1658. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport if he will confirm that under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF), only 19% of the target number of projects ‘under construction’, and 40% of the target number of projects to be ‘completed’, have been delivered; the steps he intends to take to ensure his Departments targets are delivered by the end of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter [62802/26]

The Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) was established under the National Sports Policy to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects. The cumulative investment under the LSSIF since 2020 is €297 million across 68 projects (61 construction projects and 7 design-only projects). Half of the LSSIF construction projects awarded funding in January 2020 under the 2018 LSSIF round are complete. The remaining projects are currently under construction or progressing through the procedures required under the Infrastructure Guidelines, published by the Department of Public Expenditure Infrastructure Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, which set out the value for money guidelines for the evaluation, planning, and management of public investment projects.

Full details of grants awarded under the 2018 and 2024 LSSIF rounds and relevant project status are set out in the attached table.

Delays to projects are primarily due to factors such as increased costs due to inflationary pressures, which necessitated design revisions and re-engineering of projects. My officials are in regular engagement with key stakeholders to progress these projects.

1659. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when he will publish the new National Guidelines for Per Cent for Art, which have been with his Department for more than two years; and will he make a statement on the matter. [62970/26]

The Per Cent for Art scheme is a government initiative, first introduced in 1978, whereby 1% of the cost of any publicly funded capital, infrastructural and building development can be allocated to the commissioning of a work of art. Since 1997 this scheme has been made available to all capital projects across all government departments.

Capital programmes where the Per Cent for Art scheme applies include:-

• public housing projects (social and affordable schemes)

• transport and roads

• environmental schemes such as drainage schemes, pump stations and reservoirs

• public buildings such as libraries, public offices, schools, hospitals, medical centres, prisons, arts buildings - cinemas, theatres, art centres

• conservation works carried out to public buildings and sites

• urban and village renewal schemes

The most recent Public Art Policy and Strategy can be found online at [https://artscouncil.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/PA_Policy_2018.pdf].

The bands which currently apply are as follows:

• Projects below €5,000,000: 1% of the cost of the project to a maximum of €50,000 (1%of upper limit);

• Projects between €5,000,000 and €20,000,000: 1% of the cost of the project to a maximum of €125,000 (1% at median);

• Projects between €20,000,000 and €50,000,000: 1% of the cost of the project to a maximum of €350,000 (1% at median); and

• Projects in excess of €50,000,000: up to €500,000 being 1% of the lower level scale and declining as projects increase in scale.

To support the working of the Scheme, the bands for project funding are reviewed periodically and a Guideline Booklet is available to assist project managers with advice on the procurement and commissioning of an artistic element appropriate to their development. The current band rates have been in effect since 1 January, 2020.

The most recent guidelines, Making Great Art Work: Public Art Policy and Strategy, issued in 2018 and can be found online at [https://artscouncil.ie/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/PA_Policy_2018.pdf] .

A National Per Cent for Art Committee was established in 2022 in relation to developing the Scheme to include an enhanced 'all of Government' approach and updating the national guidelines. The committee, chaired independently by Dr Ciarán Benson, included representatives of government departments and public agencies charged with managing public capital programmes. The Arts Council provided expert guidance and secretariat function to the committee. The final report of the Committee was received in the Department in October 2025. This report will be the basis of a new edition of Guidelines for the Per Cent for Art Scheme. On completion of final commentary, graphic artwork (layout and design) and translation, it will be progressed to publication in association with the Arts Council, with a view to increasing awareness of the Scheme and strengthening the partnership between artists and project promoters for years to come.