Written Answers Nos. 1-25
4. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will support the exclusion of teams representing Israel from international sport in the context of the genocide in Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64363/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraNational governing bodies of sport (NGBs) and their overarching international sporting federations are independent, autonomous bodies responsible for the governance of their own sports, including the organisation of sporting fixtures whether in domestic or international competitions.
As such, it's important to make clear that neither the Government nor Sport Ireland has a role in determining who can participate in international competitions organised by international sporting federations. International sporting federations are responsible for determining the composition of their membership in line with their own internal rules. The international federations have a leadership role for their global games and it is at this level that strategic decisions should be taken rather than by individual countries’ NGBs.
On a wider note, I can say that Ireland welcomes the agreement on the first phase of the 20-point plan to end the war in Gaza. The first phase of the plan, the ceasefire and hostage release agreement, is an important step on a road to peace. Our immediate focus must be on ensuring humanitarian aid into and throughout Gaza at scale. Ireland stands ready to play our part in working towards a sustainable peace between Israel and Palestine through the implementation of the two-State solution.
8. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will ensure that his Department works closely with Coimisiún na Meán, An Garda Síochána, and education partners to strengthen prevention and protect victims, in order that our online spaces reflect the values of safety, respect, and democracy we expect offline (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64060/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThreats and harassment of any individual are not acceptable. The bringing to justice of the perpetrators of such abuse, whether online or offline, is a matter for An Garda Síochána and if anyone is subjected to threats or abuse, they should report it immediately to the Gardaí. Furthermore, I would encourage anyone who sees any abusive or threatening content online to report it, in the first instance, to the relevant platform. If a person is dissatisfied with the platform’s response, they can report it to Coimisiún na Meán.
Under the online safety framework, platforms are obliged to minimise the availability of harmful online content like cyberbullying, incitement to hatred or violence. They must provide a way for people to report content they think is illegal, respond to these reports in a timely and diligent manner and consistently enforce their own terms and conditions. In particular, under the Digital Services Act, which is part of Ireland’s online safety framework, the largest online platforms must take mitigation measures in relation to the availability and exposure of users to illegal online content. This includes, for example, certain abusive, threatening or offensive communications as detailed in Coco’s Law (the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act, 2020).
The European Commission is the lead regulator in enforcing these requirements for the largest platforms and search engines. Coimisiún na Meán, as Ireland’s Digital Services Coordinator under the DSA, supports the European Commission in enforcing these obligations. An Coimisiún announced last week that it is investigating the platform X for possible non-compliance with the DSA in respect of how they deal with complaints.
In September, Coimisiún na Meán published a report into the experiences of candidates in the 2024 elections. Many said that they were subject to abuse or threats online. An Coimisiún is committed to working with all stakeholders to address the issues raised in the report. An Coimisiún already works closely with An Garda Síochána on such matters and both bodies are working on a memorandum of understanding to structure this cooperation.
Awareness is important and last year, An Coimisiún produced a range of online safety materials for schools and later this year, An Coimisiún will be running public awareness campaigns across social media and other channels to carry the message that content like that is unacceptable and that people should report it to the relevant platforms in the first instance.
As a politician and a parent, I am committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure that our online spaces are safe for everyone.
11. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the immediate financial and governance sanctions that will be applied to the RTÉ board and senior management following the recent discovery of further irregular payments and unauthorised disbursements; and when the proposed legislation to assign the Comptroller and Auditor General as RTÉ's auditor will be fully enacted to restore public confidence. [64503/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraRTÉ’s 2024 Annual Report and Financial Statements were presented to Government on 29 October and subsequently laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas and published by RTÉ.
Prior to their submission, my Department requested NewERA to undertake a review of the financial statements. During this review, RTÉ provided additional information regarding several legacy issues which came to light following an internal RTÉ review of systems and procedures within the broadcaster. This included information relating to historic severance and pension related payments.
I met with the Chair of the RTÉ Board on 6 November, who provided further information and clarity on the issues raised. At that meeting, the Chair confirmed to me that there was no question of any of the historic payments having been made without proper authorisation. Indeed, that these issues came to light following such an internal review is evidence of the commitment to improved internal control, and transparency, within RTÉ.
On 7 May 2024, the Government accepted in principle the 116 recommendations of the Expert Advisory Committees appointed to carry out reviews of RTÉ in relation to Governance and Culture, and Contractor Fees, HR and Other Matters. At the same time, a report by Mazars, who had been appointed as the forensic accountant to examine RTÉ’s accounts, was also published.
The re-assignment of the Comptroller and Auditor General as auditor of RTÉ was a key recommendation of the Expert Advisory Committee on Governance and Culture.
The General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill which I published last April provides that the Comptroller and Auditor General will undertake the following activities in relation to RTÉ:
• carry out an audit of the annual accounts under section 5 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993;
• carry out, where the Comptroller and Auditor General considers it appropriate, a value-for-money examination under section 9 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993;
• submit, under section 11 of the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act 1993, any resulting audit or special reports.
