop and to meet the demands of a growing population.
36. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the measures he is taking to support the development of Dalymount Park; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51143/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCapital support for the design and construction of the Dalymount Park redevelopment is provided by my Department through the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). It is important to note that Dublin City Council is ultimately responsible for the delivery of the Dalymount Park project and the associated project timeline.
In 2018, Dublin City Council made an application under the LSSIF for a grant towards the design work associated with the redevelopment of Dalymount Park. A provisional grant of €918,750 was announced in January 2020 towards the overall design cost for the redevelopment of Dalymount Park under the first round of the LSSIF. This "Stream 1" funding was for design costs only and, to date, my Department has paid Dublin City Council €353,226 towards the design element of the project.
Under the 2024 LSSIF round, Dublin City Council successfully applied for funding to renovate the Dalymount Park stadium. This project will provide an entirely new UEFA Category 3 stadium and football pitch. The existing stadium will be demolished to create a brand new four-sided enclosed stadium and a re-orientated pitch on the north/south axis. A LSSIF grant of €24,700,000 has been provisionally awarded for this project.
My Department regularly engages with the key project stakeholder, Dublin City Council. The project is currently undergoing a value-engineering exercise based on the overall funding available. I understand that this exercise is scheduled for completion in the coming weeks. The outcome will inform the design process and facilitate the further drawdown of Stream 1 design funding.
Once the design phase is finalised, construction of the project will commence. As the Deputy is aware, all new public investment proposals must comply with the Infrastructure Guidelines published by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. My officials will carry out assessment work pertaining to the construction project required by the Infrastructure Guidelines and will continue to engage with the Dublin City Council project managers. I am advised that the City Council expects construction to commence by end-2026.
I look forward to seeing construction commencing on this project which will deliver both sporting infrastructure and urban revitalisation benefits for the communities of Phibsborough and beyond.
Under the second round of the LSSIF, grants totalling €173 million, benefiting 35 individual projects, were announced on 4 November 2024. The cumulative investment allocation from the LSSIF since 2020 now stands at €297 million.
37. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the steps taken to support and increase participation in sport for traditionally excluded populations, such as the trans community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52577/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis Government is committed to a "Sport for All" approach aimed at ensuring that all persons can partake equally in sport and physical activity, regardless of gender, age, social-economic status, disability, or membership of minority groups such as the LGBTI+ community, the Traveller community or other ethnic minorities. This commitment is reaffirmed in the Programme for Government.
Last year, Sport Ireland, which is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, published a guidance document regarding transgender and non-binary inclusion in sport and physical activity. The document provides information and insights, as well as recommended steps and considerations, for the sports sector when putting a policy in place for the participation of transgender and non-binary people in sport.
Earlier this year, Sport Ireland delivered two in-person workshops to enable the National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) to research, design and publish their own policies on Transgender and Non-Binary inclusion in their sports.
I recognise that issues such as participation by transgender and non-binary people are complex and sensitive issues for both individuals and sporting organisations. Additionally, I acknowledge that NGBs are autonomous in their decision making and that, in many sports, international federations set the policies that national governing bodies must adhere to on this issue.
I am pleased that €500,000 has recently been allocated by Sport Ireland towards a dedicated Equality Diversity, Inclusion (EDI) stream as part of Dormant Account Funding for 2025. The EDI fund supports projects that remove barriers to participation in sport and physical activity for individuals from diverse and underrepresented communities. Previous projects funded include LGBTIQ+ specific initiatives such as inclusive sport programmes, training courses and LGBTIQ+ events.
As Minister with responsibility for Sport, I will continue to emphasise and promote the importance of inclusiveness and fairness in all aspects of sport. Sport is for everyone. We are always striving to ensure that sport is welcoming and inclusive and that opportunities exist for everyone to participate.
38. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if consideration will be given to the Federation of Sport pre-budget submission request for a 10% compound increase in sport funding for the national governing bodies, local sports partnerships and other funded bodies over the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52198/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra49. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if core funding for national governing bodies (NGB) of sport in Ireland and local sports partnerships (LSP) will be increased by ten percent for 2026, as per the pre-budget submission by an organisation (details supplied), if the Minister understands the urgency of this funding requirement to continue the work of NGBs and LSPs in facilitating widespread participation in sport and the production of high-performance athletes and sporting activity; if he will agree that the ask is relatively small in the context of the overall budget, at just over €3 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51293/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra55. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if core funding for national governing bodies of sport in Ireland (NGBs) and local sports partnerships (LSPs) will be increased by ten percent for each of the next three years, as per the pre-budget submission by an organisation (details supplied), if the Minister understands the urgency of this funding requirement to continue the work of NGBs and LSPs in facilitating widespread participation in sport and the production of high-performance athletes and sporting activity, if he will agree that the ask is relatively small in the context of the overall budget, at just over €3 million compound per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51294/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra71. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if core funding for national governing bodies of sport and local sports partnerships will be increased in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52400/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 49, 55 and 71 together.
