Written Answers Nos. 251-270
251. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Education and Youth the measures her Department is taking to address the shortage of autism class places at national school level in the Dublin Rathdown constituency and nationally in advance of the academic year 2026-27; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73197/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for children with special educational needs.
In order to support the NCSE and forward planning my department published Circular 0039/2025. This circular informs school management and patrons of measures introduced to support forward planning and reiterates the need for parents to inform the NCSE through the Parent Notify process that they are seeking a special educational placement for their child.
This notification process will provide the NCSE with critical information on children who continue to need a special class as they progress to post-primary level as well as details on students who require a place for the first time.
This year to facilitate earlier sanctioning of classes for the 2026/27 school year, an earlier date of 1 October was set for parents to complete the process. It is expected that many of these special classes will be sanctioned in the coming weeks.
The NCSE is undertaking analysis of information provided through the Parents Notify process which closed on 1 October to plot demand for special class places for the 2026/27 school year. The NCSE will also consider vacant places in existing special classes and places that will become available through the regular transition of children from primary to post-primary schools. Once this analysis is completed the NCSE will be equipped to engage with schools to open new special classes in relevant areas.
This new timeline was publicised widely and communicated with schools and special education advocacy groups and parent representative bodies. The NCSE also undertook a lot of work at local level to ensure that families were aware of the process and and consequently report a significant level of engagement and contact from families before 1 October.
The NCSE advise that the majority of children and young people coming to them through the Parent’s Notify process are already enrolled in school supported by existing special education teachers and special needs assistants.
My department and the NCSE are committed to ensuring that sufficient special education placements remain available for children with special educational needs and will continue to review and monitor the situation as to where new specialist provision is required.
252. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on the notice of closure issued to an organisation (details supplied); the engagement his Department has had, or plans to have, with the organisation; the supports available to protect vital cultural infrastructure of this kind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73082/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Complex is a multidisciplinary arts and creative venue in Dublin’s North Inner City, governed by a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee. The Complex has been leasing its building from a private landlord on a site ringfenced for redevelopment.
Proposals for the development of local arts centres are a matter in the first instance for the relevant local authority. County and city development plans are drawn up by local authorities in accordance with their functions under the Planning and Development Acts. This would include policy objectives for development in that county, including the arts.
Annual support, including programming and revenue supports, is provided to arts and culture centres by local authorities and the Arts Council. The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport provides grants as a contribution towards maintaining and enhancing existing arts and culture facilities but does not provide funding for the purchase of buildings.
Officials from my Department met with the Chair of The Complex and other members of the team in December 2024 and advised them of this position. Further communication in June 2025 reiterated that position. No funding was sought from this Department for the purchase of the building by the Complex and any refurbishment support would require chargeable title to be in place.
253. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will review the case of a person (details supplied) who has been unable to obtain a fibre broadband connection to their home in a location (details supplied), despite fibre infrastructure being located within close proximity; the steps a company (details supplied) and its contractors have taken to resolve access issues relating to the relevant distribution point; if alternative technical solutions have been considered to progress the connection where access to a neighbouring property is no longer permitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73199/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.
The premises in question is in the BLUE area on the broadband map which is available on my Department's website: www.gov.ie/en/publication/5634d-national-broadband-plan-map/
The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high-speed broadband services. The Department defines high-speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload.
The activities of commercial operators delivering high-speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and the Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.
As per information available at www.openeir.ie/fibre/broadband-checker, the premises is included in open eir's Full Fibre deployment programme and an order can be placed for full fibre gigabit connection from any of open eir’s retail service providers.
The Department does not have statutory powers to compel property owners (such as a neighbour) to grant access necessary for a connection to a commercial operator and has no function to mediate between premises’ owners and commercial operators. If a resolution is not forthcoming the end user is advised to raise a query via the Department’s webform which can be accessed by clicking on “contact us” in the Contact section on www.gov.ie/en/publication/5634d-national-broadband-plan-map/ and the Department may escalate with the commercial operator to investigate this matter further should there be a case to do so.
254. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the funding that may be available in coming years for the development of a permanent theatre and arts space at Arklow, County Wicklow. [72615/25]
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.
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 this arts and culture infrastructure 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.
