Written Answers Nos. 570-584
570. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will consider the case of a person (details supplied) who has applied for the basic income for the arts scheme; the steps that can be taken to support their application and ensure that applicants in such circumstances are given full and fair consideration under the scheme. [37717/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was delighted to accept applications for the successor scheme to the Basic Income for the Arts pilot which closed for applications on Tuesday 12th May. 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.
Thank you for your interest in the scheme on behalf of your constituent. The deadline for application to the BIA 2026 - 2029 was 5pm on Tuesday 12th May. In order to be considered for the scheme, your constituent will need to have made a full application before that deadline.
Participants will be selected using an anonymous random selection process. This is considered the fairest selection process where there is not enough funding to provide the BIA to all eligible applicants. 2,000 applicants will be selected to receive the payment.
With an allocation of €18.27 million for 2026, the Department is in a position to fund 2,000 artists. A high volume of applications was received and therefore it will not be possible to provide funding to all eligible applicants.
571. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he recognises the role of the proposed AgoraEU programme in supporting culture and independent media; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37754/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been closely engaged with negotiations on the proposal for a Regulation establishing the AgoraEU programme 2028-2034., which would serve as the successor to the current Creative Europe programme as well as for the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) funding programme. AgoraEU would represent the primary vehicle for EU investment in culture and play an important role in supporting independent media.
As part of this process, DCCS has considered the potential impact of the proposed programme on relevant Irish stakeholders, in particular across the culture and media sectors as well as engaging on an ongoing basis with relevant government Departments, state agencies and with the sectors impacted, including via the Creative Europe Desks Ireland, national representative bodies, and European stakeholder networks.
At its most recent meeting on 12th May 2026, the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport (EYCS) Council agreed a partial general approach (PGA) on the proposed Regulation. This PGA will be the basis for all future negotiations by the Council on AgoraEU.
572. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department has engaged with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, or the Department of Children, Disability and Equality regarding Ireland’s negotiating position on AgoraEU and related democracy and civil society funding streams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37756/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been closely engaged with negotiations on the proposal for a Regulation establishing the AgoraEU programme 2028-2034, which would serve as a successor to the current Creative Europe programme as well as for the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values funding programme.
This has included the establishment of an ad-hoc inter-Departmental working group which has supported the development of positions on the programme. Representatives from Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality have all engaged in this process.
The Deputy may be interested that at its meeting on 12th May 2026, the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport (EYCS) Council agreed a partial general approach (PGA) on the proposed Regulation. This PGA will be the basis for all future negotiations by the Council on AgoraEU.
573. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether an assessment has been carried out of the potential impact on Irish civil society organisations, cultural organisations, equality bodies and media organisations if the AgoraEU programme is not substantially strengthened within the next EU budget cycle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37757/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been closely engaged with negotiations on the proposal for a Regulation establishing the AgoraEU programme 2028-2034, which would serve as a successor to the current Creative Europe programme as well as for the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values funding programme.
As part of this process, DCCS has considered the potential impact of the proposed programme on relevant Irish stakeholders, in particular across the culture and media sectors. DCCS engages regularly with relevant government Departments. state agencies and with the sectors impacted, including via the Creative Europe Desks Ireland, national representative bodies, and European stakeholder networks.
At its meeting on 12th May 2026, the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport (EYCS) Council agreed a partial general approach (PGA) on the proposed Regulation. This PGA will be the basis for all future negotiations by the Council on AgoraEU.
Finally, I would note that the PGA agreed at EYCS Council is partial in that it excludes detail on the overall funding level for the programme, as the final allocation of funding must be agreed as part of the wider EU Multi-Annual Financial Framework negotiations. The level of funding under the next EU budget cycle is therefore a matter for the Minister of Finance.
574. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on the development of the new national velodrome and badminton centre. [36839/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 3 September 2025, the Government approved funding of €99.6 million and the appointment of Walls Construction as principal contractor for the National Velodrome and Badminton Centre (NVBC). I am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction commenced on the project in February of this year and it is anticipated that the NVBC will be completed and in operational use by Q2 2028.
Thw Project will deliver a 250-metre cycling track, the standard required length for hosting major international events. It will also deliver up to 12 badminton courts in the in-track area, seating for 1,000 spectators and ancillary facilities.
