Written Answers Nos. 597-609
597. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the role of his Department in supporting the implementation of objectives within a report (details supplied) relating to cultural investment and the development of cultural infrastructure in Dublin city; the funding streams or policy supports which are available to assist delivery of these objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14797/26]
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.
County and city development plans are drawn up by local authorities in accordance with their functions under the Planning and Development Acts. Many of the existing nationwide infrastructure of venues and arts centres were initiated and funded by local authorities.
Accordingly, proposals for the development of new cultural infrastructure are a matter in the first instance for the local authority. 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, the 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 addition, in Dublin City, the Department is supporting the redevelopment of the National Cultural Institutions in the city including the National Concert Hall, the National Library, the Abbey Theatre, the Natural History Museum, the National Museum in Kildare Street, the Chester Beatty and the National Gallery. The Department has also supported the works at 11 Parnell Square for Poetry Ireland and the planned development at 15-16 Henrietta Street for Na Píobairí Uilleann and is working closely with the City Council's Art's Office in the delivery of Artists Workspaces as part of the Space to Create programme.
598. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the total number of buildings leased by his Department, or bodies or agencies under its aegis, during 2025; the total cumulative sum paid under these leases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14015/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn general, matters relating to property for my Department are the responsibility of the Office of Public Works as my Department does not own or lease any properties.
The details of any buildings owned or leased by agencies under the remit of my Department is an operational matter for those agencies.
599. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide a breakdown of the 2,000 recipients of the so-called ‘basic income for the arts’ scheme, by the artistic or creative area or field or sector they work in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14060/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was delighted to launch the successor scheme to the Basic Income for the Arts pilot on Tuesday 10th February following Government agreement at Cabinet. I am grateful to my Cabinet colleagues for their support for the BIA, an initiative which I believe sets Ireland apart in how we support our artists.
The period of the Pilot scheme was initially 2022 - 2025, which I then extended for a further 6 months to February 2026, to allow work to begin on the successor scheme. The following is the breakdown by artform of those who were selected to receive the payment under the pilot scheme.
|
Primary Art form |
Freq. |
Percent of total |
|
Circus, Spectacle & Street Arts |
21 |
1.05 |
|
Dance |
32 |
1.60 |
|
Film |
169 |
8.45 |
|
Literature |
173 |
8.65 |
|
Music |
547 |
27.36 |
|
Theatre |
147 |
7.35 |
|
Traditional arts |
29 |
1.45 |
|
Visual arts |
688 |
34.42 |
|
Multidisciplinary |
151 |
7.55 |
|
Other (includes 1 blank) |
43 |
2.10 |
|
Total |
2000 |
100.00 |
The research has consistently demonstrated both the positive impact the BIA has had for those in receipt of it and how difficult it is to work as an artist in Ireland given the income precarity prevalent in the sector. The BIA successor scheme will help to sustain the careers of those artists who will receive it and retain their talent in the arts sector.
The focus of the BIA successor scheme is to support professional Irish based artists and the parameters are:
• 2,000 artists will receive a payment of €325 per week for 3 years;
• Artists must be resident in the Republic of Ireland when applying and their artistic practice must be based in Ireland;
• Participants of the pilot scheme can apply, once they meet the eligibility criteria of the new scheme;
• Applications will open in May with payments starting by year end;
• Guidelines will be published in April setting out detailed eligibility criteria for the new scheme and how to apply.
This is a major milestone for the arts in Ireland and I am particularly pleased that the research my Department conducted provided Government with a clear evidence base upon which to make that decision. The research clearly demonstrated both how precarious and difficult it is to be an artist and also the positive benefits for society as a whole if we invest in our artists.
600. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide an exhaustive list of all departments that have paid flood related compensation from his Department's vote allocations over the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14111/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt should be noted that my Department was re-configured as the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport at the beginning of June 2025. The previous configuration of my Department, as the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, was established in September 2020. The details sought by the Deputy in the period since September 2020 to date in 2026 for the current functions under the remit of my Department are set out below.
|
Year |
Amount Paid |
Payment Details |
|
2024 |
€673,007 |
2024 Sport Ireland Storm Babet Support Scheme |
|
2025 |
€34,918 |
2024 Sport Ireland Storm Babet Support Scheme |
601. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department has reviewed the unsuccessful applications of the second round of the LSSIF, which commenced in April 2024; if his Department has prepared a LSSIF reserve list; if further opportunities will be provided to fund these applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14316/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Community Sports Facilities Fund (the CSFF, formerly the Sports Capital and Equipment Fund) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
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, representing the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland. The LSSIF was established to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects, typically those requiring investments greater than the maximum available under the CSFF.
