Vol. 631 No. 5
1 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the measures outlined in the national development plan that will address the east-west divide in tourism numbers and income, the need to upgrade Ireland’s tourist attractions, particularly outside of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5955/07]
The National Development Plan 2007-2013, Transforming Ireland, includes the largest-ever Government investment programme for the development of tourism. This tourism development programme, which provides for an €800 million Exchequer investment over the next seven years, has as one of its fundamental objectives the stimulation of regional development. The programme includes an international marketing sub-programme, which provides €335 million to promote the island of Ireland in key international markets. The key objective over the seven years will be to increase tourism revenue and visitor yield and to help achieve a wider regional and seasonal distribution of business. It also includes a product development and infrastructure sub-programme, which provides €317 million to upgrade and supplement our tourism attractions and activities and to deliver a national conference centre in Dublin.
Earlier today, I launched Fáilte Ireland's tourism product development strategy for the period 2007 to 2013. That strategy clearly sets out what must be done to ensure the Irish tourism product is relevant and fit for purpose in today's changing marketplace. It also identifies the bodies and agencies that are in the best position to deliver the necessary results. In rolling out programmes and initiatives under the strategy, special regard will be paid to the need for integrated regional development.
A training and human resource development sub-programme is also part of the plan, which will invest €148 million in the education and training of the tourism workforce, both domestic and non-national, as well as sustaining structured educational opportunities in the third level colleges and institutes of technology around the country. It will also provide for the continuation of initiatives aimed at improving management capability and networking in SMEs and micro-enterprises at regional level.
In addition to direct investment through the tourism development programme, the new NDP includes a range of complementary programmes that will greatly benefit the future development of tourism. These relate not only to the major planned capital investment in transport, energy and environmental services but also to the proposed investment of over €900 million in culture infrastructure and €990 million in sport infrastructure under my Department's Vote.
Many more opportunities for investment in tourism will arise under the new NDP, many of which will have a strong regional and rural dimension. It will be important, therefore, for developers of tourism attractions to tap into these other sources of funding. These areas include, to mention but a few, the proposed new gateway innovation fund, the programme of investment in North/South co-operation, the rural social and economic development programme, the Gaeltacht and islands development programme, the built and natural heritage sub-programmes, the waterways sub-programme and the urban and village renewal fund.
As Deputies will be aware, last year I announced the appointment of the chairs of the five new regional tourism development boards. These boards are now in place and their key objective is to ensure a greater focus on the individual needs of each region at a national level, and direct involvement for the regions in the development of national policy and tourism strategy. These new regional tourism structures will be an important resource available to the various spending agencies in optimising the tourism benefits of their investment under the national development plan, thereby adding to the social and economic impact locally of such spending.
Will the Minister outline the measures in the national development plan and the tourism product development strategy launched today that will distribute tourists more evenly throughout the country and provide the attractions that will encourage them to leave Dublin? Most of the growth in numbers and in development has taken place in Dublin. Will the Minister outline the percentage distribution of international tourism revenue between the eastern seaboard and the rest of the country for 2005 and 2006 and the comparable figures for 2000?
In light of the increasing numbers of foreign nationals, who are very welcome, working in the hotel and catering industry, what steps are being taken to ensure these staff are well informed about Ireland and its tourism attractions so they can give good advice and information to our visitors?
Does the Minister recognise that many of our tourism attractions are now tired and lack creativity? What measures are there in the national development plan to address this problem and how long with that take? The Cliffs of Moher centre that was opened last week was in the pipeline for 17 years.
What measures are being taken to combat litter and to improve the appearance of our cities, towns and villages? Will the Minister give a commitment today on the opening date of the national conference centre?
The measures announced today are intended to benefit the regions. Consideration must be given in the course of the implementation of the Fáilte Ireland strategy to various proposals which will come forward. Some of our attractions require reinvigoration and it is our intention to ensure this happens. The intention under the product development scheme is to reinvigorate some of the older attractions and, in that context, it should be remembered that there are 7,500 of these. It is then intended to establish some new attractions.