In Budget 2026, my Department was allocated €6m for a new programme of capital funding for arts and culture organisations across the country, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government. This will see much needed capital supports for communities, including funding essential equipment for organisations such as amateur drama groups and musical societies.
My Department is in the process of designing the specifications of the scheme, including the setting of eligibility criteria.
In the interim, under Stream E of the Cultural Capital Scheme, grants of up to €20,000 are available to not-for-profit dedicated arts and culture organisations at 85% grant funding rate. Larger grants of up to €50,000 are provided under Stream E at a maximum grant funding rate of 70%. Local authority owned facilities are subject to a maximum 60% grant funding rate.
This is a rolling scheme that is demand led and full details are available on my Department’s website.
Another cultural capital funding scheme available from my Department is the €6 million pilot Artist Workspaces Scheme which was launched in June 2024. Under this scheme, local authorities are invited to propose projects which enable them to provide additional artist workspaces in their regions on a sustainable basis and produce workspaces that are fit for purpose, design focused, and accessible. Funding of up to €300,000 is available for densely populated local authority areas and €150,000 for other local authorities.
255. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his plans to mark the centenary of the commencement of 2RN and radio in Ireland in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72618/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commemorations Unit in my Department has responsibility for coordinating commemorative programming to ensure that key historical events, themes and personalities are remembered appropriately.
The State has adopted a collaborative and partnership approach to commemorations, which supports key stakeholders and project partners to develop their commemorative initiatives using the framework of commemorations which is, in turn, based on key principles including respectful remembrance, historical authenticity and accessibility.
The Department recognises that RTÉ itself is leading in respect of these centenaries and that they are best based placed to develop and deliver appropriate plans. This will be with support as appropriate from my Department.
My Department has been in contact with RTÉ and offered assistance and guidance including the sharing of the State’s principles of commemorations. RTÉ has been invited to present to the Commemorations Advisory Committee which provides independent and expert advice to the State and key stakeholders on commemorative matters. We look forward to this presentation and I am sure the expert committee will provide helpful and constructive advice and guidance as required.
256. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will ensure that criteria to include greater access to facilities for those with disabilities and special needs will figure highly in the next rounds of the sports capital and LSSIF schemes. [72619/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) provides grants to assist in the development or refurbishment of sports facilities and the provision of sports equipment. One of the objectives of the Fund is to prioritise the needs of disadvantaged areas and groups (such as people with disabilities) in the provision of sports facilities and increase female participation in sport. All projects in receipt of CSFF allocations must be accessible to people with disabilities and capital projects must conform to the seven principles of universal design and all gym equipment funded must be accessible to people with disabilities. In line with previous rounds of the Fund, a review of the current funding round is being undertaken. I have asked my Department to prepare for a further round of the CSFF in 2026.
The aim of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) is to support investment in sporting infrastructure that will reinforce the principles outlined in the Department’s National Sports Policy including increased active participation in sport by people with a disability. In considering investment in infrastructure that meets this aim, one of the main criteria on which LSSIF projects were assessed and scored was their ability to improve the quantity and quality of active participation in sport for people with a disability. Priority was given to projects that prioritised the needs of disadvantaged areas and groups including people with disabilities.
Last week, the Department published a new Disability Strategy to promote greater inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities in culture and sporting activities, including communications and media supports. Its aim is to continue to support and foster independent living for people with disabilities, and to help them actively participate in an inclusive society. By providing direct investment through Local Sports Partnerships and National Governing Bodies under a newly appointed designated disability lead within Sport Ireland, this Strategy has the potential to be transformational in developing and promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities in sport.
257. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will ensure that criteria that recognises areas of rapid population growth and the consequent demand for sports facilities will figure highly in the next rounds of the sports capital and LSSIF schemes. [72620/25]
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. In line with previous rounds of the Fund, a review of the current funding round is being undertaken and this will inform decisions on the key scoring criteria to be applied in future rounds. I have asked my Department to prepare for a further round of the CSFF in 2026. It is anticipated that the next round will particularly target areas and sports that have been under-invested in over the years.
