Written Answers Nos 92-110
92. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport given the new era of long-term remote working and the need for ever increasing broadband speeds, if he will commit to delivering minimum standard speeds of 500Mbps-1Gbps in all areas of the State and provide a definitive timeline for this delivery, as some areas are currently stuck in broadband limbo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43442/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland'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. This strategy is in the process of being refreshed and will maintain this ambition.
In addition to the State’s National Broadband Plan in the (Rural) Intervention Area, we are also working with the commercial operators in the Non-Intervention Area to ensure the delivery of high-speed broadband to all premises in Ireland.
Open eir have already passed over 1.5 million homes across the State. SIRO and Virgin Media have both reached a milestone of having passed over 700,000 premises for full fibre.
The Government identified a need to deliver broadband services in areas where commercial operators would not operate. As part of the NBP, the Government appointed National Broadband Ireland (NBI) to deliver wholesale broadband services to those parts of the country, not served by commercial operators. The NBP network will offer premises in the Intervention Area a high-speed fibre broadband service with a minimum download speed of 500Mbps from the outset. The network is future proofed to deliver up to 10Gbps speeds.
I am advised by NBI that, over 485,570 premises are passed across 26 counties and available for immediate connection. Over 177,525 premises are already connected to the National Broadband Plan high-speed broadband network.
In the Deputy’s own county of Louth, a significant investment of €33 million is being made under the NBP. There are over 6,840 premises passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network which are available to order/pre-order, with over 3,200 premises now connected. A further circa 2,160 premises in County Louth will be passed by NBI’s high speed fibre broadband by the end of the network deployment.
93. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether his Department will commit to a multi-annual funding model for regional and local arts centres to ensure their continued development and growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44492/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs outlined in the Programme for Government, the Government believes that culture and the arts are essential to a well-rounded society. Ireland is world renowned for our rich, diverse and vibrant arts sector.
A network of cultural infrastructure exists throughout the country with the majority in the ownership of local authorities. Annual support, including programming and revenue supports, is provided to these arts centres by local authorities and the Arts Council. The Department focuses on providing capital grant funding to develop and maintain these arts and cultural facilities.
The Department was allocated €6m in Budget 2026 for a new programme of capital funding for arts and culture organisations across the country. This will see much needed capital supports for arts and culture organisations and support community and voluntary groups in increasing participation in arts and culture. The Department is in the process of designing the specifications of the scheme and it is hoped it will be launched in the coming weeks.
Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council has primary responsibility for the development of the arts in Ireland and Budget 2026 has maintained the record funding of €140 million for the Arts Council from Minister O'Donovan's Department.
The Arts Council provides financial assistance to arts centres primarily through annual funding programmes, such as the Arts Centre Partnership Funding scheme and in 2026 a total of €10.46m was provided to 50 arts centres. This funding supports operational costs, programming, and development initiatives. An example of this support can be seen in the Deputies own constituency of Dublin South, where the dlr Mill Theatre Dundrum has been funded by the Arts Council since 2008 and to date has been awarded a total of €414,000.
94. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he is aware of the campaign to return the Mount Keefe Chalice currently held at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum to Cork; if he will make representations to support its return; if he has received, or when he expects to receive, the final report of the Advisory Committee on the Restitution and Repatriation of Cultural Heritage. [43461/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the Mount Keefe Chalice, also known as the O'Keefe Chalice - one of Ireland's oldest religious artefacts, commissioned by a member of the O'Keefe family in North Cork in 1590, and believed to have been used to celebrate Mass during the 1690s, in the time of the Penal Laws. The chalice then disappeared and it was later sold in 1929 to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London for £400 where, as the Deputy highlighted, it remains to this day. While I cannot intervene in individual cases – that would be a matter for individual Institutions or individuals involved, I am very supportive of Irish artefacts being available for people to see in Ireland. I would also like to acknowledge the view of the descendants of the O'Keefe family and the local communities who would like to see the chalice returned. In addition to their great personal and sentimental value, culturally sensitive objects such as this - of Irish origin held in museum collections abroad - are important in enriching our understanding of the story of our past, our cultural heritage and identity, and our local history.
