Priority Questions
43Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans for maintaining our heritage sites when 60% of heritage specialists in the public service retire in February, 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5265/12]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 131 on 18 January 2012, in which I indicated that a total of 16 staff from across my Department had at that stage confirmed their intention to retire between that date and the end of February. This included one member of the professional staff of the National Monuments Service of my Department and a small number of technical and professional staff from its National Parks and Wildlife Service. The latest estimate of the total number to retire across my Department is 20. I am confident that, with continuing effective management of my Department's resources, the quality of the services it provides will be maintained.
My Department is responsible for the legislative framework in respect of national monument sites, for general policy development in the area and for measures to promote better awareness of Ireland's archaeological heritage. The Office of Public Works undertakes the operational management and general maintenance of all national monuments in the ownership or guardianship of the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. Any retirement issues in that office would be a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department deploys a regional force of around 230 staff to manage national parks and reserves and to carry out a range of nature conservation functions. Once there is full clarity regarding the small number of retirements expected from this service, my Department will consider any issues arising in light of the available financial and human resources. I can assure the Deputy that all necessary resources will continue to be directed towards the protection, conservation and development of our built and natural heritage, in accordance with best practice and legal requirements, both nationally and internationally.
I thank the Minister for his reply. According to Mr. Peter Cox, vice-president of the International Council on Monuments and Sites, Ireland, every euro invested in heritage returns between €300 and €400 to the Exchequer. Writing recently, Mr. Cox, a man with considerable experience in the field of heritage, stated:
The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has now lost a number of senior staff and the few left at this level are so overstretched and underfunded they can no longer promote or protect our national monuments.
It is expected that 60 per cent of senior heritage specialists in the public service will apply to retire in February, which will leave the sector bereft of expertise required to manage national monuments, ordinary heritage and even world heritage sites.
Within five years, cultural tourists will not visit Ireland because our heritage sites will be in poor repair, ill-interpreted and some will have to close because of health and safety restrictions.
I ask the Minister to clarify whether this scenario will be realised. Cultural and heritage tourists spend significant sums in this country. The budget placed a strong emphasis on tourism as a mechanism for job creation and assisting the country in emerging from its current economic difficulties. Will the Minister comment on Mr. Cox's view of the future of the heritage sector given that he is an independent professional working in this area?
I concur with the Deputy that our heritage sites are very much part of our tourism industry and a large number of tourists come here to visit them. Only one member of the Department's professional staff, an archaeologist, is due to retire. I do not know from where the figure suggesting that 60% of heritage specialists will retire came or on what basis the article in question, which appeared in one of the national newspapers, was written. There does not appear to be any grounds for it. Having checked with the Office of Public Works, the number of OPW staff retiring in the coming months is also relatively low. The number of heritage specialists will be only minimally affected by forthcoming retirements. I assure the Deputy that information provided by my Department and the Office of Public Works suggests the figure of 60% does not have any basis.
Despite the fact that all Departments are working in constrained circumstances, the emphasis on our built and natural heritage remains as strong as ever in my Department and the Office of Public Works, for which the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, has responsibility. Deputy Troy can rest assured that our focus on this area will be maintained this year and in the years ahead. Funding for the built and natural heritage was hard hit between 2008 and 2011 and was, unfortunately, further reduced this year because all Departments were required to reduce capital expenditure. I tried to protect funding as much as I could and remain convinced that sufficient resources remain available to continue the service of conservation, protection and promotion.
44Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts; Heritage and the Gaeltacht the efforts he is making to protect and enhance the music industry here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5506/12]
View answerThe support available for my Department and the agencies under its aegis for music is very significant. We will provide more than €2.6 million in grant aid to the National Concert Hall in 2012. It, in turn, is the home of the National Symphony Orchestra and our premier music venue. My Department also provides in excess of €1.6 million in 2012 to Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann.
Tax relief to support the music industry, and particularly for new and emerging artists, has traditionally been provided through the business expansion scheme. Investors could avail of tax relief in respect of music recordings under the business expansion scheme for music, which was specifically designed to stimulate investment in the production, publication, marketing and promotion of new and emerging musical talent.