In 2024, the second round of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) received an unprecedented demand for funding. On 4 November 2024, grants totaling €173 million were awarded to 35 projects. In assessing applications under the 2024 round of LSSIF, consideration was given to factors such as socio-economic disadvantage and population growth in the relevant areas. The cumulative investment under the LSSIF since 2020 is now €297 million across 68 projects.
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. No decisions have yet been made regarding the next round of LSSIF.
258. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department will consider a dedicated scheme to support water-based recreation infrastructure at lakes in Longford and Westmeath. [72654/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The Department does not routinely operate narrowly focused schemes such as that referred to by the Deputy.
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. I have asked my Department to prepare for a further round of the CSFF in 2026.
In 2024, the second round of LSSIF received an unprecedented demand for funding. On 4 November 2024, grants totaling €173 million were awarded to 35 projects. In assessing applications under the 2024 round of LSSIF, consideration was given to factors such as socio-economic disadvantage and population growth in the relevant areas. The cumulative investment under the LSSIF since 2020 is now €297 million across 68 projects.
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. No decisions have yet been made regarding the next round of LSSIF.
259. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the types of online platforms and services that will be subject to the proposed age verification mechanism which is being developed using Ireland’s digital wallet. [72783/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Ireland’s Online Safety Code, Video Sharing Platforms established in Ireland which allow users to upload pornography or scenes of gratuitous violence have to use age assurance so that children cannot normally encounter this content. The Code contains a general obligation for Video Sharing Platforms to use age verification (including age estimation) to protect minors from content that could impair the mental, moral or physical development where it is appropriate.
Coimisiún na Meán determines when it is appropriate for a platform to use age verification. So to support this, officials in this Department are working with the Government’s Chief Information Officer and his office to look at practical technical solutions to age verification as part of the Government's digital wallet being developed using MyGovID. In doing so, we must seek to ensure interoperability and respect users' rights, including data protection rights.
The OGCIO is leading on the technical aspects of an envisaged pilot which will be run on a voluntary basis. The specifics of the pilot are yet to be finalised but I will be writing to platforms in the coming weeks to invite them to participate in the pilot and I expect that those who are committed to online safety will be happy to engage.
260. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will review correspondence regarding broadband connectivity (details supplied) and address the concerns raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72785/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.
The estate and the premises at the Eircode provided in the question are in the BLUE area on the broadband map which is available on my Department's website: www.gov.ie/en/publication/5634d-national-broadband-plan-map/
The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high-speed broadband services. The Department defines high-speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload.
The activities of commercial operators delivering high-speed broadband (HSBB) within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and the Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.
The estate and the premises at the eircode provided in the question are currently capable of receiving speeds in excess of 30 mbps from open eir’s local High Speed Broadband cabinet per information available at bbchecker.comreg.ie/.
The premises along with the rest of the estate is also included in open eir’s Full Fibre to the Home (FTTH) deployment programme per information available at www.openeir.ie/fibre/broadband-checker.
The Department does not have sight of information that provides an estimated timeline of when open eir will provide a full fibre connection. However, open eir have communicated to the Department that they will fibre enable the estate as part of their fibre upgrade plan and 9 properties in the estate have already been fibre enabled by open eir in November 2025.
If a person lives in the BLUE area and after contacting their Retail Service Provider are told they cannot get access to greater than 30Mbps, they should raise a query via the webform which can be accessed by clicking on “contact us” in the Contact section on www.gov.ie/en/publication/5634d-national-broadband-plan-map/ and the Department will escalate with the commercial operator to investigate this matter further.
261. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the results of his Department’s consultation with broadband providers regarding recognised broadband gaps will be available; and the number of locations estimated to exist. [72792/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's Digital Connectivity Strategy, published by my Department, sets ambitious targets, which include providing a Gigabit network to all households and businesses in Ireland by 2028 and access to 5G in all populated areas by 2030.
The 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 and will be delivered through investment by commercial enterprises coupled with intervention by the State in those parts of the country (Intervention Area) where private companies have no plans to invest.
The Department defines high-speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. As there are currently no unaddressed high-speed broadband gaps in the State, the National Broadband Plan (NBP) is on track to ensure all premises have access to high-speed broadband by the end of 2026. Once the NBP is complete we do not anticipate that high-speed broadband gaps will exist.
