Written Answers Nos. 60-90
70. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to set up a new film industry forum that will bring together all stakeholders in the industry to meet and work together to address areas of concern in the industry and to develop mutually beneficial solutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39844/18]
View answerReferring to my earlier replies today, I thanked the members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht for the work undertaken to produce its Report on the Development and Working Conditions in the Irish Film Industry. I noted that the Report was launched just a few weeks after the Government published its Audiovisual Action Plan and that there was a great deal of shared vision between the Oireachtas Report and Government Plan. As I also mentioned, the Oireachtas Report was discussed at the second meeting of the Audiovisual industry steering group which met last week.
I have noted that one of the 11 Recommendations of the Oireachtas Report called "on the Irish Film Board to constitute the Board’s Film Forum, with an independent Chair, in order to allow all stakeholders within the sector to meet and work together to develop mutually beneficial solutions for the industry."
Screen Ireland, which is the new name of the 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. Screen Ireland supports these sectors by providing investment loans for the development, production and distribution of film, television and animation projects.
In addition to the discussions at the Audiovisual steering group officials from my Department have had discussions with Screen Ireland, on the recommendation of the Joint Oireachtas Committee around the issue of a Forum. Screen Ireland is giving consideration as to how best to give effect to this recommendation and a further announcement in this regard will be made shortly. The Deputy may be interested to know that I have also arranged to meet with Screen Ireland shortly and the issue of a Forum as proposed by the Oireachtas Committee will form part of our discussions.
I should just say that I am satisfied that the industry in general works to a high standards. My my Department will work with all partners to ensure that all sectors of the industry comply with their obligations and that everyone in the industry works in a respectful environment and supportive environment as that is the best way of ensuring the continued growth and success of the industry in the interests of all workers engaged within it.
71. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when a new director will be appointed to the Irish Museum of Modern Art; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39814/18]
View answerThe appointment of a new Director is a matter, in the first instance, for the Board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art, subject to my approval after consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
The former Director of IMMA resigned from her post in November 2017 and an interim Director was appointed by the Board of IMMA with effect from 4 December 2017.
Following consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the post of Director of IMMA was advertised on 8 June 2018 and the closing date for applications was 22 June 2018. I am glad to report that there has been strong interest in this competition.
The interview process is ongoing and will be completed in the coming weeks. The Board of IMMA hope to be in a position to appoint a new Director shortly thereafter. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the interim Director Dr Moling Ryan for his on-going commitment to IMMA since last December.
In the meantime IMMA has already launched a number of new exhibitions in 2018. This has included a comprehensive retrospective of work by seminal British artist Frank Bowling and an exhibition of paintings by the Irish artist- Brian Maguire - arising from his visit to Syria in 2017. Future exhibitions will include the work of Wolfgang Tillmans, a renowned German photographer and winner of the Turner Prize in 2000, as well as an exhibition of work by the important Irish artist Mary Swanzy.
IMMA’s mission is to connect audiences and art, providing an extraordinary space in Ireland where contemporary life and contemporary art connect. It has a large and engaged audience which is young and digitally connected. An estimated 60% of its nearly 500,000 visitors in 2017 were under 44! In this regard IMMA has ambitious plans for the development of its facilities under Project 2040 including a dedicated on campus Collections and Learning Centre. All of this provides both opportunities and challenges for the new Director at IMMA.
My Department and I will continue to work with IMMA to ensure that its challenging mission is fulfilled.
72. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé na ceantair sa Ghaeltacht a bhfuil airgead reatha pleanála teanga ceadaithe dóibh ag Údarás na Gaeltachta le pleananna teanga a chur i bhfeidhm iontu; cé mhéad airgid atá ceadaithe in aghaidh na bliana i ngach cás; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [39408/18]
View answerChun freastal a dhéanamh ar fheidhmiú rathúil an phróisis pleanála teanga, tá allúntas faoi leith ar fiú €1,513,351 san iomlán ceadaithe ag mo Roinn d’Údarás na Gaeltachta don bhliain reatha. Tá €730,434 den allúntas sin íoctha ag mo Roinn leis an Údarás cheana féin i mbliana agus táthar ag súil go mbeifear in ann fuílleach an allúntais a íoc roimh dheireadh na bliana ach tuairisc shásúil a bheith faighte. Bainfear leas as an allúntas seo chun go mbeidh an tÚdarás in ann leanúint air ag tacú le hullmhú agus le feidhmiú pleananna teanga mar a bhaineann sé leis na ceantair Ghaeltachta uile, móide an trí Bhaile Seirbhíse Gaeltachta atá faoina gcúram, i gcomhréir leis na dualgais atá sannta don Údarás faoi Acht na Gaeltachta 2012.
I gcomhréir leis an socrú a rinneadh ag tús na bliana, cuirfear ciste bliantúil ar fáil do cheanneagraíochtaí pleanála teanga ar fiú idir €100,000 agus €150,000, ag brath ar chritéir cháilithe faoi leith, chun tús a chur le feidhmiú pleananna atá faofa faoin Acht.
