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Tuesday, 8 Sep 2020

Written Answers Nos. 322-342

Office of Public Works

Questions (322)

Seán Canney

Question:

322. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the project for the development of the Office of Public Works regional office in Headford, County Galway will go to tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21866/20]

View answer

Written answers

Enabling works for this project, including the provision of temporary accommodation, is well advanced. The pre-qualification of Main Contractors for the main works is completed, pre-qualification for the Mechanical Reserved Specialist is ongoing. Subject to approval it is expected that tender documentation will issue in Q4, 2020, with a Contract expected to be in place in Q1 2021.

Flood Relief Schemes

Questions (323)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

323. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when works will be sanctioned to commence on the Glanmire Glashaboy flood relief scheme. [21902/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Office of Public Works, under the provisions of the Arterial Drainage Acts, submitted the proposal for the Glashaboy Flood Relief Scheme, accompanied by an Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) and Natura Impact Statement (NIS), to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for formal Confirmation.

On foot of the European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Arterial Drainage) Regulations 2019, which were published in Iris Oifigiúl on 27 September 2019, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has undertaken an environmental assessment of the proposed scheme in line with required legislative requirements. This involved an independent assessment of the EIAR / NIS and a public consultation process.

On the 5 May 2020, the Office of Public Works received correspondence from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform that the independent assessment is now complete. This correspondence has requested, pursuant to section 7(B) sub-section 4 of the 2019 European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Arterial Drainage) Regulations, certain items of further information that are required to complete the process. My Office is currently preparing the additional information requested - which generally relates to further detail on the processes followed and assessments undertaken in developing the scheme - to be submitted to the Department in order that the assessment can be completed and the scheme confirmed by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. This information is currently scheduled to be provided to the Department no later than October 2020.

The procurement and appointment of a Contractor will be progressed for this scheme following formal Ministerial Confirmation. The flood relief scheme will be funded from within the allocated €1 billion for flood risk management over the period 2018-2027. Provision for the cost of the Scheme is included in the Office of Public Works' multi annual capital allocation.

OPW is committed to funding this project and attends monthly steering meetings to offer every assistance to Cork City Council to ensure a contractor is engaged, and the works commence, as soon as possible.

Flood Relief Schemes

Questions (324)

Dara Calleary

Question:

324. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of progress on the proposed flood relief scheme for Crossmolina, County Mayo; and the proposed timeline for completion of the project as of that date. [22233/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Crossmolina Flood Relief Scheme project team are currently finalising the suite of documents (including Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Natura Impact Statement) for submission to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) for confirmation under the Arterial Drainage Acts (as amended). The programme indicates submission to DPER for Q3 2020 and the project remains on schedule to meet this deadline.

While the design and survey work for the scheme documents incurred some delays due to Covid related restrictions, the project team worked diligently to minimise these delays and they have since been completed. In addition, the scheme and environmental documentation has undergone a legal compliance review in order to ensure their robustness for the confirmation process.

It is difficult to provide an accurate completion date at this stage as the estimated timeframe is dependent on the length of the confirmation process, the associated review of the scheme and the challenges that can present once construction gets underway. However, the preliminary programme indicates that construction of the scheme will be substantially complete in 2023.

Flood Relief Schemes

Questions (325)

Dara Calleary

Question:

325. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of progress on the proposed flood relief scheme for Ballina, County Mayo; and the proposed timeline for completion of the project as of that date. [22234/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Ballina Flood Relief Scheme is currently at the preliminary design phase. The consultants appointed earlier this year have carried out extensive data collection in order to collate the relevant data, to feed into design models and identify potential solutions to the flood risk in the town.

The project team are planning a Public Consultation day in September 2020 to engage with the public and to gather any further local knowledge, photos, videos, etc. of flood events, which would aid the consultant engineers with their design work.

The event will be held virtually with all documentation and resources provided online. This virtual event will also afford the public the opportunity to ask questions and communicate with the project team. There will also be a physical public consultation held in Ballina for residents who may not have access to the internet or who would prefer to engage with the project team in person, albeit in a safe and controlled environment, with the necessary protocols in place.

