Written Answers Nos. 925-928
925. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will establish an enhanced grant scheme to support schoolchildren in attending Gaeltacht courses in 2021 in view of the cancellation of same for summer 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13537/20]
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).
I am confident that the success of this scheme will ensure that there will be no need for extra financial supports for the Irish summer colleges sector in 2021, above and beyond those normally provided to households providing student accommodation under my Department’s Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge.
In the broader context, the Deputy may be aware that the Department, via Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge, subvents the cost of attending summer college in Gaeltacht regions. Under the terms of the scheme, the Department provides a subsidy worth €10 per day (equivalent to € 220 per student for a three week course) which benefits over 26,000 students a year while staying in any of the c.700 households throughout the Gaeltacht which are recognised under the scheme. This represents a State investment of over €4m annually in the Irish summer colleges sector, which forms a critical part of the Gaeltacht economy and is estimated to be worth €50m annually.
In addition to providing and administering this practical assistance, the Department also administers three separate funds under the scheme, for the benefit of the Irish language and the Gaeltacht, namely:
- DEIS Gaeltachta – Under this measure which commenced in 2019, 50 scholarships are offered annually worth c. €850 each to provide the opportunity for attendees of DEIS post-primary schools throughout the country to attend recognised summer colleges in Gaeltacht regions.
- ERASMUS Gaeltachta – Under this initiative which commenced in 2019 an annual fund worth €250,000 has been created to give up to 175 third-level students the opportunity to spend a semester residing with accredited Gaeltacht households.
- Árainn Gaeltachta – This initiative provides funding of up to €150,000 over a 3-year period so that up to 30 post-primary students per year can spend a full year attending any one of the three post-primary schools on the Aran islands.
Needless to say, my Department continues to keep under constant review how best to further support and develop the sector within available resources and in a way which best supports the overall objectives of the overarching 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 and in turn, the Irish language and Gaeltacht regions.
926. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department has established a working from home policy for its employees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13544/20]
View answerMy Department has not established a formal working from home policy for employees as a working from home policy is being developed centrally by Civil Service HR in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
With the exception of those whose attendance at the workplace is essential, employees in my Department are currently working from home on an emergency basis in line with public health guidance. My Department is communicating regularly with staff to ensure ongoing engagement and well-being.
928. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to correspondence addressed to An Taoiseach regarding arts and culture funding from a fund (details supplied); if the issues and concerns addressed in same will receive a response; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13623/20]
View answerI can confirm that I received a copy of the correspondence addressed to the Taoiseach to which the Deputy refers. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Expert Advisory Group appointed by the Arts Council has now completed its Report which has been sent to my Department. The Arts Council has published the Report and it is available at this link-
http://www.artscouncil.ie/uploadedFiles/Survive%20Adapt%20Renew_A%20response%20to%20the%20Covid-19%20crisis%20for%20the%20Arts%20in%20Ireland.pdf
As the correspondence notes, a significant additional allocation of €20 million for the Arts Council was announced by Government, bringing the Council's allocation this year to €100 million. The additional funding will address immediate priorities to assist with unique challenges faced by the arts, as our society and economy reopens. Artists and arts organisations will be supported to continue to create art and innovate. In the Report entitled Survive, Adapt, Renew, the Arts Council gives details on how it will allocate the new funding, including new bursaries and commissions to support freelance artists and those looking to develop projects on a collaborative basis.
My Department will continue to engage with the Arts Council on the recommendations set out in the Report of the Expert Advisory Goup.