The revised General Scheme was submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport for pre-legislative scrutiny and the Committee published their report on 17 September 2025. My officials are currently finalising examination of the 84 recommendations and, following my consideration of the matter, the next step will be Government approval and publication of the Bill.
12. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide details of his efforts to enable sports clubs and local schools to collaborate on the construction of multi-purpose community sports halls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64622/25]
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). Sporting organisations can apply directly for CSFF funding while applications to the LSSIF must be made through either a National Governing Body (NGB) of Sport or a Local Authority.
Funding for sports facilities in schools is primarily a matter for the Department of Education and Youth. Third level colleges, Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and schools are eligible to apply for CSFF funding but can only do so jointly with sports clubs. Such applications must provide evidence of facility-sharing arrangements that will allow sports clubs to use the proposed facilities throughout the year when not in use by the school.
One of the objectives of the CSFF is to assist voluntary and community organisations, the 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.
The National Sports Policy was published in July 2018 and provided for the establishment of the LSSIF. The aim of the LSSIF is to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects, greater than the maximum amount available under the CSFF. Whilst the Fund has a particular focus on NGBs and local authorities, it is also open to other bodies, such as sports clubs, voluntary organisations, Education and Training Boards and third level institutions to apply but such applications would necessarily have to be made and prioritised by a local authority and/or a NGB. Joint applications involving more than one organisation are encouraged.
16. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide an update on the roll out of the National Broadband Plan as of November 2025, including progress in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64379/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government – Securing Ireland’s Future published in January 2025 sets a number of targets which include the completion of the installation of high-speed fibre broadband to 1.1 million people, including homes, farms, and businesses nationwide, by 2026.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the Government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that there are over 564,000 premises in the Intervention Area and design work has been completed for 100% of these. NBI anticipated they would pass 420,000 premises by the end of 2025. NBI have exceeded that figure in already passing over 430,000 premises in the intervention area and are connecting on average 4,500 premises to their fibre network per month. When completed, Ireland will rank in the top tier of EU member states on the provision of widespread high speed broadband connectivity to its citizens, communities and enterprises.
NBI also advise that circa 442,880 premises, across all counties in mainly rural areas, can now order or pre-order broadband and over 153,660 premises are already connected. The NBP is expected to provide access to high-speed fibre broadband for approximately 65,000 (69% of farms) farms across Ireland in total, with over 40,000 farms having access to this service, with more than 17,000 already connected, proving a high rate of take-up. In addition, 955 broadband connection points, including 672 in schools, are now operational, ensuring that communities and young people in every corner of Ireland can participate fully in the digital economy.
Based on current plans and achievements, the Department expect to deliver the deployment of the NBP by the end of 2026, as per the Programme for Government commitment.
Further details are available on specific counties and areas which 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.
Along with the NBP intervention contract, 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 strategy are achieved.
17. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on the progress of a nationwide audit of sports facilities to address shortages in areas underserved including towns with populations over 1,500, as set out in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64605/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraGet Ireland Active was launched in October 2023 and represents the first phase of a comprehensive national database of sports facilities. The database currently consists of more than 15,000 opportunities to be active across the country, including sports and recreation facilities, public places such as playgrounds and trails for walking, running and biking. Additionally, other data – such as the Pobal Deprivation Index – can be overlaid on the database to identify areas that are under or over-served.
A companion mobile phone application has now been developed and is publicly available to download from both the Apple App and Google Play stores. It enables mobile access to the database with the aim of helping people of all ages, abilities and fitness levels to get active and take full advantage of amenities around them.
The database is currently undergoing further development and, once complete, Sport Ireland intends to launch a promotional campaign to raise awareness of Get Ireland Active and the benefits that it can offer.
Overall, the Programme for Government sets out an ambitious future for sport in Ireland where equality of access and opportunity is at the heart of everything we do in this sector.
The need to catalogue sports facilities to address shortages in areas that are currently underserved was first raised in the National Sports Policy 2018 – 2027 which recognised the importance of having an up-to-date database of sports facilities as the basis for a more long-term planned approach to facility investment. The information now available will inform future phases of the Community Sports Facility Fund (CSSF) and the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
As for the next round of the CSFF, in line with previous rounds a review of the current funding round will be undertaken and that review will inform the timing of the next round of the CSFF. A new round will open for applications next year.
19. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the steps that Monaghan County Council should take to secure funding for a swimming pool in Carrickmacross. [64392/25]
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 nine swimming pool projects. Investment in a swimming pool for Monaghan is matter for the local authority. Monaghan County Council will be eligible to apply for funding in this context when the next LSSIF round opens.
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 fifty 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.
