Results 181-200 of 11,201 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Expenditure (8 Sep 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: It should be noted that my Department was re-configured as the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport at the beginning of June 2025. The details sought by the Deputy in relation to the total funding allocated to County Louth since 2023 for the current functions under the remit of my Department are set out below, by relevant Sector. CULTURE Basic Income For The Arts ...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Properties (8 Sep 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: In general, matters relating to property for my Department are the responsibility of the Office of Public Works as my Department does not own any properties.  Property matters related to bodies and agencies under the remit of my Department are operational matters for those bodies.

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Schemes (8 Sep 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: Established in 2008, the Music Capital Scheme has been operated by Music Network on behalf of the Department and was awarded funding of €1,090,700 in 2024. Since it was established, over €3,543,590 in funding has been awarded through 657 awards to individual musicians and organisations, providing access to instruments for over 59,000 people across the country. Beneficiaries...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Staff (8 Sep 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: Government policy in relation to starting pay in the civil and public service is that all new entrants start on Step 1 of the relevant salary scale. The gross starting point for Keeper of Manuscripts, as per the most recent PPC pay scales of 1 August 2025, is €85,786. The estimated full year costs to recruit two additional Keeper of Manuscripts is set out in tabular form as...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Broadband Infrastructure (8 Sep 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1095 and 1104 together. The estate referred to in the questions is in the BLUE area on the broadband map which is available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/5634d-national-broadband-plan-map. The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high-speed broadband services. The...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Schemes (8 Sep 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: The programme for Government commits to assessing the Basic Income for the Arts pilot research scheme to maximise its impact. I appreciate the importance of the Basic Income support for artists, which is why I announced an extension of six months to allow for further evaluation of the pilot data.  This will give sufficient time to engage in stakeholder consultation and to evaluate...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Capital Expenditure Programme (8 Sep 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: As stated in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 1366 of 29 July 2025, the details of capital funding programmes or grants which the bodies under my aegis have responsibility for, and which community organisations are eligible to apply for, are operational matters for the bodies and agencies themselves. The State bodies and agencies under the aegis of my Department can be contacted...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Arts Funding (8 Sep 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: On 25 February 2025, the Government approved a new €10m ‘Shared Island Cultural Collaboration Fund’ to be implemented by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. My Department is currently planning the roll-out of this fund in close collaboration with the Department of the Taosieach. The proposal for the new Shared Island Cultural Cooperation Fund was...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Arts Council (8 Sep 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Arts Council submitted a Preliminary Business Case to my Department in Q4 2024 in relation to the project referred to in the question.  The Department is reviewing this business case in line with the Programme for Government and the Infrastructure Guidelines and in the context of Project Ireland 2040 and other capital demands. My Department is aware of the pressures that artists...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Schemes (8 Sep 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Programme for Government commits to assessing the Basic Income for the Arts pilot research scheme to maximise its impact. I appreciate the importance of the Basic Income support for artists, which is why I announced an extension of six months to allow for further evaluation of the pilot data.  This is will give sufficient time to engage in stakeholder consultation and to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Artists' Remuneration (29 Jul 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Programme for Government commits to assessing the Basic Income for the Arts pilot research scheme to maximise its impact. I appreciate the importance of the Basic Income support for artists, which is why I recently announced that Cabinet has agreed to my proposal to an extension of six months to allow for further evaluation of the pilot data. The primary objective of the scheme is to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Telecommunications Infrastructure (29 Jul 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: In June the European Commission published their latest Digital Decade report which indicates that 89.9% of populated areas in Ireland are now served by 5G. This assessment was carried out at the end of 2024 and is anticipated that further improvements in 5G roll out have taken place across all operators in the last 6 months. In early July eir announced that they have now reached 99%...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Telecommunications Infrastructure (29 Jul 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: 6G, or the sixth-generation of mobile communications technology, will be the next evolution of radio and mobile networking systems, building upon the foundation laid by 5G. The introduction into service of 6G services is not anticipated until 2030 at the earliest. In the interim, mobile network operators are continuing to roll out 5G-based networks which are offering consumers faster speeds...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Telecommunications Services (29 Jul 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) does not have a dedicated phoneline for Oireachtas members, however they do provide an exclusive email address which can be found below. ComReg Oireachtas email address: oireachtas@comreg.ie

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Legal Services (29 Jul 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: I propose to take Questions Nos. 1321, 1322, 1332, 1333, 1334, 1335, 1336, 1337 and 1338 together. My Department has an Internal Legal Advisor seconded from the Office of the Attorney General with additional support from that office as required. Details of any Compensation and legal costs are published in the Annual appropriation account for the Department which is audited by the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Business Supports (29 Jul 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: Since its inception, the National Digital Research Centre (NDRC) has impacted the Irish economy by advancing early-stage digital enterprises and aiding portfolio companies in raising over €500 million, and more than 700 jobs have been created in the Republic of Ireland by companies accepted into NDRC support under the current contractor's tenure alone. The NDRC is operated under a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Departmental Data (29 Jul 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: The National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland. I am advised by NBI that there are over 564,000 premises in the Intervention Area (IA) and design work has been completed for 100% of these. NBI has also passed over 381,000 premises (68%) in the intervention area and are connecting circa 4,400 premises to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Sports Organisations (29 Jul 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards. It also has responsibility for the recognition and funding of national governing bodies of sport in Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to its role in...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Grant Payments (29 Jul 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: It should be noted that my Department was re-configured as the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport at the beginning of June 2025. Across its broad remit of responsibilities, my Department directly administers a range of grant payments. The details sought by the Deputy for the functions under the remit of my Department in the period since September 2020 (when the former Department...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Arts Funding (29 Jul 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council has primary responsibility for the development of the arts in Ireland and Budget 2025 has provided record funding of €140 million for the Arts Council. The Arts Council is committed to increasing public engagement in the arts in Ireland and it provides financial support to a number of initiatives aimed at increasing public access, participation...