The specifics are not spelt out in the plan but we recognise the need to have particular regard to our own culture and heritage. Attractions that might be considered include those which would be a showcase for our traditional music, song and dance. Also, to accentuate difference is to gain a greater dividend in terms of numbers from foreign shores so it might be appropriate to look back and consider emigration that has taken place from this country by having a centre similar in concept if not design to the Ellis Island project in New York. There is a number of projects that may be considered and we will seek a regional spread for them.
The formulation of new super-regions and the formation of the new regional tourism development boards have given a new impetus to regional tourism, as witnessed by substantial increases last year in visitor numbers to the regions. There was a substantial increase in the number of visitors to the south west in 2005.
We must move on to the next question.
Unfortunately the Minister did not answer any of my questions.
We spent seven minutes on the question so we must move on.
2 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans to support efforts to develop and update Dublin’s cultural infrastructure; specifically the extent to which they are supporting new galleries for the Museum of Modern Art, the development of a cultural zone in Parnell Square, the recently announced new performance centre, and any new children’s museum; the level and amount of funding he will commit to each of these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5756/07]
The largest ever Government investment programme for the development of arts and culture was unveiled at the end of January in the National Development Plan 2007-2013: Transforming Ireland. Some €1.13 billion in capital funding has been allocated to the NDP cultural sub-programme, which will see €904 million allocated in respect of areas under the remit of my Department over the period 2007 to 2013. The remaining €226 million is for Irish language strategy that is to be administered by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
The Government's record in the arts and culture area is one of which we can be justifiably proud and I am delighted to outline our goals for the coming seven years in this regard. In our fast-paced and vibrant economy, it is important to remember that economic indicators alone cannot measure a strong and healthy society. The well-being of our society is dependent also on the vitality of our communities. The arts have a critical role to play in enlivening, invigorating and distinguishing our society, locally, nationally and internationally. Unquestionably, this national development plan places the arts and cultural sector at the very core of Government policy and at the leading edge of its developmental objectives.
The National Development Plan 2007-2013 will also provide major capital infrastructure resources in Dublin for cultural purposes. Under the plan, the headline projects are €288 million for the redevelopment of the National Concert Hall and the Abbey Theatre, €45 million for the extension of the National Library, €45 million for the refurbishment of historic buildings and enhanced collection space at the National Gallery of Ireland, €7 million for the Gaiety Theatre, €45 million for new exhibition space for the Irish Museum of Modern Art, €10 million for the Chester Beatty Library expansion and €20 million for the National Archives of Ireland.
This funding is in addition to the current funding provided on a yearly basis to the National Archives, National Library of Ireland, National Gallery, National Museum of Ireland, National Concert Hall, Irish Museum of Modern Art and Chester Beatty Library. It is also in addition to capital moneys to be provided for routine capital works, acquisitions, exhibitions and digitisation projects at those institutions.
The Deputy will be aware that the Taoiseach unveiled the model and architectural design for the Exploration Station, sometimes known as the national children's museum on the 5 February 2007. This facility will be Ireland's first purpose-built interactive science centre.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House
It will strive to inspire a lifelong passion for discovery and innovation in children and young adults. It will do this by engaging young minds with a range of interactive exhibits and programmes demonstrating the relevant role of science in our lives. Children are the main focus for this initiative but it will be of interest to people of all ages with a particular focus on young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. This initiative is in receipt of capital funding from the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and I have undertaken to provide up to 39% of its current funding requirements. This commitment is dependent upon me being satisfied that the venture is properly grounded in the commercial reality, that provision is made to ensure the socially disadvantaged have access to the facility, and that a robust business model is prepared. I authorised my Department to provide €150,000 to the establishment of the station in 2006 and have increased this funding to €250,000 in 2007.
My Department has provided financial support to Dublin City Gallery, the Hugh Lane, which is situated in Parnell Square, in response to specific requests for financial support from this gallery. My Department will give due consideration to any future requests for funding that may be received from the gallery. The National Centre for Partnership and Performance, situated in Parnell Square, which was established by the Government in 2001 and placed on a statutory footing in January this year, does not fall within my responsibilities. However, I am sure its location in the square is of benefit to the general area.
