Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 30 May 2024

Vol. 1055 No. 2

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions

Television Licence Fee

Thomas Gould

Question:

5. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an update on the TV licence reforms. [24428/24]

Will the Minister provide an update to the House on the TV licence reforms? On 15 February, in response to a question I asked, the Minister said:

There is no fear of local and European elections. What I am concerned with is the future of public service media being put on a sure footing. That is my focus, not the politics involved or being fearful of elections.

Absolutely and I stand by that. We had to wait for the expert advisory committee reports to land and they were delayed. This is the only reason. It has absolutely nothing to do with the local or European elections. I am absolutely determined to take the decision we made at Cabinet, with a recommendation from the Government, before the summer recess because public service media is critical to a well-functioning democracy but it is also essential for cultural development, social cohesion and well-being. As such, it requires a funding model that provides long-term certainty, is sustainable and, vitally, protects the independence of media providers.

Such funding is not only crucial for our public service broadcasters, TG4 and RTÉ, but also for independent producers and the wider national, local and community broadcasters who are currently supported through the Sound and Vision scheme. Any new funding model will also need to support print and online media outlets delivering public service content. This will be delivered through the new local democracy and courts reporting schemes that are set to launch later this year.

A range of options has been considered through which this funding can be delivered, including Exchequer funding. As I have stated previously, and again in my reply to Deputy Munster earlier, what matters is that the option the Government selects is sustainable, publicly acceptable and protects media independence. Given the impact the RTÉ controversy has had on TV licence revenue since last July, a new model for funding public service content is of even greater importance now and the Government is committed to being the one that implements this much needed change. High-level discussions on the various options open to Government have continued to take place over the past year.

As I have said on many occasions, a final decision on reform of the funding model could not be made until the independent reviews into governance and culture and HR and related matters at RTÉ were completed. These reports have now been published. RTÉ has accepted in principle all of the recommendations and is preparing a detailed response to continue the necessary reform of the broadcaster. It is, therefore, timely that Government also proceeds with the reform required of the public service media funding model.

We will, as I have said before, make our decision before the summer recess. Any change to the model will require an implementation period, from both a legislative and administrative perspective. In the interim, I urge everyone who is required to have a TV licence to purchase or renew it so the public service content, which the TV licence supports across all broadcasters, can continue to be provided for the benefit of us all.

In response to the controversies that arose in RTÉ since June 2023 the Government established two expert advisory committees to lead independent reviews of the governance and culture in RTÉ and of the contractor fees, human resources and other matters in RTÉ. A commitment was given that these reports would be available in March. March ended 60 days ago. Where are the reports? In January and February, I raised concerns that a decision on these reports would not be out before the local elections because there is a split in the Government between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. I believe the Minister would have made a decision on the TV licence fee but she is being blocked because Fianna Fáil wants to bring in an additional charge. The Government is kicking the decision down the road because it is worried about politics and the European and local elections, and this is a delaying tactic.

The Deputy asked when the expert advisory committee reports will be published. They were published at the beginning of May. I brought them to Cabinet-----

As I said in reply to the Deputy's colleague, Deputy Munster, when I brought the reports to Cabinet, RTÉ accepted all of the recommendations in principle. We as a Government accepted in principle the recommendations that relate to the Government or the Oireachtas joint committee. I announced that within six weeks an implementation plan would be brought to the Government. RTÉ is going through this. It is very important that we see how it will implement the recommendations. There are perhaps 101 recommendations for RTÉ and the rest are for us. As I said in reply to Deputy Munster earlier, I expect the six-week period will take us to approximately the last Cabinet meeting in June. The discussions on the TV licence funding model continue and I intend to do this before the summer.

The amount paid in fees has been getting lower every month since the scandals and crisis hit RTÉ, compared to the previous 12 months. This raises the question as to whether it has been accepted that people will not pay the TV licence fee. Is this the case? If so, why not scrap the fee? In the eight months from the beginning of the RTÉ scandal to April, almost €150,000 has been paid out in fines. Many people cannot afford a TV licence and they certainly cannot afford these fines. In the 20 months between the Future of Media Commission report recommending the scrapping of the TV licence and April, more than €500,000 was paid in fines by ordinary people. In the same period, almost 5,000 people received a conviction for non-payment of the licence fee. These figures are potentially even higher now. Every week that the Minister and the Government delay in making a decision, people are sent to court, receive fines and tie up the courts, judges and everyone else. A decision needs to be taken. This decision should be to scrap the TV licence and fund it through Exchequer funding.

I want to state very clearly that all of us who own a TV are obliged to pay a TV licence. It is the law of the land. People should continue to purchase or renew their licence so that RTÉ and others who benefit from the broadcasting fund can continue to provide us with quality public service content. The public reaction to the controversy may be understandable but the licence fee supports a range of content on TV and radio, from drama to sport to current affairs to light entertainment. It is vital to us as a society.

What is paramount is that we put in place a sustainable funding model for public service media. The future of media commission recommended Exchequer funding and the Government decided against it and instead to look at other options to reform the TV licence system. What I have said quite clearly is that given the impact of the controversy on TV licence revenues, the Exchequer model should be reconsidered. It is important to remember the Exchequer already provides significant funding to public service media at just over 60%. There is €70 million for free TV licences, €56 million for TG4, €16 million in interim funding to RTÉ and €6 million to the broadcasting fund. Clearly the Exchequer plays a significant role and we are not seeing any sort of interference. TG4 is almost entirely Exchequer-funded, with €56 million last year and €57 million this year. We never question that this is competing against other vital services.

Question No. 6 taken with Written Answers.

