Written Answers Nos. 1105-1113
1105. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will address a matter regarding music schools (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11392/20]
View answerIn accordance with the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business announced on the 5th June, there are now two remaining phases instead of three, with Phase 3 starting on the 29th of June, and Phase 4 on the 20th of July. Further work is being carried out in the coming days and weeks to determine which actions will take place in each phase. Updates to the roadmap can be found at www.gov.ie. Organisations should review the Roadmap and the updates carefully and carry out a detailed assessment of their activities with regard to the continuing public health measures. Based on their assessment, identify which category in which phase of reopening they will be in a position to reopen safely and in line with the continued public health measures. It is not necessary for businesses to seek official authorisation to reopen.
The National Return to Work Safely Protocol is a guide for organisations in making assessments and adapting their workplace procedures and practices to comply fully with the COVID-19 related public health protection measures. It sets out in very clear terms for employers, employees and artists the steps that they must take firstly before a workplace reopens, and then while it continues to operate. Further guidance is available from the Health and Safety Authority which is the lead agency in overseeing compliance with the National Return to Work Safely Protocol in the workplace. The HSA Helpline can be contacted at 1890 289 389 or wcu@hsa.ie.
With regards to the reopening of places of arts tuition as referred to by the Deputy, the Theatre Forum has published guidelines for the reopening of arts centres and these have been adopted by the Arts Council for all arts organisations and disciplines. The guidelines recognise arts centres as places of work for artists, and as places for audiences to participate and engage with the arts. The guidelines are available at this link https://www.theatreforum.ie/assets/uploads/Re-opening-Arts-Centres_Doc-v.1.1.pdf.
I understand that the Department of Education and Skills is engaging with education partners and relevant stakeholders which include representatives of students, parents, school staff, school leadership and management bodies on planning arrangements for the re-opening of schools in accordance with the timeframe outlined in above –mentioned Government’s Roadmap.
The Arts Council has established a short-term Advisory Group to identify ways to address impacts of the Covid-19 Crisis on the sector. This group brings together a number of leading voices from the arts and other sectors and will report to the Arts Council on measures to sustain the arts sector through the current challenging period including the challenges posed by reopening. I understand that the Group will complete their work shortly and I look forward to receiving their report.
1106. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a designated walk and cycleway will be created on the Grand Canal between Ongar and Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. [11396/20]
View answerWaterways Ireland is responsible for and maintains the Royal Canal between Clonsilla and Coolmine as part of the route between Ongar and Blanchardstown
Along this stretch of canal there is currently a designated walkway known as the Royal Canal Way.
I understand that design work is also ongoing by Fingal County Council regarding possible future provision of an enhanced cycle / pedestrian route along the same corridor, but as yet this has not been submitted for planning permission.
1107. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if toilets will be installed for public health and hygiene along the Grand Canal. [11397/20]
View answerThere are currently two service locations incorporating toilet facilities along the Grand Canal at Lowtown, Co. Kildare & Shannon Harbour, Co. Offaly.
At this current time of restrictions these facilities are closed to the public.
There are no existing plans for provision of additional public toilet facilities along the Grand Canal corridor.
There are however, planned greenway cycle upgrades along all of the route. of the Grand Canal. The provision of associated facilities will be the subject of further discussion with the relevant authorities involved as these designs are developed.
1108. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén dul chun cinn atá déanta ó thaobh beartas a fhorbairt do na hoileáin; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [11414/20]
View answerBhunaigh an Rialtas Coiste Idir-Rannach do na hOileáin i mí Iuil 2019 agus, ag eascairt as cruinnithe den choiste seo, aontaíodh ar phlean oibre chun polasaí oileánda a ullmhú.
Mar chuid den phróiseas seo, réitíodh agus foilsíodh plépháipéar le hionchur ó na ranna stáit éagsúla. Leag an plépháipéar amach eolas faoi na seirbhísí atá ar fáil do na hoileáin cheanna féin a bheadh mar áis don phróiseas comhairliúchán.
Ó mhí Eanáir ar aghaidh, d'eagraigh oifigigh ó mo Roinn sraith cruinnithe comhairliúcháin chun deis a thabhairt do phobail na n-oileán a gcuid tuairimí faoin bpolasaí agus faoi riachtanais na n-oileán a nochtadh.
Go dtí seo, tionóladh cruinnithe ar aon oileán dhéag mar seo a leanas:
|
Inis Arcáin |
9 Eanáir 2020 |
|
Faoide |
10 Eanáir 2020 |
|
Baoi |
10 Eanáir 2020 |
|
An t-Oileán Mór |
17 Eanáir 2020 |
|
Inis Oírr |
22 Eanáir 2020 |
|
Inis Mór |
29 Eanáir 2020 |
|
Inis Meáin |
30 Eanáir 2020 |
|
Inis Uí Dhrisceoil |
7 Feabhra 2020 |
|
Inis Fada |
7 Feabhra 2020 |
|
Cléire |
7 Feabhra 2020 |
|
Árainn Mhór |
13 Feabhra 2020 |
B'éigean do mo Roinn an próiseas comhairliúcháin phoiblí a chur ar athló de bharr na géarchéime COVID-19. Socrófar cruinnithe ar na hoileáin eile a luaithe agus is féidir.
