Written Answers Nos. 276-283
276. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the meetings she has had with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in respect of additional funding or loan facilities to be extended to Cork City Council regarding a centre (details supplied). [7428/19]
View answerI had meetings with the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to discuss the project to which the Deputy refers on the following dates;
- 22nd June 2018,
- 29th August 2018,
- 19th September 2018, and
- 29th January 2019
Relevant officials from my Department also attended these meetings. Officials from my Department continue to engage with the local authority as this project is being developed and managed by Cork City Council.
277. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason given by a person (details supplied) for their recent resignation from a position; if she will report on the work carried out by the person during the person's tenure in that position; and if she will provide correspondence, minutes and memoranda relating to the person's work on the film industry forum. [7475/19]
View answerThe Joint Oireachtas Committee on Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht on the Development and Working Conditions in the Irish Film Industry recommended in July that Screen Ireland (formerly the Irish Film Board) constitute a 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 has been endeavouring to organise the Forum and had drawn up a list of all stakeholders to invite to the Forum. These include representatives of workers in the industry which include
- The Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU)
- SIPTU
- Irish Film Workers Association (IFWA)
- GMBh Trade Union
- Screen Guilds of Ireland
The emergence of disputes between stakeholders have, however, impeded progress on the Forum. I understand that following the transmission of an RTÉ Prime Time programme on the film industry, ICTU and SIPTU stated that they would not attend a Forum to which the IFWA is invited, and that the Screen Guilds of Ireland gave a similar response. Based on the ICTU position, Screen Producers Ireland also indicated that it would not attend. As it has not been possible to facilitate a meeting of the proposed Forum, there has been no opportunity for the person in question to discharge a role.
My Department will work with the Audiovisual High Level Steering Group to address issues raised in the audiovisual industry, and to support the industry and the people who work in it.
278. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding an initiative in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7484/19]
View answerAs the Minister with responsibility for leading the Decade of Centenaries commemorative programme, my priority is to ensure that the Government's approach to the remembrance of the significant historical events and related themes, including remembrance of all those who lost their lives, in the period from 1919 to 1923 is appropriate, measured, authentic, respectful, inclusive and sensitive to the different perspectives that exist on the events of this period.
In this regard I have recently announced that the commemorative centenaries programme for 2019 and the years out to 2023 will be based on a four strand approach comprising:
- A State Ceremonial Strand which will comprise a limited number of symbolic acts of national commemoration focusing on themes of remembrance and reconciliation and on the commemoration of all of those who lost their lives during this period.
- An Historical Strand which will comprise a diverse range of activities designed to encourage authentic historical enquiry about this period and promote the use of primary archival sources. Initiatives will be developed in collaboration with State partners, National Cultural Institutions, institutions of learning and other stakeholders.
- A Community Strand, which will involve a collaborative approach – similar to that adopted for the 1916 centenary commemorations – between the State, local authority network and community organisations, including in Northern Ireland where appropriate.
- The Creative Imagination Strand, which will continue to encourage artistic and creative expression in remembrance of the significant historical events of the period from 1919 to 1923 and all of those who lost their lives.
The most recent guidance of the Expert Advisory Group on the second phase of the Decade of Centenaries has emphasised the important role that local authorities and local community organisations can play in commemorating events of great local significance. The Government, moreover, recognises the critical importance of local authorities both as important partners in delivery of the Decade of Centenaries programme and in promoting a deeper understanding of this sensitive and challenging period in our history.
In this context, I have noted the initiative proposed for County Kerry.
279. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the expenditure details for all consultancy or audit services provided to her Department by a company (details supplied) from 2015 to 2018 and to date in 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7558/19]
View answerI am advised that my Department did not commission any consultancy or audit services from the company referred to by the Deputy during the period in question.
280. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if information (details supplied) will be provided in tabular form. [7627/19]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is outlined in tabular format below.
|
County (Contae) |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
Dún na nGall |
||||
|
New Full time Jobs Created |
208 |
135 |
243 |
156 |
|
Job Losses |
-92 |
112 |
140 |
71 |
|
Net change |
+116 |
+23 |
+103 |
+85 |
|
Total at 31 December |
2058 |
2090* |
2193 |
2278 |
|
Maigh Eo |
||||
|
New Full time Jobs Created |
38 |
31 |
60 |
83 |
|
Job Losses |
-58 |
56 |
52 |
74 |
|
Net change |
-20 |
-25 |
+8 |
+9 |
|
Total at 31 December |
665 |
640 |
648 |
657 |
|
Gaillimh |
||||
|
New Full time Jobs Created |
131 |
252 |
211 |
237 |
|
Job Losses |
-87 |
190 |
210 |
192 |
|
Net change |
+44 |
+62 |
+1 |
+45 |
|
Total at 31 December |
2879 |
2932** |
2933 |
2978 |
|
An Mhí |
||||
|
New Full time Jobs Created |
56 |
1 |
8 |
3 |
|
Job Losses |
-3 |
29 |
0 |
44 |
|
Net change |
+53 |
-28 |
+8 |
-41 |
|
Total at 31 December |
239 |
211 |
219 |
178 |
|
Ciarraí |
||||
|
New Full time Jobs Created |
55 |
65 |
64 |
56 |
|
Job Losses |
-61 |
59 |
47 |
55 |
|
Net change |
-6 |
+6 |
+17 |
+1 |
|
Total at 31 December |
665 |
671 |
688 |
689 |
|
Corcaigh |
||||
|
New Full time Jobs Created |
40 |
73 |
34 |
45 |
|
Job Losses |
-12 |
12 |
25 |
30 |
|
Net change |
+28 |
+61 |
+9 |
+15 |
|
Total at 31 December |
614 |
675 |
684 |
699 |
|
Port Láirge |
||||
|
New Full time Jobs Created |
5 |
2 |
10 |
9 |
|
Job Losses |
-5 |
21 |
1 |
1 |
|
Net change |
0 |
-19 |
+9 |
+8 |
|
Total at 31 December |
148 |
129 |
138 |
146 |
|
Total Employment at 31 December |
7268 |
7348 |
7503 |
7625 |
* 9 jobs were recoded from County Donegal to County Galway at 31/12/2016.