With regard to the Report of the Advisory Committee on the Restitution and Repatriation of Cultural Heritage, I was delighted to receive the Advisory Committee's final report yesterday (10th June). I am now giving their recommendations my full consideration, and I intend to then bring the report to Government at the earliest opportunity. I will publish it immediately thereafter.
As I have outlined before, I believe that the Advisory Committee's work and recommendations will foster goodwill, trust, and mutual co-operation, which could in turn support any future Irish efforts to seek the return of cultural heritage materials from abroad. Existing relationships between Irish cultural, collecting, and research institutions and their internationally based colleagues are positive and well-established, and these provide a strong foundation for enhanced collaboration and co-operation.
I would like to thank the Advisory Committee Chair - Sir Donnell Deeny - and all of the members, for their outstanding work and commitment over the past 3 years.
95. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his Department will work alongside Kildare County Council to deliver a swimming pool for north Kildare now that the next stage of the project is underway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44555/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s first-ever National Swimming Strategy was published in 2024 and sets out a vision to provide everyone in our country with an opportunity to swim.
Further to a specific action in the Strategy, Swim Ireland carried out an in-depth analysis of swimming pool provision within Ireland, examining the condition and age of facilities, community accessibility, the availability of swimming lessons, energy and sustainability practices, and the provincial and county-level distribution of pools. The resultant Swimming Pool Gap Analysis Report was published in late 2025 and is available on Swim Ireland’s website. The report is being examined by my Department and will be a key input to the future development of swimming pool facilities by enabling enhanced decision-making with regard to targeting investment more effectively.
While the provision of public swimming pools is ultimately a matter for the relevant local authorities, capital support for new swimming pools, and the refurbishment of existing pools, is provided by my Department through the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) which has allocated €44.65 million, from a cumulative investment of €297 million across 68 projects under two rounds, 2018 and 2024, to swimming pool and aquatic infrastructure projects.
In the 2018 round of LSSIF, an application for €1 million was received from Kildare County Council for design funding towards a new swimming pool in Maynooth. The total funding applied for under the scheme significantly exceeded the amount available to allocate and the swimming pool project in Maynooth was not awarded a grant. No application was received in respect of funding for a swimming pool in Kildare in the 2024 round of LSSIF.
While it is intended that a third round of LSSIF will take place in the coming years, no decision has yet been taken on timing as my current focus is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds. My Department would be happy to meet with Kildare County Council in the context of its planning for a future application to the LSSIF.
96. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if research has been done or is planned on the promotion of the huge influence of Irish monks in Europe in the early medieval period and their huge role in spreading Christianity education and literacy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44535/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe responsibilities of my Department do not include direct commissioning or funding of historical research. However in relation to promotion of the influence of Irish monks in Europe, I would like to draw the Deputy's attention to the exhibition called 'Words on the Wave' which took place at the National Museum of Ireland from 29th May 2025 to 27th October 2025. The exhibition was very successful, attracting 121,800 visitors during this period.
The Words on Wave Exhibition explored the topic of early medieval Ireland and its impact on Europe. At its heart were 17 manuscripts on loan from “Stiftsbibliothek St. Galle” (The Abbey Library of St Gall) a monastery in Switzerland with deep Irish connections, most notably in their manuscripts, the finest of which were loaned and displayed. Key objects from the National Museum of Ireland’s collections featured alongside the exhibition, demonstrating the range of influences and ideas that were exchanged between Ireland and continental Europe in the early medieval period.
St. Gall was a companion of Columbanus, one of the Irish monks who left Ireland in the 6th century and made a lasting impact on Europe. Their journeys carried not only people but also manuscripts, ideas, and artistic traditions, connecting the small island of Ireland to a much larger continent.
The exhibition represented a world-first, marking the largest-ever loan of these manuscripts, some returning to Ireland for the first time in over 1,000 years. These books, written on vellum, reflect the journeys of early medieval Irish monks like St. Gall and St. Columbanus, who travelled to Europe seeking exile, refuge, and learning.