When operational, the NVBC will address the need to provide world-class track cycling facilities for our athletes as well as providing the sport of badminton with integrated training, gym and medical facilities. This state of the art facility will afford our track cycling athletes the opportunity to train in Ireland and should have a positive effect on future international performance levels in both sports.
575. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will assist a facility (details supplied) to access the Community Sport Facilities Fund 2026; if he will confirm that registering on the online sports capital register will allow the centre to apply when the formal call opens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37146/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe organisation referred to by the Deputy received a provisional allocation of €170,259 in 2024 from the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) toward the cost of replacing a roof. It also received funding under the three previous rounds of the Fund. The Department has not received a formal approval request from the organisation for any of these allocations.
The Department contacted the organisation in recent days to help move the allocations forward. My officials are available to assist the organisation with any issues arising and can be contacted at: sportscapitalprogrammes@ccs.gov.ie
In line with previous rounds of the Fund CSFF, a review of the current funding round has been undertaken and will be finalised shortly. It is anticipated that the next CSFF round will particularly target areas and sports that have been under-invested in over the years. I hope to open a new round in the coming months. As the organisation mentioned by the Deputy is registered on my Department's grant management system, it will automatically be notified when a new round of CSFF is open for applications.
576. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department would consider allowing for a portion of the sports capital grant to go towards expert consultants to manage procurement, planning and other related activities in order to help deliver the awarded project, similar to the Department of Education and Youth summer works and emergency works schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37153/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) is the primary means of providing Government funding to sport and community organisations at local, regional and national levels throughout the country. The fund aims to foster an integrated and planned approach to the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and assists the purchase of non-personal sports equipment.
The CSFF does not provide funding toward professional fees including consultancy fees and and there are no plans to change the prioritisation of capital expenditure over professional fees. I am committed to opening a new CSFF round in 2026, and I hope to do so in the first half of the year.
577. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department has any usage policy on, or if it sanctions for official purposes, the use of messaging apps (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37197/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department’s internal Acceptable Usage Policy applies to all staff using Department-issued ICT equipment. This policy sets out the requirements and best practice for the use of such equipment and associated messaging platforms.
Under this policy, staff are reminded that any message sent on a Department-issued device is subject to Freedom of Information and Data Protection legislation. This includes communications sent via email and messaging applications. The Department does not sanction the use of third-party messaging applications, such as WhatsApp, Telegram or similar platforms for official business purposes. These platforms are not subject to the Department’s IT security protocols or support arrangements and are therefore not considered secure channels for official communications. Accordingly, such applications should only be used for incidental or non-official purposes.
578. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide a comprehensive update on the delivery of high-speed broadband under the national broadband plan in County Mayo, having regard to the thousands of additional homes, farms and businesses expected to gain access by the end of 2026; the current progress of network construction in all active deployment areas in the county; to provide the locations of premises scheduled for delivery in 2026; to provide, by intervention or deployment area; the total current number of premises passed; the number of premises connected; and the number of premises currently able to order or pre-order high-speed broadband, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37379/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the Government initiative to deliver high-speed broadband to all premises in Ireland. In addition, Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy published in December 2022, sets out a number of targets including that all Irish households and businesses will be covered by a Gigabit network no later than 2028.
In County Mayo, a significant investment of €145 million is being made under the NBP. There are over 18,585 premises including homes, farms and businesses passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and 22,212 premises available to order/pre-order, with over 5,830 premises now connected.
A further circa 19,415 premises in Mayo will be passed by NBI’s high speed fibre broadband by the end of the network deployment.
Details are available on specific areas within County Mayo 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. It should be noted that NBI provide this information for County Mayo based on NBI deployment areas rather than exact county boundaries.