** 9 jobs were recoded to County Galway from County Donegal at 31/12/2016.
In relation to the number of client companies, I have been informed by Údarás na Gaeltachta that at the end of 2018 their client database included over 1,100 clients consisting of sole traders, individuals, micro companies as well as small and medium enterprises. Some of these client companies may only have part-time or seasonal employment and would not be included in the figures detailed above.
281. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the contingences and supports in place to safeguard exposed Údarás na Gaeltachta companies from a no-deal Brexit. [7628/19]
View answerI have been advised by Údarás na Gaeltachta that a number of initiatives/measures have been put in train in order to safeguard their exposed client companies from a no deal Brexit. These include:
- Meeting, on a regular basis, with client companies that will be most affected to discuss their business concerns and support analysis of their markets and strategic developments.
- Holding seminars for its client companies on the importance of preparing for Brexit and, in addition, participating in seminars and awareness sessions held by colleague organisations such as Enterprise Ireland.
- The introduction of the Bí Réidh scheme which is similar to the Be Prepared scheme being operated by Enterprise Ireland. This scheme provides support to companies to assess the potential impact of Brexit and to undertake market research to counteract its potential negative impact.
- In recognition of, and in preparation for Brexit, Údarás na Gaeltachta agreed a reciprocal Trade Office arrangement with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce at the end of 2018. This agreement will be signed early this year when dedicated reciprocal trade offices are established which will provide business support services to companies and facilitate investment and trade opportunities. The arrangement will act as a valuable resource for SMEs looking to expand their international business to business partnerships.
- In line with the recommendations of the Department of Enterprise, Business and Innovation, Údarás na Gaeltachta has carried out a new sensitivity analysis of its client companies' exposure to Brexit and is re-engaging with companies who score highly on this analysis and, in particular, with companies whose primary market is the UK. Údarás na Gaeltachta executives continue to engage with those companies considered to be at risk, in order to support them in their current strategic reviews as well as to offer support in the preparation and submission of applications for assistance in respect of innovation, efficiencies, market discovery and upskilling of employees.
- In addition, Údarás client companies continue to be updated on the other state support available by way of the Brexit Loan Scheme being provided by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland.
I should also point out that Údarás na Gaeltachta's Revised Estimates capital allocation has been increased by this Government from €7m in 2018 to €9.7m in 2019. When the €2.8m in funding allocated recently to An tÚdarás under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, as well as the €2m in funding for Páirc na Mara in Cill Chiaráin allocated to An tÚdarás under the Regional Enterprise Development Fund, is included, it results in significantly increased capital funding of €14.5m being available to the organisation in 2019.
282. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the timeframe for the delivery of funds under budget 2019 to Údarás na Gaeltachta for linguistic, cultural and community development in the Gaeltacht. [7629/19]
View answerThe transfer of funds in 2019 from my Department to Údarás na Gaeltachta in order to enable the discharge the organisation's work programme in the domains specified in the Deputy's question, will be made, in line with approved financial procedures, over the course of the year in accordance with a payment schedule agreed between my Department and An tÚdarás.
283. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the capital projects completed by her Department since 2011; the initial contract value of same; the final cost of same; and the final cost of the capital projects that have had an ex post review in tabular form. [7846/19]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in relation to the capital projects valued in excess of €10m completed by my Department since 2011 is set out below.
|
Project |
Initial Contract Value |
Final Cost |
Final Cost Ex Post Review |
|
Phase 3 of the Master Development Plan of the National Gallery of Ireland including refurbishment of the Dargan and Milltown Wings (Completed in 2017) |
€31.4m Exchequer Contribution €19.3m comprising Department €15.7m & OPW €3.6m NGI contribution from own non-exchequer funds €12.1m. |
€31.7m subject to residual claims (Dept contribution increased to €16m) |
Ex-post review will follow when final project costs are known following settlement of residual claims received from the contractor |
|
Cill Rónáin Harbour Development (Completed 2011) |
€44.1m |
€46.5m |
Final cost includes €2.4m in settlement of residual claims received from the contractor during the period of contract. |
As the Deputy will appreciate, where the settlement of residual claims is ongoing, it would be inappropriate for me to comment publically pending the resolution of such claims.
Last April, I was pleased to announce details of the ten year plan, “Investing in Our Culture, Language and Heritage 2018 – 2027” setting out the Government’s commitment for capital investment of almost €1.2 billion in Ireland’s culture, heritage and language infrastructure as part of Project Ireland 2040 and I can assure the House that all steps are being taken to ensure the effective management of these projects in accordance with the procedures of the Public Spending Code.