Cúrsaí Tithíochta

Catherine Connolly

Question:

7. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceist Pharlaiminte 16855/24, an raibh cruinniú leantach aici leis an mbrúghrúpa BÁNÚ maidir le heaspa tithíochta sa Ghaeltacht; an dtabharfaidh sí soiléiriú ar an gcruinniú is déanaí a bhí aici leis an mbrúghrúpa sin; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [24275/24]

Táimid ar ais arís go dtí cúrsaí thithíochta sna Gaeltachtaí uilig agus go háirid faoin eagraíocht BÁNÚ. Tá a fhios agam go raibh cruinniú ag an Aire Stáit nó ag a Roinn leis an eagraíocht seo. An cheist atá á cur agam go díreach agus go sonrach ná an raibh cruinnithe eile ag an Aire Stáit leis an ngrúpa agus an bhfuil aon dul chun cinn déanta?

Chas oifigigh ó mo Roinn le hionadaithe ón ngrúpa Bánú ar an 8 Bealtaine 2024. Ba é seo an dara chruinniú leis an ngrúpa. Rinneadh plé ar an gceithre bunéileamh a

d'ardaigh an grúpa sa gcéad chruinniú a bhí ag ionadaithe na Roinne leo, is iad sin go dtabharfaí cumhacht d'Údarás na Gaeltachta dul ag plé le soláthar tithíochta sa Ghaeltacht; go dtabharfaí cead do mo Roinn féin tacaíocht a chur ar fáil do chainteoirí Gaeilge tithe a thógáil sa Ghaeltacht; go dtabharfaí tús áite do chainteoirí Gaeilge teach a fháil ar cíos seachas tithe a bheith ligthe ar bhonn ghearrthréimhseach; agus go ndéanfaí na dréacht-threoirlínte pleanála Gaeltachta a fhoilsiú gan mhoill.

Is ceart a thabhairt san áireamh go bhfuil forálacha san Acht Pleanála agus Forbartha, 2000 cheana féin a aithníonn an tábhacht a bhaineann leis an nGaeilge a chosaint agus a chur chun cinn sa Ghaeltacht. Chun cur le héifeacht na bhforálacha sin, cuireadh tús le próiseas dhá bhliain ó shín, idir mo Roinn agus an Roinn tithíochta, treoirlínte pleanála don Ghaeltacht a réiteach. Tuigtear dom go mbeidh dréacht réidh le foilsiú ag an Roinn tithíochta go luath. Tá an jab sin ag an Roinn tithíochta.

Anuas ar an obair sin, cuireadh in iúl don ghrúpa BÁNÚ go bhfuil Údarás na Gaeltachta ag breathnú ar cheist na tithíochta sa Ghaeltacht agus go mbeidh toradh na hoibre sin le feiceáil amach anseo. Cuireadh an grúpa ar an eolas chomh maith maidir leis an obair atá ar bun ag an Roinn reachtaíocht a thabhairt isteach chun srianta a chur ar thithíocht a bheith ligthe ar cíos ar bhonn ghearrthéarmach in earnáil na turasóireachta ag an Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán, an Teachta Catherine Martin.

Ta iarrtha ag oifigigh mo Roinne ar ionadaithe de chuid BÁNÚ roinnt faisnéise eile a chur i dtoll a chéile maidir le deacrachtaí eile a mheasann an grúpa atá ag cur constaicí roimh dhaoine óga atá ag obair thar lear filleadh ar Éirinn. Socrófar cruinniú eile leis an ngrúpa agus an fhaisnéis sin faighte agam agus ag an Roinn.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit. Fáiltím go bhfuil sraith cruinnithe i gceist agus tugaim suntas go bhfuil an eagraíocht seo le teacht ar ais le tuilleadh fianaise. I ndáiríre, níl a fhios agam cén fáth a bhfuil tuilleadh fianaise i gceist. Tá sé ráite go mion minic ag gach Teachta Dála ar an taobh seo den Dáil go bhfuil géarchéim tithíochta i gceist. Tá mé ag breathnú anois ar na bhfocail a dúirt an tAire Stáit: “Tá na treoirlínte le foilsiú ag an Roinn tithíochta go luath”. Cé nach mbaineann sé sin leis an Aire Stáit, baineann i ndáiríre. Ag dul siar, bhí grúpa idir-rannach i gceist chun oibriú le cheile ó thaobh na ndeacrachtaí atá ag teacht chun solais lá i ndiaidh lae. Ta eagraíocht breise anois ann, is í sin, BÁNÚ, anuas ar eagraíocht eile, ag rá linn go bhfuil géarchéim ann agus go bhfuil gá le beart de réir ár mbriathar. Arís, tá orm é a rá. Is é atá i gceist ná rud chomh bunúsach le treoirlínte pleanála Gaeltachta a fhoilsiú agus ag dul ar ais-----

Tá mé thar am. Tiocfaidh mé ar ais.

Maidir leis na treoirlínte, tá an ceart ag an Teachta. Tá an jab sin le déanamh agus tá sé á dhéanamh ag an Roinn tithíochta. Tá idirchaidreamh agus comhrá ag tarlú idir an dá Roinn agus idir na hoifigigh maidir leis na treoirlínte a chur chun críche, a fhoilsiú agus a chur i bhfeidhm chomh tapa agus is féidir. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil brú leis sin. Caithfidh na treoirlínte sin a bheith i gceart agus a bheith réidh. Tá mé cinnte – tá mé ag rá leis an Dáil – go bhfuil an-obair á déanamh ag an Roinn tithíochta maidir leis seo agus tá muid ag súil leis na treoirlínte. Nuair a fhoilseofar iad, is dócha go bhfeicfear an méid oibre atá déanta idir an dá Roinn. Tá an obair sin ag leanúint ar aghaidh. Go deimhin, tá gach duine ag súil le foilseachán na dtreoirlínte seo.

Tá muid ag súil leis an tríú rúnda Fatima, freisin. Tá muid ag fanacht agus ag fanacht agus tá sé ag éirí i bhfad níos deacra dul taobh amuigh den Dáil agus éisteacht leis an rud atá á rá acu. Ceapann siad nach bhfuil rud á dhéanamh againn.