The scheme is currently progressing well in spite of the Covid-19 pandemic. The scheme is on programme and this public consultation will bring the team closer to establishing the feasibility of a number of options for works that could be implemented to protect the town as well as seeking to engage the public in the process. Following this, the preferred option will be prepared for planning consent as appropriate. The monthly steering group meetings are being executed remotely in order to progress the scheme.

It is not possible to provide an accurate estimate for project completion at this early stage until a preferred option is established and the project team has commenced their detailed design work.

Departmental Offices

Questions (326)

Denis Naughten

Question:

326. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of vacant desk spaces available in accommodation allocated to his Department in Civil Service accommodation outside Dublin city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22487/20]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform currently has one vacant desk available for occupation in Civil Service accommodation outside of Dublin. This vacant desk is in a shared office space located in Tullamore.

The Office of Government Procurement, which is also part of my Department, has a number of offices outside of its headquarters in Dublin. The details of these office locations and the number of desks currently available at these locations are listed in the table below.

Office Location

Available Desks

Cork

4

Limerick

6

Sligo

6

Trim

4

Ministerial Advisers

Questions (327)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

327. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a schedule of advisers, special advisers and seconded civil servants working in his Department appointed and or recruited and or in an acting capacity; the roles and responsibilities attributed to each; and the salary scale for each role in tabular form. [22535/20]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to inform the Deputy that Ministerial appointments in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform are made in line with the approved Guidelines on Ministerial Appointments for the 33rd Dáil. This document includes “Guidelines on staffing of Ministerial offices” issued by my Department in July 2020.

The details requested by the Deputy on Special Advisers in my Department are shown in the table below.

Special Adviser

Salary Scale

Start Date

Grant Sweetnam

Principal Officer Standard Scale PCC

€87,325 - €90,920 - €94,487 - €98,082 - €101,114

07 July 2020

Kevin Barrett

Principal Officer Standard Scale PCC

€87,325 - €90,920 - €94,487 - €98,082 - €101,114

21 September 2020

Special Advisers are appointed under Section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997. A Special Adviser to a Minister or to a Minister of State, as in the case may be, shall

(a) assist the Minister or Minister of State, as the case may be, by –

(i) providing advice,

(ii) monitoring, facilitating and securing the achievement of the Government objectives that relate to the Department, as requested by the Minister or the Minister of State, as the case may be, and

(iii) performing such other functions as may be directed by the Minister or the Minister of State, as the case may be that are not otherwise provided for in this Act and do not involve the exercise of any specific powers conferred on the Minister or the Minister of State as the case may be or any other office holder by or under any other Act.

No civil servants have been seconded to Special Adviser posts in my Department since the formation of the government.

Departmental Correspondence

Questions (328)

Brendan Smith

Question:

328. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider the issues pertaining to his Department, raised by an association (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22622/20]

View answer

Written answers

The horizontal and sectoral supports which the Government has put in place as part of the initial response to COVID-19 and the July Stimulus package provide a large level of support for enterprises in terms of assisting them with wage costs (wage subsidy schemes), defraying fixed costs (commercial rates waver and tax warehousing), direct grants (Restart Grant scheme, Tourism Adaptation Grant and other supports) and liquidity support through loan schemes.

Pubs and bars that do not serve food have access to this suite of horizontal supports.

In the context of pubs that do not serve food remaining closed, the Government accepted that there were ongoing costs that pubs faced over and above those of other businesses. In response to this situation, the Government, on 28 August 2020, introduced a range of measures to support pubs including the Restart Grant Plus 40% Top Up. Those businesses remaining closed and planning their re-opening can now receive a minimum of €5,600 and a maximum of €35,000 under the Restart Grant Plus, a waiver on court fees and associated excise and stamp duties relating to the renewal of pub and other liquor licences in 2020, waiver of excise duty on on-trade liquor licences on renewal in 2020.

These measures are in addition to the existing Restart Grant Plus, Tourism Adaptation Fund, the Wage Subsidy Scheme, commercial rates waiver, liquidity supports and tax measures (such as warehousing of tax debt and reductions in VAT).

The Government decided today (8 September 2020) that all pubs and bars will be allowed to open from 21st September 2020 without the requirement to serve a substantial meal subject to the current epidemiological situation and the application of any regional restrictions that may be in force at any given time. The Government also agreed that Fáilte Ireland Guidelines for Reopening Pubs will be reviewed and updated to reflect additional specific practical requirements for pubs which are not serving food to meet the objectives of the protective measures recommended by NPHET and that the evolving monitoring and enforcement arrangements in place for all sectors will apply to pubs and bars.