Dublin City Council is examining the possibility of establishing a cultural zone in Parnell Square and my Department is in discussions with the council in the context of determining the character, content and positioning of such a zone and its complementarity to the existing and anticipated cultural landscape of the city. The national Access programme, for which €81 million is provided in the NDP, also covers Dublin and I will be announcing the second round allocations under the scheme in March. Meantime, the redevelopment and extension projects at Smock Alley and the Gate Theatre have been initiated and construction should commence later this year.
The children's museum is of major significance to many schools not only in the Dublin area, but throughout the country, whose pupils come to the city for school tours. When will the project be completed? We have all the other museums, art centres, etc, but I am not aware of any other museums that contribute to developing a child's mind in such a way. What funding does the national development plan commit to the museum? Is it to be a public private partnership? Is the site mentioned the best one for it or would it be better placed in the Parnell Square development that Dublin City Council is to make into a civic and arts centre? After the development of O'Connell Street, this area needs an injection of funding and it has some wonderful buildings. Is the site proposed for it now written in stone?
The Exploration Station, which is sometimes known as the national children's museum and was unveiled by the Taoiseach, does not come under the ambit of my Department but the aegis of the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I have undertaken to provide up to 39% of its current funding requirements. This commitment is dependent upon me being satisfied that the venture is properly grounded in the commercial reality, that provision is made to ensure the socially disadvantaged have access to the facility, and that a robust business model is prepared. I authorised my Department to provide €150,000 to the establishment of the station in 2006 and increased this funding to €250,000 in 2007.
I envisage that the Exploration Station will be completed within the next year or two. However, I do not have a precise timeframe and I will request the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to communicate the precise timeframe — if he has it — to the Deputy. While children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, will form the main focus of the initiative, it will be of interest to people of all ages.
What are the Minister's views on Dublin City Council's proposals for Parnell Square? Has the Minister any plans to work with the council in that area? Has any proposal been put to the Minister on the development of that area, which has had such significance to Dublin and in particular to those who came from rural areas to reside in Dublin?
Dublin City Council is examining the possibility of developing a cultural zone in Parnell Square. My Department is in discussion with the council in the context of determining the character, content and positioning of such a zone and its complementarity to the existing and anticipated cultural landscape of the city.
3 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism his plans for investment in sport under the national development plan, including the rationale for each sectional allocation; if a pool at Lucan will be included under the local authority swimming pool programme, subject to an application being made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5921/07]
Under the sport sub-programme of the National Development Plan 2007-2013, the Government will invest €991 million in sporting infrastructure over the next seven years. This investment will comprise the following: the development of flagship projects, such as the National Sports Campus at Abbotstown and the new Lansdowne Road stadium; the delivery of a range of sporting facilities, including swimming pools, at community and regional level; and supporting the development of facilities to enhance the quality of the experience to be enjoyed at horse and greyhound racing venues.
The national development plan includes the provision of €149 million towards the development of a campus of sports facilities at Abbotstown of which €119 million will fund phase 1 of the project. This will meet the indoor and outdoor training needs of Irish elite sportspersons, who compete at national and international levels, and will also provide high-quality facilities for the local community. The first steps in the realisation of the sports campus is commencing with the refurbishment of the former State Laboratory as the new headquarters of the FAI, which I expect will be ready for occupation later this year.
In addition to overseeing the development of phase 1 of the campus, one of the tasks of the newly established National Sports Campus Development Authority will be to identify and prioritise the next phase of the development, in respect of which €30 million is being set aside in the NDP.
The Government has agreed to provide €191 million towards the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road stadium as a 50,000-seat state-of-the-art stadium. The new stadium will be a first-rate facility appropriate to a contemporary international arena. The planning process must run its course and the outcome of an adjudication by An Bord Pleanála on appeals against the granting of planning approval for the project by Dublin City Council is awaited. I am optimistic that, by 2010, we will have a second splendid major stadium for field sports in the city of Dublin at Lansdowne Road.