Chun é a ardú os comhar na Dála arís, tá mé i mo bhall den chomhchoiste Gaeilge, ar a bhfuil an Teachta Ó Snodaigh mar Chathaoirleach, agus bhí na córais áitiúla os ár gcomhair ó Ghaillimh, Maigh Eo agus ó gach contae ina bhfuil Gaeltacht. Bhí se soiléir go bhfuil easpa tuisceana iomláine ó thaobh cúrsaí Gaeilge de. Ní raibh tuiscint ar bith acu. Nuair a luann an tAire Stáit go gcaithfidh muid cur san áireamh go bhfuil forálacha san Acht Pleanála agus Forbartha, 2000, tá an ceart aige ach níl tuiscint ar bith ann. Níl a dhóthain foirne nó tá rud in easnamh mar ta géarchéim tithíochta i gceist sna Gaeltachtaí uilig. Tá a fhios ag an Aire Stáit sin. Is é an rud atá a dhéanamh agam anseo, seachtain i ndiaidh na seachtaine, ná solas a dhíriú agus brú a chur ar an Rialtas rud a dhéanamh agus beart a dhéanamh. Ba mhaith linn oibriú as lámha a chéile ó thaobh na teanga de agus ó thaobh na nGaeltachtaí atá inmharthana.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Connolly as ceist na dtreoirlínte a ardú. Gealladh iad seo dúinn breis is dhá bhliain ó shín. Níos luaithe i mbliana, dúradh linn go raibh siad críochnaithe agus go mbeadh siad foilsithe. Níl iontu ach dréacht. Dúradh linn gur dréacht atá iontu agus go mbeadh siad ag dul amach do chomhairliúcháin, rud nach raibh i gceist ar dtús báire. Is í an cheist atá agam ná cá bhfuil siad? Nuair a chuirtear an cheist ar an Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta, an Teachta Darragh O’Brien, deir sé agus a Roinn go bhfuil an locht ar Roinn an Aire Stáit agus gur ón Roinn sin atá an mhoill ag teacht. Deirtear ina dhiaidh sin go bhfuil gach rud ceartaithe anois. Is é an stad is déanaí, de réir na Roinne tithíochta, ná go bhfuil an locht ar Roinn an Aire Stáit. An bhfuil na dréacht-treoirlínte chomh dona sin nach bhfuil siad sásta iad a fhoilsiú ag an stad seo? An bhfeicfidh muid choíche iad nó roimh theacht an tsamhraidh? Tá sé go dona go bhfuil daoine ag fanacht ar rud nach bhfeicfidh siad agus go bhfuil siad anois in ainm is a bheith ag dul amach le haghaidh comhairliúcháin.

Caithfidh mé a rá arís go bhfuil oifigigh ón dá Roinn i mbun idirchaidrimh. Maidir leis an ábhar seo, tá siad ag iarraidh an obair sin a chur chun críche chomh luath agus is féidir. Tá me ag rá anseo go bhfuil an obair seo práinneach agus go gcaithfidh muid déileáil léi. Tá géarchéim thithíochta sa tír seo. Tá an-obair á déanamh ag an Rialtas maidir leis an ngéarchéim sin ar fud na tíre ach admhaím agus aithním go bhfuil tréithe faoi leith sa Ghaeltacht maidir le cúrsaí teanga. Is é mo thoil ná go bhfoilseofar na treoirlínte agus go gcríochnófar an obair chomh luath agus is féidir.

Broadcasting Sector

James O'Connor

Question:

8. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has considered giving further support for community, local and regional radio stations in Ireland, including the broadcasting levy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24323/24]

I am taking this question on behalf of Deputy O'Connor. Has the Minister's Department given any consideration to further supporting community, local and regional radio stations in Ireland, including the broadcasting levy?

Radio continues to play a key role in our society, as evidenced by the latest JNLR report showing 80% of adults in Ireland tuning in daily. Radio news is a vital and trusted source of information for the public, particularly for local and regional services. Given the importance of the radio sector, at my request Coimisiún na Meán have prepared a report into the economic viability of the commercial radio sector. I welcome the insights which the report provides into the revenues, costs, and profits in the sector over the past number of years, and the challenges and opportunities facing the sector which it identifies, in particular regarding independent local radio stations. Coimisiún na Meán published the report on 3 May 2024 and it is now for an coimisiún to consider how the findings of the report can be incorporated into its approach.

With regard to any possible action regarding the levy payable to Coimisiún na Meán by radio stations in respect of meeting the costs of regulation, this is purely a matter for an coimisiún and given its statutory independence, I have no role in respect of the levy. I understand that an coimisiún, given its sectoral development role, is acutely aware of the issues which the sector is facing.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Future of Media Commission was established to examine the challenges faced by the media sector and the impact on the provision of public service content. The report made a number of recommendations to counter these challenges, including the establishment of a new media fund to provide support for the provision of public service content by the wider media sector at local, regional and national levels on a platform-neutral basis. The commission recommended €30 million be provided. That included the funding made available through the existing broadcasting fund, which amounts to an average of €15 million per annum from TV licence receipts and which supports the Sound and Vision scheme. Since the formation of this Government a further €28.4 million in Exchequer funding has been provided to the scheme, enabling increased investment in public service content for television and radio.

With regard to the wider media fund, I secured €6 million in budget 2024 for new local democracy and courts reporting schemes. These are being prioritised for implementation by Coimisiún na Meán this year. Further details on the timelines for the roll-out of the schemes will be made available by the commission in due course.

As the Minister has rightly said, 80% of people get their news information from local radio stations. That is worth bearing in mind. I assume Deputy O'Connor was referring to the likes of Radio Youghal. I would refer to Cork City Community Radio and CUH FM Hospital Radio, not to mention bigger broadcasters like Cork's 96FM and C103. This type of funding is fundamental for them to continue doing what they do.

