Written Answers Nos. 247-262
247. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 576 of 7 November 2017, the projects and organisations that were funded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47949/17]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the table.
CAPITAL GRANTS PAID
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 (to date) |
|
|
Turasóireacht Acla Teo. |
€0 |
€8,045 |
€4,545 |
€9,003 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Sciana Mara Teo. |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€32,532 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Muintir a' Chorrain Teo |
€0 |
€0 |
€1,000 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Tumadóirí Chósta an Iarthair Teo |
€64,104 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Feirm Mara Oileán Acla Teo |
€8,000 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Comhlacht Forbartha Áitiúil Acla CTR |
€0 |
€2,664 |
€2,726 |
€8,681 |
€11,706 |
€43,478 |
€16,042 |
|
John Butler |
€4,000 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Philip Ó Nuadhain |
€0 |
€924 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Hugh O'Malley |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€714 |
€2,630 |
€0 |
|
Táirgí Acla Teoranta |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€45,000 |
€93,375 |
€9,108 |
|
Salann Mara Acla Teo |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€1,500 |
€41,974 |
€3,073 |
|
Total |
€76,104 |
€11,633 |
€8,271 |
€17,684 |
€91,452 |
€181,457 |
€28,223 |
CAPITAL PROJECTS
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 (to date) |
|
|
Gorlann Gob a' Choire - Togra Fuinneamh 2016 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€22,565 |
€0 |
|
Salann Mara Acla - Oibreacha Bhreise |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€10,165 |
€0 |
|
Salann Mara Acla - Feabhas & Fuinneoga |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€15,777 |
€0 |
|
Mon3 - Bun a Choire - Uasghrádú Leic & Soilse |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€14,552 |
€0 |
|
Táirgí Acla - Córas Draenála agus Tarmac |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€78,518 |
€4,438 |
|
Gob a Choire 1 - Hub Digiteach |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€2,000 |
|
Aonad 4, Bun an Churraigh |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€84,490 |
|
Total |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€141,577 |
€90,928 |
ADMINISTRATION GRANT PAID TO CO-O
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 (to date) |
|
|
Comhlacht Forbartha Áitiúil Acla CTR |
€77,500 |
€72,688 |
€70,000 |
€69,000 |
€70,000 |
€74,000 |
€71,000 |
|
Total |
€77,500 |
€72,688 |
€70,000 |
€69,000 |
€70,000 |
€74,000 |
€71,000 |
|
TOTAL |
€153,604 |
€84,321 |
€78,271 |
€86,684 |
€161,452 |
€397,034 |
€190,151 |
*Rounding of decimals in place.
248. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the initiatives she has taken or plans to take to address issues of harassment, sexual or otherwise, throughout the bodies under her Department. [48250/17]
View answerIt is a matter for the Boards and Directors or CEOs of the bodies under my Department's remit to ensure that, as employers, they are compliant with their legal obligations under the Employment Equality Acts relating to bullying and harassment in the workplace. All boards have a duty to ensure that their bodies comply with statutory requirements and to ensure that their staff can work in a safe and respectful environment. These are HR matters which are the responsibility of the management of each independent institution.
In recent times, as we know, there have been a number of alarming allegations and reports about sexual harassment in the workplace relating to the arts community. That is why I identified a number of actions that I can take as Minister in relation to the bodies reporting to my Department. The intention is to help boards fulfil their functions more effectively, and to support them in ensuring that policies in relation to equality and respect in the workforce operate effectively in line with best practice. These include:
- Arranging separate dedicated workshops for board members and senior staff with a particular emphasis on issues relating to bullying, abuse of power and sexual harassment in the workplace;
- Extending an invitation to all other cultural organisations and arts centres around the country to avail of similar training; and
- Highlighting once again to bodies reporting to the Department the nature of their legal obligations, by seeking assurances of their compliance with obligations under employment legislation.
In addition, I will accelerate a planned review of compliance by bodies under the aegis of my Department with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
More broadly, I have been engaging with the Arts Council and the National Theatre to facilitate an industry wide consultation exercise to be held before the end of the month. As I have said I believe that working together my Department, the Arts Council and leading members of theatre organisations can encourage a safe and respectful environment free from abuse of power and sexual harassment.
249. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she has set out guidelines for operation throughout her Department with a view to combatting bullying or harassment in the workplace; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48251/17]
View answerMy Department is committed to protecting dignity and respect across the organisation. I am assured that the Dignity at Work Policy - an anti-bullying, harassment and sexual harassment policy for the Irish Civil Service, which came into effect in February 2015, is implemented in my Department. The key aims of the policy are to
- achieve a work environment where dignity and respect are to the forefront of our values
- create an environment where bullying, harassment and sexual harassment are not tolerated in any form
- ensure that each individual is aware of his/her responsibility to behave in a way that reflects a culture of dignity and respect.
It aims to promote respect, dignity, safety, and equality in the workplace. Every member of staff in my Department is made aware that all forms of bullying, harassment, and sexual harassment are unacceptable and every member of staff has a duty to behave in an acceptable and respectful manner.
250. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she continues to fund the promotion of the arts at national and local level directly or through the agents of the Arts Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48252/17]
View answerUnder the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts, including arts participation, throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. Under the Arts Act the Arts Council is independent in relation to its funding decisions.
In Budget 2018 I secured an additional €3 million for the Arts Council, a 5% increase in its annual budget bringing it to €68 million. This is in addition to the €5 million increase which I secured for the Council in Budget 2017. In total, the Arts Council allocation is up 20% since 2014. These increased resources have flowed to the arts sector and are assisting the Council greatly in implementing its 10-year strategy Making Great Art Work (2016-2025).
The Creative Ireland Programme, which was launched in 2017 is already yielding positive results in both rural and urban communities, with more and more people engaging with creativity than ever before. I am determined to build on this momentum in 2018 by providing funding increases to key institutions, agencies and initiatives that deliver arts, creativity and culture right across the country. The additional funds will be used to further develop the Programme to increase citizen engagement with creativity in Ireland.
251. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the degree to which she directly or indirectly continues to engage with young persons in the context of an appreciation of the arts at all levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48253/17]
View answerUnder the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts, including arts participation by young people throughout the country, is devolved to the Arts Council. Under the Arts Act the Arts Council is independent in relation to its funding decisions.
In Budget 2018 I secured an additional €3 million for the Arts Council, a 5% increase in its annual budget bringing it to €68 million. This is in addition to the €5 million increase which I secured for the Council in Budget 2017. Arts Council funding has increased by 20% since 2014 greatly assisting the Council in implementing its 10-year strategy Making Great Art Work (2016-2025).
The Creative Ireland Programme, which I launched in December 2016, places a special focus on “Enabling the Creative Potential of Every Child”. Building on the Arts in Education Charter, this will involve the development of an integrated plan – Creative Children –to enable every child in Ireland to access tuition in music, drama, art and coding by 2022. My Department is collaborating with the Departments of Education and Skills and Children and Youth Affairs as well as the Arts Council in preparing the Creative Children plan to deliver the objectives of Pillar 1 of the Creative Ireland Programme. In 2018, I have allocated an additional €1m to the Creative Children project.
I am pleased to say that continuing professional development through teacher - artist partnerships is ongoing and in July 2017 there was a significant increase in the number of courses taking place across twenty-one Education Centres throughout the country.
The Arts Council commissioned report Arts and Cultural Participation among Children and Young People: Insights from the Growing Up in Ireland Study, which was published in September 2016, concluded that arts and cultural participation leads to a range of positive outcomes for children, both in terms of their cognitive development and their well-being. This study found that schools are important arenas for access to arts/culture and school emphasis on culture has a positive impact on student engagement in these activities.
252. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she continues to promote and protect heritage sites throughout the country; the number of new sites under archaeological excavation or development at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48254/17]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 128, 130, 131, 132 and 134 on 27 September 2017.
253. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the degree to which she continues to promote the film industry here; the means by which this is being done; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48255/17]
View answerThe Irish Film Board is the national development agency for Irish film making and the Irish film, television and animation industry. Its statutory remit is to assist and encourage the making of film in the State and the development of a film industry in Ireland. In Budget 2018, I allocated a further €1.55 million to the Irish Film Board to build on its vital work in supporting Irish film, television drama, documentary and animation. This increases its annual budget by 9.3% to €18 million, 29% more than it was in 2014.
The Film Board supports writers, directors and production companies across these sectors by providing investment loans for the development, production and distribution of film, television and animation projects.
The Film Board also supports the Irish screen industries at major international markets and festivals, promotes inward investment, the use of Ireland as a location for international production and provides support for companies filming in Ireland. The Board liaises with IDA Ireland and Tourism Ireland to maximise opportunities for the promotion of Ireland as a location for film productions as well as a tourism destination. Information on its funding scheme is available on the Irish Film Board website at www.irishfilmboard.ie.
The other primary mechanism through which the Government supports the film industry is Section 481 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 - the film tax relief scheme. My Department’s investment in the film sector will also help to maximise the benefits brought about by the Government’s enhancement of the Section 481 film tax credit system, including the decision to increase the cap for eligible expenditure on film projects to €70 million, as announced as part of Budget 2016.
The twin approach of direct funding and tax expenditure measures maximises the benefits of the Government’s support to the audiovisual industry.
254. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she continues to promote the benefit of an appreciation of the arts among schoolchildren with particular reference to local history and its importance in the national context; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48256/17]
View answerThe Creative Ireland Programme, which I launched in December 2016, places a special focus on “Enabling the Creative Potential of Every Child”. Building on the Arts in Education Charter, this will involve the development of an integrated plan – Creative Children – to enable every child in Ireland to access tuition in music, drama, art and coding by 2022. My Department officials continue to work with relevant Departments and other stakeholders to develop this plan. The plan will be a primary driver of actions in this area in 2018.
In addition, the Arts Council commissioned report Arts and Cultural Participation among Children and Young People: Insights from the Growing Up in Ireland Study, which was published in September 2016, concluded that arts and cultural participation leads to a range of positive outcomes for children, both in terms of their cognitive development and their well-being. This study found that schools are important arenas for access to arts/culture and school emphasis on culture has a positive impact on student engagement in these activities.
It should be noted that under the Arts Act 2003, primary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts throughout the country is devolved to the Arts Council. This year the Arts Council increased funding in this area from €3.1 m in 2016 to €3.7 m in 2017 on foot of the significant increase of support of €5m which I secured for the Arts Council as part of Budget 2017. This will assist the Council in implementing its 10-year strategy Making Great Art Work (2016-2025). This strategy places specific emphasis on the need to plan and provide for children and young people.
Regarding the appreciation of local history and heritage among schoolchildren, the Heritage Council operates the Heritage in Schools Scheme. This makes available to primary schools a current panel of 145 Heritage Experts who visit primary schools to work directly with the pupils. The scheme currently reaches nearly 100,000 primary school pupils over the course of 2,000 school visits each year. The value of the scheme is in the richness and depth of knowledge it makes available to children and teachers, engaging children in a direct experience of their heritage, preferably outside the classroom where possible and appropriate. The Heritage Council has just completed a review of the Scheme and appointed new Experts who will achieve a greater geographical spread and will enable the scheme place more emphasis on built heritage supporting efforts to promote the historic values of towns.
In terms of next steps in this area, my Department is working closely with the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Youth and Children Affairs and the Arts Council in preparing the Creative Children plan to deliver the objectives of Pillar 1 of the Creative Ireland Programme. This plan will be launched later in the year.
255. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she directly or indirectly continues to support local and community based groups with a view to generating an interest and appreciation for the arts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48257/17]
View answerOn 8 December 2016, the Creative Ireland Programme was launched as the Government's Legacy Programme arising out of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme and as the main implementation vehicle for the priorities identified in Culture 2025/Éire Ildánach. The Creative Ireland Programme is a high level, high ambition, 5-year initiative, from 2017 to 2022 which is the centenary of the foundation of the State. Creative Ireland aims to place creativity at the centre of public policy. The programme is being led by my Department in partnership with other Government Departments and Agencies, local authorities, the third level sector, arts and culture organisations and relevant NGOs. The second pillar of Creative Ireland entitled Enabling Creativity in Every Community is focused on local communities. I am pleased to report that there has been significant progress on Pillar 2. A Culture Team has been established in each of the 31 local authorities and each local authority has produced a 2017 Creative Ireland Plan and is in the process of drawing up a more detailed 2018 Creative Plan setting out a five year plan for local creativity.