Some €184 million is being provided over the next seven years for the local authority swimming pool programme to fund the completion of the current round of the programme, which has been in operation since 2000, and the launch of a new round which I hope to announce in the coming months. On the basis of current grant levels, available funding should enable us to embark on the construction of almost 50 new public pools, which will be a very significant addition to our sporting and recreational infrastructure.
Additional information not given on the floor of the House
The current round of the programme, under which grant aid of up to €3.8 million is provided, has been closed to new applicants since July 2000 in order to give priority to the 57 projects in the round. However, my Department is completing an expenditure review of the local authority swimming pool programme at present. The review is examining, among other things, how the programme has worked to date and what changes, if any, are required to ensure its effective and efficient delivery. The review is currently being finalised and it is my intention to publish it as soon as possible. Following consideration of the recommendations in the review, it is my intention to launch a new round of the local authority swimming pool programme as soon as possible. When the programme is re-opened, it will be open to all local authorities to submit applications under the terms that will apply — this includes South Dublin County Council in respect of proposals for a pool at Lucan.
The cornerstone for the much-improved sporting infrastructure of the country during the term of the Government has been the national lottery-funded sports capital programme. The programme has helped provide hundreds of new pitches, changing rooms, sports halls and much needed equipment to sports clubs throughout Ireland.
The national development plan will ensure the continuation of the sports capital programme and the provision of sport and recreational facilities on a nationwide basis. Almost €420 million will be allocated over the period of the plan, once again highlighting the Government's commitment to ensuring that people throughout the country will have access to top-of-the-range sporting facilities.
The Government's commitment to funding of the Irish horse and greyhound racing industries through the horse and greyhound racing fund has enabled a programme of capital investment in horse and greyhound racing tracks in recent years which has underpinned a growth in both sectors. This will continue under the national development plan and should enable Horse Racing Ireland and Bord na gCon to undertake long-term planning which will result in the further development of a network of modern, well-managed facilities for both industries which will continue to be attractive to the public.
The benefits of participating in sport, whether at the level of competitive sport, recreational sport or active leisure activity, must be fully appreciated by all. The Government's investment in sport to date has yielded benefits to people in terms of physical, cultural, educational, emotional well-being and personal development. This effect, though difficult to evaluate, is tangible and very real. The value of sports tourism, for example, has been placed in the order of €350 million per year.
The Government is determined that people should have access to sporting and recreational facilities, whether they are competing in sport professionally or simply participating for health, recreation, relaxation and enjoyment. The investment of €991 million under the national development plan is clear evidence of the importance the Government attaches to putting in place modern well-equipped and well-managed sporting facilities which will have real and lasting benefit to our communities.
The first part of my question relates to how the funding will be allocated. I will not get into an argument about the horse and greyhound racing fund, which I have raised before. Given that the nationwide audit of sports facilities promised in the programme for Government may not be ready by the time the Government ends its term, what plan does the Minister have to ascertain the best locations to which to allocate the money under the sports capital programme, for example, or the local authority swimming pool programme? Has any detailed analysis been done or is it planned to do such analysis on the number of new schools in an area and its demographics and their relationship to sporting need so that we can target where sporting investment needs to be made?
I welcome the investment outlined in the NDP. However, we need to ensure that whatever Government comes after this one tries to allocate the funding fairly and on the basis of need. That has not necessarily happened in the past. The sports clubs and groups with the best organisations have made submissions resulting in a geographical anomaly. Is there a mechanism in place to identify need and to ensure funding is appropriately targeted?
The first phase of the audit is under way in my Department. There is no doubt but that it will not be completed before the forthcoming election. However, I anticipate that in due course the results of the audit will be made available. Facilities which are grant aided must comply with certain criteria. Each proposal is benchmarked against this criteria. A project that does not qualify having been benchmarked does not receive grant aid. Where grant aid is approved it does not automatically follow that the funding will accrue to the organisation concerned. All of the conditions imposed in respect of the allocation of a grant must be fulfilled by the organisation concerned. This includes compliance with all relevant planning guidelines and by-laws and the availability of local funding for the project. Projects are not simply plucked from here and there, each project is benchmarked against a set of strict criteria. Many of the issues raised by Deputy Gogarty are covered by the criteria used in the benchmarking process.