In an era of misinformation, disinformation and people questioning their news sources, it is pivotal that we continue to support this sector.

I have one question for the Minister concerning the Sound and Vision grants. Has the Department done any analysis of the reliance of local radio stations on these grants? Without these grants, would the viability of some local stations be called into question? Has any analysis been done on that?

I also echo the question of funding for local radio stations. In my constituency, local radio is important not only in bringing people the global and national news but also local news. We have stations in Cork such as Red FM, 96 FM, C103 FM, Cork City Community Radio and CUH FM Community Radio that play a vital role. It has been even more vital this year because of what happened with GAAGO. RTÉ and the GAA made the disgraceful decision not to show the first three Cork hurling matches or the Cork-Kerry Munster semi-final football match on free-to-air television. This was a shocking decision. I thank C103 FM, which broadcast these matches olive for the people of Cork.

I know people who gave their lives to the Gaelic Athletic Association, volunteers in communities, who feel betrayed by the decision made by the GAA and RTÉ.

These matches need to be shown on free-to-air television, especially the hurling matches.

Regarding the Sound and Vision scheme, a grant was made in recent weeks to a radio station based in Cork. An allocation of €65,000 was made last November. Some €80,000 went to Cork 96FM and C103 under the commercial radio round, and an award of €31,000 was made this April to Community Radio Youghal under the social benefit round. Coimisiún na Meán operates this scheme and it has all that detail.

On the question posed by Deputy Gould concerning the GAA, the management of broadcasting and commercial rights is a matter for each sports body. A challenge for sports bodies such as the GAA is striking the balance between generating revenue and ensuring there is as wide an audience as possible for the games. All of us, of course, want to see more games being broadcast on free-to-air television, especially those involving our own counties. The nature of how the championship has changed, though, means it is not practical to broadcast all matches.

It is also important to remember that RTÉ has an obligation to provide a broad range of programmes for the benefit and enjoyment of the entire community.

Local and regional radio is the most listened to in the country. While the Sound and Vision scheme is very welcome, community, local and regional radio stations provide a public service. I get what the Minister said and the context, but, at the same time, I urge that whatever consideration might be possible could be given to allow stations to expand their funding into the public service broadcasting sphere.

The television licence funds the Sound and Vision scheme. It accounts for 7% of the television licence receipts. Given the difficulties surrounding the collection and enforcement of licence fees, has this funding changed? Will that 7% be respected in the future or is it likely to deviate depending on the receipts going forward?

Absolutely, as I stated earlier, value is derived from the service being provided by local radio stations. I welcome the insights the report provides into the revenue, costs and profits in the sector in recent years. It might be of interest to the Deputy as well that I will meet representatives of the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, IBI, group tomorrow to discuss the challenges and opportunities in this regard. As I said, I secured €6 million in the budget for the local democracy and court reporting schemes and these are being prioritised for implementation by Coimisiún na Meán. On funding, what really needs to be done is we must make a decision on putting in place a sustainable model that will give security to all providers of public service content. This is what is of paramount importance right now.

Programme for Government

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

9. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media which, if any, of the four commitments relating to creative and cultural infrastructure in the programme for Government have been achieved or are in progress; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24339/24]

This question relates to the programme for Government commitments relating to creative and cultural infrastructure that promised an increase in support in the provision of affordable workspaces, to examine agent of change initiatives, to examine meanwhile use legislation and ensure timely delivery of capital investment, including for our national cultural institutions. Have any of those been achieved?

The programme for Government contains a number of commitments relating to creative and cultural infrastructure. First, with regard to national development plan investment in our national cultural institutions, the Department is working closely with the OPW and the national cultural institutions to progress delivery of major capital redevelopment projects through the infrastructure guidelines. Just last week, I announced the commencement of the construction of the National Archives project, while the Crawford Art Gallery redevelopment went out to tender on Friday. I officially opened the new lecture theatre at the National Library of Ireland on 9 May.

The National Concert Hall development has completed the preliminary business case stage and planning permission has been received for the first stage of the development. Planning for the remainder of the project will be lodged in the coming months. The design team has been appointed for the Natural History Museum project and the Abbey Theatre project is currently being reviewed as part of the external assurance process set out under the infrastructure guidelines. Projects at the Chester Beatty, the National Gallery of Ireland, the Irish Museum of Modern Art and the National Museum in Kildare Street are all in various stages of development of their preliminary business cases.

With regard to affordable workspaces for artists and creative practitioners, I will provide capital funding towards the provision of artist workspaces under a scheme, which I will be launching shortly. Local authorities will be invited to propose capital projects for artist workspaces that are fit for purpose, design focused, accessible and affordable. Funding will be made available for projects that focus on the delivery of infrastructure to increase availability and access to artist workspaces throughout the country. As an initial step in advance of that wider launch, the Department and Dublin City Council are developing a €9 million capital works programme that will see 60 artists provided with turnkey workspaces and opportunities to use performance and gallery space and flexible office workspaces.

The agent of change initiative and the issue of meanwhile use and matters relating to planning are primarily the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. In relation to the work of my Department, however, they are being considered within the context of the report of the night-time economy task force and are being progressed by the implementation group responsible for overseeing the actions within that report.

I welcome the progress being made, especially on the new schemes delivered or being delivered by Dublin City Council's space to create scheme, as well as the Arts Council's visual artists workspace scheme. Artists across the country, however, continue to struggle to secure a space in which to rehearse, work, create, perform or exhibit. Rising rents and overdependence on private operators are often locking struggling artists out of spaces in which to create their work, perform or display their works.

The agent of change initiative would take existing cultural spaces into account when new building works are taking place. This is a time a huge number of new developments seem to be happening and squeezing out art spaces. In response to a parliamentary question I asked in June 2022, the Minister said the Department was leading on this matter, but four years later she seems to be saying the opposite.

