1484. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the findings of the EU Commission Report into online safety (details supplied); if the findings of this report will be considered in an Irish context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55263/26]

1485. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the position regarding the engagement he has had or plans to have with his EU counterparts regarding the EU Commission Report into online safety (details supplied); the actions he will take to further this matter at an EU level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55264/26]

1504. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport whether the Government has carried out an assessment of the minimum age for social media access introduced in Australia, which came into effect in December 2025; whether consideration has been given to a statutory minimum age for social media accounts in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56420/26]

1505. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport the legislative proposals currently on the Government Legislation Programme relating to a minimum age for access to social media services; the current stage of each; the date on which the general scheme of any such Bill is expected to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56445/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1484, 1485, 1504 and 1505 together.

The Special Panel on child safety online. which was convened by European Commission President von der Leyen, considered several options for further improving online safety for minors, including age restrictions such as those in effect in Australia.

The Special Panel published its report on 13 July 2026, which makes several recommendations designed to both protect and empower children and young people online. They include a recommendation for an EU-wide access restriction to social media and other digital services for children under 13, with some flexibility for Member States to introduce additional precautionary access restrictions which could include varying the age at which a restriction would apply.

It is important to note that while this report provides expert analysis and advice, it is not an agreed way forward but rather an input into the political dialogue and legislative negotiations that will now take place.

The European Commission has indicated that it will come forward with a proposal informed by that report after the Summer. This is expected to take the form of a legislative proposal.

Once the Commission’s proposal is published, there will be negotiations on the detail at Council level, which is chaired by Ireland until the end of this year. There will subsequently be negotiations with the European Parliament and the final legislative instrument will then be implemented in each Member State, including Ireland.

This may require primary legislation and the implementing legislation will be brought forward once the negotiations at European level are complete. As such, there are no legislative proposals relating to a minimum age for access to social media on the Government’s Legislation Programme at present.

As online safety for children and young people is a key theme of Ireland’s EU Presidency, I have confirmed that we will give priority to the Council’s negotiations on that proposal and to any other proposals to enhance online safety that emerge during our term. I have also written to Member State Ministers to convene a meeting in September to discuss the report of the Special Panel.

In addition, on the 10th and 11th of September, I will host a high-level Presidency Conference on online safety for children and young people. This event will bring together public representatives, policymakers, industry, academia, non-government representatives as well as children and young people themselves. The Conference will discuss key matters and topical issues on online safety, including the recent recommendations of the Special Panel on child safety online.