I thank the Deputy for his question. Both the Minister of State and I agree and recognise that community centres can be at the heart of every community and that they are a vital resource for any city, neighbourhood, town or village. Since joining the Department, we prioritised investment in community infrastructure. As part of budget 2026, we secured increased funding for the programmes delivering on this priority, including an increase in the annual budget for the community centre investment fund, CCFI, of €3 million to €20 million. The CCIF was introduced to provide high quality, accessible, community spaces that are available to groups in all communities in both rural and urban areas. Through the CCIF, €110 million has been allocated since 2022 for the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres and the construction of a number of new centres where such a need has been identified. I am committed to delivering further iterations of the CCIF in the coming years. Following meetings with the Minister of State and myself, our officials are currently finalising the details of the next call for applications. This call will focus on refurbishment to existing community centres. I expect to open this new round of funding to applicants in the coming months with a view to announcing successful projects before the end of the year. We also support community facilities with enhancement works through a range of other funding streams, including capitally through the CLÁR programme, LEADER and the town and village renewal scheme.

Sentiment score: 0.27

I confirm that will be part of the iteration. We are trying to make it as broad as possible. As the Deputy and Deputy O'Reilly said previously, these centres provide very important services. Many of them were built at different times when energy costs were not quite causing the pressure they are now. Regarding the impact of the CCIF today, 93% of centres that have been funded under the CCIF have reported an increase in user numbers following the upgrades, with new improved accessibility, inclusivity and comfort. There has been further engagement from older adults, people with disabilities, families and marginalised groups reflecting to the new centre and new investment. Energy upgrades have been a major feature of the CCIF refurbishment process. They will continue to be. We will work closely with colleagues in the CCIF to give the best possible advice to community centres through local authorities. The vast majority of them have voluntary boards of directors. I want to make sure the new iteration of the CCIF is as easy as possible for those volunteers to access in an efficient manner.

Sentiment score: 0.29

It is. It is my intention in 2027 to have a specific round of the CCIF for new-build centres. The then Minister, Heather Humphreys, announced a range of those in 2024. We are getting all of those into construction at the moment. There are about 12 nationally. Under the town and village renewal scheme, through the buildings acquisitions measure, local authorities can identify properties that are derelict within communities for a number of uses. We have funded the acquisition of properties for use as community facilities for exactly the kind of groups the Deputy has looked at. We have done similar through LEADER. I encourage any group to look at the town and village renewal scheme if they want to invest in a new centre, particularly within an existing community. I gceantair Ghaeltachta freisin, tá airgead breise le haghaidh hallaí agus hallaí pobail a bhfuil daoine ag iarraidh infheistíocht a chur isteach iontu. We have a range of supports across every section of the Department, predominately in capital. As the Minister of State, Deputy Buttimer, has outlined, both he and I are working with the CCIF to try to assist that programme too.

Sentiment score: 0.08

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as an gceist. Tá an Roinn ar an eolas faoi chás cúirte a tógadh i rith na bliana anuraidh, inar tarraingíodh ar ghnéithe bainteach le hAchtanna na dTeangacha Oifigiúla mar chuid de. Mar a luadh roimhe seo, bhí mo Roinn ag feidhmiú i gcónaí de réir comhairle dlí a bhí faighte ar an ábhar roimhe seo, ach mar bheart taca sa bhreis agus chun aon amhras a sheachaint sa tréimhse idir aisghairm na scéimeanna teanga agus teacht i bhfeidhm na gcaighdeán teanga, tá leasú molta ábhartha ar an Acht sin áirithe sa Bhille um Údarás na Gaeltachta (Leasú), 2024. Ó tharla nach bhfuil an Bille sin achtaithe go fóill, scríobh an Roinn chuig gach comhlacht poiblí i mí na Nollag 2024 le meabhrú dóibh nár chóir aon laghdú a theacht ar leibhéil na seirbhísí Gaeilge atá á soláthar acu le linn na hidirthréimhse seo. Leagann an tAcht leasaithe amach nach féidir le caighdeáin teanga leibhéal níos lú seirbhíse trí Ghaeilge a fhorordú ná mar a bhí geallta roimhe seo faoi scéim teanga nó eile. Chuige sin, tá athbhreithniú cuimsitheach déanta ar na scéimeanna teanga reatha go léir mar chuid den obair dhréachtaithe ar na caighdeáin teanga, atá ag teacht chun críche anois. Áirítear roinnt gníomhartha bainteach le nithe a fhorordú trí na caighdeáin teanga sa phlean gníomhaíochta um sheirbhísí poiblí Gaeilge a sheol mé le déanaí, chomh maith leis na bearta atá le tacú le comhlachtaí poiblí agus iad á gcur i bhfeidhm. Agus an plean sin foilsithe anois, tá sé i gceist tús a chur leis an gcomhairliúchán ar na dréacht-chaighdeáin go luath trí na meicníochtaí aitheanta faoin Acht.

