Written Answers Nos. 1-28
10. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the main findings of the value for money review of the Arts Council; the actions she will take to implement the recommendations of this review, particularly in relation to improved transparency around its decision making, and greater regional representation when it comes to funding the arts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39553/15]
View answerA comprehensive review of the Arts Council's activities and operation over the period 2009 to 2012 was recently published by my Department. It was undertaken by my Department’s Evaluation Unit under the guidance of an expert Steering Committee chaired by Dr. John O'Hagan, Professor of Economics at Trinity College.
The review commends the Council for its response to the economic crisis by significantly reducing administration costs; overhauling its organisational structures; and developing on its RAISE initiative, which helps arts organisations to diversify funding streams.
The review also highlights the need for the Council to expand its efforts to improve transparency around its decision making; give greater consideration to addressing the issue of regional balance in accessing the arts; and to engage more with stakeholders and establish the evidence-base for the societal benefits of its work.
The Value for Money Policy Review should act as an important tool for the Arts Council to improve its hugely beneficial work in funding arts organisations across the State. It is available to download on my Department's website.
I am committed to ensuring that findings of the report are used to improve access to and support for the arts in Ireland. I had a very productive discussion last month with the Chair and Director of the Arts Council on how this can be achieved. My Department will build on the already positive engagement with the Arts Council to ensure that the recommendations are delivered. We will do this in close consultation with the Arts Council using the normal governance arrangements including regular liaison meetings and the annual service level agreement, while respecting the statutory independence of the Council in making its funding decisions.
Indeed the Arts Council has already taken on board some of the key recommendations in its recently published strategy "Making Great Art Work" which sets out its plan for leading the development of the arts in Ireland over the next decade. Further information on the strategy is available on the website of the Council at www.artscouncil.ie
This 10 year strategy will be followed by a series of 3-year implementation plans in which the Arts Council has committed to incorporating many of the detailed recommendations of the value for money review.
12. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is aware of the constraints on Údarás na Gaeltachta, given its successful management of business facilities, which facilities are currently at 90% capacity; and the steps that her Department will take to ensure that Údarás na Gaeltachta has the resources to undertake the expansion necessary for further job creation. [37991/15]
View answerAs Minister of State with responsibility for the Gaeltacht, I very much understand the importance of job creation in retaining sustainable communities in Gaeltacht areas. I am also very cognisant of the ongoing challenge of maintaining existing jobs, in addition to creating new jobs, in the Gaeltacht. In that context, I wish to acknowledge the important enterprise and employment function of Údarás na Gaeltachta as the regional economic agency for the Gaeltacht.
I am well aware of Údarás na Gaeltachta's proposal to increase its capital budget over a period of time to €12m per annum. I am also very aware and supportive of the case advanced by the organisation that such an increase in funding would enable it to create an additional 300 jobs per annum. The case for funding outlined specific measures including the upgrading of its existing property portfolio and the provision of new property solutions in a number of geographic and sectoral areas.
In that context, I have been informed by Údarás na Gaeltachta that its property portfolio has achieved almost full capacity with only a small number of vacant property options available to existing and prospective clients. With regard to the Gaeltacht in Co. Galway, I understand that there are a number of projects which require capital investment in order to address the specific needs identified by expanding enterprises.
Finally, the Deputy will be aware that Údarás na Gaeltachta's capital allocation for 2016 is €5.687m. While I am of course cognisant of the significant pressure on capital resources at this time, I am continuing to seek further funding for Údarás na Gaeltachta under the Revised Estimates process for 2016.
13. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the built heritage investment scheme which her Department recently announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39549/15]
View answerThe Built Heritage Investment Scheme, which I recently announced, is a new €2m investment scheme for the repair and conservation of protected structures. It seeks to encourage the investment of private capital in a number of small-scale, labour intensive projects to repair and conserve historic structures and to support the employment of skilled and experienced conservation professionals, craft workers and tradespeople. Protected structures, proposed protected structures and structures that contribute to the character of an Architectural Conservation area will be eligible for assistance. The minimum level of funding awarded will be €2,500 up to a maximum of €10,000. The State’s contribution to each project must be matched by a similar contribution from the private sector per application. The scheme will operate through 2016 and will be administered by the local authorities. All of which have been informed of their allocations and the process and timelines involved.
