Written Answers Nos. 190-204
190. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the progress to date in implementing the recommendations of the Night Time Economy Taskforce established in 2020, including specific actions taken across areas such as licensing reform, transport, safety, creative programming, employment supports and data collection; and to outline timelines and responsibilities for outstanding actions. [13195/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the publication of the Night-Time Economy Task Force Report in 2021, a high-level Night-Time Economy (NTE) Implementation Group was established by my department. The group consists of representatives from key departments, agencies, and stakeholders and is chaired by my department. The group continues to meet regularly to oversee the progression and implementation of the actions in the NTE Taskforce Report.
Significant progress has been made across the original 36 actions in the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce, with some actions now completed. An overview of the progress of the actions contained in the report can be found here: assets.gov.ie/static/documents/overview-of-progress-on-the-night-time-economy-taskforce-report-october-2024.pdf
The work of the Taskforce to date has made valuable impacts in bringing the benefits of a vibrant NTE into public discourse as well as affecting policy development across Government. A new Terms of Reference for the NTE Implementation Group is currently being drafted including a full review of the current actions. This review which is being conducted by my department and the NTE Implementation Group, is due to be completed in the coming weeks.
This year, I have allocated €3 million towards the implementation of a range of measures to support the Night-Time Economy, this includes an allocation of €1 million to support a second iteration of the Grassroots Venue Support Scheme and the continued funding support for 9 Night-Time Advisors in Dublin City, Cork City, Limerick City, Galway City, Kilkenny, Longford Town, Sligo Town, Drogheda and Buncrana, Co. Donegal.
My department will continue to work with the relevant departments and agencies to examine further opportunities to develop and sustain a vibrant, diverse, safe and inclusive night-life across the country.
191. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when written approval will issue to a community organisation (details supplied) to proceed with works under the community sports facilities fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12963/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe project referred to by the Deputy was a joint application from a club and school and was provisionally allocated €166,000 in 2024 from the Community Sport Facilities Fund towards ball-stop netting, a lawnmower, hurling wall, security fencing and goalposts for the club and an artificial playing surface for the school. The Department are engaging with the club and the school and and expects to issue formal approval shortly.
192. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide dates (details supplied) in relation to the authorisation process for pension increases agreed by An Post and the trade unions over the period January 2021 to February 2026; the control he exercises over the discretion claimed by An Post around its pension scheme, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12975/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
It should be recognised that the time taken for the pension approval process is necessary to ensure that robust governance procedures are in place, that the Code of Practice is complied with and the relevant legislation is adhered to.
The details requested by the Deputy are set out in the table below. With regard to dates of agreements between An Post and Unions, such details would be held directly by An Post itself and queries regarding same should be addressed to An Post at: OireachtasEnquiries@anpost.ie
|
- |
’22 Request |
’23 Request |
’24 Request |
Jan ’25 Request |
October ’25 Request |
|
Date of Request received from An Post |
04/05/2022 |
09/03/2023 |
21/06/2024 |
23/01/2025 |
23/10/2025 |
|
Date of request for Advice from Department to NewERA |
06/07/22 |
10/03/2023 |
24/06/2024 |
28/01/2025 |
30/10/2025 |
|
Receipt of Advice from NewERA |
09/08/22 |
29/06/2023 |
16/08/2024 |
26/03/2025 |
14/01/2025 |
|
Date of Submission to DPER by DCCS |
17/08/22 |
29/08/2023 |
26/09/2024 |
13/05/2025 |
05/02/2025 |
|
Receipt of PER decision |
08/09/22 |
08/09/2023 |
15/10/2024 |
27/05/2025 |
Awaited. |
|
Date of Conveyance to An Post |
09/09/22 |
08/09/2023 |
17/10/2024 |
29/05/2025 |
Pending above |
193. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the funding allocated to NGOs by his Department in 2025; the funding allocated to NGOs by agencies and bodies under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13081/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, and the bodies under its aegis, fund a wide range of non-profit organisations in the sporting and cultural area.
In the absence of an agreed definition of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) it is not possible to say if any of these non-profit groups consider themselves to be NGOs. It is not a category of funding recipient that is distinguished within the programmes which my Department operates.
194. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his views and plans to enforce age verification obligations on online service providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13108/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraRegarding age verification, as I have set out previously, my Department is working with the Government’s Chief Information Officer and his office on an age verification tool as part of the Government's digital wallet being developed using MyGovID. In my view, robust age verification is vital to keeping people, especially children and young people, safe online.
The aim of developing this tool is to support the application of Ireland’s online safety code, which applies to designated video-sharing platform services (VSPS). Under Part B of the code, these VSPS are obliged to implement robust age assurance measures to ensure children do not normally see adult-only content, like pornography. It is An Coimisiún that determines when it is appropriate for a platform to use age verification.
A pilot is envisaged, led by the Office of the Chief Government Information Officer. It will be run on a voluntary basis over a period of some months. The specifics of the pilot are yet to be finalised, but platforms have been invited to participate. The legislative requirements are also being examined and it is intended that the experience and results emerging from the pilot will inform the final shape of the initiative.
195. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport his views on tackling the use of recommender algorithms to protect children from harmful content on various online service providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13112/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraRecommender systems or algorithms are dealt with from a legislative perspective under the Digital Services Act (DSA), which is the policy responsibility of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
196. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 734 of 10 February 2026, if he is aware that the flag was donated to the National Museum in 1972 for the Irish people to view (details supplied), that the National Museum exhibited that American flag in Kildare St. Dublin for four months in 1972 but since then it has not been on display; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13114/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe position remains as set out in my reply to Question No. 734 of 10 February 2026.
197. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the pension increase for An Post staff will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13158/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
In line with the Code of Practice, NewERA has provided advice to me on the request. On foot of that advice, I have given my consent to An Post's request. As required under the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation has now been sought.
It should be recognised that the time taken for the pension approval process is necessary to ensure that robust governance procedures are in place, that the Code of Practice is complied with and the relevant legislation is adhered to.
198. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on the provision of pensions for former employees of An Post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13413/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
In line with the Code of Practice, NewERA has provided advice to me on the request. On foot of that advice, I have given my consent to An Post's request. As required under the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation has now been sought.
It should be recognised that the time taken for the pension approval process is necessary to ensure that robust governance procedures are in place, that the Code of Practice is complied with and the relevant legislation is adhered to.
199. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the supports that are available to someone in a private property who has a leaking roof they cannot afford to repair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12934/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder my Department, the National Built Heritage Service (NBHS) provides financial support for the protection of eligible heritage buildings and historic structures through two grant schemes which are, in the main, administered by the local authorities. These are the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS) and the Historic Structures Fund (HSF), and the qualifying works for both of these schemes can include repairs to roofs.
The BHIS provides funding for repair/conservation works, including to roofs, to the following types of buildings:
• Protected structures
• Structures eligible for or proposed for inclusion in the RPS but not yet formally approved for inclusion
• Structures in Architectural Conservation Areas
• Vernacular buildings
A further element of this grant scheme is the Historic Thatch Buildings grant. The purpose of this scheme is to protect the heritage value of historic thatched roof buildings. Any historic thatched structure is eligible for this scheme. Grants of between €2,500 and €50,000 are available for the mainstream BHIS. Awards for BHIS 2026 were made in January and the scheme will reopen for applications for the 2027 awards later this year.
Grants of €50,000 up to €200,000 are available under the Historic Structures Fund, which provides capital funding for works, including repairs to roofs, to the following types of qualifying buildings:
• Protected Structures
• Structures eligible for or proposed for inclusion in the RPS but not yet formally approved for inclusion.
• Structures or works within an Architectural Conservation Areas (ACAs), or within the amenity of a National Monument
Details of qualifying works can be found on my Department's website and on the website of the local authorities, who remain the first point of contact for both schemes.
200. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 620 of 27 January 2026, the threshold at which his Department is required to design bespoke plans for specific SAC sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13068/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Habitats Directive requires member states to designate sites as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for the protection of certain habitats and species. All SACs require Conservation Objectives to be set and Conservation Measures to be in place for the protection of the site. Detailed site-specific conservation objective documents have been published for all SACs. These objectives set out targets that need to be reached in order for the habitats and species in those sites to reach favourable conservation condition. There are Conservation Measures either in place, in progress or planned for many habitats and species within the SAC network. The Habitats Directive does not place an obligation on Member States to publish conservation plans and at present there is no commitment to the delivery of individual conservation plans for each SAC.
201. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the funding allocated to NGOs by his Department in 2025; the funding allocated to NGOs by agencies and bodies under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13089/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
202. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the provision that can be made for allowance in cost-rental applications which are deemed invalid because of a delay in the issuing of Irish residence permits. [13239/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's oversight role of the Cost Rental housing sector is primarily in national-level policy development and implementation including the preparation of legislation and guidelines. The day-to-day operation of Cost Rental properties including the management of applications and tenancy contracts is a matter for the relevant Cost Rental landlord.
The Affordable Housing Act 2021 allows a Cost Rental landlord final discretion to consider the suitability of eligible applicants for a tenancy. Given that the initial Cost Rental tenancy is typically a fixed-term contract for a 12-month period, this may include checking residency status of applicants.
203. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the guidelines for certified modular wastewater treatment systems will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13278/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI assume the Question refers to the Developer-Led Infrastructure initiative which I recently announced to promote the delivery of wastewater solutions in locations without access to Uisce Éireann infrastructure or where existing capacity is constrained and no immediate upgrade is planned.
Under this initiative, developers may fund and construct wastewater infrastructure. All infrastructure must comply with Uisce Éireann’s technical standards and applicable environmental requirements and will transfer to their ownership upon completion.
Arrangements have been agreed between my Department, Uisce Éireann and the Environmental Protection Agency to define roles and responsibilities and to put the necessary regulations in place.
The initiative, including any associated guidance, is scheduled to be in place by the end of Quarter 1 of 2026.
204. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide a breakdown of the numbers of properties by rural and urban area in every local authority that availed of the vacant property refurbishment grant in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13279/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, introduced in July 2022, provides a grant of up to €50,000 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 confirmed to be derelict, bringing the total grant available for a derelict property up to a maximum of €70,000. In order to qualify for the grant, the property must be vacant for two years or more at the time of application.
My Department publishes data on applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant on its website on a quarterly basis, which includes the number of applications, approvals and the total number and value of grants paid per local authority. This data also includes a breakdown of applications for the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and the Derelict Property Top-up Grant for every quarter. The Q4 2025 grant statistics were published on 26 January 2026. This data can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/de