Along with the NBP intervention contract, progress is being made by commercial operators Open Eir, Virgin Media and Siro in expanding their next generation networks throughout the State in the non-intervention area which is identified by the blue area on the high-speed broadband map ensuring the targets set out in the Digital Connectivity strategy are achieved.
The Department maintains ongoing and regular engagement with commercial operators, to monitor the progress of their gigabit broadband network upgrades. This data complements the analysis and proactive monitoring conducted by the Department and informs policy development to address those location where network may not be upgraded to gigabit broadband services by 2028. The number and scale of these locations is still being investigated, as well as the various causes for why locations and/or specific premises are not being upgraded by the commercial operators. By the end of 2026 the Department expects to have a clearer picture of those locations, i.e. where high-speed broadband is available but where the commercial operator is unlikely to upgrade their network to gigabit broadband.
262. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the number of homes in Dún-Laoghaire-Rathdown that are without high-speed broadband and are not covered under the national broadband plan. [72793/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland's Digital Connectivity Strategy, published by my Department, sets ambitious targets, which include providing a Gigabit network to all households and businesses in Ireland by 2028 and access to 5G in all populated areas by 2030.
The 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) will be delivered through investment by commercial enterprises coupled with intervention by the State in those parts of the country (Intervention Area) where private companies have no plans to invest.
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown is predominantly in the BLUE area on the broadband map which is available on: www.gov.ie/en/publication/5634d-national-broadband-plan-map/
The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high-speed broadband services. The Department defines high-speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload.
If a person lives in the BLUE area and after contacting their Retail Service Provider are told they cannot get access to greater than 30Mbps, they should raise a query via the Department’s webform which can be accessed by clicking on “contact us” in the Contact section, on www.gov.ie/en/publication/5634d-national-broadband-plan-map/, and the department will escalate with the commercial operator to investigate this matter further.
The Department doesn’t have precise figures for the number of premises in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown that cannot get high speed broadband at present. However, approximately 94% of premises in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown can currently receive speeds of at least 1Gbps while the majority of the remainder are high speed broadband (HSBB) capable and are on one or more commercial operator’s fibre upgrade plans.
The Department is aware of some evidence emerging, based on engagements with the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) and commercial operators, that a portion of premises that do not form part of the intervention area may prove not to be commercially viable in terms of being connected to a gigabit network by 2028. The Department is currently investigating reasons for why such instances may arise with a view to identifying solutions.
263. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the processes or plans that will be undertaken to address remaining high-speed broadband gaps. [72794/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland.
Upon clarification the Department received, the question pertains in particular to the Foxrock area of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, in addition to the national context.
Foxrock is predominantly in the BLUE area on the broadband map which is available on www.gov.ie/en/publication/5634d-national-broadband-plan-map/. The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high-speed broadband services. The Department defines high-speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. The majority of premises in the Foxrock area are currently capable of obtaining speeds in excess of 30 Mbps.
The activities of commercial operators delivering high-speed broadband within BLUE areas are not planned or funded by the State and the Department has no statutory authority to intervene in that regard.
If a person lives in the BLUE area and after contacting their Retail Service Provider are told they cannot get access to greater than 30Mbps, they should raise a query via the Department’s webform which can be accessed by clicking on “contact us” in the Contact section, on www.gov.ie/en/publication/5634d-national-broadband-plan-map/, and the Department will escalate with the commercial operator to investigate this matter further.
264. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the timeframe for the National Broadband Plan to complete national high speed broadband coverage. [72795/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 (IA) 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 439,700 premises in the intervention area and are connecting on average 4,500 premises to their fibre network per month.
NBI also advise that 450,950 premises, across all counties in mainly rural areas, can now order or pre-order broadband and over 158,050 premises are already connected.
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.
265. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if an organ was purchased by the National Concert Hall and the cost; when the organ is expected to be installed given the delays in the planned renovation of the National Concert Hall; the expected cost of storage for the organ until that date; the reason the organ was purchased before the designs for the renovations are finalised; if such redesign could render the organ unsuitable; and the future plan for the existing organ. [72850/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe redevelopment of the National Concert Hall (NCH) is one of the projects within my Department's NDP portfolio. The vision for the project is to create an inspiring music organisation, featuring a main auditorium which will be home to the National Symphony Orchestra. To meet this objective, the redeveloped auditorium will also feature a concert organ, built specifically for the new space.