An exhibition catalogue, which showcased much of the original research carried out for the project, has sold more than 1600 copies to date. The project has forged research links with many institutions including University College Cork, University College Dublin, Trinity College and in the Swiss National Museum and in the Stiftsbibliothek St. Gallen, as well as the Abbey of Sainte-Maurice D’Agaune. Researchers at the National Museum edited the exhibition catalogue, participated in talks for the public and at conferences such as the International Conference on Insular Art organised by the Department of Archaeology, University College Cork.
Furthermore, the National Museum of Ireland is currently working with the Swiss National Museum to open the exhibition in Zurich in January 2027. This exhibition will feature objects from the collections of the National Museum of Ireland and will run for five months. This process has also led to shared research and professional connections between colleagues in Ireland and Switzerland.
100. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to outline the key discussions at the recent EU Sports Council meeting on sports tourism; to detail the updates provided in relation to AgoraEU and the EU Work Plan for Culture 2027-2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44217/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 12 May 2026, I attended the EU Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council meeting.
The key sporting elements of that meeting included the approval of the Council Conclusions on sport tourism as a contributor to sustainable development. This document outlines the need to ensure that there is a balance between sport tourism activities and social and environmental responsibilities.
There was also an exchange of views on the importance of mental health for athletes and coaches, discussions regarding the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international sports competitions, the risk of brain injuries in sport and the social return on investment of sport.
During the Culture agenda at the meeting, the Council approved a partial general approach (PGA) of the AgoraEU programme for the period 2028-2034. This PGA sets out the shared Council positions on the Commission’s proposal for AgoraEU, a new funding programme for culture, media and civil society which will replace and merge the previous Creative Europe and Citizens, Education, Culture and rights programme.
The Department is closely engaged with negotiations on the proposal for a Regulation establishing the AgoraEU programme 2028-2034. An ad-hoc inter-Departmental working group was established, which has supported the development of positions on the programme. This PGA will now be the basis for all future negotiations by the Council on AgoraEU.
The focus of the policy debate among Ministers was the next EU Work Plan for Culture 2027 – 2030. EU Culture Ministers set out their priorities for the next Work Plan, which Ireland will be required to bring to the Council during our upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
101. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he is satisfied that Ireland has adequate provision of public swimming pool facilities compared to other European countries; whether his Department has undertaken any assessment of access to public swimming pools on a regional or population basis; his plans to increase the availability of public swimming pool facilities, particularly in areas experiencing significant population growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44488/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s first-ever National Swimming Strategy was published in 2024 and sets out a vision to provide everyone in our country with an opportunity to swim.
Further to a specific action in the National Swimming Strategy and enabled by funding from my Department, Swim Ireland carried out an in-depth analysis of swimming pool provision within Ireland, examining the condition and age of facilities and the provincial and county-level distribution of pools. The resultant Swimming Pool Gap Analysis Report was published in December 2025 and is available on Swim Ireland’s website. The report is being examined by my Department and will be a key input to the future development of swimming pool facilities by enabling enhanced decision-making with regard to targeting investment more effectively.
While the provision of public swimming pools is ultimately a matter for the relevant local authorities, capital support for new swimming pools, and the refurbishment of existing pools, is provided by my Department through the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) which has allocated €44.65 million, from a cumulative investment of €297 million across 68 projects under two rounds, 2018 and 2024, to 12 swimming pool and aquatic infrastructure projects.
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. No decisions have yet been made regarding the next round of LSSIF.
Smaller infrastructure works of benefit to public swimming pools can also be supported via funding from the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF). Almost €4.3 million was allocated to 165 swimming projects in the last 10 years under the CSFF. I have asked my Department to prepare for a further round of the CSFF in 2026 which I expect to open in the coming months.
102. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the measures he is taking to address the role of online platforms in facilitating the circulation of misinformation; the steps being taken to strengthen oversight, accountability and public protection in the circulation of misinformation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44569/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is now a significant body of legislation providing the foundation for Ireland’s online safety framework with Coimisiún na Meán at its heart. As Ireland's independent online safety and media regulator, An Coimisiún is responsible for Ireland's Online Safety Code, is a competent authority under the EU Terrorist Content Online Regulation and is Ireland’s Digital Services Coordinator under the EU Digital Services Act, working with the European Commission, which is lead regulator for very large online platforms and search engines.