The scheme is modelled on the Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme, which was very successfully piloted in 2014, that resulted in the leveraging of almost €10 million in private sector investment and generated approximately 175 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) jobs in the construction sector that year while helping to protect 540 historic structures protected under Part IV of the Planning and Development Acts. Two thirds of the structures conserved under the scheme were privately owned properties with the remaining one third being structures vested in charities, trusts, voluntary groups or in public ownership.
14. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the level of funding that has been provided to the Heritage Council in 2015; and the increase in this funding that is being provided under budget 2016. [39529/15]
View answerThe Heritage Council, which my Department funds, has been allocated a sum of €5.593 million in 2015 to fund its role of supporting heritage infrastructure and promoting pride and best practice in the conservation and sustainable management of heritage assets. This figure excludes an additional and separate €0.378m allocated to the Heritage Council in 2015 as part funding for the National Biodiversity Data Centre.
I refer the Deputy to my answer to priority question number 1 today with respect to the increase in funding for 2016. As I pointed out there, my Department is currently considering the funding available for the protection and conservation of the built heritage in 2016 in the context of its overall allocation and I will publish details of funding schemes for 2016 as soon as these are finalised. In this regard and in order to maximise all potential efficiencies, my Department in consultation with the Heritage Council, will be conducting a specific expenditure review of the Heritage Council in early 2016.
As outlined in my 2016 Budget statement, I have secured an additional €2 million for the heritage sector for next year. This is being allocated to a scheme being run by my Department to support built heritage projects.
15. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views regarding the request received from the Heritage Council, for an additional €1.9 million in funding in 2016, to finance a range of community-based heritage initiatives that would generate multiplier employment in the tourism and wider heritage sectors. [39532/15]
View answerMy Department is currently considering the funding available for the protection and conservation of the built heritage in 2016 in the context of its overall allocation and I will publish details of funding schemes for 2016 as soon as these are finalised.
Funding for the protection of built heritage will continue to be provided by my Department via a number of schemes, which will be either directly administered or delivered through local authorities and agencies such as the Heritage Council.
As the Deputy can appreciate, the scope for funding for the conservation of the built heritage is currently constrained by the significant reduction in the public finances. Nonetheless, I keep the competing priorities regarding the preservation and enhancement of the national heritage under on-going review having regard to the resources available to my Department. In this regard, my Department, in consultation with the Heritage Council, will be undertaking an expenditure review of the Heritage Council in early 2016 with a view to identifying any further improvements that might be achieved in the delivery of heritage services.
My Department’s allocation to the Heritage Council in 2016 will be subject to the normal budgetary processes and final confirmation in the Revised Estimates. It is primarily a matter for the Heritage Council to decide how its funding should be allocated across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports in 2016 and future years having regard to competing priorities for limited resources.
16. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to ensure that children and young persons are involved in the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39547/15]
View answerI, together with my Government colleagues, am committed to ensuring that the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme engages with children and young people to the greatest extent possible. The Ireland 2016 Project Team has been working with the Department of Education and Skills to ensure that the programme reaches every school in the country. The Education Programme was launched in September of this year and the response to date from educators and young people has been extremely positive and encouraging.
My Department has also been working with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to support the engagement of children and young people outside of the formal education sector. Six consultations have taken place with children aged 8-12 and with young people aged 13-17 from around the country on the theme of 'Imagining Our Future'. The outcome of these consultations will be compiled in a report to be presented by children and young people to Ministers and decision-makers at a major young people's event next year.
Further details in relation to all of the events taking place under the Youth and Imagination strand of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme can be found on the website www.ireland.ie. As well as this comprehensive programme for schools, communities are also developing plans at local level for a whole range of events across the country and I hope that children and young people will also get involved in their local communities and take part in the various events.
17. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when she proposes to introduce a 20-year rule for the release of State papers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39501/15]
View answerUnder the National Archives Act 1986, Government Departments, Offices and the Courts have an obligation to transfer records older than 30 years, subject to certain exemptions, to the National Archives. The Government has now agreed to amend the legislation to reduce the period for the transfer of records to the National Archives from 30 years to 20 years. Given that the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland have already moved to a 20 year rule I was cognisant of the importance of maintaining as far as possible synchronicity of release of records with the UK and Northern Ireland, in particular on Anglo-Irish matters.
In particular, the Government agreed to:
1. reduce from 30 years to 20 years the time limit for the deposit of Departmental records with the National Archives of Ireland; and
2. to implement the change on a phased basis, starting with the Departments of, The Taoiseach, Foreign Affairs and Trade and Justice & Equality; and
3. to extend the reduction to other Departments as resources permit; and
4. to engage with Government Departments to deal with the current backlog of records over 30 years old which have not yet been transferred to the National Archives.
These changes will be implemented following the enactment of the relevant legislation to amend the National Archives Act 1986. My Department, in consultation with the Director of the National Archives, have begun drafting Heads of a Bill, which I will bring to Government in due course.
18. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an dtabharfaidh sí míniú ar an moill atá ar an obair ag ionad Theach an Phiarsaigh i Ros Muc, Co. na Gaillimhe; cén t-athrú atá déanta ar na pleananna; cén fath a rinneadh an t-athrú sin; agus cén uair a bheidh sé réidh lena oscailt don phobal. [39531/15]
View answerTá an t-ionad do chuairteoirí ag Teach an Phiarsaigh ar cheann de na hocht meabhrúcháin bhuana atá á bhforbairt mar chuid d'Éire 2016: Clár Comórtha Céad Bliain. Mar is eol don Teachta, fógraíodh i gcáinaisnéis 2016 go mbeidh allúntas de €1.9m curtha ar fáil i Vóta mo Roinne do 2016 do Theach an Phiarsaigh, faoi réir na Meastachán a bheith faofa in am trátha.
Táim sásta go bhfuil an obair ar an togra seo ag gluaiseacht ar aghaidh go sásúil. Mar a tharlaíonn le tograí móra caipitil dá leithéid, tagann rudaí chun cinn ó am go chéile a dtógann roinnt ama chun iad a réiteach. Sa chomhthéacs sin, tuigtear dom gurb éigean d'Údarás na Gaeltachta tairiscintí nua a lorg don obair thógála ar an ionad do chuairteoirí mar go raibh na costais a bhain leis an tairiscint dheireanach ró-ard. Ní miste dom a rá nach bhfuil aon athrú déanta ar na pleananna don ionad ná ar stíl an deartha a bhí ceadaithe tríd an gcóras pleanála. Is amhlaidh go ndearnadh athbhreithniú ar an mbunábhar a bhí beartaithe le húsáid mar bhailchríoch do bhallaí inmheánacha agus seachtracha ag an ionad.
Tuigim ó Údarás na Gaeltachta, atá i gceannas ar an togra, go mbeidh conraitheoir ceaptha acu go han-luath agus go bhfuiltear ag súil go mbeidh tús curtha leis an obair thógála i dtreo dheireadh na míosa seo. Táim muiníneach go mbeidh Slí na Coille críochnaithe faoi Cháisc 2016 agus go mbeidh an t-ionad do chuairteoirí críochnaithe faoi dheireadh mhí Mheán Fómhair 2016.
19. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén uair atá sé i gceist aici tairiscintí a lorg arís le haghaidh na haersheirbhíse go hOileáin Árann; cén dul i gcomhairle atá i gceist aici a dheánamh le FSS, le GRETB agus leis na hoileánaigh sular lorgófar tairiscintí nua; cén uair a tharlóidh sé seo [39551/15]
View answerMar is eol don Teachta, rinne mo Roinn athbhreithniú a choimisiúnú anuraidh ar an tseirbhís aeir i gcomhréir leis an Rialachán AE ábhartha. Léirigh an t-athbhreithniú a rinne EY go raibh cás socheacnamaíoch ann don tseirbhís aeir. Léiríodh fosta go raibh sé riachtanach sábháiltí a bhaint amach i gcomhthéacs an mhéadaithe de 136% a bhí tagtha ar chostas na seirbhíse aeir le linn na tréimhse athbhreithnithe 2003-2013 a bhí faoi chaibidil sa tuarascáil. Bhí an tuarascáil seo iomlán cuimsitheach agus lorg EY aighneachtaí ó na páirtithe leasmhara ábhartha agus iad i mbun a gcuid oibre. Bunaithe ar mholtaí an athbhreithnithe, cuireadh próiseas tairisceana ar bun chun conradh a aontú don tseirbhís aeir don tréimhse ón 1 Deireadh Fómhair 2015 go dtí an 30 Meán Fómhair 2019. Is í an Oifig um Sholáthar Rialtais a bhí i mbun an phróisis tairisceana a reáchtáil thar ceann mo Roinne i gcomhréir leis an Rialachán AE.
Le linn an phróisis tairisceana, tháinig sé chun solais go raibh éiginnteacht ag baint le hAerfort na Gaillimhe a bheith ar fáil don tairgeoir roghnaithe don tréimhse iomlán ceithre bliana den chonradh a bhí beartaithe. Tar éis do mo Roinn soiléiriú a fháil maidir leis seo, tógadh an cinneadh go raibh údair oibiachtúla ann chun deireadh a chur leis an bpróiseas tairisceana. Cuireadh an cinneadh sin in iúl do na tairgeoirí agus chuaigh mo Roinn i mbun idirbheartaíochta leis an soláthróir reatha chun conradh eatramhach bliana a aontú go 30 Meán Fómhair 2016.
Le linn na tréimhse atá amach romhainn, beidh mo Roinn, i gcomhar leis an Oifig um Sholáthar Rialtais, ag tabhairt faoi phróiseas tairisceana úr chun conradh ceithre bliana a aontú don tréimhse ó 1 Deireadh Fómhair 2016. Déanfar é seo i gcomhréir leis na riachtanais dhlíthiúla faoi na rialacha náisiúnta soláthair agus an Rialachán AE ábhartha. Chun cloí leis an Rialachán AE, caithfear nóta eolais faoin bpróiseas tairisceana a fhoilsiú in Iris Oifigiúil an AE faoin 30 Márta 2016. Tá agus beidh mo Roinnse i ndáil chomhairle le pobal Oileáin Árann agus páirtithe leasmhara eile mar chuid den phróiseas seo.
20. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the supports her Department provides for the protection of built heritage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39550/15]
View answerAs the Deputy can appreciate, the scope for funding for the conservation of the built heritage is currently constrained by the significant reduction in the public finances.
Funding for the protection of built heritage is being provided by my Department in 2015 via a number of schemes, which are either directly administered or delivered through local authorities or through the Heritage Council. Application for funding under these schemes is currently closed as all funding for 2015 has been allocated. It is expected that schemes for 2016, which are currently being worked on, will be advertised before the end of the year or early in the new year.
I recently announced a new €2 million investment scheme for the repair and conservation of protected structures. This fund will operate on the same model as the very successful Built Heritage Jobs Leverage Scheme (BHJLS), which ran in 2014, and is expected to support a significant number of projects across the country and create employment in the conservation and construction industries, while helping to regenerate urban and rural areas. This announcement will come as a welcome boost to the custodians of heritage properties.
In 2015, under the Structures at Risk Fund, an allocation of €624,000 was available, to enable conservation works to heritage structures, in both private and public ownership, protected under the Planning and Development Acts 2000, as amended, which are deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration. This fund which is administered through the local authorities encourages the regeneration and reuse of heritage properties and helps to secure the preservation of protected structures which might otherwise be lost. The fund was open to two applications per local authority of which one application may be in respect of a privately-owned building. The amount of funding available per project was subject to a minimum level of €15,000 and a maximum level of €60,000. Since 2011, in excess of 130 structures have been safeguarded for the future as a result of the Structures at Risk Fund.
