Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 March 2013
6. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which he expects to be in a position to offer financial support to locally organised cultural and-or heritage events over the next three years with the objective of rewarding local initiatives and effort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13060/13]
View answerI would like to acknowledge the strong interest of the Deputy in matters relating to culture and heritage, and the potential of those sectors - apart from their intrinsic value - to help promote economic recovery. As the Deputy is aware, I have responded to a range of questions from him on these matters over recent months and have also supplied him directly with a significant volume of information about assistance provided to arts and heritage groups from my own Department, the Heritage Council and the Arts Council.
I share his view that the arts, culture and heritage sectors continue to offer vital opportunities for the provision of important cultural, social and employment benefits to communities throughout the country. The nature of employment within the arts sector encompasses a wide range of activities, while cultural and heritage tourism is one of the most important elements of Ireland's tourism product. I should also say that the Government appreciates and values the contribution the arts sector makes to the internationally renowned artistic and cultural reputation of this country.
I have outlined previously for the Deputy a range of ways in which my Department and relevant bodies within its remit are seeking to support cultural and heritage initiatives in conjunction with local groups and communities. These include cultural tourism initiatives such as the St. Patrick's Day celebrations, Music Day and Culture Night; the extensive support provided by the Arts Council for festivals and other arts and cultural events across the county; the range of activities organised by the Council of National Cultural Institutions and other cultural venues supported by my Department; the philanthropy leverage initiative, funded by my Department; the many cultural and heritage events being held under the auspices of both The Gathering and our EU Presidency cultural programme; a number of web-based projects being developed by my Department to promote greater appreciation and understanding of Ireland's heritage as a valuable amenity for residents and visitors alike; and other collaborative work with bodies and groups such as the Heritage Council, the Irish Heritage Trust, Fáilte Ireland, and Leader groups.
Within the current economic constraints, investment in the arts, heritage, culture and creative sectors is more important than ever, having regard to the employment intensity of these sectors. While I know the Deputy appreciates the funding difficulties facing all Departments at this time, he can be assured I remain committed to securing the best possible level of funding for these sectors. The specific allocations to be made over the next three years will, of course, be dependent on the budgetary and estimates cycles in each of those years.
I thank Deputy Durkan for putting down this significant question. The Minister recently visited Donegal where he got a good insight into heritage projects there. While I was not able to attend the meetings he had with local groups due to the meeting of the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, on behalf of the groups I thank the Minister for giving up his time.
In his response the Minister referred to local community engagement with any potential interpretative or visitor centres for historical sites. In Donegal, there are two sites where we could realise massive potential. Malin Head has an historic tower which was used in the past by Lloyds of London, Marconi, the Admiralty and the Army as a coastal defence system in both world wars, respectively. It has been a local ambition for many years to get an interpretative centre there. Whatever influence the Minister can use in conjunction with the Office of Public Works would be important.
The second site is Fanad Head lighthouse. There is an application for INTERREG funding for a necklace of visitor sites at lighthouses around the coast. This would make a massive contribution to the maritime tourism sector. A decision on the Fanad Head lighthouse site is imminent and I hope it will be successful.
I agree with Deputy McHugh on the opportunity for tourism development by having such a necklace of visitor centres at lighthouses around our vast coast. There is a good example already in County Clare and the residents of Valentia Island are looking to develop their lighthouse as a tourist attraction. I will give whatever support I can to this initiative. I will be speaking to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, later this evening and I will refer to the tourism potential of our lighthouses around the coastline.
The Irish language is one of the most important cultural and heritage aspects we have in society. In a report released yesterday, the Coimisinéir Teanga stated the Official Languages Act, which comes under the Minister's remit, was in a state of chaos. There have been 753 complaints about State organisations not fulfilling their responsibilities under the Act. We have a situation where three quarters of Irish language schemes-----
Deputy, we must stick to the original question.
Yes, but the Irish language is a cultural and heritage issue which comes under the Department's remit.
Could the Deputy put a question?
Three quarters of the Irish language schemes that finished last year were not renewed. Only nine language schemes were put in place last year which will take 12 years to complete. How will we resolve the issues with the official language if it is going to take this long?
Most of the problem is with other Departments and these problems did not arise just yesterday. It is important all Departments are mindful of their responsibility towards the Irish language and they provide bilingual services as required. I saw the report of the Coimisinéir Teanga. The Minister of State, Deputy McGinley, is aware of these issues. For the past 30 years, more than any other Member, Deputy McGinley has been one of the strongest proponents of the Irish language. Since he became Minister of State with responsibility for the Gaeltacht, there was never more Irish spoken in the House. We are mindful of this report and we will be addressing the various issues raised. A special committee on the Irish language, chaired by the Taoiseach, is in place and the report will be discussed at its next meeting.
We will move on to Question No. 7.
On a point of order, if two Members come in on one question, is the amount of time apportioned doubled?
No, only if questions are taken together.