Seo a leanas dá réir an dáileadh airgid atá i gceist i leith an 10 limistéar a bhfuil pleananna ceadaithe ina leith go dtí seo faoin bpróiseas:
|
LPT |
Allúntas ceadaithe do bhliain a haon d’fheidhmiú an Phlean Teanga |
|
Cois Fharraige |
€150,000 |
|
Gaoth Dobhair, Rann na Feirste, Anagaire & Loch an Iúir |
€140,000 |
|
Cloich Chionnaola, Gort an Choirce, An Fál Carrach agus Machaire Rabhairtaigh |
€100,000 |
|
Ciarraí Thiar |
€150,000 |
|
Ciarraí Theas |
€100,000 |
|
Na Déise |
€100,000 |
|
Árainn Mhór |
€100,000 |
|
Múscraí |
€100,000 |
|
Dúiche Sheoigheach & Tuar Mhic Éadaigh |
€100,000 |
|
Maigh Eo Thuaidh |
€100,000 |
|
Iomlán |
€1,140,000 |
Den suim sin tuigtear don Roinn go bhfuil €120,000 in iomlán cúitithe ag an Údarás leis an gceithre cheanneagraíocht pleanála teanga a leanas ó thús na bliana:
|
LPT |
Maoiniú d’fheidhmiú pleananna teanga atá dáilte ag ÚnaG |
|
Gaoth Dobhair, Rann na Feirste, Anagaire & Loch an Iúir |
€30,000 |
|
Cloich Chionnaola, Gort an Choirce, An Fál Carrach agus Machaire Rabhairtaigh |
€30,000 |
|
Ciarraí Theas |
€30,000 |
|
Na Déise |
€30,000 |
|
Iomlán |
€120,000 |
Ní miste a lua, agus an t-ábhar seo faoi chaibidil, nach foláir próiseas earcaíochta, dintiúirí airgeadais agus clár oibre comhaontaithe a bheith socraithe idir gach ceanneagraíocht agus an tÚdarás sular féidir tús a chur le híoc an allúntais. Tagann an cleachtas seo ar fad le dea-chleachtais airgeadais agus riaracháin an Chóid um Chaiteachas Poiblí.
Le hullmhú, le ceadú, agus le comhaontú clár oibre idir ceanneagraíochtaí pleanála teanga agus an tÚdarás ag bailiú nirt i rith an ama, táthar ag súil leis go gcuirfear dlús céimiúil le gach gné de cur i bhfeidhm an phróisis san achar ama atá romhainn.
73. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to introduce a national monuments Bill; and the progress towards same. [39449/18]
View answerIreland enjoys a unique wealth and variety of archaeological monuments and sites which are a vital part of our heritage. The protection and preservation of our archaeological heritage, and the regulation of related activities, is currently provided for under the National Monuments Acts, 1930-2014.
The original 1930 Act came into being in very different times and has been frequently and significantly altered in the meantime. The resulting complex legislative framework is no longer adequately reflective of, or responsive to, today's heritage conservation priorities or the economic, social and infrastructural requirements it now has to deal with.
The new legislation will repeal the National Monuments Acts, 1930-2014 in their entirety and will create a modern consolidated legal framework designed to effectively meet the challenges of today's operating environment. I am keen to see the Bill progressing as quickly as possible and I am confident that it will provide a suitable basis for the protection of archaeological heritage that will be welcomed by stakeholders.
The Bill aims to simplify and clarify the law on protection of monuments. It will replace several complex overlapping protection mechanisms with a single Register of Monuments that will have two possible levels of protection, the highest equating to national monument status. It will provide automatic protection for newly discovered archaeological sites while also ensuring appropriate consultation with landowners in regard to proposed new entries to the Register of Monuments. It will replace the multiple forms of licenses and consents under existing Acts with an integrated licensing system for relevant works and other regulated activities. Clear criteria and procedures for dealing with license applications, including the social and economic impact of decisions to either grant or refuse a license, will be set out. A statutory right of appeal with respect to decisions on whether to grant a license will be introduced for the first time. It will also allow the State to ratify key international conventions in the area of heritage protection.
The Bill represents an important measure of regulatory reform that will benefit all parties, including landowners, developers and heritage professionals, while at the same time enhancing protection of our archaeological heritage. Drafting of the Bill is now at an advanced stage. My Department is currently engaged in a consultation programme with relevant Government departments and state bodies which I expect to completed shortly. I then intend to introduce the Bill to the Oireachtas once Pre-Legislative Scrutiny has been completed by the relevant Business Committee.
I am pleased with the recent progress that has been achieved with the drafting of the new Bill, which is a very substantial body of work. It will, when enacted, completely update and streamline our monuments legislation and provide an effective framework for meeting social and economic needs while also protecting our invaluable archaeological heritage.
74. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the supports provided for the preservation of built heritage in County Sligo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39451/18]
View answerMy Department provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through a number of schemes which are generally administered by local authorities.
The Built Heritage Investment Scheme is a scheme for the repair and conservation of structures on the local authority Record of Protected Structures. It is designed to leverage private capital for investment in small scale conservation projects across the country and to support the employment of skilled conservation professionals. I have allocated funding of €2m in total for this Scheme in 2018. In 2017 and 2018, a total of €120,214 was provided in grant aid under this scheme for 22 projects in County Sligo.