The Heritage Council, which my Department also funds, provides grants for the protection and preservation of the built heritage. The announcement of any proposed grant schemes can be monitored on www.heritagecouncil.ie. It will be primarily a matter for the Heritage Council to decide how its funding should be allocated across the range of research, education and conservation programmes it supports annually having regard to competing priorities for limited resources.
21. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the drafting of Ireland's first national culture policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39258/15]
View answerAt its meeting on 20 June 2014, the Government approved the drafting of a National Cultural Policy, Culture 2025, which will set out the high level aims and policies of the Government in this area in the period up until 2025. The broad aim of Culture 2025 will be to reinforce the crucial role of culture in society by supporting the cultural sector and providing the conditions which will allow the sector to develop and flourish across all sectors of society. Culture 2025 will seek to reflect the modern multi-cultural Ireland and will be uplifting, accessible, relevant and easy to communicate.
To facilitate public consultation on the proposed policy my Department published a discussion document on 8 August last.
My Department followed this up by holding a series of local workshops to enable people across the country to have their views heard. Meetings took place in Cavan, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Kilkenny and Dublin.
The Dublin event followed the participative World Café model and was held under the Open Public Debates programme. Over 600 people have attended the consultation events and over 200 written submissions have been received. The closing date for receipt of submissions was 31 October 2015.
My Department also established both an Experts Group and a Steering Group made up of cultural stakeholders who are inputting into the consultation and drafting process.
The feedback from the regional meetings and the submissions received will now be examined in detail as part of the process of drafting the cultural policy. I intend that this will be a high level and living document to set out the framework of cultural policy for the next decade.
I intend to submit the policy document to Government in due course with the intention of publishing it early in the New Year.
22. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the level of capital funding that will be required to refurbish the National Library; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39500/15]
View answerThe National Library is one of our foremost National Cultural Institutions, charged with collecting, preserving, promoting and making accessible the documentary and intellectual record of the life of Ireland.
I am acutely aware of the challenges facing the National Library, and indeed other cultural institutions, following the significant reduction of resources available to the Exchequer as a result of the economic crisis. These are significant challenges which will not be fixed overnight, and will most likely take a number of years to address.
Thanks to the fact that the economy has improved, I was in a position to secure an additional €2 million in once-off funding for our National Cultural Institutions in late 2014, as part of the 2015 Revised Estimates. This included an increased allocation of €600,000 for the National Library.
The funding was aimed at addressing specific issues in a number of key institutions, including the National Library. While this funding was originally secured on a once off basis, I was pleased to retain it again for 2016. It should be noted that the Library will also benefit from additional funding under the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme next year.
In relation to the security of the collection, I am aware that the Library gives this issue the highest priority and, where incidents have arisen, they have brought in appropriate expert advice to assist them. I was also pleased to recently approve a new post in the National Library for a security and facilities manager, which will be key to managing and planning the storage and security of the Library’s collection.
It is widely acknowledged that the Library holds a significant amount of its collection in an historic Victorian era building, which would not meet modern standards in terms of environmental and other controls.
I will shortly be making a positive announcement about the development of a capital investment plan for the Library's Kildare Street building. I am confident that those plans will allow the Library to continue to deliver on its core objectives, including the protection and conservation of its collections.
23. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the measures being taken to boost the domestic and international film industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39499/15]
View answerThe Government recognises the value of audio-visual industry in its contribution to the economy and to employment and will continue to take measures to support the industry. Primary responsibility for the support and promotion of film-making in Ireland, in respect of both the indigenous sector and inward productions, is the responsibility of the Irish Film Board. This includes assistance with locations for the making of films. In 2015, I approved a provision of €14.6m for the Film Board, which maintained its funding at the same level as in 2014. The allocation of resources from within that provision is a matter for the Film Board, as the statutorily independent agency responsible for the promotion and development of the Irish film industry.