The 2024 round of LSSIF received an unprecedented demand for funding, amounting to €665 million from 96 applications. As a result of this significant demand, a range of valid applications did not receive an LSSIF allocation at the initial allocation stage. In relation to LSSIF applications which have not received an allocation, it should be noted that remaining eligible applications were placed on a reserve list. In the event that funding becomes available in advance of the next scheme projects in line with already developed National Strategies, such as the National Swimming Strategy will be prioritised.
Under the 2024 LSSIF round, grants totalling €173 million, benefiting 35 individual projects, were announced on 4 November 2024. The cumulative investment allocated under the LSSIF since 2020 now reaches €297 million.
My current focus is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF, 2018 and 2024, and this process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round.
602. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether public funding has been provided through his Department or through Sport Ireland in respect of a centre (details supplied) in the past five years; the amount of any such funding; the conditions attached to that funding regarding community access and participation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14334/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra604. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether his Department has received representations regarding community or grassroots access to publicly funded sports facilities in Dublin; the policy actions taken within his remit in response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14336/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 602 and 604 together.
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 Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF), representing the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland.
€509,182 has been allocated to the centre referred to in the question under the CSFF in the period cited. In the 2020 CSFF round, €23,563 was allocated for sporting equipment and the Department is awaiting further information from the organisation before payment can be made. Under the 2023 CSFF round, €485,619 was allocated for an artificial playing surface, floodlights and other works. Formal approval to commence these works was granted in December 2025 and no payment requests have been received yet.
Among the conditions that organisations applying for the CSFF must comply with are:
• The facilities must be open to new members and must not have any restrictions on who may join or obtain full membership.
• All CSFF applicants must agree that, from the date of the grant, they will not deny anybody access to any facility.
• Grantees must guarantee that the facilities funded will remain in sporting use for a minimum period of time. This is 5 years for equipment or capital grants of €25,000 or less and 15 years for any larger capital grants.
In addition, the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) requires that recipients of LSSIF funding must accommodate the needs of women and men, on a similar basis, with respect to accessing the facilities.
With regard to the centre, my understanding is that it acquired a long-term leasehold of the facility from Dublin City Council. The use to which public lands are put is ultimately a matter for the relevant local authority and neither I, nor my Department, have any role in that regard.
With regard to access to the facility, this is a matter for the Football Association of Ireland (FAI). All National Governing Bodies of sport (NGBs) are independent, autonomous bodies and as such, are responsible for their own governance and operational matters, including the management and operation of its facilities. Neither I, nor my Department, have any role in that regard.
603. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the oversight mechanisms that apply within his Department to ensure that facilities supported by public funding for sport continue to operate in accordance with national participation and inclusion objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14335/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra606. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether he has reviewed the governance and access conditions attached to publicly funded sports infrastructure projects to ensure alignment with national sports policy objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14340/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 603 and 606 together.
The Government is focused on promoting life-long participation in physical activity and sport, for all sectors of society, and communities.
We are committed to a Sport for All approach aimed at ensuring that all persons have the opportunity to partake equally in sport and physical activity regardless of age, social-economic status, disability, or membership of, for example, the LGBTI+ community, the Traveller community or other ethnic minorities. Inclusion means valuing people’s differences, making them feel welcome and respected, ensuring that they feel they belong. Sport can deliver unrivalled joy and we want everyone to experience the same inclusivity and happiness, regardless of their background.
My Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
My Department's Similar Access Requirement, published on 3 April 2024, states that recipients of LSSIF funding must accommodate the needs of women and men, on a similar basis, with respect to accessing the facilities that have been allocated public funding. Any organisation that is in receipt of LSSIF funding must have a Similar Access Policy in place.
With regard to the CSFF, all grantees must sign a declaration that, from the date of the grant, they will not deny anybody access to any facility or part of a facility for which they received a grant on the grounds of gender, civil status, family status, age, disability, race, sexual orientation, religious belief, or membership of the Traveller or Roma community without just, reasonable and proper cause.
My Department routinely carries out compliance reviews of grant-aided projects, and participation and inclusion aspects are an important feature of those reviews.
605. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the current policy measures and funding programmes within his Department that support participation by girls and women in sport, particularly at grassroots level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14338/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe participation of women in sport is an important element of both the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 and the associated Sports Action Plan 2024-2027 and represents a core priority for me and my Department.