The Structures at Risk Fund enables conservation works to heritage structures, in both private and public ownership, which are deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration. I have allocated €1.3m for the Structures at Risk Fund in 2018. In 2017 and 2018 a total of €75,000 was awarded under this fund to 4 projects in County Sligo.
Details of the projects approved under both funding schemes are published on my Department’s website and local authority websites.
The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection and preservation of the built heritage. 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. Grant schemes for 2018 are advertised by the Heritage Council on its website www.heritagecouncil.ie.
In terms of future funding, Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018 – 2027 represents a major capital investment scheme of €1.2 billion in funding for my Department over the next 10 years, as part of Project Ireland 2040. This plan will see increased investment in protecting and celebrating our built heritage across the country. More details on the commencement and completion dates for projects and programmes, as well as the timing of the expenditure in relation to them, will emerge as we go through the process of appraisal and planning as required under the Public Spending Code.
75. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad é stádas Bhille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla; cén dáta a fhoilseofar an bille; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [39819/18]
View answerMar chúlra, is iarracht í an Bhille seo, trí na ceannteideil éagsúla, an timpeallacht a chruthú ina mbeidh ról níos lárnaí ag an teanga in obair an Stáit, go mbeidh an teanga níos feiceálaí agus go mbeidh fáil níos leithne ar sheirbhísí trí Ghaeilge.
Agus an Bille á thabhairt chun cinn, cuireadh tréimhse fada comhairliúcháin ar bun leis na bpáirtithe leasmhara agus ba phróiseas an-fhiúntach a bhí ann. Mar is eol don Teachta, leagadh na Ceannteidil faoi bhráid Chomhchoiste na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus na hOileáin agus foilsíodh tuarascáil ag eascairt as an bpróiseas seo roimh an tsamhraidh. Tá an tuarascáil sin á scrúdú ag mo Roinn faoi láthair i gcomhthéacs dréachtú an Bhille.
Beidh sé mar chuspóir sa Bhille go mbeidh 20% de na daoine nua a earcaítear don tseirbhís phoiblí ina gcainteoirí Gaeilge, go mbeidh gach oifig phoiblí atá lonnaithe sa Ghaeltacht ag feidhmiú trí Ghaeilge agus go mbeidh comhlachtaí poiblí in ann freastal ar an éileamh ón bpobal ar sheirbhísí trí Ghaeilge. Is í an earcaíocht croí-lár na ceiste, agus táim dóchasach gur féidir tógáil, ar bhonn chéimiúil, ar líon na bhfostaithe le Gaeilge agus ag eascairt as sin, go mbeimid in ann feabhas a chur ar sholáthar seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge, mar is cóir.
Ó mo thaithí féin, ag déileáil le pobal na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta, agus ón bhfianaise atá ar fáil ó thaighde, ó Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga, ó na heagrais Ghaeilge agus grúpaí eile, creidim go bhfuil éileamh ann i measc an phobal, ar sheirbhísí a bheith ar fáil i nGaeilge. Ní hamháin sin, ach tá an pobal ag súil go mbeidh na seirbhísí a bheidh ar fáil ar chomhchéim leis na seirbhísí a chuirtear ar fáil i mBéarla.
Tá mo chuid oifigigh ag obair faoi láthair i gcomhréir le hOifig an Ard-Aighne chun Bille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla a dhréachtú. Ag an am céanna, tá comhairliúcháin ar bun ag mo Roinn leis na Ranna Stáit ábhartha, leis an gCoimisinéir Teanga agus le páirtithe leasmhara eile le cinntiú go mbeidh an Bille is fearr agus is éifeachtaí againn le tabhairt os comhair an Oireachtais.
Tá an Bille seo san áireamh i gClár Reachtaíochta an Rialtais le bheith foilsithe le linn sheisiún an Fhómhair/Gheimhridh de chuid na Dála.
76. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has had discussions with the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government with regard to amending the Arts Act 2003 in order to require each local authority to have a ring-fenced arts budget as recommended by arts advocacy organisations such as an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39831/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate issues in relation to local government law are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government. I can assure the Deputy that I work closely with Minister Murphy to promote the Arts and I recently joined with him and the Taoiseach to launch all 31 local authority Culture and Creativity Strategies which are jointly funded by my Department and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
I understand that local government legislation has specific provision enabling local authorities to promote arts and culture within their functional area. While I appreciate that some groups have called for the law to be changed to make it a requirement for arts funding to be non-discretionary I am not convinced that this would actually make a difference to expenditure on the ground. All local authorities already make provision for expenditure in the arts. A mandatory provision would not change the level of funding provided as councillors would still continue to balance expenditure proposals across all local authority programmes as is currently the case. It is far better in my view for local authorities to embrace cultural and artistic provision because they see the transformative engagement which the arts and culture can bring to local communities. I think that the experience of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme and now the Creative Ireland Programme have been instrumental in raising awareness at local government level of the value of this engagement.
For my part I will work to improve the resources which flow to local authorities through the Arts Council and through the Creative Ireland Programme in partnership with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
The Taoiseach has declared his intention on more than once occasion that he is committed to doubling funding for arts, culture and sport over a seven year period. The Government is already delivering on this objective. Last April we launched Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage, a 10 year capital plan which will support cultural infrastructure nationwide.