The other primary mechanism by which the Government supports the film industry is through section 481 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 - the Film Tax Relief Scheme. This scheme has undergone a number of improvements, which took effect in January this year. These changes have been well received and were developed following consultations between my Department, the Irish Film Board, the Department of Finance and the audio-visual industry. The intention is to ensure that Ireland remains competitive in attracting film projects. The Film Tax Relief Scheme has been extended to the end of 2020 and in the recent Budget the Government announced an increase in the cap on this tax relief from €50 million to €70 million. I am confident that these measures will increase the attractiveness of Ireland as a destination for film investment and allow the audio-visual production sector to maintain existing jobs and create new ones. In this regard, Government Departments and public agencies are often key to assisting film companies in providing locations and other supports for film making.
An Interdepartmental Group comprising officials from my Department and other relevant Departments and agencies was also established recently to examine and report on recommendations to increase foreign and domestic investment in Ireland’s film and TV sound stage studio infrastructure in the face of growing demand for audio-visual content across multiple platforms. This builds on the process commenced last year by the Irish Film Board, which sought expressions of interest in this regard. The Group has been meeting on a regular basis since its first meeting in January of this year and its work is on-going.
24. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of the historic houses report which her Department is currently preparing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39494/15]
View answerThe Government recently approved an Action Plan for Irish Historic Houses in private ownership which was developed and finalised earlier this year. The objectives of the action plan will be to assist historic houses in general with their on-going protection, management and promotion into the future.
I hope to publish the action plan with its nine related actions in the near future.
25. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of additional funding for the National Library of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39257/15]
View answerThe National Library is one of our foremost National Cultural Institutions, charged with collecting, preserving, promoting and making accessible the documentary and intellectual record of the life of Ireland.
I am acutely aware of the challenges facing the National Library, and indeed other cultural institutions, following the significant reduction of resources available to the Exchequer as a result of the economic crisis. These are significant challenges which will not be fixed overnight, and will most likely take a number of years to address.
Thanks to the fact that the economy has improved, I was in a position to secure an additional €2 million in once-off funding for our National Cultural Institutions in late 2014, as part of the 2015 Revised Estimates. This included an increased allocation of €600,000 for the National Library.
The funding was aimed at addressing specific issues in a number of key institutions, including the National Library. While this funding was originally secured on a once off basis, I was pleased to retain it again for 2016. It should be noted that the Library will also benefit from additional funding under the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme next year.
In relation to the security of the collection, I am aware that the Library gives this issue the highest priority and, where incidents have arisen, they have brought in appropriate expert advice to assist them. I was also pleased to recently approve a new post in the National Library for a security and facilities manager, which will be key to managing and planning the storage and security of the Library’s collection.
It is widely acknowledged that the Library holds a significant amount of its collection in an historic Victorian era building, which would not meet modern standards in terms of environmental and other controls.
I will shortly be making a positive announcement about the development of a capital investment plan for the Library's Kildare Street building. I am confident that those plans will allow the Library to continue to deliver on its core objectives, including the protection and conservation of its collections.
26. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is aware of the serious challenges which exist to the proper digital preservation of records at the National Archives; her views that the urgent onus should be on the prompt preservation of such records to best international standards to eliminate the risk of degradation over time and counter inevitable technological obsolescence; if she is further aware that the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland applies its digital preservation models to the records management standard; if there is a comparable standard in operation in the State; the cross-Border co-operation that exists in this regard; if she is considering increasing the financial allocation to the National Archives to aid it to overcome these specific challenges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39542/15]
View answerThe care and management of electronic records and the preservation of digital material is a challenge for the National Archives and the other cultural institutions. Earlier this year the National Archives joined the Digital Preservation Coalition to better prepare itself for the development of a digital preservation strategy and to ensure it adopts the appropriate and relevant standards in this area. The National Archives is in ongoing conversation with PRONI (Public Records Office Northern Ireland) and a member of the National Archives staff was on the review group for PRONI's digital repository in advance of its operational roll out.
In this regard, the Office of Government Chief Information Officer and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform are working with the National Archives on a strategy and associated plan in relation to the electronic management and preservation of digital records. It is felt that a collaborative approach based on a pilot and phased implementation of electronic record keeping systems would have benefits across the civil service.