Swim Ireland, the National Governing Body for swimming, is currently undertaking an analysis of the type and nature of swimming pool ownership in the country, with a particular focus on identifying gaps in provision. Swim Ireland will publish a report on its analysis in the coming period, and this report will be central to the future development of swimming pool facilities in Ireland.
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.
20. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide an update on the work his Department is doing to improve communication infrastructure, and in particular to improve access to communication services during and after strong storms; if he will provide an update on the work his Department has carried out since the publication on the review of Storm Éowyn in October 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64220/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra48. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the outcome of discussions he has had with ComReg and with telecommunications companies in relation to the need to strengthen the telecoms network following storms in recent years and the loss of services for customers, in many instances over a long period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64200/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 48 together.
Mobile and fixed broadband networks are key infrastructures enabling many aspects of modern life; connecting families and friends, allowing people to work from home and making it easier for businesses to reap the benefits of the digital economy. The State’s commitment to transforming our telecoms infrastructure is exemplified by the Government’s target to deliver 100% Gigabit fibre connectivity to every premises in the State by 2028.
Nonetheless, the extent of service outages experienced in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn last January placed renewed focus on how resilient our telecommunication networks and emergency response systems are. The effect of Storm Éowyn on the national telecommunications sector was the largest in the Commission for Communication Regulation - ComReg’s - recording history. Widespread loss of power and damage to infrastructure during Storm Éowyn on 24 January 2025 triggered a sharp and unprecedented disruption to our fixed and mobile connectivity, with the worst impacted areas located in the North and West of the country.
Since mid-February, in the immediate aftermath of the storm, when I first convened a meeting with telecommunication network operators to begin a review of what went wrong and what needs to be done to ensure we do not experience the same kinds of services outages again, my officials and I have been in regular contact with the telecoms industry.
I have also had meetings with ComReg on the issue of network resilience. ComReg, which is statutorily independent of my Department, has set out the actions it is taking regarding severe weather events. That information is publicly available at its website.
Separately, ComReg has also published a severe weather preparation guide for consumers on its website at comreg.ie/severeweather which provides useful guidance on steps consumers can take to reduce the impact of storms before, during and after they occur. This is useful guidance which I would recommend everyone familiarise themselves with.
Through a newly formed Telecommunications Response and Resilience Group, chaired by my Department, the sector will work together 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 most recent meeting of this Group took place at the National Emergency Coordination Centre on 28 October where the group heard from officials from both the Office of Emergency Planning and from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The Office of Emergency Planning briefed the group on the State’s Strategic Emergency Management framework with the aim of building awareness within the telecoms sector of how the State approaches major incidents. The Department of Housing briefed the group on the Framework for Major Emergency Management which guides the local and regional State response to incidents.
My Department is developing a Communications Services Emergency Plan, which will incorporate learnings from Storm Éowyn. This includes internal structures such as the creation of a Communications Emergency Coordination Team within the Department to provide surge staffing and a coordinated response to any future national emergency impacting telecommunications.
A key list of key mobile network sites – which would provide a minimal level of communication across rural areas - has been developed for prioritisation of both preparatory and response resources. It is anticipated that this priority list will allow for more targeted allocation of both preparatory and response efforts by all stakeholders, including local authorities and other State entities. Ensuring that a base layer of communication can maintained, or quickly restored, in times of emergency is a key focus for my Department.
The advent of Storm Amy on 3 October 2025 presented an early test of the developing emergency response structures. The coordination structures that have already been put in place ensured that mobile operators were able to quickly resolve issues that involved engagement with State authorities. The storm also tested internal structures allowing the Department to further refine its new processes.
Last week also saw the Government approve and publish of a range of sectoral adaptation plans in line with the National Adaptation Framework. This included a Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Communication Networks. This was a key milestone in ensuring that Ireland’s telecommunication networks will be fit for our future climate challenges.
The new Sectoral Adaptation Plan for Communication Networks builds on strong collaboration between the Department, the regulator and industry partners, recognising that no single actor can achieve our goals alone and that a collective response is required.
21. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will take measures to make his Department’s sports capital funding schemes more accessible and more suited to the needs of clubs. [64347/25]
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 it also assists the purchase of non-personal sports equipment.
Grants are available to voluntary, not-for profit sports clubs, community groups, National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs), and local authorities. Third level colleges, Education and Training Boards and schools may only apply for funding jointly with sports clubs or organisations.
Over 19,000 projects have benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.4 billion. These grants have directly improved sports facilities in every village, town and city in the country and I have been fortunate to see many of these for myself in recent months.
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 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.
In line with previous rounds of the Fund, a review of the current funding round is being undertaken which will be completed in the coming months. Ease of access and matching the Fund to the evolving needs of applicants are key areas of focus in such funding round reviews. I have asked my Department to prepare for a further round of the CSFF in 2026. It is anticipated that the next CSFF round will particularly target areas and sports that have been under-invested in over the years.
22. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the new emergency communications system will be fully operational, given the provision of such technology would be a vital tool for the elderly or vulnerable during the winter months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64369/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraArticle 110 of Directive 2018/1972, known as the European Electronic Communications Code, requires all member states to implement a a mobile phone-based emergency alert system to transmit warnings to the public – a Public Warning System or “PWS”.
Ireland gives effect to Article 110 through Regulation 93A of SI 444 of 2022, which provides that I, as Minister, may direct mobile network operators to transmit a public warning to end-users of their services in the event of an imminent or developing major emergency or disaster.
While this regulation meets the needs of the Directive, the effectiveness of distributing public warning via SMS is impacted by network capacity, congestion and SMS character limits.
It has therefore been a long-term ambition of Government to develop a Cell Broadcast Public Warning System. This technology is widely used for public warning systems in other countries, including the United Kingdom, as it allows for localised alerting based on network mast location and is not impacted by the same issues as SMS.
The project to develop a CB-PWS has been progressed to date by my Department and the Office of Emergency Planning in the Department of Defence and via working groups under the Government Task Force on Emergency Planning.
It is my Departments role to procure the technical solution for the PWS and engage with telecommunications operators to integrate the technology into their systems.
The procurement of a Cell Broadcast Public Warning System for Ireland will provide an advanced and futureproofed system with extensive functionalities and capabilities, providing an effective warning system for the public in emergencies.
In 2024 my Department procured advisory services in relation to the procurement and implementation of the PWS. Since then, my officials and their advisors have been working to develop recommendations to Government in relation to the project.
Pending Government approval of these recommendations it is anticipated to begin procurement for the PWS technical solution in 2026, with full implementation of the CB-PWS in 2027.
This will allow the PWS to become part of existing emergency communications structures that are already in place and, in the appropriate circumstances, it will be another channel to provide information to the public among those already existing, such as social media, TV and radio.
24. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the measures that will be implemented to improve on the current anticipated connection timeframe given for the roll out of fibre broadband under National Broadband Ireland for a number of deployment areas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64351/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government – Securing Ireland’s Future published in January 2025 sets a number of targets which include the completion of the installation of high-speed fibre broadband to 1.1 million people, including homes, farms, and businesses nationwide, by 2026.
The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the Government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that there are over 564,000 premises in the Intervention Area and design work has been completed for 100% of these. NBI anticipated they would pass 420,000 premises by the end of 2025. NBI have exceeded that figure in already passing over 430,000 premises in the intervention area and are connecting on average 4,500 premises to their fibre network per month.
In the Deputy’s own county of Cork, 51,625 premises are passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and over 56,560 are available to order/pre-order, with 17,410 premises now connected. A further circa 30,375 premises in Cork will be passed by NBI’s high speed fibre broadband by the end of network deployment.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Cork 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.
The NBI rollout will include the Dunmanway, Ballingeary and Carriganimmy Deployment Areas (DAs) each with 4,200, 964 and 3,975 premises respectively. Network build is in progress for all three of the DAs with an anticipated connection timeframes of July 2026 – December 2026.
NBI has stated the route of the network rollout is not based on cost or an economic model. Instead, it is based on an engineering design that allows NBI to get to every premises as quickly as possible, working within the confines of how fibre networks are built and utilising existing infrastructure wherever possible.
The latest information on when high-speed broadband will become available can be found on National Broadband Ireland’s (NBI) website at nbi.ie/map/. This website is regularly updated providing the expected timeline for delivery and status of any works that are initiated at any point in time. NBI also has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
25. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the number of sports capital grants and LSSIF projects that have been drawn down to date; the number of projects still waiting to drawdown the funding; if his Department has a tracking system in place to follow drawdowns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63258/25]
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 last three rounds of the CSFF in 2018, 2020 and 2023 resulted in total allocations of €501,563,585 to 7,579 organisations. Of these, 3,837 grantees or just over 50% of the total, have drawn down over 90% of the their respective allocations. A further 759 grantees have partially drawn down their allocations and 2,983 projects have yet to draw down any of their allocations. The majority of grants not yet drawn down relate to the 2023 round for which allocations were announced in September 2024. There are also a smaller number of allocations yet to be drawn down from rounds prior to 2018 and my Department is undertaking an assessment of those outstanding allocations
The first allocations under LSSIF 2018 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. To date €41.676 million has been drawn down from LSSIF 2018, and nine facilities that received an LSSIF allocation under this round are now open to the public.
Grants totalling €173 million, benefiting 35 individual projects were allocated under the second round of the LSSIF in November 2024. These projects are now stepping through the various gateways provided for under the Infrastructure Guidelines.
My Department engages as necessary with grantees at the various stages of the allocation drawdown process to ensure that the funds allocated are drawn down as early as possible.
