Written Answers Nos. 590-600
591. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the details of what is required to secure successful funding under the large-scale sport infrastructure fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6143/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra592. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the next round of the large-scale sport infrastructure fund is due to open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6144/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 591 and 592 together.
My Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
The LSSIF was established under the National Sports Policy to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects, typically those requiring investments greater than the maximum available under the CSFF. The scheme is aimed primarily at National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and local authorities; it is also open to other bodies, but such applications would necessarily have to be made and prioritised by a local authority and/or a NGB. The cumulative investment under the LSSIF since 2020 is now €297 million across 68 projects.
In previous rounds of LSSIF, all project applications were subject to the Evaluation Procedures and Guidelines published on the Department’s website. The full marking scheme and assessment process for LSSIF 2018 and LSSIF 2024 is published on the Department’s website. Both the evaluation guidelines and scoring matrix can be located at: [www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/campaigns/large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif/].
I would encourage any prospective applicants to review the LSSIF scheme guidelines and key priorities as part of their pre paratory process for a future LSSIF round. It is important to note that while these resources can serve as a helpful reference, any new guidelines and conditions associated with a future round of the Fund may differ from those previously published.
The LSSIF is closed to applications and my current focus is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF, 2018 and 2024. This process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round.
593. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will enquire with Sport Ireland the reasons, notwithstanding recent funding announcements, some national governing bodies continue not to provide financial assistance to juveniles selected to compete abroad and represent their country (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6258/26]
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, including the allocation of funding across its various programmes. Sport Ireland does not provide direct funding for individual athletes but channels the funding through its network of Local Sports Partnerships, recognised National Governing Bodies for sport (NGBs), and other relevant sporting organisations.
While Sport Ireland’s remit includes the allocation of funding to NGBs for the design and implementation of a range of targeted programmes and initiatives to promote increased sports participation, neither this Department, nor Sport Ireland, has responsibility for how NGBs manage and promote their respective sports. All NGBs are independent, autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own governance and operational procedures, including athlete development and support.
For further details of the funding streams in place I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to this matter. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
594. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will consider introducing minimum standards or funding conditions of grant investment in sports governing bodies, to ensure equitable support for juvenile athletes representing Ireland internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6259/26]
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, including the allocation of funding across its various programmes. Except for its High Performance International Carding Programme, Sport Ireland does not provide direct funding for individual athletes but channels the funding through its network of Local Sports Partnerships, recognised National Governing Bodies for sport (NGBs), and other relevant sporting organisations.
While Sport Ireland’s remit includes the allocation of funding to NGBs for the design and implementation of a range of targeted programmes and initiatives to promote increased sports participation, neither this Department, nor Sport Ireland, has responsibility for how NGBs manage and promote their respective sports. All NGBs are independent, autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own governance and operational procedures, including athlete development and support.
The participation by individuals and teams in international sporting competitions are matters for the relevant NGB and it would not be appropriate for me to intervene in such matters.
595. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide an update on the work of his Department to ensure that the agreed increases for An Post pensioners will go ahead as planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6340/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra597. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the reason he has not approved the agreed An Post pay increases to pensioners in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6361/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra598. Deputy Paul Nicholas Gogarty asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he expects to sanction the agreed pay increases for the An Post pensioners in the coming weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6362/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 595, 597 and 598 together.
Under section 46 of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, the Minister for Culture, Communication and Sport with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, approves any superannuation schemes submitted by An Post. The operation of the schemes is a matter between the management of An Post, staff representatives and the trustees of the schemes.
In accordance with the Act and the relevant Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, An Post must seek Ministerial approval from both Ministers to increase pensions and deferred pensions for members of the An Post superannuation scheme. Section 2.13 of the Code of Practice for Governance of State Bodies Superannuation and Remuneration annex sets out that NewERA advice should be sought in respect of pension amendment proposals, as is appropriate in their role as commercial and financial advisors to the Ministers.
On 23 October 2025, An Post wrote to my Department requesting consent for an increase to pensions in payment and deferred pensions, namely, to increase pensions in payment for members and deferred members of the An Post Superannuation Scheme by 6% per annum with effect from 1st January 2025 and 1% from 1 June 2025, arising from its agreements with employee representative groups. It is not possible, at this point, to set out the specific timeframe within which the decision-making process will be concluded by both shareholding Ministers in respect of increases submitted for consent. It should be recognised that the time taken for the pension approval process is necessary to ensure that robust governance procedures are in place.
596. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the current status of NAAC; and the plans to consult professional archive bodies such as a body (details supplied). [6346/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently engaging with the Public Appointments Service on undertaking a campaign to appoint members to the National Archives Advisory Council. This campaign will be advertised on the State Boards website and will be open to applicants with the relevant experience, including professional archivists.
599. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the sports capital funding programmes administered by his Department that support the development or refurbishment of public swimming facilities; whether any application has been received under these programmes in respect of a proposed public swimming facility (details supplied); the stage reached in the assessment of any such application if applicable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6630/26]
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. 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. No application was received under the 2024 LSSIF scheme for site referred to by the deputy.
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.
600. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to significantly increase the disabled persons grant allocation to County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7019/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra607. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of funding allocated to each county council for housing grant schemes, in the years 2022 to date; when the thresholds to qualify were last revised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5481/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 600 and 607 together.
My Department provides funding under the suite of Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People, to assist those in private houses to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs. The suite of grants, which include the Housing Adaptation Grant for Disabled People, the Mobility Aids Grant and the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, are funded by my Department with a contribution from the local authority. The detailed administration of the scheme including assessment, approval, prioritisation and apportionment is the responsibility of local authorities.
Budget 2026 provides an increase of €30 million for the scheme, with almost €130 million in Exchequer funding available for the Scheme, or over €152 million when accounting for the local authority contribution. This significant increase in funding will support the payment of some 17,000 grant claims as well as the implementation of the revised grant limits, income thresholds, and increase in the Exchequer contribution from 80% to 85%. This additional €30 million in funding is in line with commitments in the Programme for Government – Securing Ireland’s Future and Delivering Homes, Building Communities and ensures the continued year-on-year increases in funding for the grant scheme since 2014.
My Department works closely with the local authorities to monitor spend and to achieve a full drawdown of available funding. This means that any underspends that arise on the part of any local authority can be redistributed to other authorities which have high levels of grant activity and my Department makes every effort to redistribute such funding throughout the year.
My Department will issue notification shortly of each local authority’s allocation for 2026 under the scheme. Importantly, all local authorities can commit up to 75% of their 2025 allocation when approving applications to be paid in 2026 ensuring a seamless transition of the schemes remaining open from year to year.
Details of the allocations and drawdown for the years 2022 to 2024 are available on my Department's website at the following link:
The total funding drawn down by local authorities will be available on my Department’s website in early 2026.
My Department completed a review of the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability scheme in 2024, including a review of the Means Test, and the Report on the Review is available on the Department’s website at the following link: [(www.gov.ie/en/department-of-housing-local-government-and-heritage/publications/report-on-the-review-of-the-housing-adaptation-grants-for-older-people-and-people-with-a-disability/]).
The Housing (Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People) Regulations 2024, which came into effect on 1 December 2024, provide the legal basis for the introduction of the recommendations set out in the review. The key changes include an increase in the grant limits of over 30% and the income thresholds by 25% whilst also revising the means test. The legislation also adjusts the burden sharing for local authorities by reducing the local authority funding contribution to 15% (from the previous 20%).