2019 Budget discussions are still underway, but I am happy to confirm that I have already increased funding for the sector in 2018, with the Arts Council receiving €68m in funding from my Department in 2018, up €8m in 2 years.
This funding supports the Arts Council's 10 year strategic agreement with the County and City Management Association which underpins the close collaboration between the Arts Council and local government.
This engagement complements Pillar 2 of the Creative Ireland Programme, where local authorities are the primary instruments of community engagement for of the Programme entitled Enabling Creativity in Every Community throughout Ireland.
77. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for further centenary commemorations over the coming years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39728/18]
View answerThe Government's approach to the remembrance of the significant historical events and themes of the period from 1919 to 1923 will continue to be informed by the guidance of the Expert Advisory Group on Centenary Commemorations, chaired by Dr Maurice Manning. I would like to acknowledge the very significant work completed by the Advisory Group over the past year in formulating its guidance to Government. I am now considering the recommendations of the Group and I expect to bring a Memorandum for consideration by my Government colleagues shortly. I am also convening a meeting of the All-Party Group on Commemorations on Thursday to discuss the approach to the coming period.
I am of the view that it will be very important for the commemorative programme over the remainder of the Decade to adopt a broad focus, which acknowledges both the military activity as well as the many other dimensions that are interwoven with conflict, including its political, social and cultural impacts. The State's approach will continue to encourage reflection about the multiple identities, traditions and perspectives that are part of the overall Irish historical experience. We will ensure that this very complex period in our history is remembered appropriately, proportionally and with sensitivity. To this end, I envisage that formal State ceremonial commemorations will be focused on the significant points on the historical timeline of the period. Historical exploration, cultural engagement, community participation and artistic endeavours, will have a very important contribution in supporting the national conversation about these events and the local context.
One of the cornerstones of the State's approach to commemorations over the coming years will be to further reconciliation on the island of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain; to take account of sensitivities across communities in Northern Ireland; and to continue to recognise that very different perspectives persist on many of the events that took place.
I envisage that local authorities, our national cultural institutions, institutions of learning, and custodians of records, together with artists and creative communities, will continue to have a leading role in encouraging and supporting meaningful, respectful and authentic engagement over the remainder of the Decade.
78. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress that has been made in meeting the target in the Creative Ireland programme that, by 2022, every child would have access to tuition in music, drama, coding and art; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39810/18]
View answerThe Creative Youth Plan, which I launched last December 2017, seeks to ensure that every child in Ireland has practical access to tuition, experience and participation in music, drama, art and coding by 2022.
The actions in the Creative Youth Plan extend to both the formal and non-formal education sectors and are being delivered by my Department, the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Arts Council.
The Creative Schools pilot project for 150 schools is now up and running. Training has been provided for the Creative Associates who will work with the 150 schools during 2018-2019. It is envisaged that these plans will cover a wide range of creative activities for children and young people which could potentially include drama, visual arts, literature, poetry, film, coding and other activities.
Music Generation is moving into Phase 2 of their expansion and it is hoped that nationwide expansion will take place during the lifetime of the Creative Ireland Programme, enabling increased access to music tuition for children and young people.
The Department of Education and Skills are continuing to progress the availability of coding at both primary and post primary levels. At post primary level, a short course has been developed in coding for Junior Cycle and is available for all schools to offer. The first phase of Leaving Certificate Computer Science is underway with 40 schools offering the subject.
Plans are being examined with key stakeholders for the expansion of the youth theatre provision across the country and other important initiatives are being developed and piloted such as the Pilot Creative Youth Partnership initiative which was launched during the summer and the recently announced outcome of the Creative Clusters initiative.
We are continuing to invest in Continued Professional Development (CPD) for teachers and for artists working in partnership with teachers which is crucial to the long-term success and sustainability of the overall plan.
Cruinniú na nÓg – the first national day of creativity for children and young people took place on 23rd June saw over 500 events right across the country.
The Creative Youth Plan is ambitious and ever developing. I hope that by 2022, it will have touched the lives of every child and young person in Ireland.
79. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the measures being taken to boost the domestic and international film industry here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39783/18]
View answerScreen Ireland 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. Screen Ireland 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.
Screen Ireland 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. It also 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.
In June 2018 I launched my Department’s €200m Audio-visual Action Plan. The industry-wide, long-term plan, under the Creative Ireland Programme, will support the Government’s ambition to enable Ireland to become a global hub for the production of Film, TV drama and animation.
This Plan is informed by and accompanied by the publication of the Olsberg/SPI with Nordicity Report which sets out a detailed economic analysis of the audiovisual sector and provides an invaluable framework for the growth of the industry over the coming years.
A steering group has been set up which will prioritise measures, oversee implementation and monitor risks, and will report regularly to me as Minister
In April of this year, I was joined by the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance in launching my Department's sectoral Plan - Investing in Our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018 – 2027. This capital investment plan provides for funding of €200m to be invested in media production and audio visual industries through Screen Ireland over the next 10 years which will have a positive impact right across the country.
Finally, of course, the Government continues to support the industry through the generous Section 481 tax credit provided.
80. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the level of success of Culture Night in Galway; and the plans for 2019 in relation to same. [39453/18]
View answerCulture Night has grown from a relatively small scale cultural event staged only in Dublin in 2006 to the significant national cultural event it now is, with over 400,000 people visiting Museums, galleries, historic houses, artists’ studios and cultural centres across the country on the night. I myself was very impressed in my role as Minister at the variety of events which I was able to attend including reading poetry in the Seanad Chamber, exploring artists studios in Temple Bar and experiencing the crowds attending the RTÉ concert at the National Museum in Collins Barracks.
In 2017, 43 locations towns and cities across the island of Ireland participated in Culture Night, holding over 3,000 events with an attendance of 439,919. Events are run in partnership with local authorities.
Events were also held throughout Northern Ireland and in Paris and Malta.
Statistics are still being collated for 2018 but we are expecting over 4,000 events to have taken place. In 2017, Galway hosted 161 events in 122 venues and welcomed over 27,000 visitors. I would expect the numbers in 2018 to have at least matched these figures.
In 2018, Galway City received the maximum available funding of €10,000 to assist with the cost of these events. Galway County also received funding of €9,500 for 2018. This funding is provided on a matched funding basis through the local authority. There is detail on all this expenditure on my Department's website.
I know that Galway has always been a place with a vibrant, active and devoted cultural community. Some of the innovative events in the Galway programme for 2018 included the Public Paint-in in Clifden, the Ciúnas Project at the City Museum highlighting quiet spaces in the city, Blacksmithing at the Men's Shed in the city and storytelling at the Irish Workhouse Centre in Portumna.
It should be noted that my Department has also allocated a further €322,000 to projects in the Galway area through my Department's Creative Ireland programme in 2017 and 2018 including Barbaro Children's Arts Festival, Ealaín na Gaeltachta and for activities in Cruinniú na nÓg.
My Department will continue to support cultural activity in Galway in the coming years not least as part of the European City of Culture in 2020 to which my Department will contribute €15m.
81. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the capital commitments towards the culture, heritage and Gaeltacht sectors in each of the years 2018, 2019 and 2020 outlined in Project Ireland 2040 and otherwise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39707/18]
View answerThe capital allocation for my Department this year amounts to €54.3 million in total and is broken out across programme areas in the 2018 Revised Estimates as follows:
- €29.7m for Culture
- €14.1m for Heritage, including Waterways Ireland
- €10.5m for Irish Language, Gaeltacht and Islands
The capital allocation for my Department in each of the years 2019 and 2020 is as follows:
- €75 million in 2019
- €76 million in 2020
The break out of specific capital allocations for these years has not yet been finalised as investments over the period are subject to appraisal and evaluation in line with the Public Spending Code. The broad capital allocations for projects and programmes are set out in my Department’s 10 Year Plan, “Investing in our Culture, Language & Heritage 2018 – 2027" and consist of:
- €725m for Culture, including a programme of investment in our National Cultural Institutions of some €460m; €200m for our media production and audio visual industries; a €40m programme of investing in regional cultural infrastructure; a national digitisation investment programme and Galway 2020.
- €285m for Heritage including Waterways Ireland - this includes a €50m programme of investment for our national parks and reserves right across the country; investing €85m in our historic environment and an investment programme of €60m in our national Built Heritage including National Monuments, the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and Historic Structures Fund.
€178m for our Language, including €33 million for actions to support the Gaeltacht Language Planning Process; €105m to be invested in Gaeltacht areas through Údarás na Gaeltachta and €27 million to improve marine infrastructure for our island communities.
More details on the individual projects and programmes will emerge as we go through the process of appraising, evaluating and planning for these important investments. The final disaggregation will be completed as part of the annual Estimates process for each of the years in question.
82. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the extent to which she expects to be in a position to continue to utilise events of a cultural and heritage nature to promote the national image at home and abroad with particular reference to the need to generate increased interest in such matters among young persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39784/18]
View answerThe importance of Irish culture and heritage continues to play a central role in promoting Ireland’s image and reputation with people of all ages both in Ireland, and across the world.
My Department supports a broad range of programmes and initiatives across its remit to promote Ireland’s image, including, in particular, the Creative Ireland Programme and Culture Ireland.
Culture Ireland, a division of my Department, promotes and advances Irish arts worldwide thus strengthening Ireland’s cultural profile and global reputation. Strategic priorities of Culture Ireland include providing support for the international presentation of Irish artists and arts organisations, and the development of new and diverse international audiences and markets for Irish arts, by linking culture to the Government’s international promotion strategy in conjunction with other relevant Government Agencies.
GB18, for example, is a yearlong Culture Ireland programme of Irish arts in Great Britain that aims to showcase Irish artistic excellence. Working in partnership with significant UK institutions, venues and festivals the aim is to build on the unique cultural relationship between the two countries and expand the reach of Irish culture to new audiences.
As Great Britain is a key market for Ireland in terms of tourism, trade and investment the GB18 programme is an innovative method of articulating our values at a time of change in Ireland's wider relationship with Britain.
The Creative Ireland Programme is a culture-based programme led by my Department designed to promote individual, community and national wellbeing. Its core proposition is that participation in cultural activity drives personal and collective creativity, with significant implications for individual and societal wellbeing and achievement.