The issues raised by the association in the details supplied with your question fall within the remit of a number of Government Departments, including the Department of Justice and Equality, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and the Department of Finance. While my Department is not directly responsible for any of these issues, I have noted the views expressed by the association.

Flood Risk Management

Questions (329)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

329. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the catchment and flood risk management, CFRAM, flood risk management plan for Donegal town; the progress on the implementation of same that has been made to date; the funding that has been allocated to the scheme to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22679/20]

View answer

Written answers

A major flood relief scheme for Donegal Town, identified in the Flood Risk Management Plan for the North Western River Basin, is to be advanced over the period to 2027. The proposed project, at an estimated cost of €8.5m, consists of flood water storage and a series of flood embankments and walls, which will provide flood protection to approximately 73 properties when completed.

While the proposed project for Donegal town is not in the first phase of projects to be progressed, the OPW and DCC are working closely to ensure that it will be commenced as early as possible in the current programme of investment.

As you are aware, fifteen projects were identified in County Donegal under the Flood Risk Management Plans announced in May 2018. Following consultation and discussions between the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Donegal County Council (DCC), six of the Donegal projects were selected and are being progressed in the first phase of implementation, in addition to a project already being progressed for Raphoe. Consultants have been appointed for the design of projects for Lifford, Burnfoot and Castlefin (the latter two bundled together) and the Council is in the process of procuring design consultants for Ballybofey-Stranorlar, Buncrana-Luddan and Ramelton (also in a bundled format).

OPW also approved an allocation of €0.369m to Donegal County Council for a project at Donegal town under the OPW's Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme in December of last year. The Council is currently working on producing a suitable solution for flood alleviation at the affected location.

Ministerial Advisers

Questions (330)

Alan Kelly

Question:

330. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of special advisers that will be hired by his Department. [22776/20]

View answer

Written answers

Special Advisers are appointed under Section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997. Under Section 11(1)(a) of this Act a Minister of the Government may appoint a maximum of two Special Advisers. The Taoiseach and Tánaiste may have more than two Special Advisers.

I have appointed 1 Special Adviser with a second due to start later this month.

Commemorative Events

Questions (331, 332, 333, 334)

Pat Buckley

Question:

331. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht her plans for the commemoration of the Civil War and particularly the remembrance of the republicans executed officially, unofficially or summarily in addition to those murdered by the Free State, the number which has never been officially collated. [20402/20]

View answer

Pat Buckley

Question:

332. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht her plans to issue a State apology for the republicans (details supplied) murdered by the Free State at Ballyseedy on 7 March 1923 when they were chained to a live landmine which was then detonated. [20403/20]

View answer

Pat Buckley

Question:

333. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht her plans to issue a State apology for all IRA volunteers, republicans and civilians executed by the Free State during the Civil War whether carried out officially, unofficially or summarily. [20404/20]

View answer

Pat Buckley

Question:

334. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht her plans to collate a full list of all IRA volunteers, republicans and civilians executed or killed by the Free State during the Civil War whether carried out officially, unofficially or summarily to be published. [20405/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 331 to 334, inclusive, together.

As we navigate through the most challenging and sensitive phase of the Decade of Centenaries, the Government's approach to commemorations will continue to be underpinned by the guidance of the Expert Advisory Group on Centenary Commemorations; and in consultation with the All Party Consultation Group on Commemorations, which I will reconvene shortly. The Expert Advisory Group has published three statements to date, which can be found on the Decade of Centenaries website (https://www.decadeofcentenaries.com/publications/). I would urge everyone who has an interest in the forthcoming period of commemorations to consult the principles and advice laid down in these publications.

One of the cornerstones of the State's commemorative programme for the coming years will be to continue to further reconciliation on the island of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain.

I am committed to ensuring that the State's approach to the remembrance of the Civil War and all of those who lost their lives during those years, will be based on the respectful, sensitive, measured and authentic ethos that has become the hallmark of the Decade of Centenaries programme.

