Written Answers Nos. 138-154
138. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he plans to assess the success of the implementation of a ban on social media for under 16s in Australia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4712/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra139. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his views on whether a ban on the use of social media for under 16s could be implemented in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4713/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra140. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to what extent a proposed ban on the use of social media by under 16s has been assessed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4714/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraLike a range of other European Union Member States, Ireland is examining the question of prohibiting access by children and young people to social media platforms – the so-called “digital age of majority”.
I believe that any decision would be better taken by the EU and EU Member States together. However, across the European Union there are differing views whether there should be an age of digital majority at all, and if there were such an age, what age it should be, and whether it should be an outright ban or a ban subject to parental consent.
In this context, it is important to note that the European Commission is convening a panel of experts to look into the possibility of banning social media for children. This was announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her September 2025 State of the Union speech, and she noted the Australian initiative in that same announcement. The outcome of the work of this panel along with consideration of the Australian initiative will be important as part of any decisions on a digital age of majority.
141. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the position regarding any work ongoing within his Department that seeks to improve the level of protection for children online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4716/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOnline safety is a whole-of-society issue and a whole-of-Government priority. I am committed to working with all stakeholders, nationally and internationally, to ensure a robust online safety framework is in place, in particular, to protect children and young people from inappropriate, harmful and illegal online content.
Coimisiún na Meán, as Ireland’s online safety and media regulator, is at the heart of that framework. It was established under the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act, which transposed the EU Audio Visual Media Services Directive, and provides that An Coimisiún is independent in the exercise of its functions. The OSMR Act, along with the EU Digital Services Act under which An Coimisiún is Ireland’s Digital Services Coordinator, and the EU Terrorist Content Online Regulation for which An Coimisiún is a competent authority, are the main elements of Ireland's online safety framework.
2025 saw the full application of Ireland's first Online Safety Code, 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. Under the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act (Section 10) Coimisiún na Meán is an independent regulator and is independent in the exercise of its functions and its enforcement of the Online Safety Code in relation to any possible sanctions of platforms set out in the OSMR Act.
European Union Member States are also examining the question of prohibiting access by children and young people to social media platforms – the so-called “digital age of majority”. Australia is implementing such a measure and other jurisdictions are considering similar measures. Ireland is also considering its approach on this matter. I believe that any decision would be better taken by the EU and EU Member States together and in that regard, it is important to note that the President of the European Commission Ursula van der Leyen announced that she would establish an expert panel to examine the issue. However, across the European Union there are differing views whether there should be an age of digital majority at all, and if there were such an age, what age it should be, and whether it should be an outright ban or a ban subject to parental consent. I am determined to make progress on this key issue and will work with other EU member states, including in the context of Ireland's Presidency of the EU next year, on effective and practical solutions.
I believe that age verification 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. Without robust age verification, any other measures, including implementing a digital age of majority won’t work. I am working across Government to support robust age verification. In doing so, we must seek to ensure inter-operability and respect users’ rights, including data protection rights. To that end, my officials 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. I am also seeking the inclusion of a commitment to this effect in the Government’s updated National Digital Strategy which will be published later this year.
While no platform will be obliged to use the digital wallet for age verification purposes, it will be incumbent on all video-sharing platform services to ensure that they are complying with their obligations under the Online Safety Code, and Coimisiún na Meán will continue to play an important role in this regard.
I plan to make online safety a key theme of Ireland's Presidency of the European Union this 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.
142. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide details of new sports and physical recreation facilities delivered by his Department in 2025. [4783/26]
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 most recent two rounds of the CSFF were in 2020 and 2023. Over a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities in 2024 under the 2023 round of the CSFF, representing the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland.
In line with previous rounds of the Fund, a review of the current funding round has been undertaken and will be published shortly. 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.
Details of all CSFF allocations are available on the Department's website at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/collections/sports-capital-programme-allocations/.