Sentiment score: -0.28

Tá an-obair idir lámha ag mo Roinn ó achtaíodh an tAcht ar dhréachtú na gcaighdeáin teanga. Sa mhéid seo, táimid ag tabhairt aird ar chúrsaí níos luaithe go sonrach san Acht atá le háireamh, nithe atá le foghlaim ó thaithí na Breataine Bige, áit ina bhfuil córas ag feidhmiú go héifeachtach anois agus ar thóg sé roinnt ama an chéad dréacht a aontú. Tá an plean gníomhaíochta foilsithe anois. Tá sé i gceist tús a chur leis an gcomhairliúchán ar an dréacht ach tá an t-uafás oibre tar éis dul isteach sa dréacht sin agus beidh a lán sonraí ann. Bhí cruinniú leis na hoifigigh sa Roinn atá ag déileáil leis na dréachtaí an tseachtain seo caite. Tá muinín agam go bhfuilimid réidh le dul ar aghaidh go dtí an comhairliúchán sin chomh luath agus is féidir. Beidh mé ag cur brú go mbeidh sé déanta go tapa. Cé go bhfuil an dréacht agus na caighdeáin chomh tábhachtach, tá sé tábhachtach freisin go mbeidh am ag daoine iad a phlé. Tuigim an gá atá ann dóibh. Is rud an-tábhachtach dom é go mbeidh siad foilsithe. Tá sé tábhachtach freisin go mbeidh muid in ann caint le daoine fúthu agus aon bhuairt a bhíonn ar dhaoine faoin ndréacht a thuiscint.

Sentiment score: -0.10

Táimid beagnach réidh lena lán leasaithe a thabhairt chun tosaigh le haghaidh Bhille an údaráis. Tá leasú air seo mar cheann de na leasaithe sin. Tá mé ag plé an Bhille leis an bPríomh-Aoire chun é a thabhairt chun deiridh agus os comhair na Dála chomh luath agus is féidir. Beidh leasú ann faoin ndúshlán seo. Tá sé tábhachtach freisin go leanfaimid ar aghaidh leis an obair ar na caighdeáin agus go bhfuil muid in ann na dréacht-chaighdeáin a phlé. Táimid dírithe ar an obair sin - ní hamháin na leasaithe - freisin. Beidh na leasaithe ag teacht os comhair na Dála agus an tSeanaid chomh luath agus is féidir nuair atá deis agam iad a phlé leis an bPríomh-Aoire.