Historical accuracy, academic integrity and archival discovery will be key tenets as the Civil War commemorative programme develops – following closely the centenary timeline of the events that occurred during this period. It is important that our history is faithfully presented, even when the historical record is distressing. We must acknowledge the great tragedy of all of the lives that were lost or irrevocably altered during those divisive and traumatic years.

I welcome and encourage the continuing research of historians and custodians of records, who seek to increase our understanding of the historical events that occurred, which have so significantly shaped our modern world. The State’s Civil War commemorative programme will invite everyone to consider the painful legacies of our past and reach their own conclusions – the programme will not seek to communicate a preferred narrative or make judgements about any persons or actions. It is not appropriate for the State to retrospectively analyse these historical events through the lens of contemporary perspectives. This is best left to scholars trained in the discipline of history. The guidance of the Expert Advisory Group in this regard is clear –

“The State’s task is to encourage a reflective and a reconciliatory tone that recognises that neither side had the monopoly of either atrocity or virtue and this was true of words as well as actions”

Question No. 332 answered with Question No. 331.
Question No. 333 answered with Question No. 331.
Question No. 334 answered with Question No. 331.

EU Regulations

Questions (335)

Matt Carthy

Question:

335. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht the consultation carried out with An Garda Síochána, the Department of Justice, the Defence Forces and the Department of Defence with regard to the draft EU Commission regulation amending Annex 17 to EC Regulation No. 1907/2006 to ban the use lead gunshot over and within 100 metres of Ramsar defined wetlands; if she will provide the materials, correspondence, briefings and reports relating to such consultation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21103/20]

View answer

Written answers

I refer the Deputy to the replies to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 408 and 409 of 30 July 2020.

The current position is that the issue was further discussed at the REACH meeting held on 3 September. Notwithstanding my Department’s concerns on the draft Regulation including in relation to the transition period, given that we are committed to phasing out lead shot in and around wetlands, Ireland indicated at the meeting that it would support the draft Regulation.

A vote was taken at the meeting on the draft Regulation and it was passed by the necessary majority with Ireland voting to support the measure. The draft Regulation will now be sent to the Council and European Parliament for scrutiny for a period of 3 months.

The European Commission have confirmed that both military and police personnel are not excluded from the draft Regulation but it is our understanding that as gunshot is not used by these forces it should not impact on them. However, the Department have had discussions with the Department of Justice and Equality and will have further discussions with that Department and the Department of Defence on the draft Regulation.

National Biodiversity Plan

Questions (336)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

336. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if multiannual funding has been put in place for the National Biodiversity Centre; and if those employed at the centre on short-term contracts have been moved to permanent contracts. [21212/20]

View answer

Written answers

The National Biodiversity Data Centre (NBDC) is the operating name given to a programme established by the Heritage Council in 2006. It addresses the need identified by the Council that data on Ireland’s biodiversity be collected recorded and fully accessible to the public.

The NBDC is neither a national centre nor a body - it is a Heritage Council programme of work which is managed for the moment by a private company - Compass Informatics (a subsidiary of Tracsis, a UK based Plc.) engaged through a contractual arrangement. The staff employed there are staff of that private company. I understand that the term of existing contract is almost complete, and the Heritage Council, following a review of the structure of the NBDC, will shortly award a new contract in line with all Government procurement rules and guidelines.

The NBDC is important in the collection of biodiversity data for public policymaking and decision making. Biodiversity is a key issue for government and society and the inputs from the NBDC are important in many actions of the National Biodiversity Action Plan, 2017-2021. Biodiversity is a priority outlined in the Heritage Council’s Strategic Plan, 2018 – 2022, Heritage at the Heart. and was a recurring theme in submissions to Heritage Ireland 2030 consultation process.

Biodiversity data are key requirements for understanding our natural heritage and for tracking change in our environment and gaining a greater understanding on how we benefit from, and impact upon our ecosystems. Data is collected from a number of sources including many private individuals who record and volunteer information for free. The database now comprises over 4 million records and is acknowledged as a key resource for understanding changes in our natural heritage. It is used by a range of agencies and individuals including policy makers, academics, NGOs, educators and private individuals.