Both Pillar 1 - 'Enabling the Creative Potential of Children' and Pillar 2 - 'Enabling Creativity in Every Community' of the Programme are experiencing considerable investment and the Creative Ireland Programme continues to highlight numerous events and initiatives of a cultural and heritage nature across the country helping to create vibrant and sustainable communities.
A sum of €3m (€2m from my Department and €1m from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government) has been allocated to all 31 local authorities (€96,000 each approximately) to enable them support an extensive programme of activities, events and initiatives in each county. In addition, each local authorities have developed and published 5 year Culture and Creativity Strategies which were recently launched by myself, An Taoiseach and Minister Murphy. The Strategies aim to provide meaningful opportunities for citizens and local communities, together with our Local Authorities, to build and sustain our creative society. All of these strategies are available on the Creative Ireland website.
In addition Cruinniú na nÓg took place for the first time on June 23rd. Each local authority hosted a day of youthful creativity that was specifically targeted at children and young people. Over 500 free events took place for Cruinniú na nÓg nationwide to encourage children and young people to participate in creative activity which were very well received.
The Arts Council is the main Irish Government agency for developing the arts. Funded by my Department, the Council works in partnership with and provides funding for arts, artists, arts organisations, public policy makers and others to build a central place for the arts in Irish life.
We will continue to work across Government to further enhance Ireland's cultural and artistic reputation, particularly in the context of the recently launched ten-year plan "Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018-2027" which sets out the Government’s objectives for capital investment in Ireland’s culture, language and heritage.
83. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when it is planned to re-establish the Oireachtas all-party consultation group on commemorations the decade of centenaries 2012 to 2022, particularly in light of the imminent commemoration of the founding of the First Dáil; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39409/18]
View answerI have now re-established the All-Party Consultation Committee on Commemorations and the first meeting will take place on Thursday this week. I will chair the committee which is made up of members of the Oireachtas and the Northern Ireland Assembly. I look forward to engaged and constructive meetings of the Group to explore and address appropriate commemoration of the events and milestones in the period covered by the next phase of the Decade of Centenaries - 2019 to 2023.
The centenary of the convening of the first meeting of Dáil Éireann on 21 January 1919 is being organised by the Houses of the Oireachtas but will, I understand, have formal roles for the President and Taoiseach in their roles as Head of State and Head of Government. This will be a formal ceremonial event which emphasises the enduring parliamentary tradition and continuing renewal of the democratic legacy.
The Government's approach to the remembrance of the significant historical events and themes of the period from 1919 to 1923 will also be informed by the guidance of the Expert Advisory Group on Centenary Commemorations, chaired by Dr Maurice Manning, who will also attend the meeting on Thursday. I am currently considering the recommendations of this Group in relation to the approach to the commemorative programme and I will shortly bring proposals to Government in this regard.
The State's approach will continue to encourage reflection about the multiple identities, traditions and perspectives that are part of the overall Irish historical experience. We will ensure that this very complex period in our history is remembered appropriately, proportionally and with sensitivity.
One of the cornerstones of the State's approach to commemorations over the coming years will be to further reconciliation on the island of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain; to take account of sensitivities across communities in Northern Ireland; and to continue to recognise that very different perspectives exist on many of the events that took place.
I envisage that local authorities, our national cultural institutions, institutions of learning, and custodians of records, together with artists and creative communities, will continue to have a leading role in encouraging and supporting meaningful, respectful and authentic engagement over the remainder of the Decade.
84. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the investment plan timelines for regional cultural infrastructure in County Louth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39504/18]
View answerProject Ireland 2040 has given explicit recognition to the importance of our culture, language and heritage to our sustainable development over the next decade and beyond. This recognition is underpinned by the unprecedented commitment by Government to invest €1.2 billion in our culture, our language and our heritage. Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018-2027 sets out the Government’s objectives for capital investment in Ireland’s culture, language and heritage. The plan sets out significant investment on a phased basis over the next 10 years including €785m for Culture. This level of investment will transform our cultural infrastructure right across the country and includes plans to re-invest in our regional cultural infrastructure.
In terms of investment in County Louth, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that under the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016-2018, three organisations in County Louth were successful and have been allocated funding. These were An Táin Arts Centre, Oriel Cultural Centre CCE and Carlingford Heritage Centre. All three organisations have been active in drawing down their funding and this will continue into 2019. This Scheme will make a huge difference to each of the individual organisation and my Department is already seeing good outcomes and receiving positive feedback. My Department is currently giving consideration to new round of grant funding under Arts and Cultural Capital Scheme to be announced in the near future.
85. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department has received a submission (details supplied), in particular the organisation's request that a detailed roadmap be drawn up for the effective use of increased arts funding over the next six years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39708/18]
View answerI can confirm that I have received the submission referred to in the question. As Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, I greatly welcome the commitment given by an Taoiseach to increase Government spending in the arts and culture sector on a trajectory that will see funding doubled by 2025. My Department and I continue to work with an Taoiseach and all of my Government colleagues towards delivering on this commitment.
A first and very significant step in the delivery process has been Project Ireland 2040 which gave explicit recognition to the importance of our culture, language and heritage to our sustainable development over the next decade and beyond. This recognition is underpinned by the unprecedented commitment by Government to invest €1.2 billion in our culture, our language and our heritage over the 10-year implementation of the NDP.