Sentiment score: -0.16

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Hearne as an gceist. It should be noted that housing issues pertain to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The primary objective of Údarás na Gaeltachta is to ensure the Irish language endures as the main community language in Gaeltacht areas and is preserved for future generations. To that end, an t-údarás provides funding for a wide range of enterprise and employment development initiatives. The organisation also supports strategic actions relating to linguistic, cultural and community development. It is worth noting that Údarás na Gaeltachta will have a role, albeit a secondary one, in working with relevant stakeholders to support housing supply in the Gaeltacht. An t-údarás maintains a significant property portfolio across the Gaeltacht and wastewater infrastructure at various sites is part of that. As laid out in the Government housing plan, there are opportunities for an t-údarás to co-operate with relevant authorities to avail of that existing infrastructure through a strategic, plan-based approach, in order to fulfil the housing needs in Gaeltacht communities. I have had meetings with the príomhfheidhmeannach of Údarás na Gaeltachta and it is my understanding that the organisation is having discussions with local authorities. I have also asked it to engage with Uisce Éireann to avail of current infrastructure and identify where that very necessary infrastructure is missing. I will continue to have further engagement with an t-údarás in this regard. Although there is a challenge in terms of the scarcity of living accommodation in Gaeltacht areas, they also have one of the highest vacancy rates in the country. To that end, a dedicated vacant Gaeltacht homes co-ordinator was recently appointed in partnership with local authorities with Gaeltachtaí in their area, funded by an t-údarás, to aid communities in addressing issues of vacancy, facilitate access to various State grants and provide us with information on vacancy. Since my Department's schemes under the Housing (Gaeltacht) Acts were changed some years ago, the Government has established a number of new schemes under which far more generous grants are available than those available under the previous schemes. On that basis, the return of the grant schemes that were available under the Housing (Gaeltacht) Acts is not currently under consideration.

Sentiment score: 0.28

I do not disagree with the Deputy's analysis in terms of rental properties and vacancies. We must work on this in a strategic way. I have met with the príomhfheidhmeannaigh of the local authorities in Gaeltacht areas on two occasions and will meet them again before the end of this month to discuss how we can work together. The appointment by an t-údarás of a vacant homes officer with a specific focus on Gaeltacht area is an important development. Following my meeting with the príomhfheidhmeannach of an t-údarás, we are beginning to identify where the sites are and whether an t-údarás has plans for those sites. In particular, I want to gain an understanding of the deficiencies in those sites in terms of infrastructure, especially wastewater infrastructure. That will allow us to start working with an t-údarás and Irish Water on a collaborative basis to address those deficiencies and then work with an t-údarás to develop the sites for housing purposes. I have also had meetings with the Minister, Deputy Browne, to ensure we get early publication of a housing statement for Gaeltacht areas focusing specifically on the challenges we all agree are there. We are very focused on that and I would love to get a quick result. We now have a pathway to some progress in this area.

Sentiment score: 0.32

We are working with an t-údarás and, in particular, with the local authorities in the Gaeltacht areas, which are the planning authorities, to identify every possible opportunity and solution. The information will come through from the Gaeltacht vacant homes officer, the work of the local authority chief executives and the work of an údarás at both príomhfheidhmeannach level and board level. I want to ensure we bring all that work together, working with the Minister, Deputy Browne, to deliver on this major challenge. We want people not just speaking the language but using and celebrating it and getting involved in community organisations. The next question, from Deputy Conor D. McGuinness, concerning support for early childhood care centres, is central to that. The infrastructure is being put in place and we will make announcements in that regard in the coming days. However, unless there are people living in Gaeltacht areas, putting down roots and taking part in the community, that infrastructure will be for naught. I assure the House that this issue is a priority. It is not all in my control. I am working with the Minister, Deputy Browne, and with an t-údarás. We will work with the local authorities. Collectively, we can arrive at a solution.

