The Department of Culture, Communications and Sport has today published its Sectoral Plan under the National Development Plan (NDP) Review, identifying capital projects and programmes which will be progressed over the period 2026 – 2030.
In line with the Programme for Government, a review of the NDP was completed in July this year. As part of that review, €2.22 billion was allocated for capital investment to the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport for the period 2026 - 2030.
Speaking about the Plan, Minister Patrick O’Donovan said:
“This Sectoral Plan sets out capital investment by my Department and agencies over the next five years. I am delighted that we have secured €2.22 billion to invest over that timeframe. This level of funding recognises the importance of our sectors to Ireland’s socio-economic development over the coming years. Some of the key projects and programmes include modernising our national and regional cultural institutions, ensuring the resilience of our communications networks, delivering sporting facilities at a local, regional and national level, and investing in our film and television sectors. Development in these areas will complement the investment in key infrastructure, which will take place across the Government. I look forward to a strong programme of delivery in the years ahead.”
Minister of State, Charlie McConalogue, added:
“The publication of this Plan is important because it shows our commitment to continued investment in sport facilities across the country through schemes such as the Community Sport Facilities Fund and Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund. It also commits to ensuring the completion of major national sports facilities over the next five years, including the National Velodrome and Badminton Centre, and the National Cricket Centre. This Plan will also provide for funding to ensure the sustainability of our Post Office Network, in line with the commitment we made in the Programme for Government.”
The Department’s Plan sets out investment in its sectors, with the main elements as follows.
Arts and Culture: The National Cultural Institution (NCI) Investment Programme is a key investment programme for the Department. The Department will seek to safeguard and modernise the historic buildings that house Ireland’s National Cultural Institutions. The National Archives is currently under construction and will be completed in 2026, and it is anticipated that construction on the Crawford Art Gallery will begin early in 2026. A new arts capital works scheme will also be introduced from 2026 to invest in facilities across the country. Significant investment will be sustained via Screen Ireland to build on recent successes in film and television production.
Communications: The completion of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) deployment is a key priority for the Department in this sectoral plan (network build is due to be completed by the end of 2026). This plan also provides for support to the Post Office Network. It is planned that enhanced funding will be provided to the Post Office Network of €15 million per annum for the next 5 years, subject to Government approval.
Sport: A key ambition in this sectoral plan is to sustain significant investment in our sporting facilities through the Community Sport Facilities Fund (CSFF) and larger-scale projects through the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). A new round of the CSFF will launch in 2026. The Department will also deliver modern fit-for-purpose national sports facilities in the Sport Ireland Campus, such as the National Velodrome and Badminton Centre (Construction is due to begin in early 2026) and a National Cricket Centre.
Media: Investment will continue to support the development of Irish language media. There will be investment in TG4’s studio and broadcast facilities, including development of digital platforms, and specialist hardware and software.