The agent of change principle could really impact not only on developing and sustaining our night-time economy but also on the broader plans for more sustainable urban communities. There is much discussion on how night-time venues can co-exist with residential development in our cities and urban areas. Finding ways to address these challenges is essential to establishing and maintaining viable communities in our town and city centres while maintaining a vibrant night-time economy. While encouraging residential development in urban centres is clearly key to people living closer to amenities and services, it cannot be at the expense of long-established night-time venues. This issue of the agent of change principle arose during discussions on the night-time economy task force. My Department is establishing a small working group to look at best practice in this space and to examine the various challenges that might arise. This work will begin shortly but it will also involve other key stakeholders such as local authorities and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

It is worth noting that all of this work feeds into the discussion around noise management in the night-time economy. My Department is rolling out funding for businesses in the night-time economy for soundproofing and noise mitigation measures to promote a more sustainable night-time economy.

There is no legislation in relation to the night-time economy. There is nothing even at draft stage yet that would also deal with the meanwhile-use legislation. I am not sure whether it will be part of the night-time economy legislation or if will be a stand-alone Bill. Meanwhile use would help to protect the temporary use of empty buildings or land for pop-up shops, exhibition spaces and cultural or co-operative working spaces until they can be used on a permanent basis. The other danger in terms of the agents of change legislation is to ensure that existing spaces continue to be used. If there is a certain amount of square footage in a development, we must ensure that new developments do not become too costly for use by the artists who previously used the space and that they would be squeezed out by cost rather than by a change of use of the building. There is much work to be done by the Department, in particular because the other Departments have different priorities.

The meanwhile use of the buildings has also arisen during the discussions of the implementation group on the night-time economy task force. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is leading on this policy area and will be keeping the implementation group informed on progress. That Department will be key to delivery on these two areas, including the agents of change. It is leading on this important action in the task force report and it is making progress in this regard. As part of the work, that Department will examine the practical implications for planning and other legislative codes to enable the potential for vacant buildings to be used for meanwhile use. It is hoped that this will lead to more opportunities for the late-night sector and breathe life into these vacant spaces. This work is under way.

I also acknowledge those local authorities and developers who, on occasion, make properties available for meanwhile use as artists' workspaces. It is important also to support the delivery of a greater number of workspaces through the widest range of measures. This informed my announcement of support for Dublin City Council's ambitious plans last year. I will shortly make a further announcement of a new support for local authorities for artists' workspaces.

Sports Funding

Richard Bruton

Question:

10. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she plans to modify the criteria for the next call for applications for the sports capital grant; when she is likely to be in a position to announce the criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24424/24]

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Question:

15. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she intends to open the equipment-only grants for application again this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24273/24]

Brendan Griffin

Question:

25. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the current position regarding the next allocations of the sports capital and equipment programme; when the grants will be allocated; if a budget has been agreed; how this compares to the total demand;the total allocation versus eligible demand for the recent equipment scheme; if a similar allocation can be achieved for the remaining capital applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24379/24]

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Question:

31. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the sports capital and equipment programme will open for applications in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24272/24]

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Question:

46. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an update on the latest round of the sports capital and equipment programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24012/24]

Niamh Smyth

Question:

53. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an update on the sports capital grant application process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24219/24]

I am taking this question on behalf of Deputy Bruton, who sends his apologies. First, I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Thomas Byrne, on achieving what seems to be a lot more funding this year for this very important programme.

I also want to comment on the staff from the office, who were extraordinarily helpful. The feedback is very good from people who have made applications. The question is about what changes might be made to the criteria for the next round. Is the Minister looking at any possible changes to the criteria?

I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 15, 25, 31, 46 and 53 together.

The sports capital and equipment programme, SCEP, is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreational facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment. It is the policy of the Department after every round of the sports capital programme that we undertake a review and make recommendations as to changes. The criteria for any next round will be considered once we have gone through this round.

More than €1 billion in funding has been provided in total under the sports capital programme, which is a huge amount. In the latest round, €166.6 million was provided. This round closed for applications on 8 September. We set out a number of changes. We increased the thresholds at local and regional level to €200,000 and €500,000, respectively. We specifically reward projects that include adaptations for people with disabilities. We prioritise areas witnessing significant population growth. We reward projects that incorporate climate action measures. We make it very clear that the achievement by the governing bodies of sport of a 40% gender balance target will be a consideration when individual grants are being allocated.

I urge sporting organisations to be aware of the problems. Every week, I visit sports facilities or hear from sports clubs, women sports clubs in particular, that they do not have access to facilities on the same basis as men. They do not have similar pitch times or, in many cases, women's clubs are charged a rent but men's clubs are not. To be absolutely clear, a change I made this time is that there will be zero funding for facilities where that is the case. People seem to be in denial about this, but it is going to have to end. Otherwise, the Government cannot provide funding under programmes like this.

Some months ago, I met members of a soccer club which had to facilitate a ladies Gaelic football club because it could not get access to the local GAA pitch. This is happening all too frequently and it has to stop. We will not fund it.

The Minister and I were pleased to confirm yesterday that at least €250 million will be made available under this round of the sports capital and equipment programme. This is on foot of positive engagement with the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, Deputy Donohoe. This will mean that there will be many more facilities – pitches, floodlights, halls, dressing rooms and improvements to swimming pools - all around Ireland.

I expect allocations to be announced in the autumn, but we have said that every valid application will be successful in that they will receive a grant at some level. It is very important that if clubs receive any queries from the Department over the summer, they deal with them positively in order that their application will be deemed valid.