Is próiseas cuimsitheach comhairliúcháin atá ar siúl agus is é an chéad chéim eile sa phróiséas ná cruinnithe a thionól le páirtithe leasmhara eile, eagrais Stáit san áireamh, a chuireann seirbhísí ar fáil do na hoileáin.
1109. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she has considered funding of an industry assistance programme to cater for the mental health and well-being of event and arts workers during the Covid-19 crisis. [11445/20]
View answerThe Arts Council is the main Irish Government agency for developing the arts. The Arts Council offers a wide range of financial supports across artforms and arts practices, including arts and health.
Arts and health embraces a range of arts practices occurring primarily in healthcare settings, which bring together the skills and priorities of both arts and health professionals. From an Arts Council perspective, good arts and health practice is characterised by a clear artistic vision, goals and outcomes. It aims to promote health and wellbeing by improving quality of life and cultural access in healthcare settings. Arts and health can involve all artforms, and incorporate a variety of approaches, including conventional arts production and presentation, arts participation and environmental enhancement. Further details of the Arts Council’s programmes can be accessed at this link: www.artscouncil.ie/Arts-in-Ireland/Arts-participation/Arts-and-health/.
The national arts and health website www.artsandhealth includes resource documents, case studies, a directory of contacts, perspectives on a range of issues and current news. The website is funded by the Arts Council as an important element of its Arts and Health Policy.
Helium Arts have developed a new Creative Health Hub model with support from Creative Ireland. This aims to will bring their innovative, multidisciplinary creative projects to more children and teenagers across Ireland. Further details can be accessed at this link. www.creativeireland.gov.ie/en/partners/helium-arts-creative-health-hub/.
1110. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the further developments regarding the need to provide adequate financial supports for the arts sector in view of the receipt of her correspondence of 30 April 2020 to this Deputy (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11492/20]
View answerAs Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht I recognise that COVID-19, and the public health measures necessary to slow the spread of the virus, have had an unprecedented effect on the cultural sector. The response of the Government has been to introduce measures to support workers and businesses affected by the COVID-19 that apply to all sectors of the economy, including those who work in the culture sector. On 22 May, I published a comprehensive booklet on the supports available to the art sector and this is available at this link:
www.chg.gov.ie/app/uploads/2020/05/covid-19-support-and-information-for-the-arts-sector.pdf.
In addition, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Taoiseach and I today announced €25 million in extra supports to help the Arts and Culture sector recover from the Covid19 Emergency in 2020. The funding will include bursaries and commissions to artists and arts organisations, and resources for museums and culture workers as they prepare for the re-opening of society. This is additional to funding previously allocated to the sector.
A total of €20 million will be allocated to the Arts Council bringing its allocation this year to €100 million. A further €5 million will be available for other measures, including securing the future of key cultural and museum spaces and facilities throughout Ireland, and the production of high-quality digital art and on-line performances.
1111. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if full refunds will be made in respect of the cancellation of Gaeltacht courses in view of the cancellation of same for summer 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11495/20]
View answerThe Deputy will be pleased to learn that I recently approved a once-off emergency measure worth €4.7m to support the stabilisation of the Gaeltacht Irish summer college sector.
The measure follows the cancellation, on 20th April 2020, of Irish summer college course by my Department in the interests of protecting public health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the stabilisation package which has been approved, up to €3.1m will be directed at supporting the college authorities to refund fees/deposits to parents in full while a further €1.6m is being allocated towards supporting the c. 700 certified Gaeltacht householders who normally keep students attending one of the recognised 42 colleges during the summer months.
The stabilisation fund is being provided as a specific once-off measure with the overall objective of ensuring the ongoing viability of the sector - thereby enabling it to continue to contribute to the systematic effort being made to support the language and Gaeltacht regions in line with the overarching objectives of the Government’s 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 and the accompanying Plean Gníomhaíochta 2018-2022 (5-Year Action Plan for the Irish Language 2018-2022).
My Department will continue to engage with the sector, namely the relevant college authorities as well as the Gaeltacht households recognised under the Department's Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge in order to administer the application process over the coming weeks.
1112. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the expected date non-resident travel to offshore islands can resume under the reopening roadmap. [11534/20]
View answerIn accordance with the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, only those resident on the islands and those providing essential services are permitted to travel to and from the islands until 10 August 2020. These restrictions are still in place, pending the expected publication of revised guidance.
1113. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount her Department spent on social media monitoring in 2018 and 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11838/20]
View answerI have been informed by officials in my Department that no expenditure was incurred in relation to social media monitoring in 2018 and 2019. Such work is carried out in-house by the communications team in the Department.