This Government is committed to a "Sport for All" approach aimed at ensuring that all persons can partake equally in sport and physical activity. This commitment is reaffirmed in the Programme for Government and is also reflected in Sport Ireland's Women in Sport Policy.
The Women in Sport funding programme, administered by Sport Ireland, was first established in 2005 and since then over €30 million has been invested through the National Governing Bodies of Sport and the Local Sports Partnership network.
Sport Ireland’s Women in Sport Policy was launched in 2019 and was subsequently updated in 2023 due to advancements made within the sector and society in general. It builds on the significant work that has already been undertaken in this area and, in recognising the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of women through their involvement in sport, it provides a blueprint for Sport Ireland’s future work.
In 2025 Sport Ireland announced an investment of €4 million under the Women in Sport programme. This is vital funding to support sporting bodies, and my Department will continue to support programmes to increase women’s participation in all sports and to progress strategic objectives for women in sport across all areas including active participation, coaching, officiating, and leadership.
The Irish Sports Monitor (ISM) Report for 2024, shows that sport participation levels among women is at 47%, an increase of one percentage point since 2023, and the gap between men and women is now less than 3%.
Sport Ireland will be holding its annual Women in Sport Week in March to coincide with International Women’s Day which will serve to promote the visibility of women in sport at all levels in Ireland.
As Minister for Sport, I will continue to tackle issues to ensure that women’s sport reaches parity with its male equivalent and that females do not drop out of sport due to a lack of adequate training facilities or access to opportunities.
607. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide a list of all State agencies within his Department that allocate programme and project funding to section 39, section 56 and section 10 organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14386/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe allocation of funding by bodies under the aegis is an operational matter for the bodies themselves.
608. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the State agencies within his Department that have made provision for the pension auto enrolment payment as part of their allocation to funded organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14404/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraPublic servants working in public service bodies under the aegis of my Department are members of either the Single Public Service Pension Scheme or a pre-existing pension scheme and accordingly, pension auto-enrolment is not necessary for employees of these bodies.
Responsibility for ensuring compliance with auto-enrolment requirements in respect of persons working in agencies or organisations funded by my Department, who are not public servants, is a matter for the relevant employer. This would include employees of Commercial State Bodies under the aegis of my Department. Decisions around the specific breakdown of funding allocations to certain organisations, by bodies under the aegis of my Department, are operational matters for those aegis bodies.
609. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if there are plans to allow Coimisiún na Meán fund media companies that cater for the Irish diaspora abroad [14616/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraCoimisiún na Meán currently operates several funding support schemes aimed at assisting the media sector at a local, regional and national level and enhancing the production of high-quality content that reflects Irish culture and identity, while also safeguarding the availability of public-interest journalism and news and current affairs programming essential to maintaining an informed society and promoting a healthy democracy and a thriving media sector.
The Sound and Vision Scheme awarded over €14.2m in funding to support 160 audiovisual projects in 2025. In addition to this, almost €15m in funding was announced by Coimisiún na Meán in January of this year to support high-quality journalism and news and current affairs output and to assist media organisations in the digital up-skilling of existing staff and the modernisation of technology and digital infrastructure.
The Revised General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill, which was approved by Government in April 2025, provides for the conversion of the existing Broadcasting Fund into a statutory Media Fund through which funding support for the wider media sector will flow.
The Revised General Scheme provides for a requirement to ensure that public service content funded under a scheme, in so far as practicable, is available to the people of the island of Ireland and the Irish community outside the island of Ireland. Furthermore, when designing and developing a new funding scheme, Coimisiún na Meán will have regard to the need to develop and support public service content that is diverse, accessible, inclusive and representative of the people of the island of Ireland and Irish communities outside the island of Ireland.
The Revised General Scheme further provides that regulated media outlets in Ireland and other EU Member States will be eligible to apply for funding under schemes administered by Coimisiún na Meán.
Coimisiún na Meán, as an independent body, will have responsibility for the design, administration, and operation of Media Fund schemes and the discretion to determine the scope and eligibility of funding initiatives. It is the prerogative of An Coimisiún to conduct research and consultation to determine potential areas where support is required and to inform any recommendations and proposals for future funding schemes.
As Minister, I support the continued provision of support for the production of high-quality content that is of a cultural value, that protects the integrity of the information space and that serves to inform, educate and entertain.