In general, funding for the arts is primarily a matter for the Arts Council. In this regard, I secured significant additional funding for the Arts Council in Budgets 2017 and 2018. The increase in the Arts Council's allocation over 2017 and 2018 is €8 million and this additional funding will assist the Council greatly in implementing its 10-year strategy Making Great Art Work (2016-2025). Based on this strategy the Arts Council has developed a new approach to funding known as Making Great Art Work Funding Framework 2018-2020. The Arts Council has identified five funding categories that will enable it to deliver on its strategic goals. This includes the provision of funding to support local authorities in delivering arts experiences to people across Ireland.
These policy initiatives are supported by significant investment in arts and culture infrastructure. Already this year I announced details of more than €10 million in capital funding to a total of 122 arts organisations around the country under the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016-2018. This is the most significant investment in arts and cultural centres in a decade and will target investment at a range of different facilities, including arts centres, theatres, galleries and museums, as well as artists’ studios and creative spaces.
256. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which her attention has been drawn to the requirement of theatres in all areas throughout the country with the view to ensuring locations in which local community groups can become involved in staging productions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48258/17]
View answerThe Arts and Culture Capital scheme 2016-2018 which I announced in 2016 is focused on the refurbishment and enhancement of the existing stock of arts and culture facilities including theatres throughout the country. This scheme is running from 2016 to 2018 over three complementary grant streams. Grant funding of between €20,000 and €2m is being offered to projects on a matched funding basis with a maximum of between 50%-70% provided by the Department. Stream 3 in particular focused on community and voluntary groups many of which received grants under the scheme.
To date, funding of €10.1m has been allocated to 122 projects under the 3 streams.
This is the most significant investment in arts and cultural centres in a decade and is targeting investment at a range of different facilities, including arts centres, theatres, galleries and museums, as well as artists’ studios and creative spaces spread throughout the country.
257. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the degree to which she directly or indirectly can offer support or incentive to those involved in traditional or classical music or shows with a view to achieving a high level of perfection and a sense of achievement at community level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48259/17]
View answerPrimary responsibility for the promotion and support of the arts at all levels, including musical performance, is devolved to the Arts Council. The Arts Council operates under the provisions of the Arts Act 2003, which provides, inter alia, that the Council is independent in the performance of its functions in funding the arts. In Budget 2018, the Arts Council will receive an additional €3 million to enhance its support to artists and arts organisations of all sizes throughout the country bringing the total Arts Council allocation of €68.2 million in 2018.
In addition to the work of the Arts Council, my Department funds a number of initiatives for music:
- Culture Ireland, provides supports for Irish artists and musicians to travel abroad and develop their careers;
- Annual funding of €1.5m is provided to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ) in 2017 for its work in the protection and promotion of Irish traditional music and culture. CCÉ provides weekly classes at community level in all traditional instruments, singing, and dance through its network of centres and branches all over the country.
- The Music Capital Scheme allocates grants of around €200,000 each year to groups and individuals for the purchase of musical instruments. Music Network manages the Scheme for my Department and details are available at www.musicnetwork.ie.
The Creative Ireland Programme, which I launched in December 2016, places a special focus on “Enabling the Creative Potential of Every Child”. Building on the Arts in Education Charter, this will involve the development of an integrated plan – Creative Children –to enable every child in Ireland to access tuition in music, drama, art and coding by 2022. My Department is working with Government Departments and stakeholders to develop this plan.
258. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the details of the planned expenditure in 2018 of €2 million on a new pilot scheme for in-school speech and language therapists; the locations this money will be targeted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47618/17]
View answerThe Programme for a Partnership Government commits that a new in-school speech and language service will be established to support young children as part of a more integrated support system.