Wildlife Control

Questions (337)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

337. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht the procedure for dealing with the issue of pine martens attacking animals on farms; the supports put in place to assist farms in cases in which they have an issue with pine martins; and the way in which a person (details supplied) and their neighbours will receive assistance. [21275/20]

View answer

Written answers

Pine marten (Martes martes) are a protected species in Ireland and have recently undergone a natural range expansion after centuries of decline. A 2017 national population estimate of just over three thousand individuals (Irish Wildlife Manuals No. 97) confirms, and reinforces, that the native pine marten are amongst the rarest of all mammal species in Ireland and require careful conservation management to sustain the population and to meet international obligations for protection.

Pine marten continues to return following its previous decline across the island, and is now found in every county, having been recorded on six occasions in Co. Derry, where it were considered absent in 2012. The core range of the Pine Marten, which has been correlated to the demise of the Grey Squirrel, has expanded and now stretches through the west, the midlands, the southeast of Ireland and parts of Northern Ireland.

However, as a result of its historical decline during the last century, the species is protected under both national and international legislation: EU Habitats Directive [92/43/EEC] Annex V; Wildlife Act, 1976; Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000.

Accordingly, unlike the fox, grey crow, grey squirrel, mink and rat, which are all common predators, the pine marten cannot be managed using the usual predator control methods.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service, in partnership with Vincent Wildlife Trust (Ireland), has setup a pine marten website (https://pinemarten.ie/) to provide information and advice for householders, journalists, gun clubs, foresters and farmers on their interactions with the species. The website draws on expert knowledge from poultry keepers, foresters, farmers, pest control experts, gun clubs, NPWS conservation rangers and academics.

As a last resort, where the issue with an individual animal is persistent, a licence to take appropriate steps may be applied for under Section 42 of the Wildlife Act.

Na hOileáin amach ón gCósta

Questions (339, 356)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

339. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Meán, Turasóireachta, Ealaíon, Cultúir, Spóirt agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sí i gceist aige cuairt a thabhairt go luath ar na hoileáin amach ón gcósta; agus má tá, cé hiad na hoileáin a bhfuil i gceist aige cuairt a thabhairt orthu. [21703/20]

View answer

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

356. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Meán, Turasóireachta, Ealaíon, Cultúir, Spóirt agus Gaeltachta cén uair atá i gceist aici nó ag an Aire Stáit um an nGaeltacht cuairt a thabhairt ar na hoileáin Ghaeltachta amach ón gcósta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [21705/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 339 and 356 together.

Ag eascairt as fógra an Taoisigh ar an 27 Meitheamh, tá socruithe á dhéanamh faoi láthair chun feidhmeanna oileánda mo Roinne a aistriú go dtí an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail. Go dtí go ndéanfar é sin, is í mo Roinn a bheidh freagrach as an gcúram sin. Bíonn teagmháil rialta idir oifigigh mo Roinne agus ionadaithe agus pobal na n-oileán, na hoileáin Ghaeltachta san áireamh, agus leanfar leis seo.

Tá i gceist agam féin cuairt ghairid a thabhairt ar Ghaeltacht Chonamara an tseachtain seo, agus tá mé ag súil go mór le cuairt a thabhairt ar gach ceantar Gaeltachta san am atá le teacht, na hoileáin Ghaeltachta ina measc.

Island Communities

Questions (340, 341)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

340. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht her plans to put the airstrips in Cleggan and Inisbofin, County Galway into operation to provide an air service to Inishbofin and to provide a connection between the two airports and the airport in An Caisleán, Connemara, County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21885/20]

View answer

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

341. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht the annual cost of the maintenance contract on the airstrips in Cleggan and Inishbofin, County Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21886/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 340 and 341 together.

My Department has a management contract in place to provide insurance, security and maintenance at these sites at an annual cost of €6,000 (€3,000 per site). The airstrips are currently not licenced by the IAA and may not be used for air operations.

While there are no plans at present to provide an air service linking Cleggan, Inishbofin and Aerfort Chonamara, my Department has received requests from the Coast Guard and the HSE to transfer parcels of land within these sites, at Cleggan and Inishbofin respectively, to facilitate development of certain facilities.

While these projects are still in early stages of development, my Department is generally amenable to these requests provided any such developments would not prejudice the future use of either location for the provision of air services.

