John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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33. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment that funding will be made available in 2026 to enhance and develop community sports, arts, and cultural facilities in rural towns and villages across Cork northwest, particularly where existing amenities, such as community halls and playing fields, need upgrading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63982/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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As announced as part of Budget 2026, my Department is in the process of examining a further capital scheme of funding for arts and culture organisations across the country, in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government.

My Department is in the process of designing the specifications of the scheme, including the setting of eligibility criteria.

With regard to Sport, my Department operates two capital funding programmes, namely the Community Sports Facilities Fund (CSFF) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). Sporting organisations from across the country can apply directly for the CSFF, however they must make their application for the LSSIF through either a National Governing Body or Local Authority.

Over a quarter of a billion euro was allocated to 3,048 community sports clubs and facilities in 2024 from the 2023 round of the CSFF, representing the largest-ever investment in sports facilities in communities across Ireland. Of this, over €29m was allocated to 344 sporting projects in Cork, while almost €54m has been allocated to 830 sporting projects in Cork over the last 3 rounds. Details of all allocation made to clubs are available on the Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-culture-communications-and-sport/collections/sports-capital-programme-allocations/

I expect that a further round of the CSFF will open for applications in the first half of 2026. It is anticipated that the next round of the CSFF will particularly target areas and sports that have been under invested in over the years.

Regarding the LSSIF, my current focus is on ensuring project delivery under the first two rounds of the LSSIF, 2018 and 2024, and this process will inform any decisions regarding the timing of a future round.

Martin Daly (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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34. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the plans which exist to develop creative-industry employment in Roscommon and Galway, such as film, animation, design, and digital content creation, in line with regional development goals; and whether new supports will be provided to encourage young creatives to remain in the region. [64505/25]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Screen Ireland provides a range of supports are provided for regional productions throughout the country. In 2024, Screen Ireland invested over €6.5 million in productions, festivals, initiatives and activities that contributed to the nationwide development of the sector, including €4 million awarded through the agency’s Nationwide Additional Production Fund. Screen Ireland also provided funding supports for talent and skills development initiatives across the country, such as the National Talent Academy Network, which includes key bases in Limerick and Galway. In 2025, Screen Ireland ring-fenced funding of €5.5 million for nationwide development and Irish language storytelling. Over 50% of the live action feature film and TV drama in Screen Ireland’s 2025 slate of productions is expected to be produced or filmed on location in regions outside of the traditional filmmaking hubs of Dublin and Wicklow – including counties Donegal, Limerick, Galway, Monaghan and Sligo.

Ireland is home to several world-class film studios, boasting state-of-the-art production and post-production facilities and various support infrastructures which have helped to attract incoming productions from studios and content streaming companies. While many of the main studios are based in the Leinster region, there are a range of non-tax-based supports provided for regional productions.

Screen Ireland’s National Talent Academy network includes the National Talent Academy for Film and Television led by Ardán, the National Talent Academy for Animation led by Animation Ireland, the National Talent Academy for VFX led by Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet and three regional Crew Academies currently managed by the Atlantic Academy in Galway, Film in Limerick in Limerick and Clermont Enterprise Hub in Wicklow. The network has been established to develop a highly skilled, diverse talent and crew base throughout the country, offering a wide range of activities for the Irish screen industry, including courses, programmes and career opportunities.

Addressing innovation, skills development and sectoral growth, the National Talent Academies is the result of additional stimulus investment provided by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport and forms part of a wider strategy to support skills development across all regions of Ireland, with a particular focus on diversity and inclusion.

The overarching aim of the National Talent Academies is to address and support current educational skills gaps in the screen sector. Retaining the diversity and inclusion focus present across all Academy initiatives, its ambition is to drive more Irish talent from all backgrounds and disciplines into the sector and develop greater awareness of the sector as a career path.