Results 101-120 of 11,205 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (2 Oct 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Government is committed to the rollout of highspeed broadband across the country, and indeed the National Broadband Plan (NBP) is the Government's initiative to deliver high speed broadband services to all premises in Ireland where the commercial telecom operators' reach will not extend. Along with the NBP intervention contract (with National Broadband Ireland (NBI)), progress is...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Sports Facilities (2 Oct 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: Sport and physical activity are hugely important to our collective wellbeing and health, so it is in our national interest to promote increased participation in sport and activity at all levels, locally and nationally. Availability and ease of access to sports facilities, whether in a club setting, on public lands or in other amenity areas, is a key factor in drawing more people to...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Arts Funding (2 Oct 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: Ireland 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. Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council has primary...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Sports Funding (2 Oct 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: The National Sports Policy, which was published in 2018, provided for the establishment of a Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The aim of the fund is to provide an open and transparent system for applying for grant assistance where the amount sought is greater than that available under the CSFF. The evaluation procedures and guidelines for the LSSIF provide that, once...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Culture Policy (2 Oct 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: Since the publication of the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce, the Night-Time Economy Implementation Group has been examining the challenges facing the development of a vibrant night time culture and economy such as regulations, transport, and diversity of cultural activities with the aim of identifying solutions and new opportunities for the sector to develop. One of the most...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Broadband Plan (2 Oct 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: I have been advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that over 12,810 premises are now passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and 14,641 premises are available to order/pre-order in County Clare, with over 5,320 premises now connected. A further circa 8,582 premises in County Clare will be passed by NBI’s high speed fibre broadband by the end of network deployment....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Legislative Measures (2 Oct 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: I would like to recognise the comprehensive pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill undertaken by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport. I am currently examining the 85 recommendations made by the Committee in their pre-legislative scrutiny report of 17 September 2025 with the view to determining which...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Post Office Network (2 Oct 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Government is committed to a sustainable An Post and post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure throughout Ireland. The Programme for Government commits to providing the nationwide network of post offices with funding to ensure their sustainability and enhance the value they bring to local communities. My Department is working to deliver on this...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Artists' Remuneration (2 Oct 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Programme for Government commits to assessing the Basic Income for the Arts pilot research scheme to maximise its impact, which is why I announced an extension of six months to February 2026 to allow for further assessment of the pilot data and to engage in stakeholder consultation to provide the evidence base for Government to make decisions on the next steps. I have begun to undertake...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Arts Policy (2 Oct 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: My Department is taking a number of steps to improve, increase and widen access to the arts. The Creative Ireland Programme has invested in local communities, through a strategic partnership with local government, with my Department allocating funding of €36.8 million to the 31 local authorities to support the delivery of over 7,350 creative and cultural projects throughout the...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: National Biodiversity Plan (2 Oct 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: I have been advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that over 7,150 premises are now passed with a high-speed fibre broadband network and over 10,000 premises are available to order/pre-order in County Offaly, with over 2,310 premises now connected. A further 2,790 premises in County Offaly will be passed by NBI’s high speed fibre broadband by the end of network deployment....

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Arts Funding (2 Oct 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: As 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. A network of cultural infrastructure exists throughout the country, with the majority in the ownership of local authorities. Annual support, including programming and revenue...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Arts Funding (2 Oct 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: Creative Schools is one of the flagship initiatives of the Creative Youth Plan 2023-2027 and supports schools and Youthreach centres to put the arts and creativity at the heart of children’s and young people’s lives. Creative Schools supports schools over 2 years to develop and implement a bespoke Creative Schools plan. It is led by the Arts Council in partnership with my...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Arts Funding (2 Oct 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: As 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. A network of cultural infrastructure exists throughout the country, with the majority in the ownership of local authorities. Annual support, including programming and revenue...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Telecommunications Infrastructure (2 Oct 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: My Department has been working with colleagues in industry to examine the impact that Storm Éowyn had on communication networks and to put in place measures and structures to lessen the impact of future storms. Progress is being made in developing improved response and resilience capacities within the sector following January's storm. All network operators, both fixed and mobile, have...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Arts Funding (2 Oct 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: The commitment to examine the introduction of a Culture Card for 16 and 17-year-olds to access theatre, music and art events was among the several initiatives to be progressed over the lifetime of the Government. Before I examine the introduction of a youth Culture Card and its potential to enhance interest in the arts among young people, my Department will have to undertake an assessment...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Emergency Planning (2 Oct 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: In November 2023, Ireland put in place a mobile SMS-based emergency public warning system, via S.I 583 of 2023, as required under Article 110 of the EU Electronic Communications Code Directive. This system enables mobile phone operators to send texts to the public on behalf of the Government during an emergency. Last year, my Department engaged the services of an Analysys Mason led...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Culture Policy (2 Oct 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: Reform of the licensing laws is a matter for Minister of Justice who has the overall responsibility for this reform. The Report of the Night-Time Economy published in 2021, is a Cross-Government Report containing 36 actions across a broad range of issues associated with the Night-Time Economy, such as safety, licensing, transport, planning and regulation, all with the aim of increasing...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Artists' Remuneration (2 Oct 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 announced an extension of six months to February 2026 to allow for further assessment of the pilot data and to engage in stakeholder consultation to provide an evidence base for Government to make decisions on next steps. Consultation is ongoing including a...

Written Answers — Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment: Culture Policy (2 Oct 2025)

Patrick O'Donovan: The Night-Time Economy Advisor initiative was established on a pilot basis in support of Action 19 in the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce. These pilot projects remain a key element in my Department's support for the night-time economy nationwide. My Department has provided funding for a two-year full-time Night-Time Advisor in each of the nine selected locations and I have...