The LSSIF was established to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects. These are projects where the Exchequer investment is greater than the maximum amount available under the CSFF. The cumulative investment from the two rounds of the Fund to date, 2018 and 2024, totals €297 million.
Details of all allocations under the LSSIF, covering both 2018 and 2024 rounds, can be accessed on the Department's website at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/campaigns/large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif/.
Separately, Sport Ireland's Get Ireland Active database, launched in October 2023, 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. 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.
143. 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4797/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of the actions under the first-ever National Swimming Strategy, which was published in 2024, is the completion of an in-depth analysis of swimming pool provision within Ireland with particular reference to identifying gaps in provision and the environmental sustainability of facilities.
Swim Ireland, the National Governing Body for the sport, was tasked with this specific action with funding support from Sport Ireland. It published its Swimming Pool Gap Analysis Report last month and the report is available on Swim Ireland's website at the following link: https://swimireland.ie/2025/12/09/swim-ireland-report-a-pool-within-reach-remains-a-distant-reality-amidst-critical-swimming-infrastructure-gaps/.
This in-depth analysis examined the condition and age of swimming facilities, community accessibility, the availability of swimming lessons, energy and sustainability practices, and the provincial and county-level distribution of pools across the island. The report is being examined by my Department and will be a key input to the future development of swimming pool facilities by enabling better decision-making with regard to targeting investment more effectively.
In this context, there are two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). In total over €1.5 million was allocated to swimming under the 2023 CSFF round and over €3.7 million in the last 10 years. Swimming may also have benefitted from allocations to multisport projects under the CSFF. Applications for the refurbishment of pools, pop-up pools, improvements of the energy efficiencies of pools as well as improvements to accessibility of pools can be made under the CSFF.
In line with previous rounds of the Fund, a review of the current funding round is being undertaken. Preparations are underway 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.
The aim of the LSSIF is to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects, including the development of new swimming pools as well as the refurbishment of swimming pools. These would be projects where the Exchequer investment would be greater than the maximum amount available under the CSFF.
Applications for both schemes are subject to published guidelines and conditions of the scheme. Applications under LSSIF must be made by either a Local Authority or a National Governing Body of Sport. It is a matter for those organisations to prioritise their capital development requirements. To date, €297 million has been allocated under LSSIF, including €41.4 million for 12 swimming projects.
With regard to a future round of the LSSIF, I am committed to ensuring sustained investment in sports facilities to meet our ambitious goals for sports participation nationwide. The Programme for Government commits to maintaining sports funding to get more people participating in all levels of sport, particularly targeting cohorts in society where there is lower than average participation levels.
My current focus is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF 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.
144. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will outline the supports available through his Department, and bodies under its aegis, such as Sport Ireland, to support darts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4798/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, which is funded by this 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 under its various programmes. Sport Ireland does not provide direct funding for clubs or individuals but channels the funding through the relevant National Governing Body (NGB).
As there is no Sport Ireland-recognised NGB for darts, there is no mechanism by which darts organisations/clubs or players can secure funding from Sport Ireland. There is no discretionary funding available to my Department through which financial assistance can be provided to dart players or other individual athletes.
Sport Ireland operates a formal recognition process for organisations wishing to become eligible for support as NGBs. The recognition criteria set out the minimum requirements for NGB recognition and the additional criteria that may need to be met to receive financial investment from Sport Ireland.
Any organisation wishing to gain Sport Ireland recognition as an NGB is advised to engage directly with Sport Ireland which can advise as to the application process. Sport Ireland can be contacted directly in this regard via e-mail at [recognition@sportireland.ie] or by telephone on 01-8608800.
145. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport how he ensures that all websites operated by his Department are accessible to the visually impaired. [4812/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's websites are compliant with WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards, ensuring the content is accessible to people with with visual impairments.
146. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if any website or other platform operated by his Department uses an AI-enabled chatbot; if there are plans to use chatbots; in what circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4830/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's websites do not currently use AI-enabled chatbots, and there are no plans to introduce the functionality at this time.
147. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the total sums spent for each year from 2016 to 2025, inclusive of advertising, by his Department on social media or online platforms, including identifying separately payments to influencers on such platforms; and to set out the annual totals for that period to each specific platform, including but not limited to major platforms (details supplied). [4849/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's online advertising takes place across a variety of platforms which comprises Twitter/X, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as online-only publications such as Tuairisc.ie.
My Department has also engaged external advertising agencies which use TikTok.
The figures provided in the table below represent advertising in print and broadcast, local and national media, and online. I am advised that it is not possible to tabulate my Department’s advertising expenditure across social media/online platforms, print media and other media formats, as my Departmental expenditure is on a per-campaign basis, and is allocated via media buying agencies. However, my Department has not engaged in paid advertising on Twitter/X since 2023.
My Department has not made any payment to influencers.
The scope of this Parliamentary Question response has been limited to June 2020 – 31st December 2025, covering the period when the Department was configured as the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and the period after the formation of the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.
|
- |
Online advertising spend |
|
Year |
Total (€) |
|
June 2020 – 31st December 2020 |
9,548.95 |
|
2021 |
18,207.90 |
|
2022 |
32,217.46 |
|
2023 |
174,954.11 |
|
2024 |
58,528.31 |
|
2025 |
18,623.78 |
148. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his views on the lack of payment options in a sport Ireland campus (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4970/26]
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 operation, maintenance and development of the Sport Ireland Campus.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to the matter raised by the Deputy and I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
149. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the eligibility criteria for the vacant property refurbishment grant, in light of concerns that limiting eligibility to individuals, is impeding town-centre housing delivery; his views on whether the exclusion of companies, developers and other delivery bodies is preventing the refurbishment of vacant over-the-shop and mixed-use properties; the steps he will take to ensure the scheme aligns with the realities of town-centre regeneration; and if he will consider expanding eligibility to maximise the number of properties brought back into use under the Town Centre First policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4532/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAddressing vacancy and dereliction is a priority of this Government. Bringing existing properties back into use provides housing and supports the regeneration of our towns and villages and areas of our cities.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, introduced in 2022, is a key measure in addressing vacancy and aligns with the Town Centre First initiative, which is a whole-of-government policy framework to address the decline in the health of towns and support measures to revitalise and regenerate them. Since its introduction, the grant has been a key measure supporting the regeneration and revitalisation of our towns throughout the country.
A grant of up to €50,000 is available for the refurbishment of vacant properties for occupation as a principal private residence and for properties which will be made available for rent. A top-up grant of up to €20,000 is available where the property is derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000.
Currently, applicants may apply for a maximum of two grants under the scheme - where one property will become their principal private residence and the second will be in respect of a property made available for rent. Applications for the grant can only be made currently by named individuals who own the property for which the grant is being applied for or who are actively engaged in purchasing the property. The grant is not currently available to registered companies, developers, undertakings etc.
Since its introduction the grant has been extremely successful with almost 15,000 applications received across the country up to the end of Q3 2025. It has achieved its target, set under the previous housing plan, to support bringing back into use 4,000 homes by the end of 2025.
A review of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant was undertaken in 2024, which considered the scheme's conditions and effectiveness. The review - along with the commitments in the Programme for Government - informed the considerations for the new housing plan, Delivering Homes Supporting Communities.
This new Plan reinforces and expands the range of existing measures being implemented by Government to tackle the issue of vacancy and dereliction. The Plan includes extension of the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, including provision of additional support for the refurbishment and conversion of above the shop vacant space for use as homes. In December, the Government approved the introduction of a Vacant Above the Shop Grant with a package of up to €140,000 to be made available in cases where vacant above the shop space is being converted/refurbished for residential use and the commercial element is remaining. The additional grant amount for above these properties recognises the complexities involved in bringing this space into use. The package includes an Expert Advice Grant of up to €5,000.
My Department is currently progressing work to introduce the Vacant Above the Shop Grant. I expect that it and the Expert Advice Grant will be made available, for delivery by local authorities, in the coming months.