The framework enables Coimisiún na Meán to investigate systemic risks on platforms and make sure that platforms have processes and systems in place to reduce the availability of inappropriate, harmful and illegal online content, including disinformation. Since its establishment in March 2023, An Coimisiún has grown from around 40 staff to around 300 staff, which is indicative of the level of commitment to addressing online safety, including mis and disinformation.
The European Commission is investigating a number of platforms in respect of potential breaches of the DSA. For example, on 18 December 2023 the Commission opened formal proceedings to assess whether X may have breached the DSA in areas linked to the dissemination of illegal content and the effectiveness of the measures taken to combat information manipulation. In December 2025, the Commission fined X €120 million for various breaches of DSA obligations, including that its ‘blue checkmark' for ‘verified accounts' deceives users, exposing them to manipulation by malicious actors.
At a national level, the National Counter Disinformation Strategy was published in April 2025. The strategy sets out 9 commitments and 36 actions to help counter this complex issue. It highlights the importance of strengthening people's resilience to disinformation, implementing and enforcing regulations, coordination and collaboration between stakeholders, promoting high-quality journalism and media plurality and conducting research in countering disinformation. Implementation of the Strategy is being accelerated in 2026 with the disbursement of the €1.1 million in funding which I secured in Budget 2026 to support media literacy, research and fact-checking.
104. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport for an update on plans to provide capital funding to amateur drama and musical societies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44459/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is renowned for producing world class art, both amateur and professional and it is my ambition that this continues into the future. As outlined in the Programme for Government, we recognise that the arts are essential to a well-rounded society, providing opportunities for education, expression and community engagement.
The Arts Council has primary responsibility for the development of the arts in Ireland and Budget 2026 maintained record funding of €140 million for the Arts Council from my Department. The Arts Council supports theatre artists at all stages of their careers to create work that reflects Ireland out to the world and back on itself. Theatre is the highest-attended ticketed artform that the Arts Council supports.
The Arts Council recognises the value the distinctive role of amateur arts practice, its important contribution to the vitality of the arts and of certain artforms in particular, and its many social benefits. The Arts Council also works to develop supportive initiatives to recognise and interact with the voluntary and amateur sector towards the mutual goal of advocating for theatre and the arts in general.
The Arts Council's approach to supporting theatre is currently being reviewed and they have recently consulted with professional theatre organisations and artists, community-based theatre groups, festivals and arts centres.
As part of an ongoing review of the Arts Councils approach to supporting the theatre sector, they sought insights from practitioners working across the sector in all disciplines through a consultation process. These consultations were based on the feedback from a sector-wide survey which took place last year and were open to all theatre practitioners and genres, including musical theatre and community-based (amateur) theatre.
The Arts Council already funds a range of theatre artists and organisations, from production companies to producing theatres and resource and representative organisations. Support for theatre production is primarily through Strategic Funding, Arts Grants Funding and Project awards. They also fund individual artists and organisations on a once-off basis through the Project Award.
Within my Department, there are a number of measures in place to support the arts at amateur and professional levels including the Music Capital Scheme, managed by Music Network on behalf of my Department, providing funding for the purchase of musical instruments to both non-professional performing groups/ensembles and professional musicians. The Creative Ireland Programme funded through my Department is also supporting the delivery of a number of creative projects nationwide including amateur drama.
A network of cultural infrastructure exists throughout the country with the majority in the ownership of local authorities. Annual support, including programming and revenue supports, is provided to these arts centres by local authorities and the Arts Council. These arts centres are where amateur and professional artists and audiences meet and this is a key element in investing in public engagement. My Department focuses on providing capital grant funding to assist development and to maintain these arts and cultural facilities. Funding is administered through applications received for specific grant schemes.
In Budget 2026, my 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. A pilot scheme has been under design in recent months and I recently updated Government about progress. Subject to receipt of sanction, this will see much needed capital supports for communities, including funding essential equipment for organisations such as amateur drama groups and musical societies.
