Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----in direct payments to farmers.

TOURISM, CULTURE, ARTS, GAELTACHT, SPORT AND MEDIA

The budget today provides €1.17 billion for the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. The allocation will support enterprise and employment in our tourism sector, through targeted measures to support businesses impacted as a resulted of the war of Ukraine; support our creative arts sector; fund our national cultural institutions; support our audiovisual industry; and support Irish as a living language. As we all know, recent weeks have reminded us of the inspirational potential of sport. This is why this budget will promote the contribution of sport to a healthier and more active society, and promote the increased participation of women in sport and invest in our sporting infrastructure. We will continue to invest in our Irish-language broadcasting.

JUSTICE

As we plan for a better future for the people of this country, I recognise it is essential not only that the people who live here are safe in their communities but also that they feel safe. That is why I am committing to a package of €172 million in 2024 for the justice sector to enable continued investment in existing services. I am pleased to announce funding for recruitment next year of 1,000 gardaí and up to 250 Garda civilian staff in specialist roles to free up more gardaí for front-line duties. In addition, an additional €25 million in the annual overtime budget will mean that gardaí can be deployed as needed to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour, leading to stronger high-visibility policing in our cities, towns and communities. This budget will provide for additional staffing in our Courts Service, our Prison Service, the Data Protection Commission and the Policing Authority, as well as an increase in a range of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence initiatives and an extension of the youth diversion programme throughout the State.

DEFENCE

Staying with our safety and security, and in recognition of the continued reform and importance of the defence sector, I am announcing an allocation of €1.23 billion for the Department of Defence. This includes additional-----

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