I can confirm that, while earlier this year the NCH conducted a tender process for appointment of an organ builder, no organ has been purchased at this stage and the purpose of the ongoing process is to align the organ design with the progressing design for the building. Further work on the organ will be progressed with line with the development of the Concert Hall. In regard to the existing organ, options are being considered in regard to its future use post the redevelopment of the NCH.
266. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the status of the arts space construction project on the grounds of a factory (details supplied) in Dublin port; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73122/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Arts Council submitted a Preliminary Business Case to my Department in Q4 2024 in relation to the project referred to in the question. The proposal has been reviewed by the Department in line with the Programme for Government and the Infrastructure Guidelines and in the context of Project Ireland 2040 and other capital demands. Unfortunately, at this time, there is no funding available to fund a project of this size.
I am acutely aware of the pressures that artists and creatives face in finding suitable workspaces. The lack of space has been a significant barrier for artists, limiting their ability to create and exhibit work. That is why in 2023 the Department allocated €3m in funding to Space to Create, an initiative that aims to provide up to sixty artist workspaces in Dublin City, in partnership with Dublin City Council. Work is ongoing with Dublin City Council to deliver the spaces identified under this scheme.
In addition, the Department launched the Artist Workspaces Scheme in June 2024. This is a €6 million pilot capital funding scheme for Local Authorities to increase the provision of artists’ workspaces across Ireland.
The primary focus of this pilot scheme is to provide funding to local authorities to enable them to provide additional capacity and availability of artist workspaces in their regions on a sustainable basis.
Local authorities are invited to propose projects which can accommodate and address the demand for artist workspaces in their regions and produce workspaces that are fit for purpose, design focused and accessible. Capital grants up to a maximum of €300,000 are available to densely populated Local Authority areas, with capital grants up to a maximum of €150,000 available to the remaining Local Authorities.
267. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the key measures taken to enhance online safety during 2025; his priorities for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73136/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset, it is important to say that significant progress has been made in improving online safety in Ireland. 2025 has seen the full application of Ireland's first online safety code, an integral part of Ireland's online safety framework, which is implemented by Coimisiún na Meán. The code obliges designated video-sharing platform services to take measures to protect children online, including, under Part B, the obligation to implement robust age assurance measures to ensure children do not normally see adult-only content, like pornography.
A failure to adequately fulfil obligations under the framework can lead to significant financial sanctions and continued non-compliance can lead to criminal sanctions for senior management under the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act. Over the past few weeks, Coimisiún na Meán commenced investigations into certain platforms for suspected breaches of their regulatory obligations and under the Digital Services Act, the European Commission issued a fine of €120 million to the platform X for failures to fulfil its obligations.
Nothwithstanding this progress, I continue to work across Government and with all stakeholders to ensure children and young people can be safe from harmful or illegal content online. In particular, I want to progress robust age verification. It is a vital part of the picture in terms of providing real assurance that children are the age they claim to be and to ensure they are not exposed to harmful or illegal content. I am seeking the inclusion of a commitment to this effect in the Government’s updated National Digital Strategy which will be published shortly.
In addressing age verification, we must seek to ensure that there are trustworthy systems in place that are interoperable and respect users’ rights, including data protection rights. To that end, my officials are continuing to work with the Government’s Chief Information Officer and his Office to look at practical technical solutions to age verification as part of the Government's Digital Wallet being developed using MyGovID.
In addition, right across Europe, Member States are examining the question of prohibiting access by children and young people to social media platforms – the so-called “digital age of majority”. Ireland is also considering its position on this matter but I believe that any decision would be better taken at EU level.
I plan to make online safety a key theme of Ireland's Presidency of the European Union next year. In this context, the EU Audio Visual Media Services Directive, which is the basis for Ireland's Online Safety Code, will be evaluated over the coming year. Further measures are likely to be proposed at European level during Ireland's Presidency, and Ireland will work with all stakeholders to ensure that additional legislative proposals are robust in addressing harms posed to children online.