Local Authority Funding

Questions (342, 380)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

342. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht the funding allocated to each local authority to employ an arts officer in each council area; and the further funding provided to allow the officer to run arts and culture programmes annually. [22286/20]

View answer

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

380. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if her Department contributes funding to local authorities to allow them to employ an arts officer in each council; and the funding provided to run arts and culture programmes during the year. [22287/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 380 together.

While the core funding of local authorities is a matter for my Cabinet colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, my Department – both directly and through the Arts Council – also provides significant support to enable local authorities deliver a vast array of artistic, cultural and creative programmes, projects, festivals, events and activities.

In recognition of their key role in supporting and funding the arts a local level, local authorities have long been key strategic partners of the Arts Council – evidenced by the publication of “A Framework for Collaboration”, a 10-year strategy between the Arts Council and the County and City Management Association (CCMA), which reflects on the value of the partnership to date and sets out a vision and broad goals to be progressed for the period 2016 to 2025. To support the implementation of this strategic partnership, the Arts Council have made provision for funding of €2.668 million to local authorities in 2020.

This funding does not support the employment of Arts Officers – rather it enable the arts offices to roll-out their annual programmes, as well providing support for a range of other initiatives, events and festivals which are carried out in partnership with local authorities and artists in every local authority area.

Recent decades have seen the development of a nationwide infrastructure of arts centres, many of which were initiated and funded by local authorities and supported through capital schemes largely operated by my Department. Support provided to these arts centres by local authorities and the Arts Council is critical to ensuring that a stable and vibrant network can be maintained. Capital funding schemes operated by my Department continue to be focused on enhancing this existing stock of arts and culture centres throughout the country. Recent capital schemes are being informed by the strategic Review of Arts Centres and Venues commissioned by the Arts Council and CCMA, as well as the Arts Council's published Arts Centre Policy and Strategy 2019 which sets out its funding criteria for arts centres from 2020 onwards.

The principal mechanism through which my Department directly supports arts and culture at local authority level is the Creative Ireland Programme – a culture-based programme led by my Department and designed to promote individual, community and national wellbeing. Its core proposition being that participation in cultural activity by everyone drives personal and collective creativity, with significant implications for individual and societal wellbeing and achievement.

A Memorandum of Understanding is in place between my Department and that of my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the objective of which is a commitment to support the implementation and delivery of Pillar 2 of the Programme – Creative Communities - over the period 2019-2022. This support recognises that culture and creativity are essential to sustaining and developing vibrant communities and places throughout Ireland.

Each local authority has been supported in the publication of a 5-year Culture and Creativity Strategy following local public consultation. The strategies are unique to each local authority, reflecting the breadth of cultural and creative work being undertaken in each area, the vision and values of each local authority and their strategic priorities. Each local authority has established a Culture and Creativity Team, led by a Creative Ireland Coordinator, to oversee its implementation.

Earlier this year, 3-year Service Level Agreements (SLAs) were signed between my Department and each of the 31 Local Authorities reflecting the commitment of both Departments to continue to financially support their delivery of the Creative Ireland Programme until 2022, subject to annual budgetary processes. This year total core funding of €3 million, or approx. €97,000 per local authority, is being made available to enable them to continue the implementation of their strategies.

Also encompassed by these SLAs is a separate commitment by my Department to provide funding of €15,000 to each local authority (or €75,000 in the case of each of the four Dublin local authorities) to support the annual delivery of Cruinniú na nÓg – our national day of free creative activities for children and young people under 18 years of age. Notwithstanding the exceptionally challenging circumstances this year, my Department supported the local authorities to deliver an online version of Cruinniú na nÓg in order to support the mental wellbeing of children and their families during social distancing.

As a direct response to the COVID-19 crisis, my officials in the Creative Ireland Programme have also worked with the local authorities to develop a series of newly-funded initiatives in relation to positive ageing and creative wellbeing. I am pleased that, as a result, 16 local authorities will also now receive additional new funding support of some €205,000 to deliver creative initiatives over the coming months in support of the mental wellbeing of our older people at this challenging time. Furthermore, under the Government’s July Stimulus Package, the Creative Ireland Programme has also provided additional funding amounting to €1.75 million to local authorities designed to enable a broadening of the range of supported disciplines and genres and provide for additional opportunities for public participation in, or engagement with, artistic, cultural and creative activities and programmes.

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