In April of this year, I was delighted to launch my Department's sectoral Plan - Investing in Our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018 – 2027. The plan sets out significant investment on a phased basis over the next 10 years prioritised across 3 areas - €785m for Culture; €295m for Heritage and €178m for our Language.
This level of investment will transform our cultural and heritage infrastructure right across the country and goes a long way towards honouring the commitment to double government spending on arts, culture and heritage.
In terms of current funding, and in particular to a roadmap for that funding over next six years, these annual allocations fall to be determined as part of the Estimates process over the next six years. In 2018, total current funding for my Department increased by €11.5m or just under 5% to €248.659m, including an additional €2.8m for the Arts Council; an additional €1.7m across all of the National Cultural Institutions; just under €1m in additional funding for the Heritage programme and an extra €1.4m for the 20 year Strategy for the Irish Language.
The cumulative impact of these funding increases is further testament to the commitment to double Government spending in the arts, culture and heritage sector. Budget Estimates 2019 are due to be presented on 9 October next and I can assure the Deputy of my ongoing commitment to achieving the best possible result for the arts and cultural sector within the parameters set out in the Summer Economic Statement and Mid Year Expenditure Report published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
86. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if budget 2019 will allocate more resources for National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, officers in order to prevent and detect incidents of wildlife crime. [39796/18]
View answer98. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when she will be in a position to increase funding and staff numbers for the National Parks and Wildlife Service. [39797/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 98 together.
The Deputy will be aware that details of the financial allocations for my Department for 2019 will be made available as part of the Budget Estimates 2019 which will be published on Tuesday 9 October. In 2018, my Department allocated €11,982m to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), which represents an over 7% increase from 2017. In addition, the overall budget for the Heritage Division in 2018 (€47,146m) increased by 4% from 2017. This investment represents a significant proportion of my Department's overall budget and reflects my continued commitment to the NPWS.
Officials from the NPWS of my Department continue to investigate breaches of both the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) regulations 2011 to 2015, while members of An Garda Síochána are also empowered under the Wildlife Acts and European Communities Regulations to investigate alleged offences and to prosecute if they see fit.
Staffing levels across my Department are kept under regular review in line with emerging business needs and Government policy on public sector pay and staffing as advised by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Of the total Department’s staff of 660, 335 work in the area of natural heritage through the NPWS. I am pleased to note that in 2018, my Department recruited five permanent ecologists to NPWS and three permanent staff for the National Parks including a Supervisor Guide, an Education Guide and a General Operative. My Department recruits in the region of 70 seasonal staff each year to meet demand during the busy tourist season at the National Parks. In addition, the Department is currently engaged with the Public Appointments Service (PAS) in recruiting further scientific staff for NPWS.
87. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will write to the national institutions under her remit requesting that one of them develop a permanent Famine exhibition in the capital. [39836/18]
View answer116. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will raise the possibility of a national Famine museum with the Departments on the national Famine commemoration committee (details supplied). [39710/18]
View answer654. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if the possibility of a national Famine museum will be discussed with Departments represented on the national Famine commemoration committee as a stand-alone museum; and if not, if it can be facilitated as a permanent exhibition in a suitable space available to the State. [40033/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 87, 116 and 654 together.
As Deputies are no doubt aware, there are many local museums and other entities around the country that display material relating to the famine, such as the very significant Irish National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park, County Roscommon.
As I advised the House in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 761 of 12th July, decisions in relation to the curation and presentation of temporary or permanent exhibitions within State funded museums in Dublin are operational matters for the relevant cultural institutions or other entities concerned.
As Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, I am responsible for ensuring that appropriate arrangements are in place to commemorate the Great Irish Famine. This year's National Famine Commemoration took place in UCC in May and featured the launch of the Irish Famine Online. This powerful online resource was developed by UCC in collaboration with my Department and the NFCC. The international Famine Commemoration will take place in Melbourne on 28th October, the second time that the international commemoration has taken place in Australia.
At the Committee's meeting on 26th September last I asked that the Committee would commence work on the preparation of a comprehensive programme leading up to the 175th Anniversary of the Famine. I look forward to receiving the Committee's proposals which will encompass the representation of the Famine in our National Cultural Institutions.
88. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is satisfied that budget 2019 will make sufficient provision to meet the target articulated by An Taoiseach in December 2017 to double funding for the arts by 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39811/18]
View answerAs Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, I greatly welcome the commitment given by an Taoiseach to increase Government spending in the arts and culture sector on a trajectory that will see funding doubled by 2025. My Department and I continue to work rigorously with an Taoiseach and all of my Government colleagues towards delivering on this commitment.
A first and very significant step in the delivery process has been Project Ireland 2040 which gave recognition to the importance of our culture, language and heritage to our sustainable development over the next decade and beyond. This recognition is underpinned by the commitment by Government to invest €1.2 billion in our culture, our language and our heritage over the 10-year implementation of the NDP.
In April of this year, I was delighted to launch my Department's sectoral Plan - Investing in Our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018 – 2027. The plan sets out significant investment on a phased basis over the next 10 years prioritised across 3 areas - €785m for Culture; €295m for Heritage and €178m for our Language.