I will continue to work with all stakeholders, nationally and internationally, to ensure robust safety measures, including robust age verification, are in place to protect children and young people from inappropriate, harmful and illegal online content.
268. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the key measures taken to support arts and culture during 2025; his priorities for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73137/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Culture, Communications and Sport’s Arts and Culture programme aims to support and develop engagement with, and in arts, culture and creativity by individuals and communities thereby enriching lives through cultural and creative activity; to promote Ireland's arts, culture and creativity globally; and to drive a more vibrant and diverse Night-Time Economy.
Some of the key measures taken to support arts and culture during 2025 include:
• Government agreement to a permanent programme based on the Basic Income for the Arts Pilot Scheme and the provision of funding in Budget 2026.
• Leading Ireland’s engagement at EU, UNESCO, G20, Expo2025 and other relevant international cultural policy forums in 2025, to ensure international cultural policy influenced in line with Irish positions.
• Arts capital grants of €453,145 were awarded to 14 arts and culture organisations for upgrading and development of their facilities. This funding is provided under Stream E of the Cultural Capital Scheme, a €1.4 million capital investment scheme focused on enhancing the existing stock of arts and culture centres throughout the country.
• €1.5 million announced for the promotion of Irish culture overseas.
• Grants announced for Small-Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools.
• Plans announced for Shared Island Cultural Co-operation Fund.
• €4.6 million in Creative Ireland grant calls.
• Cruinniú na nÓg 2025 took place with over 1,000 free creative activities for young people.
• In 2025, Culture Ireland marked 20 years of supporting Irish artists and arts organisations in presenting their work on the global stage. With an allocation of €8 million, Culture Ireland provided vital support through the Regular Round Scheme, Showcase Programme, and See Here initiatives.
• National Famine Commemoration took place in Kilmallock, Co. Limerick.
• New local Creative Youth Partnership announced.
• Enhanced tax credit for low-to-medium budget film productions.
• Launch of Ireland’s Representation at the 2025 Venice Biennale.
• €500,000 in funding for music venues showcasing original grassroots performers.
• Funding of just over €1.35 million allocated to 9 Night Time Economy advisors in Dublin City, Cork City, Limerick City, Galway City, Kilkenny, Sligo, Longford, Buncrana and Drogheda.
• Screen Ireland invested in Irish creative talent, supporting various projects which included feature films, co-productions, TV dramas, documentaries and animations. In 2025, Screen Ireland ring-fenced some of its €48.858m annual allocation for nationwide development and Irish-language storytelling.
• Announcement of the commencement of the major redevelopment of the Crawford Art Gallery.
Priorities for 2026 include, but are not limited to:
• Delivering a successful EU Presidency, including leading the culture policy agenda under the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Ministerial Council.
• Put in place the successor scheme to the Basic Income for the Arts Pilot.
• Completion of the repository project in the National Archives in 2026.
• Commence redeveloping the National Concert Hall with the Discover Centre project (a music learning and engagement centre) in the old Pathology block.
• Progress the redevelopment of the Crawford Art Gallery.
• A new €6 million capital works scheme will be developed to fund arts capital projects in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government, providing support for communities across the country.
• Screen Ireland 2026 allocation increased by €2.1 million to develop new strategies to grow the gaming and special effects sectors in Ireland and for increased support to the indigenous and incoming screen industry.
• An additional allocation of €600,000 to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann who celebrate their 75th Anniversary in 2026.
• €1 million in funding, double the 2025 allocation, for the 2026 round of the Grassroots Music Venue Support scheme to support independent music venues and artists across the country.
• Culture Ireland 2026 allocation increased by €800k, to help develop and sustain Irish artists’ international careers.
269. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the key measures taken to support sport during 2025; his priorities for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73138/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy first year as Minister with responsibility for Sport has been busy and rewarding, with record levels of participation.
Government investment in sport is essential to increasing participation levels in all sports, across all sectors of society. When the National Sports Policy was published in 2018, it set a commitment to double investment in sport to more than €220 million by 2027. The funding allocation for sport in 2025 is over €234 million. This means that, two years ahead of schedule, state funding for sport has more than doubled compared to 2018 levels. In 2026, we will invest over €300 million in sport, an increase of €67 million or 28.7%, compared to the 2025 allocation. Since 2018, Government has invested well over €1 billion in sports infrastructure and development.