Notwithstanding the official supports described above, it would be appropriate to mention the significant number of commercial sponsors who also contribute towards the national associations and annual programmes for amateur drama and musicals. I take this opportunity to acknowledge their generous support to the national bodies and also to commend the special contribution of the title sponsor of the RTÉ All Ireland Drama Festival in Athlone which took place in May under the auspices of the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland.
106. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport to initiate a formal process to have the Galway Hooker boat recognised under Ireland’s framework for intangible cultural heritage in line with UNESCO’s Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44553/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December 2015, Ireland ratified the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity. My Department has responsibility for Ireland’s implementation of the Convention.
As required under the Convention, Ireland maintains a National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage, which, to date, includes 42 inscribed ICH practices from communities across the country. The National Inventory aims to safeguard and raise awareness of Ireland’s intangible cultural heritage locally, nationally, and internationally.
The formal process for inscription on Ireland's National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage requires an application or expression of interest to be made to my Department. In line with the Convention, these should be made by practitioners of the cultural heritage element seeking inscription. All applications are then assessed by an Expert Advisory Committee on Intangible Cultural Heritage, which makes recommendations to me, as Minister, for decision.
My Department received an application seeking the inscription of Galway Hooker Boats on the National Inventory. This application was reviewed by the Expert Advisory Committee (EAC) at its meeting in September 2025. The EAC felt that additional information was necessary before a recommendation could be made on the application. My officials wrote to the applicant outlining the EAC’s queries and are currently awaiting a response and an updated application. In the meantime, the application remains open pending further information from the applicants. The EAC and my Department, remain open to and would welcome expressions of interest from other groups involved in the preservation and protection of the Galway Hooker at any time, and these would be assessed and support the process above.
Cultural practices included on Ireland’s National Inventory may also seek international recognition on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Culture of Humanity, to which the state can make a maximum of one application per year. This two-step process is required under UNESCO criteria. To date, Ireland has had five elements of our living heritage inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity: Uilleann Piping, Hurling, Irish Harping, Falconry, and Dry Stone Construction. A further application has been submitted by the State and is currently under assessment by UNESCO.
107. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will direct the national cultural institutions not to facilitate events, exhibitions or performances which celebrate, or involve representatives of states accused of genocide and war crimes such as Israel, or who are involved with the military actions of such states. [43462/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department respects the autonomy of the National Cultural Institutions in relation to the programming or curatorial decisions. Each has its own Board and management team that has carefully considered policies in relation to artistic matters. As Minister I do not instruct a particular institution that it must or must not display a particular item or facilitate or not facilitate particular performances.
Ireland has repeatedly advocated for strong action, including at the EU level, in response to persistent Israeli breaches of international law and human rights, including sanctions on extremist settlers, restrictions relating to illegal settlements and the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. In addition, Ireland has always been committed to working with key partners to end the conflict in Gaza, to addressing the catastrophic humanitarian situation and to advancing a sustainable peace plan.
I am confident that the Boards and management teams of the National Cultural Institutions have the skillset and understanding required to make the decisions that are appropriate for their respective institutions.
108. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the benefits of the new national Cell Broadcast Public Warning System; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44507/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland enacted an SMS-based emergency public warning regulation via S.I 583 of 2023 allowing me, as Minister, to direct operators to transmit a public warning to users of their services via SMS in the event of a major emergency or disaster.
Whilst this regulation meets the needs of Article 110 of the EU Electronic Communications Code Directive, which requires all EU Member States to operate a nationwide public warning system, the effectiveness of distributing public warning via SMS is impacted by network capacity, congestion and SMS character limits.
Given the increasing number of severe weather emergencies being experienced in Ireland, as well as other potential risks it is necessary for Government to establish an effective public warning system.
Government has recently approved procurement of a cell broadcast public warning system for transmitting public warning messages. Cell broadcast is an effective technology for distributing public warning messages and utilised in many other jurisdictions.
Cell broadcast public warning system messages are not impacted by the same issues as SMS and can be sent to mobile phone users in a specific geographic area. Messages are received by all handsets in the area regardless of operator, and can be configured to override lock screen, volume and do not disturb settings to ensure they is received by the user.
The system will become part of existing emergency communications structures, and, in the appropriate circumstances, will be another channel to provide information to the public among those already existing, such as social media, TV and radio.