This level of investment will transform our cultural and heritage infrastructure right across the country and goes a long way towards honouring the commitment to double government spending on arts, culture and heritage.
In terms of current funding, allocations fall to be determined annually as part of the Estimates process. In 2018, total current funding for my Department increased by €11.5m or just under 5% to €248.659m, including an additional €2.8m for the Arts Council; an additional €1.7m across all of the National Cultural Institutions; just under €1m in additional funding for the Heritage programme and an extra €1.4m for the 20 year Strategy for the Irish Language.
Budget Estimates 2019 are due to be presented on 9 October next and I can assure the Deputy of my ongoing commitment to achieving the best possible result for the arts and cultural sector within the parameters set out in the Summer Economic Statement and Mid Year Expenditure Report published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
89. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta ó tharla eagraíocht (sonraí tugtha) a bheith scortha, an dtabharfaidh sí soiléiriú ar na socruithe atá déanta; an bhfuil cúraimí na heagraíochta sin curtha faoi scáth Ealaín na Gaeltachta; cad é an plean gearrthéarmach agus fadtéarmach chun nach mbeidh aon bhriseadh sa soláthar ranganna; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [39818/18]
View answerCeadaíodh deontas suas le €325,000 d’Ealaín na Gaeltachta i mí Iúil seo caite chun clár gníomhaíochtaí sna healaíona traidisiúnta do dhaoine óga a chur chun cinn ar fud na Gaeltachta le linn na scoilbhliana reatha. Tá sé seo á dhéanamh i gcomhréir le beart 2.10 den Phlean Gníomhaíochta 2018-2022 don Ghaeilge a sheol mé i mí Meithimh, thar ceann an Rialtais.
Faoin gclár nua, déanfar leathnú agus forbairt chéimiúil ar an soláthar ranganna ceoil, damhsa, amhránaíochta agus ealaíona béil ar fud na gceantar Gaeltachta uile. I measc ghnéithe an chláir, beidh an méid seo a leanas:
- iniúchadh ar na deiseanna oiliúna sna healaíona traidisiúnta atá ar fáil do dhaoine óga sna ceantair Ghaeltachta ar fad i láthair na huaire;
- soláthar ranganna ceoil, damhsa, amhránaíochta agus ealaíona béil i nGaeltacht na Gaillimhe ó mhí Eanáir 2019.
- soláthar ranganna trí Scoil Cheoil na Crannóige i nDún na nGall agus trí Ionad Cultúir an Dochtúir Ó Loingsigh i gCorcaigh
Tá Ealaín na Gaeltachta tosaithe i mbun taighde agus obair ullmhúcháin eile faoi láthair. Cé go mbeifear in ann leanúint sa ghearr tréimhse leis an soláthar atá ar fáil cheana féin i gceantair Ghaeltachta Dhún na nGall agus Chorcaí do scoilbhliain 2018/19, ní bheidh ar a gcumas tús a chur le ranganna i nGaeltacht na Gaillimhe go dtí Eanáir 2019 de bharr na socruithe maidir le hearcú teagascóirí agus cúrsaí riaracháin eile atá le cur i gcrích lena chinntiú go gcuirfear seirbhís chuí, ar ardchaighdeán, ar fáil do dhaltaí agus do thuismitheoirí araon.
Idir an dá linn, tá an Roinn, i gcomhar le páirtithe leasmhara, ag obair go gníomhach ar shocrú chun gur féidir ranganna a chur ar fáil i nGaeltacht na Gaillimhe idir seo agus deireadh na bliana. Táthar ag súil leis go mbeifear in ann foirmle réitigh ina leith a fhógairt go luath.
90. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the supports provided to protect historic structures at risk in County Kildare in 2017 and to date in 2018; her plans for 2019 in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39806/18]
View answerMy Department provides financial support for the protection of heritage buildings and historic structures through a number of schemes which are generally administered by local authorities. The Built Heritage Investment Scheme is a scheme for the repair and conservation of protected structures on the local authority Record of Protected Structures. It is designed to leverage private capital for investment in small scale conservation projects across the country and to support the employment of skilled conservation professionals and tradespeople. I have allocated funding of €2m in total for this Scheme in 2018. In 2017 and 2018 a total of €100,000 was provided in grant aid under this scheme for 28 projects in County Kildare.
In addition the Structures at Risk Fund enables conservation works to heritage structures, in both private and public ownership, which are deemed to be at significant risk of deterioration. While I have allocated €1.3m for the Structures at Risk Fund in 2018, over the course of 2017 and 2018, a total of €119,000 was allocated to 5 projects in County Kildare. Details of the projects approved under both funding schemes are published on my Department’s website and on local authority websites.
In terms of future funding, Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018 – 2027 represents a major capital investment scheme of €1.2 billion in funding over the next 10 years, as part of Project Ireland 2040. This plan will see increased investment in protecting and celebrating our built heritage across the country. More details on the commencement and completion dates for projects and programmes, as well as the timing of the expenditure in relation to them, will emerge as we go through the process of appraisal and planning as required under the Public Spending Code.
The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection and preservation of the built heritage. 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. Grant schemes are advertised by the Heritage Council on its website www.heritagecouncil.ie.