Sentiment score: 0.27

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as ucht na ceiste tábhachtaí seo. Tá maoiniú ar fáil faoin gclár tacaíochtaí pobail agus teanga agus faoin gclár scéimeanna tacaíochta Gaeilge de chuid na Roinne chun tacú le tograí caipitil laistigh agus lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht. Is é cuspóir an chúnaimh chaipitil a chuirtear ar fáil faoi na scéimeanna seo an Ghaeilge a neartú mar theanga pobail agus teaghlaigh i gcomhréir le cuspóirí an straitéis 20 bliain don Ghaeilge. Faoin gclár tacaíochta pobail agus teanga, cuirtear cúnamh caipitil ar fáil do choistí agus eagraíochtaí Gaeltachta chun áiseanna pobail agus teanga a thógáil nó a uasgrádú. Faoi na scéimeanna tacaíochta Gaeilge, cuirtear maoiniú ar fáil do choistí pobalbhunaithe a fheidhmíonn trí Ghaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht chun cabhrú leis na costais a bhaineann le hionaid Ghaeilge a thógáil nó a athchóiriú. Áirítear naíonraí agus seirbhísí luathblianta mar ábhar iarratais inghlactha faoi na scéimeanna seo. Cuirtear tacaíochtaí sa bhreis ar fáil do thograí luathblianta sa mhéid is gur féidir maoiniú suas le 95% de chostais inghlactha a fháil do sheirbhísí luathblianta pobalbhunaithe atá ag feidhmiú trí mheán na Gaeilge. Is féidir costais chaipitil chomh maith le costais ghairmiúla a bhaineann le comhairleoirí a fhostú a áireamh sna deontais seo. Moltar dóibh siúd atá ag smaoineamh ar iarratas a dhéanamh teagmháil a dhéanamh leis an rannóg cuí i mo Roinn chun maoiniú féideartha a phlé sula gcuirtear aon iarratas foirmiúil isteach. Is féidir teacht ar bhileog eolais don dá scéim agus ar shonraí maidir leis an bpróiseas iarratais ar shuíomh Idirlíne mo Roinne. Má tá an Teachta ag iarraidh an t-eolas sin, seolfaidh mé chuige go díreach é. Maidir leis an Roinn leanaí, tá an clár Building Blocks ann ó thaobh cúrsaí chaipitil freisin.

Sentiment score: -0.06

Aontaím go mór leis an Teachta. Tá sé tábhachtach. Nuair a thosaíonn an turas Gaeilge ag aois óg cosúil leis sin, bíonn turas iontach ag an bpáiste on réamhscoil go dtí an bhunscoil, an mheánscoil agus an coláiste. Is iontach an rud é sin. Mar a dúirt mé, tá an t-airgead agus na scéimeanna ann. B'fhéidir go mbeidh plé againn maidir leis an dá scoil sin. Beimid in ann tacaíocht a thabhairt dóibh, go háirithe agus iad díreach in aice leis an mbunscoil. Is é an rud is fearr do thuismitheoirí go mbeadh an naíonra agus an bunscoil san áit céanna agus an Ghaeilge in úsáid sa dá háit. Táim sásta an dá scoil sin a phlé leis an Teachta agus obair a dhéanamh ionas go mbeimid in ann dul ar aghaidh. B'fhéidir go mbeimid in ann obair a dhéanamh leis an Aire, an Teachta Foley, freisin, faoin scéim Building Blocks. B'fhéidir go mbeidh meascán airgid agus infheistíochta ann. Aontaím go mór leis an Teachta faoin turas Gaeilge. Má thosaíonn sé ag aois óg, mairfidh sé don saol.

Sentiment score: -0.19

Beidh mé lánsásta na tograí tábhachtacha sin sna naíonraí a phlé faoi na scéimeanna tacaíochta Gaeilge. Má chuireann an Teachta ríomhphost chugam, beimid in ann é sin a dhéanamh. Tá sé thar a bheith tábhachtach go bhfuil an infheistíocht seo ag dul go dtí na naíonraí. Tá infheistíocht bhreise le dul isteach i mbliana go dtí na naíonraí agus go dtí an obair atá á dhéanamh ag tuismitheoirí na Gaeilge. Mar gheall go bhfuil an t-airgead is mó sa Roinn againn le blianta, beimid in ann infheistíocht a dhéanamh sna naíonraí, sna scoileanna agus i gcúrsaí óige freisin. Beidh mé ag déanamh togra mór amárach faoi ionad óige mór faoi phlean caipitil na Roinne. Mar a dúirt mé leis an Teachta Hearne, tá an infheistíocht seo thar a bheith tábhachtach chun rud bunúsach a chur ar fáil do mhuintir na Gaeltachta ionas go bhfuil an deis acu ní hamháin tithe a fháil ach scoileanna, oideachas, cúrsaí cultúir agus ealaíon a fháil sa Ghaeltacht agus ceiliúradh a dhéanamh air sin sa Ghaeltacht agus lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht.