I thank the Minister of State for his response. I congratulate him on the work he is doing in this area and the changes he is making. I will raise two issues with him. In some difficult cases, part of the blockage is that there is no hall or land available to communities. Clubs do not have the money or wherewithal to purchase land or buildings to do their thing, whatever it is. Has any consideration been given to providing funding for this? It has been said before that local authorities are very often in the same situation, in that they do not have the funding or the wherewithal either. Will the Minister of State consider if the Department or Government could purchase land or make halls or buildings available so that clubs can get off the ground?

The second issue relates to training and support for applicants for funding. What is going on in that regard? The application process can be quite complicated and daunting. Are training and support available for applicants?

A very welcome signal went out to clubs this week about their applications. I welcome the Minister of State's very strong focus on equality of participation. There is an outdated attitude evident which, thankfully, I think is disappearing. "Keep those girls off the good grass" is one of the things we hear in some of the more outdated places.

To return to Deputy Stanton's query, Tramore is a case in point in that the availability of land is incredibly tight. I have a rugby club that is dying to get its hands on a sporting facility. I also have an athletics club that would happily co-locate with it. We have some brilliant initiatives in terms of our AFC and GAA clubs in particular. In places that have an expanding population – Tramore is certainly one of those – and where local authority land becomes very limited as a result, there is a need for some way to help these clubs to get their foot onto the first rung of the ladder because without that, it is very difficult for them to get the ball rolling.

I wish to ask a short supplementary question. I welcome the funding, which is a phenomenal amount of money. When we all started here the overall allocation was under €100 million. According to the Minister of State, it is now at least €250 million. By the sounds of it, there is scope for further increases, which would be even more welcome. From what the Minister of State said, many clubs and organisations come looking for additional funding for their members – they are right to do that – but yesterday's announcement lays down a challenge to them to get their act together in some cases and get their clubs organised and focused on making good applications.

I note the Minister of State's comment that the process is always reviewed after each round of grant allocations. I ask him to bear one point in mind. I refer to clubs having to provide receipts and then to claim the money back. I help groups with applications for community centres and a portion of the funding is paid upfront. Could something like that be considered for the sports capital programme in the future?

The Minister of State's progressive attitude towards sports capital grant funding is to be welcomed. One thing I would ask is that perhaps special consideration might be given to clubs and groups that have not previously received any recognition. There are a number of such organisations and they have been feeling a little neglected for some years. This is an opportunity to help them and one which I am sure the Minister of State will seize.

A wide range of very important issues were raised. The purchase of land is a key issue. Let us be straight - we all have a role to play at every level of government.

Local authorities have a role to play in this. Councillors of all parties should be really focusing on this issue when zoning land. There are no restrictions on zoning land for sports facilities and making certain things conditional when housing is provided. That is really important. Acknowledging there is a problem, we all, as I said, have a role to play. I have had discussions with the Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien, on this issue and what we can do at Government level. Clearly, there is significant pressure on funding to build houses. However, we recognise very much that there is also a need to equip local authorities, in some cases, to purchase land. That is something on which we continue to work.

Regarding training support for the application process, we engage significantly with the national governing bodies, NGBs, in this regard. They provide their own training and the local sports partnerships, LSPs, provide help as well. Clubs can get all the information they need from those organisations and, indeed, from local politicians of all parties, who are well used to supporting them. We have tried to make the application process as easy as possible.

On women's facilities, Deputy Ó Cathasaigh acknowledged there is an issue. In fact, he slightly underplayed it. I meet members of women's clubs all the time who tell me they do not have access to facilities on a similar basis to men. Some people take the view it is okay that the men's club does not pay a fee to use facilities but the women's teams must pay a fee. That day is over from a funding point of view. That type of situation will disqualify applicants from drawing down sports capital funding. We will award the grants and give people a chance to change things. For any grant at regional level or above, we will now require a written policy demonstrating that the similar access policy is in place.

Deputy Durkan mentioned clubs that have not received grants previously. They will have an advantage under the scoring system. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan has raised on many occasions the question of funding for football. Soccer clubs, historically, have underachieved in attaining sports capital funding. I am pleased to note that soccer clubs were the highest recipients of any sport under the sports equipment programme we launched a couple of weeks ago. I made a big effort, together with the FAI, to make sure football clubs applied. They are not the highest applicants for capital but they certainly are at their highest ever level in terms of money and share of applications. Football is very high up and was the highest for equipment. That is important.

I accept there is an issue with providing receipts and claiming back money. We will keep that under ongoing review.

I thank the Minister of State for the work he is doing. I support him in possibly obtaining funding from other sources to purchase land and properties. That is crucial. As my colleague said, to get on the first rung of the ladder is a big step. In my part of the country, there is a huge athletics community. Those involved are trying to build an athletics track but cannot get the land to do so. It is really frustrating.

What monitoring and evaluating happens after funding has been allocated to ensure it delivers the intended benefits? Is there any follow-up or feedback in that regard?

The Minister of State has sent out an extremely strong signal about equality of participation. Clubs will be very wise to listen carefully to what he is saying to ensure they can draw down the full funding available to them.

Deputy Durkan referred to capacity within clubs. We all have helped to review application forms for sports clubs applying for funding. The difference is clear between those clubs that have somebody who is very good at filling in application forms, who leaves no scoring criterion behind, versus the clubs that do not have the same capacity and could do with a bit of training. When we read the forms, we see the person filling it in has not hit box B or whatever. Those clubs are not maximising the potential of their application to achieve success. There is work to be done in this regard. The Department is very helpful. Work is needed on capacity-building, focusing particularly on clubs that have not been successful in the past, to ensure they can share in the funding.

In terms of checking whether funding is delivering the intended benefits, the Department does check. There is a rigorous process and we take a very hardline view on it. I do not get involved. I let our officials make sure the applications are done properly. The benefits of the funding are clear to see. I am visiting clubs around the country at the moment, seeing all the projects and sports facilities that have come through the sports capital programme, together with local fundraising and voluntary effort. That is important to acknowledge. The number of facilities that have been put together around the country is absolutely astonishing. Last week, I visited Bandon Athletic Club's track. It is an incredible construction project in a relatively small rural town, driven by and fundraised for by the local athletics club, and with significant funding from the Government. There are examples of that right across the country. Kilmessan hurling and camogie club in my county has an absolutely fabulous facility that has been supported by sports capital funding but very much driven by local fundraising.