NBI have advised that County Mayo compromises of 23 Deployment Area’s. Details specific to each DA are detailed in the table below.
|
Deployment Area |
Number of Premises |
Connected |
Status |
Anticipated Date for Connection |
|
Achill Sound |
3190 |
629 |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
|
Ballina |
2172 |
804 |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
|
Ballinrobe |
3366 |
541 |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
|
Belclare |
740 |
0 |
Network Build in Progress |
July 2026 – September 2026 |
|
Belmullet |
2030 |
258 |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
|
Carrowmorelack |
1556 |
441 |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
|
Castlebar |
2066 |
968 |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
|
Claremorris |
2379 |
0 |
Network Build in Progress |
October 2026- December 2026 |
|
Cloonfad |
1708 |
0 |
Network Build in Progress |
July 2026 – September 2026 |
|
Carrowholly Westport |
5 |
1 |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
|
Clare Island |
169 |
48 |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
|
Dooleeg |
1468 |
0 |
Network Build in Progress |
October 2026- December 2026 |
|
Glenamoy |
962 |
201 |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
|
Gurteen |
149 |
31 |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
|
Killadoon |
1087 |
269 |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
|
Kiltimagh |
2419 |
0 |
Network Build in Progress |
July 2026 – September 2026 |
|
Knock |
3317 |
51 |
Network Build in Progress |
April 2026 – June 2026 |
|
Knockmore |
2335 |
0 |
Network Build in Progress |
October 2026 – December 2026 |
|
Liscarney |
2114 |
735 |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
|
Maam |
122 |
19 |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
|
Manulla |
1705 |
0 |
Network Build in Progress |
October 2026 – December 2026 |
|
Newport |
1812 |
748 |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
|
Tubbercurry |
284 |
88 |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
Available to Order/Pre-Order |
Along with the NBP intervention plan, progress is being made by commercial operators in expanding their next generation networks throughout the country including county Mayo ensuring the targets set out in the Digital Connectivity Strategy are achieved.
Open eir have advised my department they have already passed over 48,497 homes and businesses in Mayo with gigabit services, SIRO and Virgin Media have advised they are continuing to increase their network footprint right across County Mayo having passed 8,572 and 7,807 premises respectively.
579. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if he is aware of any engagement his Department has had in relation to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37422/26]
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. My Department focuses on providing capital grant funding to assist the development and maintenance of these existing arts and culture facilities. Accordingly, proposals for the development of new publicly funded cultural infrastructure are a matter in the first instance for the local authority.
While the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport provides grants towards maintaining and enhancing existing arts and culture facilities it does not provide funding for the purchase of buildings.
There have been significant increases in support for arts and culture across the country, including Cork City, in recent years. An ambitious redevelopment project is currently underway at the Crawford Art Gallery. Dance Cork Firkin Crane, The Everyman Palace Theatre, Triskel Arts Centre and Cork Arts Theatre are some of the organisations that have been funded from various schemes administered by my Department over the past number of years. Additionally €250k was also allocated to Cork City Council under the Outdoor Public Space Scheme for capital improvements to Elizabeth Fort on Barrack Street, Cork City Centre, to improve its feasibility for use as an outdoor venue for arts & culture events.
580. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the number of additional staff employed or who will be employed by his Department directly or under contract for the purposes of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026. [37448/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo support the 2026 EU presidency, the department has 6 staff seconded to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade working in the Permanent Representative to the EU in Brussels and 4 staff assigned to the EU Presidency Programme Office, Dublin.
In addition, the number of temporary additional hires for the purposes of Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026 is as follows:
|
Grade |
Recruitment Method |
Location |
|
Assistant Principal x 1 |
Secondment In |
Dublin |
|
Higher Executive Officer x 3 |
Secondment In |
Dublin |
|
Presidency Policy Officers x 3 |
Fixed Term Contract |
Permanent Representative Brussels |
|
Administrative Officers x 4 |
Fixed Term Contract |
Dublin |
|
Temporary Clerical Officers x 2 |
Fixed Term Contract |
Dublin |
581. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the person or body a member of the public can contact in relation to a complaint in respect of a call operator on the 999 emergency call answering service; the way a member of the public can obtain a transcript of their specific phone call and the operator's remarks to the caller during that phone call in circumstances where that member of the public seeks to make a formal complaint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37613/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMembers of the public can contact the Emergency Call Answering Service (ECAS) on a dedicated freephone line on 1800 882 830 for complaints and queries. In addition, members of the public can contact ECAS on the 112 website, (www.112.ie/contact), via links along the bottom of the home page. To obtain information held about their phone call to ECAS, members of the public can request a copy of this information, including their call recording by clicking on the Privacy Policy (www.112.ie/privacy-policy) link on the 112 website.