Is there a top town analysis in terms of need which would allow particular groups to apply? On the swimming pool programme, will the Department liaise with the Department of Education and Science on the provision for multi-use school campuses of a swimming pool partially funded by the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism? Lastly——
There is not time for a third question.
When will the new swimming pool programme be announced and what is the timeframe for application?
I hope to announce the new swimming pool programme in the next couple of months. Applications in that regard will then be invited from various towns and cities. The applications will be individually examined because each applicant will be required to submit a preliminary report. The OPW and the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism must be satisfied as to the need, feasibility and viability of each application as is the case in regard to sports capital funding. The population of a particular town or city will be important in considering whether additional facilities are required. These factors are considered in the context of the criteria laid down. I reiterate that projects are not simply plucked out of the air willy nilly. Each project is assessed on its merits and benchmarked against the relevant criteria.
4 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the international design competition for the proposed new national theatre announced by him on 7 September 2006 has been completed; if a winning design has been selected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5956/07]
Last autumn, the Government decided to proceed with the redevelopment of the Abbey Theatre at George's Dock on a build, finance, and maintain, BFM, basis. At the same time, I announced the holding of an international design competition for the new Abbey Theatre, details of which have yet to be published. The OPW is currently working on the detailed technical specifications for the competition and these will be available to interested parties when finalised and the competition has been formally published. A competition of this nature is a complex one and takes time to perfect. An added complexity to be addressed is the handover of the winning design to the winning public-private partnership, PPP. This must also be addressed in the competition documentation.
A jury is being set up to select the winning design. The jury will comprise representatives from the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, the OPW, the Dublin Docklands Development Authority, the Arts Council and the Abbey Theatre. When a winning design has been selected the building will be procured by means of a build, finance and maintain public private partnership. A construction phase of approximately 18 months is envisaged once the PPP contract has been signed.
The impression was given on 6 September last that this competition would commence immediately. When will the competition commence? How long will it take and when will the successful designer be announced? This saga has been ongoing for the past ten years. The national theatre is operating in antiquated conditions which is not fair to the performers, artistic directors or patrons. It is time this saga was brought to a close. Also, when does he expect work will commence on the new theatre and does he have a completion date in that regard?
I have given Deputy Deenihan an outline of what I consider to be the timeframe involved. It is impossible for me to state how long the public private partnership will take. The PPP contract is complex, as we learned during the development of proposals for the National Conference Centre. It is a lengthy and complex method of procurement.
Can the Minister give any indication——
The OPW is working on a detailed technical specification for the competition in regard to the Abbey Theatre. Obviously, all of this documentation will be made available to interested parties when finalised and the competition has been formally published. It is not possible for me to say at this point when exactly the new designer will be selected. I had hoped that we would be in a position to present the new design this summer. I remain hopeful that will be the case. We will then be required to move on to the PPP stage following which all relevant financial proposals will have to be examined. Only then can the contract for construction of the theatre be placed. As I stated earlier, it is envisaged that once that process is finalised, construction should be completed within approximately 18 months. That is as accurate as I can be on this.
The Minister is being very ambitious in terms of presenting the new design this summer given the competition has not yet been announced. When exactly will it be announced? Can he give a timeframe for commencement and completion of the project? Will this saga continue for another ten years? I remind the Minister that the Cliffs of Moher project was in the pipeline for some 17 years. We must ensure this project which has been ongoing for ten years does not continue for that long.
The idea for the Cliffs of Moher project may have been thought of 17 years ago but it was presented to me only in the context of the tourism product development scheme in the past couple of years.
I am seeking information in regard to the Abbey Theatre.
Funding of €10.5 million was sanctioned for that project. Despite only a couple of years passing since the project was first discussed with Clare County Council, the project is now in place. That is pretty good going by any standards.
What about the Abbey Theatre?
I have given as good an outline of the timeframe as I can. There is no point in explaining the matter further.
Question No. 5 cannot be taken as Deputy Ferris is not present.
Question No. 5 lapsed.