We have put a special effort into making sure applications are successful. I focused particularly on football and boxing last summer to ensure they had their own procedures in place to help clubs with applications. We want them to be successful. We will not invalidate applications immediately. Each club will be given a chance to rectify any issues. I urge clubs to seek assistance from their NGB, local Oireachtas Member or LSP if any queries arise. They will get a number of chances to rectify issues during the summer. That in itself delays the process a little, which is why the allocations are made towards the end of the summer. We are giving people a second chance. Even under the equipment grants, there were one or two invalid applications in every county for various reasons. Sometimes, they involved relatively simple mistakes.

Sports Funding

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Question:

11. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will report on the new fund for outdoor sport equipment, the participation nation outdoor fund, and the parallel fund for biodiversity measures at sports facilities, amuigh faoin spéir; how these funds will be administered by local sports partnerships; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24011/24]

This question builds on my question in the previous grouping. It relates to two new streams of funding that are being made available for sports clubs. The first is the new fund for outdoor sports equipment, called the participation nation outdoor fund, which is very welcome. Given my political background, I am especially interested in the amuigh faoin spéir biodiversity measures now being funded at sports clubs. That initiative is really welcome as there is huge pent-up demand. A lot of people from different clubs come to me saying they want to do the right thing by climate and biodiversity but they are not sure how to go about it. This fund is a great support.

I am answering this question on behalf of the Minister of State, who has to leave for another commitment.

On Friday, 3 May 2024, the participation nation outdoor fund was launched for the purchase and installation of barrier-free permanent sport equipment that can be placed on public land for community use. A portion of that fund, under the heading amuigh faoin spéir, is earmarked for biodiversity measures at sports facilities. I announced details of this funding last Thursday, 23 May. The fund will be overseen by my Department and administered by Sport Ireland, with applications open to the network of 29 LSPs. Engaging in physical exercise and connecting to nature are recognised as two key well-being measures. The fund encourages the partnerships to work with their local sports sector to develop initiatives that are of wide benefit and accessible to the community.

In line with the programme for Government target of reaching 60% overall participation in sport by 2027, the outdoor sports equipment stream is designed to spur physical activity in local community settings by supporting LSPs with the development of sport projects on publicly accessible land. A minimum of €70,000 will be available to each LSP for the purposes of installing barrier-free sports infrastructure on publicly accessible land. Indicative examples of eligible projects include table tennis tables, storage containers for a range of sports, 3x3 basketball courts, permanent nets for volleyball and golf putting greens.

The amuigh faoin spéir element of the fund will provide up to €25,000 to LSPs to support nature-connected projects at sports facilities that are open to community use. This was inspired by a club in my constituency, Naomh Ólaf GAA Club, which is an inspiration when it comes to leadership on biodiversity. The phrase "amuigh faoin spéir" comes from the club's own biodiversity charter, which has been in use for many years. The aim of the biodiversity measures is to promote the enhancement and protection of nature, with a specific focus on supporting the biodiversity of the surrounding environments on such land. Examples of possible projects include biodiversity pollinator-friendly planting, safe nesting sites for birds, bees and bats, the installation of biodiversity ponds, hedgerow and tree planting and rainwater planters. Deputy Ó Cathasaigh will know of the huge potential in this area. The Minister of State and I look forward to proposals from the LSPs that will enhance biodiversity, improve access to barrier-free physical activity and help to build happier and healthier communities.

I do indeed know this area well. I recently called out to Tycor AFC, which is located just outside Waterford city. It is a big sporting complex, a lot of which is just green grass and playing pitches. The club is looking for a little help and support in terms of what can be done to make the place a little more wildlife friendly, apart from for the rabbits which keep digging up the playing surface, but that is a different matter.

I was trying to say to get in contact with the council, which has an arborist and can advise on tree-planting, and that there might be a pot of money to chase. There were bits and scraps. It was not together in one place. When you have a club and are being pulled in seven different directions to get the jerseys washed and do the divil and all, it can be difficult to track down those small pots of money. This is a brilliant initiative. It brings it all into one place and puts it in front of the clubs and local sports partnerships. Combining the outdoor recreation element with the connection with nature will make a big difference.

Absolutely. That is the intent here. The aim of the two funds proposed is to accelerate the provision of open access sports equipment in biodiversity-rich community settings. It seeks to provide low-cost sports capital and equipment grants for the purchase and installation of that permanent sports equipment that can be placed on land which, as the Deputy is saying, is just lying there and can be used for the wider community. As I said, an example is table tennis tables on council-owned land. The aim with the spare portion of the fund is to support nature connectedness with a specific focus on supporting the biodiversity of surrounding environments on such land. This is really good news for all our clubs and local communities.

I focused on the biodiversity element in my first contribution. I think the outdoor sports equipment fund is excellent too. I would like to see an intergenerational focus. We see many active retirement groups using the outdoor exercise equipment. It is great to see that happening. The places I see it happen most successfully are where they are co-located with playground equipment. The parents are often stuck at the playground, getting frozen. At least they would have something to do while the lads are on the swings and the slides. They might be able to get a little exercise in themselves. If you start layering those generations so that you have older people, people who are of parenting age and then the kids, you get all of those co-benefits from the societal pay-off of having that intergenerational element. Both of these funds are welcome. They will do a lot of good in communities. I praise the Minister for her action on it.