ECAS is responsible for answering all: 112 and 999 calls, Real-Time Texts (RTT), SMS messages (texts) and eCalls from vehicles. The ECAS seeks to establish the Emergency Service being requested, that is, An Garda Síochána (AGS), Fire Service, Ambulance Service, Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) or, in emergencies involving aircraft, AirNav Ireland. The ECAS also determines the location of the caller for the purpose of routing the communication to the most appropriate control centre for that Emergency Service.
All ECAS operators follow call handling procedures agreed with the Emergency Services. The role of the ECAS operator is to connect the call to an operator within the appropriate Emergency Service.
582. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the data collected as part of the administration and evaluation of the basic income for the arts scheme relating to survey questions on whether the provision of venues and facilities in the place in which recipients live and work impacts on their artistic practice, disaggregated by county (details supplied); if he is able to share the data collected by scheme recipients in Galway city and environs, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37624/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was delighted to open the successor scheme to the Basic Income for the Arts pilot on April 15th, applications for which closed on Tuesday 12th May. This is a major milestone for the arts in Ireland and the manner in which we support professional artists.
I am particularly pleased that the research my Department conducted provided Government with a clear evidence base upon which to make that decision. Data gathered in the past through the BIA pilot (2022-2026) has been used in 7 research papers all of which are currently available on gov.ie.
The Basic Income for the Arts is underpinned by a research programme, which will continue under the new scheme. An evaluation of the scheme will be conducted on an ongoing basis to determine the impact of the grant payment, and to research the health of the arts sector in Ireland. The data gathered through my Department's BIA surveys is essential for informed decision-making, policy development, and better delivery of public services.
The survey completed by your constituent will help my Department to understand the needs of the sector. The data will be analysed by my Department over the coming period and I expect to be able to publish the results of this analysis before the end of 2026. I will be in a position to share data on a per county basis once the internal analysis is completed.
583. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Ireland's strategy around attracting major international sporting events and developing the necessary infrastructure; and if consideration could be given in the long-term future to hosting or co-hosting a Summer Olympic Games. [37824/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government continues to support the hosting of major sports events in Ireland and to explore further hosting opportunities. This was evidenced most recently by the Government’s successful delivery of the first-ever National Football League (NFL) regular season game at Croke Park in September last year which delivered a major economic boost to the country.
Upcoming major international sports events in Ireland include the Ryder Cup in 2027 in Adare and the co-hosting of the UEFA EURO 2028 football championship with the UK. The EURO 2028 event will see seven matches taking place in Dublin including a quarter-final.
In relation to the strategy to attract these events, a government policy and strategy framework for the hosting of Major International Sports Events was published in 2024. In implementing this policy framework, my Department works closely with a range of partners including National Governing Bodies, local authorities and other state agencies in evaluating and delivering the events.
Before my Department and Government commits public monies to supporting the hosting of a major sports event in Ireland, a significant range of factors needs to be taken into account. These factors include the projected cost to the State, the expected economic benefits accruing to the State, and the proposed event’s capacity to contribute to wider policy objectives, such as increasing physical activity and participation in sport.
In relation to the hosting or co-hosting of a summer Olympic Games as suggested by the Deputy, no proposal is under consideration in that regard and any proposal would need to address the significant level of additional infrastructure required to deliver an event of such scale. More generally though, my Department remains open to engagement on all future major international sports events consistent with the Framework, and I am committed to ensuring that Ireland continues to strengthen its reputation as a competitive and attractive destination for hosting major events.
584. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to provide an update on the development of the national velodrome. [37825/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 3 September 2025, Government approved funding of €99.6 million and the appointment of Walls Construction as principal contractor for the National Velodrome and Badminton Centre (NVBC). I am pleased to inform the Deputy that construction commenced on the project in February of this year and it is anticipated that the NVBC will be completed and in operational use by Q2 2028.
The project will deliver a 250-metre cycling track, the standard required length for hosting major international events. It will also deliver up to 12 badminton courts in the in-track area, seating for 1,000 spectators and ancillary facilities.
When operational, the NVBC will address the need to provide world-class track cycling facilities for our athletes as well as providing the sport of badminton with integrated training, gym and medical facilities. This state of the art facility will afford our track cycling athletes the opportunity to train in Ireland and should have a positive effect on future international performance levels in both sports.