My Department also funds targeted initiatives for music which are channelled through Music Network. These include national music day and a national music instrument scheme. Love Live Music, the national music day, is an annual celebration of all forms of music in Ireland. It aims to promote access to live music for all, regardless of location or circumstance, throughfree nationwide music events Music day in 2012 is 21 June to coincide with international music day.
The musical instrument scheme, operated by Music Network, assists individuals and groups to purchase instruments. Up to €200,000 is available under the scheme this year. My Department is also providing €100,000 to the cross-Border youth orchestra in 2012.
Expenditure supports to specific music organisations and for the music sector generally fall mainly within the remit of the Arts Council which, as the Deputy will be aware, is statutorily independent in the disbursement of its funds. For example, the Arts Council supports major performing groups, such as the Irish Chamber Orchestra and Irish Baroque Orchestra which provide year-round work opportunities for the current generation of highly trained musicians; music promoters and festivals throughout the country, such as Sligo Live and West Cork Chamber Music; specialist resource organisations for music, such as Music Network and First Music Contact; and opera provision through Wexford Festival Opera, Opera Theatre Company and so forth.
In regard to the matter of intellectual property rights, including copyright and royalties relating to the commercial aspect of the music industry, these are matters that fall within the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.
I thank the Minister for his reply. As he is aware, the music industry here plays an essential part in the Irish way of life socially, culturally and economically. It is very important that it is not only recognised but supported, invested in and enhanced. There are some very good examples internationally of how this might be done but one of particular note is the FACTOR scheme in Canada. FACTOR, which stands for the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings, is a non-profit organisation dedicated to providing assistance towards the growth and development of the Canadian independent recording industry. Support is provided to Canadian recording artists, songwriters, managers, labels and distributors through various programmes which all aid in the development of the industry. The scheme supports many facets of the infrastructure which must be in place in order for the artists and Canadian labels to progress into the international arena.
Would the Minister agree a similar scheme would be welcome in Ireland? I have proposed that the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht undertake a specific job of work to look at ways in which we, as legislators, might help establish an environment in which Irish music could grow and flourish. Would the Minister be supportive of such an approach? Does he believe there is scope to look at, for example, the criteria by which Irish music is defined as "Irish music" for the purposes of radio play? This is something which has been done in France to good effect. Will the Minister commit to look at international examples for best practice in regard to the promotion and protection of indigenous music?
I am aware of the FACTOR initiative in Canada which has been very successful. It started out very small with approximately $200,000. Now approximately €14 million is provided. It helps songwriters and musicians and puts money into education which is very important. We should look seriously at that programme. I have already asked my officials to consider it to see if it can be replicated here in any way. It has certainly been successful in Canada. Coincidentally, there are a number of Irish artists who perform in America who are being funded by the Canadian Government. They perform at Irish festivals, such as in Milwaukee. There are Irish artists performing in such venues who may not get the same support from here, but who are finding it difficult to compete with them. That in itself is an example of how effective it has been.
Irish music is thriving at the moment. For example, last year, about half a million Americans saw Irish traditional music performances across America through Culture Ireland's support. I was in New York recently at a major event to promote Irish artists. Some of our top musicians were there, such as Martin Hayes and Frankie Gavin, who were attracting huge attention. Their showcases were full to capacity, whereas showcases from other countries might have attracted only two or three people. Irish music, therefore, is going through a very good spell internationally at the moment. I agree with Deputy McLellan that we should avail of this opportunity and promote it as much as we can in whatever form.
I take the Deputy's point about the French policy on airplay. There is a great man there, Danny McCarthy, who is promoting this and he has obviously been in contact with Deputy McLellan. I think that if we had a similar quota here it would help. In France, broadcasters are compelled to play local and national music as much as possible, through a special quota. We should seriously examine that here, but I suppose it is the responsibility of the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Deputy Rabbitte. It should certainly be considered seriously in conjunction with our national broadcaster.