The Housing Plan also commits to exploring an extension of the Vacant Above the Shop Grant to micro companies. It should also be noted that other schemes such as the Repair and Leasing Scheme, which supports bringing vacant properties, including 'above the shop' property, into residential use and SEAI grants are currently available to businesses.
150. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures being taken to support households who are above the income threshold for social housing but remain unable to afford secure housing in the private market; if he will confirm whether a review of income thresholds is underway; if he will detail plans to expand cost-rental and affordable purchase schemes to address the affordability gap for middle-income earners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4534/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe baseline income thresholds increased by €5,000 for all local authorities with effect from 1 January 2023. The thresholds thus increased to €40,000, €35,000 and €30,000 for Bands 1, 2 and 3 respectively. These thresholds are net income thresholds, i.e. gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Additional Superannuation Contribution. Income is defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards and local authorities also have discretion to disregard income that is once-off, temporary or short-term in nature and which is outside the regular pattern of a person’s annual income.
My Department has been examining the existing income limits in the context of current market and household income conditions, including the suitability or otherwise of the current framework having regard to the significantly changed landscape since the standardised income limits were introduced. This includes examining the findings of research commissioned by my Department and this work is ongoing.
I am not in a position at this point to indicate the outcome of these considerations but I envisage that the analysis will be concluded early in 2026 to facilitate a final determination on next steps.
Cost Rental housing is a key tool in the Government's efforts to make rents more affordable and renting more secure. It is a new form of tenure in Ireland, established in 2021, where the tenant pays a rent which is set to cover the cost of delivering, managing, and maintaining the home. Cost Rental is targeted at people within the middle-income cohort, who do not qualify for social housing but who may be facing acute affordability pressures on the private rental market.
Eligibility for tenancies in Cost Rental homes is primarily determined by the net household income (less income tax, PRSI, USC, and pension contributions) of applicants, which is assessed at the point of application. In August 2023 the Government increased the net household income limits to €66,000 for Cost Rental homes in Dublin and €59,000 elsewhere. These limits were introduced across the Cost Rental sector from 1 August 2023 by the Affordable Housing Act 2021 (Cost Rental Eligibility) Regulations 2023.
In line with the commitment in the new Programme for Government, my Department is keeping the parameters for Cost Rental income eligibility limits under review, in order to ensure that the scheme effectively targets these homes at the intended tenant cohort.
In relation to affordability supports, eligibility criteria vary from scheme to scheme with many not subject to any minimum income limits. Much of the supports of this Department are primarily aimed at supporting affordability constrained households, first-time buyers and certain other eligible applicants.
A list of affordability supports is set out below. To note, a number of these supports can be combined thereby increasing the level of support available.
Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme
For affordable homes purchased under the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme (LAAPS), purchasers pay a price for their new home in accordance with their purchasing power, calculated as outlined in Affordable Housing Regulations of 2023. Homes made available under LAAPS will have a minimum sales price. There are no specific income thresholds for this scheme.
First Home Scheme
The First Home Scheme is also a shared equity scheme and makes home ownership achievable by bridging the gap for first-time buyers and other eligible homebuyers between their deposit and mortgage, and the price of their new home within regional price ceiling which are available at [www.firsthomescheme.ie/about-the-scheme/property-price-ceilings/]. There are no specific income thresholds for this scheme.
Local Authority Home Loan
The Local Authority Home Loan (LAHL) is a Government-backed mortgage for first-time buyers and certain other eligible applicants who have been refused a mortgage or have received an insufficient loan offer through a regular mortgage lender. To qualify for LAHL an applicant must have an annual gross income of not more than €70,000 for a single applicant and €85,000 for a joint applicant.
151. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the rationale for the application of social housing income thresholds which result in applicants being removed from local authority housing waiting lists when they exceed the threshold by a marginal amount; whether he will review these thresholds, particularly in cases involving persons with disabilities who have specific accommodation needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4535/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
The baseline income thresholds increased by €5,000 for all local authorities with effect from 1 January 2023. The thresholds thus increased to €40,000, €35,000 and €30,000 for Bands 1, 2 and 3 respectively. These thresholds are net income thresholds, i.e. gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Additional Superannuation Contribution. Income is defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards and local authorities also have discretion to disregard income that is once-off, temporary or short-term in nature and which is outside the regular pattern of a person’s annual income.
Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority administrative area is provided in the annual statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA), the most recently published of which was conducted in November 2024. Data on the number of households who have been removed from housing lists nationally indicates 19,055 applications were closed between the SSHA 2023 and 2024 count dates. The main reason why applications were closed, over a third of the total, was because households secured local authority housing, AHB housing, HAP or RAS. Other reasons for removal were, change in household circumstances, no longer qualifying and failure to engage with the local authority. The number of removals due to no longer meeting the income criteria for social housing support was 6%.
My Department has been examining the existing income limits in the context of current market and household income conditions, including the suitability or otherwise of the current framework having regard to the significantly changed landscape since the standardised income limits were introduced. This includes examining the findings of research commissioned by my Department and this work is ongoing.
I am not in a position at this point to indicate the outcome of these considerations but I envisage that the analysis will be concluded early in 2026 to facilitate a final determination on next steps.
152. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he is aware of cases where individuals have been deemed ineligible for social housing supports despite being unable to access the Housing Assistance Payment, due to a lack of suitable rental accommodation; the measures in place to address such situations; if he will consider introducing flexibility or discretion for local authorities in the application of income thresholds in exceptional circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4536/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraApplications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
The 2011 Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. Local authorities have discretion to disregard income that is once-off, temporary or short-term in nature and which is outside the regular pattern of a person’s annual income. Local authorities have no discretion to exceed the limits applying to their administrative areas.
Government is fully committed to delivering housing at scale, and continuing to accelerate housing supply across all tenures. The new housing plan, Delivering Homes, Building Communities, sets out a broad range of measures which will activate and accelerate new homes delivery and provide affordable housing supports. The Plan has a strong focus on deliverability and removes structural barriers to homebuilding – unlocking land, reforming planning, delivering infrastructure and creating conditions for investment.
My Department has been examining the existing social housing income limits in the context of current market and household income conditions, including the suitability or otherwise of the current framework having regard to the significantly changed landscape since the standardised income limits were introduced. This includes examining the findings of research commissioned by my Department and this work is ongoing.
I am not in a position at this point to indicate the outcome of these considerations but I envisage that the analysis will be concluded early in 2026 to facilitate a final determination on next steps.
153. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if it is a matter for local authorities to apply for funding for constructed wetlands or will Uisce Eireann announce which smaller towns, population centres and villages will get their wastewater treatment issues resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4564/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Uisce Éireann Small Towns and Villages Programme (STVGP) supports growth and development in towns and villages throughout the country. It provides water service capacity in smaller settlements that would otherwise not be provided for in Uisce Éireann’s capital investment plan. Uisce Éireann identify those rural settlements that qualify and local authorities rank them in order of their priority.
It should also be noted that the recently announced Developer-led Infrastructure (DLI) initiative provides a separate and distinct mechanism under which the private sector may deliver wastewater infrastructure to facilitate specific developments, provided that the infrastructure meets Uisce Éireann’s technical standards.
The operation of the STVGP is a matter for Uisce Éireann and is approved through its own internal governance structures. Uisce Éireann has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to oireachtasmembers@water.ie or by telephone on a dedicated number, 0818 578 578.
154. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he or any of his officials have used artificial intelligence to write speeches, produce social media content for his Department, or to issue responses to parliamentary questions, since he took office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4597/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not use any artificial intelligence (AI) for the purposes mentioned. My Department, at present, is piloting the use of AI for a limited number of users while finalising an AI framework for the legal, secure and responsible use of artificial intelligence within the Department.