To assist with this project, I was delighted to be in a position to provide the National Archives with a special allocation of €150,000 in 2016 to commence work on the project.
In addition, as part of the Decade of Commemorations programme, the Government agreed to provide funding for the first phase in a capital development plan at the National Archives. €8m has been made available for the purposes of this capital development, which will shortly go to tender. Construction is expected to start in 2016. This development will address many of the longstanding issues with the National Archives headquarters.
27. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Michael P. Kitt den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir leis an moladh go mbeidh 10% de na hoibrithe san earnáil phoiblí in ann gnó a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge leis an bpobal; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [39506/15]
View answerIs mian liom a chur in iúl don Teachta go bhfuilim tar éis scríobh chuig Airí éagsúla chun dul i mbun plé leo maidir le tionscnaimh pholasaí áirithe a bhfuil sé mar aidhm acu forbairt a dhéanamh ar sholáthar seirbhísí poiblí i nGaeilge. Cuimsíonn an cur chuige seo moltaí éagsúla atá déanta maidir leis an ábhar seo. Tá an méid seo a leanas san áireamh sna tionscnaimh pholasaí seo:
- Na céatadáin íosta do na painéil do dhátheangaigh fheidhmiúla a ardú ón íosmhéid de 6% i gcomórtais earcaíochta do ghráid neamh-speisialtóireachta. Is í an mhianaidhm an céatadán a ardú ar bhonn incriminteach go dtí 20% thar thréimhse ama, ag tosú le hardú go dtí 10% mar thús;
- Treisiú a dhéanamh ar an gcreatlach pleanála don fhórsa saothair do Ranna Rialtais trína gcuirtear iachall orthu mír ar leith a bheith sna pleananna gníomhaíochta don fhórsa saothair a shonraíonn na poist/réimsí oibre ina mbíonn gá le dátheangaigh fheidhmiúla le fócas ar leith ar an nGaeltacht.
28. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to increase financial support to Irish musicians; if she or her Department had any discussions with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in relation to possible future initiatives to support the music industry, along the lines of the Centre National de Cinema et de L'Image Animée in France, which invests €550 million per year in the film and television industry, through funds generated by various micro taxes in the audio-visual sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39541/15]
View answerThe Government appreciates the importance of the cultural and creative industries to Ireland, including the music industry.
My Department provides significant support for the arts and film through its funding of the Arts Council and the Film Board while my Department provides capital supports for the development of arts and cultural infrastructure. Other financial and policy supports are also provided, for example, through the taxation system. I was particularly pleased that the Government introduced a 25% increase in the income ceiling for the artists' tax exemption for 2015. This important measure recognises the invaluable contribution which artists, including songwriters and composers, make to society and to the music industry.
The IMRO report, entitled The Socio-Economic Contribution of Music to the Irish Economy, highlights the impressive contribution the music industry makes to the Irish economy. The report contains a broad range of recommendations for which several Ministers have responsibility. My Department is examining those of relevance to my areas of responsibility.
I am aware of the potential of the creative sector to contribute to sustainable jobs growth and my Department continues to work with other Departments in regard to the audio-visual and music sectors as part of the Government’s overall objectives under the Action Plan for Jobs.
I would also like to add that my Department - through Culture Ireland - plays a major part in promoting Irish arts and music on the world stage. In this regard, the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme will present a significant opportunity for the sector next year.
Issues in relation to the arts, film and music will be of particular relevance in the development of Ireland's first national cultural policy, Culture 2025. My Department has commenced the engagement in a nationwide consultation process on the development of the policy and I look forward to working further with the music industry as part of that process.
Budget 2016 contains a number of initiatives targeted at supporting artists and the arts community. Within my Department’s overall budget of €277 million for 2015, €156 million is being provided for the arts, culture and film. The Government also recently announced a €300 million cultural and heritage investment programme, under the Government’s Exchequer Capital Investment Framework 2016-2021, to protect, promote and develop our culture and heritage.
These additional measures will provide increased support to Irish artists including musicians both emerging and established, and underpin Government's investment in arts and culture into the future.