The result of this increased investment is that the rate of active sports participation among adults is now 49%, the highest it has ever been, and the participation gap between men and women is now below 3%.
Increasing female participation in all aspects of sport is a core priority for me. This year and next, we will invest €4 million in the Women in Sport programme, reinforcing our commitment to further narrowing the gender participation gap.
An additional €1million was allocated in Budget 2025 to establish a new and dedicated Disability in Sport funding stream. This enabled Sport Ireland to appoint a Disability in Sport Lead who will work with National Government Bodies (NGBs), Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) and other sporting bodies to develop and promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in sport.
In 2025, a record €27 million was invested in High Performance sport and this will be increased to €28.5 million in 2026. We are committed to reach €30 million per annum in High Performance funding before the 2028 LA Olympics.
Government has made available several forms of tax relief to promote investment in sport. Most recently, in the last Finance Act, building on the success of existing capital reliefs, provision was made for a transferable tax relief for donations to NGBs for specific purposes, including investment in equipment and high performance programmes.
Ireland introduced its International Sports Diplomacy Framework this year. My Department, with cooperation from the Department of Foreign Affairs, organised and held an International Sports Diplomacy Conference last month which heard the views of major stakeholders across Irish sport, academia, industry and charities, as to how Ireland can best use sports diplomacy to promote our values. The feedback will inform concrete actions for stakeholders across the government and the sporting system, to maximise our impact, in the coming years.
The Department also hosted a successful Sport and Environmental Sustainability Conference last month, highlighting many ground-breaking initiatives from a range of sporting organisations. The Conference will inform the establishment of a Sport and Environmental Sustainability Working Group in 2026. We will ensure that sustainability remains to the fore in the implementation of the Sports Action Plan and that we drive environmental improvements, to ensure that future generations inherit not only a love of sport but also a healthy environment in which to play and compete.
My Department continues to support the hosting of major sports events in Ireland. Last September, the first ever NFL game to be held in Ireland took place in Croke Park. The sellout fixture was a resounding success, attracting global attention. With UEFA Euro 2028 and the 2027 Ryder Cup on the horizon, it’s clear that Ireland is a top-class host nation for these major occasions. Ensuring that these events leave a lasting legacy for communities, drive economic growth, and impact positively on sports participation, will continue to be a priority.
With regard to capital funding, we have made provision for another round of funding under the Community Sport Facilities Fund in 2026, as well as an increase in support for the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund, recognising the roll out of projects already announced. We will continue to develop our National Sports Campus, with work due to commence shortly on the new National Velodrome and Badminton Centre and on the National Cricket Centre, later in 2026.
In 2026, additional funding for Sport Ireland will enable multi-year funding of NGBs and LSPs, as well as a new fund to improve regional sporting events. We will also provide the FAI with €3 million to kick-start their Academies programme and introduce support for the growth of hurling in urban areas and other non-traditional hurling parts of the country.
To coincide with Ireland’s hosting of the EU Council presidency next year, my Department will host a Presidency Conference on traditional sports and games in Dublin, drawing together domestic and international stakeholders. In addition, we will be organising a senior officials meeting in Dublin and hosting the continent-wide launch event for the European Week of Sport. My Department will also bring forward a policy document on supporting traditional sports and games across Europe at EU Council level.
The Government is committed to continue 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.
270. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the key measures taken to support postal services during 2025; his priorities for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73139/25]
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. 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. The current funding provides time and space for An Post to accelerate the transformation and commercialisation of the network to ensure a relevant, commercially viable network delivering more services to citizens and small businesses.
The current 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 an enhanced amount of €15 million per annum has been allocated for the period from 2026-2030 for supporting the network subject to all legal requirements being satisfied. My Department is engaging with relevant stakeholders in relation to the funding, including ensuring an adequate legal basis and compliance with State Aid rules. I will shortly seek Government approval for a renewed mandate for the funding and to progress legislation to effect the funding to provide certainty to the network post-2025.
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. Similarly, 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.