The Health Service Executive undertook an extensive review of existing Speech and Language therapy provision earlier this year and the findings and recommendations of that review, which is based on best international practice will inform the development of a new model for delivery.
It has been shown across the OECD as the most effective way of managing and intervening with the educational and social issues consequential to speech and language difficulties in children.
Teachers and SLTs have different, but complementary, skills in developing children’s language and learning. SLTs are trained to take a linguistically analytical approach to language while teachers’ knowledge and skills relate to literacy, curriculum and teaching practice. These different but complementary skills and knowledge would support the language, literacy, communication and learning needs of students, especially students with or at risk of Speech & Language Complex Needs.
A joint working group, made up of The Department of Health, The Department of Education and Skills, The Health Service Executive and The National Council for Special Education, has been established to develop the proposed model. When finalised, the proposed model will represent a significant change in the way in which services are delivered. Work is currently underway to develop an initial demonstration project with a view to its implementation in 2018. The locations for this project are being determined as part of this process.
259. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be assessed by CAMHS. [47619/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon possible.
260. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health the status of the motorised transport grant following budget 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47624/17]
View answerI was pleased to have the opportunity to discuss the proposed Health (Transport Support) Bill with the Joint Committee on Public Petitions on Wednesday 11th October. The Deputy may be familiar with the background to the closure of both the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant schemes in February 2013. Since the closure of the Mobility Allowance, the Government has directed that the Health Service Executive should continue to pay an equivalent monthly payment of up to €208.50 per month to the 4,700 people in receipt of the Mobility Allowance, on an interim basis, pending the establishment of a new Transport Support Scheme.
The Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new Transport Support Scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. The Programme for a Partnership Government acknowledges the ongoing drafting of primary legislation for a new Transport Support Scheme to assist those with a disability to meet their mobility costs. The Government's legislative programme for 2017 includes the Health (Transport Support) Bill. I can confirm that work on the policy proposals for the new Scheme is at an advanced stage. The proposals seek to ensure that:
- There is a firm statutory basis to the Scheme's operation;
- There is transparency and equity in the eligibility criteria attaching to the Scheme;
- Resources are targeted at those with greatest needs; and
- The Scheme is capable of being costed and is affordable on its introduction and on an ongoing basis.
The draft General Scheme and Heads of Bill were circulated to other government Departments and have been the subject of consultation between the Department of Health and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. When the consultation with other relevant Departments has been completed, the next step will be to seek Government approval to the drafting of a Bill for the new Scheme.
It is important to note that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers scheme operated by the Revenue Commissioners, remains in place. This scheme provides VRT and VAT relief, an exemption from road tax and a fuel grant to drivers and passengers with a disability, who qualify under the relevant criteria set out in governing regulations made by the Minister for Finance.
Specifically adapted vehicles driven by disabled persons are also exempt from payment of tolls on national toll roads and toll bridges. Transport Infrastructure Ireland has responsibility for this particular Scheme.
261. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47630/17]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
262. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if the drug kuvan will be made available for persons with PKU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47638/17]
View answer340. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the status of the ongoing HSE assessment process with regard to funding of the drug kuvan for the treatment of phenylketonuria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48081/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 262 and 340 together.
The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines under the community drug schemes, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
In reaching a decision, the HSE examines all the evidence which may be relevant in its view for the decision and will take into account such expert opinions and recommendations which may have been sought by the HSE, including, for example, advice from the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE).
Sapropterin (Kuvan) was previously considered under the national pricing and reimbursement processes in 2009. At that time, insufficient evidence was available to support the pricing and reimbursement application submitted by Merck Serono.
In December 2015, Merck Serono advised the HSE that the market authorisation for sapropterin was transferring to Biomarin in 2016. The HSE met with the new market authorisation holder in May 2016 and was advised that it would be submitting a health technology assessment dossier in relation to sapropterin.
The NCPE assessment of the new dossier was completed on the 15 September 2017 and the NCPE did not recommend sapropterin for reimbursement as it was not deemed cost effective.
The HSE assessment process is ongoing and the HSE will take into account any relevant expert advice when making its decision, in line with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