Sport 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, including the allocation of funding across its various programmes. Sport Ireland does not provide direct funding for clubs or individuals but channels the funding through its network of Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs), recognised National Governing Bodies for Sport (NGBs), and other relevant sporting organisations.
Core funding allocations for individual NGBs and LSPs for 2026 will be decided by Sport Ireland. For 2025, Sport Ireland allocated €31.3 million to National Governing Bodies and Local Sports Partnerships, a 76% increase in funding compared to 2018.
The National Sports Policy committed the Government to doubling funding to sport to more than €220 million by 2027 and I am pleased to note that this target has been achieved two years ahead of schedule with €230 million for sport allocated in the last budget.
As Minister for Sport, I am committed to supporting the wider sports sector and building on what has been achieved to date.
I have received the Federation of Sport's pre-budget submission and funding for sport in 2026 will be considered in the context of the annual Budgetary and Estimates process.
39. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on the progress of the night-time economy policy, including the opening of new night-time cultural venues; and the supports available to workers in the sector. [52507/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the publication of the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce, the Night-Time Economy Implementation Group has been examining the challenges facing the development of a vibrant night time culture and economy such as regulations, transport, and diversity of cultural activities with the aim of identifying solutions and new opportunities for the sector to develop.
One of the most impactful actions in the Report was the establishment of nine Night-Time Economy pilots in towns and cities around the country, namely Dublin City, Cork City, Galway City, Kilkenny, Limerick City, Drogheda, Sligo, Longford and Buncrana. The aim of the initiative is to stimulate night-time activity in a particular area supported by a full-time Night-Time Economy Advisor.
My Department has provided funding for a two-year full-time Night-Time Advisor in each of the selected locations and I have previously confirmed funding for these posts until September 2026. I have also put in place a significant funding package with seed funding of €50k per Advisor (€75k for Dublin).
My Department continues to support venues operating in the night-time economy and earlier this year, I launched the Grassroots Music Venue Support Scheme. This scheme supports independent established music venues that are known in the community for programming grassroots music artists. The Scheme operated with a total fund of €500,000 and grants were available of up to €15,000 to host events showcasing the talent of emerging, grassroots artists performing live music they have written or created themselves. 34 venues across the country have been awarded funding through this scheme.
A Night-Time Economy safety initiative called “Safe & Sound” recently launched and is designed to make nightlife safer, more inclusive, and more enjoyable for everyone.
Nine Night-Time Economy pilot locations, including Galway, will have free year-long access to this practical training. The initiative focuses on enhancing the safety of both customers and workers by equipping staff with the tools to identify vulnerable individuals and prevent harm.
Developed by Night-Time Economy Solutions (NTES) and led by the nine Night-Time Economy Advisors, the training provides workers with increased awareness of their responsibilities and duty of care. The online platform includes several, 30-minute modules on critical topics:
Anti-Sexual Harassment:• Preventing and addressing harassment in nightlife settings.
Bystander Intervention:• Empowering safe intervention and support.
Drink Spiking Awareness:• Prevention and response strategies.
Safeguarding and Vulnerability:• Supporting vulnerable individuals.
Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG):• Understanding and addressing gender-based violence.
My Department has also provided funding support to the ‘Safe to Create’ programme, www.safetocreate.ie, which looks to transform workplace culture and practices, and to provide safe and respectful working conditions for those working in the arts and includes venues in the Night-Time Economy.
The Implementation Group of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce oversees the delivery of all the actions outlined in the report and is assisted by officials from my Department. They all share a collective ambition of a safe and vibrant night-time experience for all across the country.
40. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the progress of the national broadband plan in Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52212/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that over 12,810 premises are now passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and 14,641 premises are available to order/pre-order in County Clare, with over 5,320 premises now connected.
A further circa 8,582 premises in County Clare will be passed by NBI’s high speed fibre broadband by the end of network deployment. These premises are currently in the network build phase, with an anticipated date of connection of July to December 2026.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Clare and can be monitored via nbi.ie/reps. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries. It should be noted that NBI provide this information for County Clare based on NBI deployment areas rather than exact county boundaries.
41. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the steps Galway County Council should take in order to secure funding for a swimming pool in Loughrea, County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52192/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCapital support for new swimming pools, and the refurbishment of existing pools, continues to be provided by my Department through the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) which has allocated €28.9 million to 9 swimming pool projects to date.
Under the 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 LSSIF since 2020 now reaches €297 million.
It is noted that an application was not received for Loughrea swimming pool under this latest round of LSSIF. The deadline for submitting applications has passed and no further applications are being received at this time.
Ireland’s first National Swimming Strategy was published in August 2024 and it sets out a vision to provide everyone in our country with an opportunity to swim. It includes an Action Plan containing over 50 actions across five thematic strands, focusing on providing improved facilities, increasing access for people with disabilities, improving the culture of inclusion, better coaching supports, increasing safety awareness and providing a pathway that allows for the nurturing and development of potential high performers.
Responsibility for the delivery of the Strategy’s Action Plan is shared across Government Departments, State Agencies and other key stakeholders, including local authorities. Sport Ireland has established an oversight group of key stakeholders to give leadership, policy direction, prioritisation and mobilisation of resources to support, monitor and measure the Strategy’s implementation.
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.
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. The timing will also be considered in the context of the determining the detailed spending allocations within my Department under the National Development Plan as recently agreed by Government.
42. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the Government's strategy to support athletes for the 2028 Los Angeles and 2032 Brisbane Summer Olympics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52178/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor the Paris Olympic cycle 2021-2024, the Government provided a record-level investment of approximately €89 million towards high performance sport. This was a substantial increase on the €59 million invested for the previous Tokyo cycle.
Sport Ireland has announced that €27 million will be invested in high performance sport in 2025. This is in line with the Government’s target of delivering €30 million in funding per annum for high performance sport by 2027, as set out in the National Sports policy 2018-2027.
This increased funding for high performance sport reflects Sport Ireland’s High Performance Strategy 2021-2032, which provides the overarching policy framework for the development of the high-performance system for the next two Olympiads in Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032.
More specifically, the International Carding Scheme provides financial support to athletes for their training and competition programmes. The primary purpose of this funding is to support Irish athletes in reaching finals and achieving medals at European, World, Olympic and Paralympic level.
In 2025, Sport Ireland will invest €4.5 million under the International Carding Scheme and the Player Funding Scheme (Men’s and Women's Senior teams). Through the Sport Ireland International Carding Scheme 129 individual athletes and others on relay teams will be supported across 16 sports. Sport Ireland also provides €350,000 in direct athlete support to Golf Ireland through the Golf Ireland Professional Scheme.
The task ahead is to sustain and build on what has been achieved to date. More athletes, coaches, and additional services will be needed in the coming years to enable national sporting bodies to carry through well-funded, stable high performance programmes. In this regard, the importance of collaboration in preparing for these Games, in particular between Sport Ireland, the Olympic Federation of Ireland, Paralympics Ireland, and the relevant National Governing Bodies of Sport should also be recognised.
With the benefit of considerable support from the Government, I am confident that Team Ireland's participation in the next Olympic Games will build on the successes of recent Games.
43. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he intends to take on board the recommendations of the joint Oireachtas committee in its pre-legislative scrutiny report on the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill in relation to introducing the audiovisual content levy; when he intends to publish the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52538/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to recognise the comprehensive pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill undertaken by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport.
I am currently examining the 85 recommendations made by the Committee in their pre-legislative scrutiny report of 17 September 2025 with the view to determining which recommendations should be incorporated into the final draft of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill.
The Bill will be published in the coming months when the necessary detailed drafting is complete, including those drafting changes necessary to incorporate recommendations made by the Committee.
The Committee made 6 recommendations specifically directed towards the content levy, one of which (Recommendation 79) recommends that a content levy should be introduced in line with the provisions of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022. While I am currently scrutinising the detail of those recommendations, I wish to make clear that my position regarding the content production levy has not changed and that I will not be accepting Recommendation 79 made by the Committee.
As I have previously indicated to the Deputy (PQ No. 1073 of 2025), I consider that the introduction of a content levy risks placing an additional financial burden on Irish households already experiencing cost of living pressures, particularly in the context of recent international developments. It is for that reason the Revised General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill includes an added layer of protection for the Irish consumer by providing that Coimisiún na Meán may only impose a content production levy on broadcasters and video-on-demand providers following a direction of the Minister. I have no intention of issuing such a direction until I am satisfied that a content levy would impose an undue burden on Irish households.