The programme for Government sets out a target for overall participation in sport to reach at least 60% of the population by 2027. It has key commitments such as promoting the value of physical activity as part of everyday life, adopting a lifelong perspective underpinned by physical literacy and placing a strong emphasis on swimming, cycling, walking and running, which are especially suitable for all generations, as the Deputy said. Commitments also include working with the local sports partnerships to ensure a greater roll-out of successful initiatives and targeted resources programmes which seek to address inequalities in sports participation. What I really see in these two funds is a positive step to achieving all of that and everything the Deputy has said. In order to reach those programme for Government targets, it is necessary to pursue the twin-pronged approach of maintaining existing capital commitments while also being innovative and thinking outside the box on how we can get everybody active across the board.

Question No. 12 taken with Written Answers.

Tourism Industry

Imelda Munster

Question:

13. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she can outline any plans, including any additional funding, that will be made available to Drogheda to ensure the survival of the tourism industry in the area given the loss of tourist accommodation in the town in recent years. [24352/24]

I ask the Minister if she can outline any plans, including any additional funding, that will be made available specifically to Drogheda to ensure the survival of the tourism industry in the area, given the loss of tourist accommodation in the town in recent years.

The importance of the tourism sector to the Irish economy and our communities is well understood. Drogheda is a key part of the ancient destination experience development plan, which is the Fáilte Ireland roadmap for the development of tourism in Louth and Meath, including the Boyne Valley and environs. In budget 2024, I secured total funding of €216 million for the tourism sector, which allows for the continued support of tourism development in Ireland for local and overseas visitors. Of this allocation, up to €10 million is available for a specific programme of supports targeted at tourism businesses experiencing particular challenges linked to the reduction in footfall in regions most impacted by tourism bed-stock displacement.

Fáilte Ireland has carried out a number of accommodation audits to establish a baseline for existing tourism accommodation capacity for local authorities in each destination and region. Additional capacity supply growth projections have been identified for all counties based on best estimates of demand recovery to 2030, the current gaps in the market by location and type, and changing consumer preferences for accommodation categories.

The tourism importance of Drogheda is recognised by the significant funding that Fáilte Ireland has allocated to the town under its urban animation scheme in order to further enliven landmark buildings and structures in Drogheda's historic landscape. The collaboration between Fáilte Ireland and Louth County Council on the potential development of an attraction of scale focused on the Boyne is also welcome. In tandem with the work of Fáilte Ireland, my Department is progressing the development of a new national tourism policy framework that will seek to mainstream environmental, economic and societal sustainability across the entire tourism sector. The new framework will shape how our tourism industry develops in the period to 2030. Issues around tourism accommodation stock will be considered as part of the new policy framework and subsequent action plan.

The range of challenges experienced by Drogheda due to displacement of tourism accommodation serve as an exemplar of similar challenges across the country that must be addressed. It is clear that a collective and concerted multi-stakeholder approach to tackling these challenges is required, and that is the approach that Government will continue to pursue for Drogheda and the rest of the country.

The Minister referred to the €10 million support scheme that is open. That is a mere drop in the ocean compared with what is actually needed. That is for the entire country. The Minister is aware that Drogheda has lost its largest hotel, the D Hotel, and that is the second hotel it has lost. I hope she is aware that the number of bedrooms available for tourist accommodation in the town has been reduced by 61% since 2022. There is a total capacity of just 91 beds in the largest town in Ireland. When we talk about tourism and tourism plans, a town stripped of its tourist accommodation is on the wrong footing from the start. The economic impact assessment commissioned by Love Drogheda BID has shown a direct loss of over €6 million and an indirect impact of over €15 million on the local economy. What plans does the Minister have to remedy this specifically? What funding will be made specifically available to Drogheda for this? Restaurant owners, shopkeepers, tourist attractions and other businesses are feeling the knock-on effect of the loss of accommodation in the town. The loss of accommodation is a direct result of Government policy.

I have already mentioned the importance of the tourism sector to the Irish economy and specifically to Drogheda. The Deputy mentioned the €10 million but in budget 2024, there is a total of €216 million in funding for the sector, which would allow for continued support for tourism development in Ireland for local and overseas visitors. Within that €216 million, we had the €10 million. That is available for a specific programme of supports targeted at tourism businesses experiencing particular challenges linked to the reduction of footfall in regions most impacted by tourism bed stock displacement.

I have met stakeholders such as the Irish Hotels Federation. I know that funding of €10 million is being developed and administered by Fáilte Ireland. We had Fáilte Ireland analysis as of November 2023, showing that 12% of all registered tourism accommodation stock nationally was under contract to the State. Fáilte Ireland is in the process of carrying out further analysis of the current data, which may inform future supports. Since 2022, approximately 300 accommodations which were in use by the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman's, Department since the start of the Ukraine crisis are no longer being used. The types of accommodation in that cohort are diverse but include approximately 40 hotels and 90 other properties categorised as bed and breakfast accommodation, guesthouses and hostels. The end of use in these contracts occurred for a number of reasons, including in some cases provider-led contract termination. I hope many of those will return to tourism.

If accommodation in Drogheda has reduced by 61% and we are left with only 91 tourist accommodation beds, that is a problem caused directly by Government policy. We need the Government to revitalise the town, attract investment and solve the accommodation issue that is crippling tourism in the town.

Love Drogheda BID had asked that the Government work with stakeholders in the town to fix this. It asked for the Government to establish a dedicated revitalisation task force for Drogheda that can help focus investment in the town. Will the Government form this task force? Will the Minister put every effort into sorting the crisis in tourism accommodation, which this Government actually created, for the largest town in Ireland?

As I said, Fáilte Ireland is in the process of carrying out a further analysis of current data provided by the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman's, Department on all registered tourism accommodation stock. We have to see the full picture.

With regard to what the Deputy is specifically asking, it is something I can perhaps discuss with the Minister, Deputy Burke, as we co-chair that tourism and hospitality forum. It is also something I will bring to the attention of my officials and Fáilte Ireland.

Top
Share