Sentiment score: -0.24

I thank the Deputy for his question. I am aware of the recent report of the GAA national demographics committee, and the presentation it made. The Deputy drew my attention to it some weeks back. The Minister of State and I engaged directly with the GAA on this issue. We met the national demographics committee last September in relation to its work and the report. We acknowledge the challenges for the GAA, but also for the communities that they serve that the report outlines, and the importance of their clubs as focal points for communities all across the country. We are aware the GAA is committed to working within rural and rural communities and at national level. I thank not just the national demographics committee, but in particular the county demographics officers around the country. Our Rural Future adopts a whole-of-government approach, which will contain a wide range of measures aimed at ensuring that all rural areas are attractive for people to live, learn, work and raise families. Actions delivered under the current policy have delivered improvements in broadband provision, increased rural transport services, support for rural enterprise and ongoing support for the agrifood sector. My own Department has seen significant funding increases in recent years across a range of capital investment schemes such as the rural regeneration and development fund, the town and village renewal scheme and the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme. This investment is delivering real impacts in rural communities all across the country. As the Deputy will be aware, we are currently revising Our Rural Future, and the process of developing this is well advanced. My Department undertook an extensive range of consultation to help shape the new policy. Many of the issues relating to attracting and retaining young people and their families in rural areas featured strong. The GAA has engaged proactively in the most recent call for written submissions. All such submissions received will feed into the development of the new policy. We will continue to engage with our Departments and other key stakeholders, including the GAA, ahead of the publication of the next iteration of Our Rural Future, which will address many of the challenges outlined by the GAA demographics committee.

Sentiment score: 0.33

All of us will agree that without volunteers we would not have any society, particularly the GAA, but any organisation. I always take the opportunity to ask those who give out about volunteers what they would do on a Saturday if they had no GAA, no drama, no rugby, soccer, swimming or anything to go to and if their kids did not have those outlets. They are run by volunteers. The Minister of State and I are focused on the challenge outlined by the demographics committee that we met in terms of the disparities within counties. I also raise the pressures within urban communities in our cities to get playing facilities within the city of Dublin, where the population is there but the facilities are not keeping up. In terms of Our Rural Future, we will seek to try to address that. Some of our discussion earlier was on housing. The Deputy and I have had discussions on the rural housing guidelines, the updating of which is necessary to encourage young families back into rural communities. I noted his comment about the pressure on clubs on the Meath border in Cavan. It did not seem to affect Meath at the weekend, but we will look at that.

Sentiment score: 0.04

I assure the Deputy that the Department, including the Minister of State and I, and our officials, are currently engaging with our colleagues across government on what their responsibilities are in relation to the next stage of Our Rural Future. Rural affairs are not just for the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. It is an all-of-government approach, which is very much what Our Rural Future is about. I reiterate my thanks to the GAA. Its demographics committee and demographics officers are an example. After the Minister of State and I met with the GAA, we certainly engaged with other sporting organisations with a challenge to them to give us similar reports and data. Many of them responded to that challenge. It is my intention that we will publish the next iteration of Our Rural Future ahead of the summer. We are in the final stages of negotiation; there is a question later on the level of engagement with that process, which has been significant. The challenges identified by Deputy Smith, and known to the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach, are real, not just in Cavan and Monaghan, but right across rural counties. We will seek to address those.

Sentiment score: 0.22