Written Answers Nos. 279-298
279. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the provisions being made to facilitate the remote working policy in State bodies as set out in the Programme for Government. [24755/20]
View answerThe Government, has committed, in the Programme for Government, to mandating public sector employers to move to 20% home and remote working in 2021.
In response to the requirement by Government for employees to work from home where possible during COVID my Department developed guidance for civil service organisations - Working from Home during COVID-19 Guidance for Civil Service Organisations.
https://hr.per.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Working-from-Home-Guidelines-Final-version-26-June.pdf.
The purpose of this guidance, which issued to civil service employers in June, was to support the health and wellbeing of employees; to ensure good practice has been followed by employees when working from home during COVID; and to support the regular and effective delivery of service.
My Department is now, as a matter of priority, working with employers across the civil service to develop the longer term approach to remote working in the sector. My officials are also working closely with the wider public sector to ensure a consistency of approach.
280. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated full year cost of repealing the FEMPI legislation. [24803/20]
View answerThe unwinding of the emergency FEMPI legislation commenced with the Lansdowne Road Agreement, 2016 - 2018 and is continuing under the Public Service Stability Agreement, 2018 - 2020 (PSS). To date, salary rates up to €50,000 have been fully restored.
On 1 October 2020, under the PSSA, annualised salaries for all public sector employees will be increased by 2% . At this point, annualised salary rates up to €70,000, which accounts for over 90% of the public service, will be fully restored.
Allowances reduced under the 2009 FEMPI act are also set to be fully restored on the 1 October 2020. Both these measures are provided for in primary legislation in the Public Services Pay and Pensions Act 2017.
Separately, the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 provides for the full unwinding of the Public Service Pension Reduction (PSPR). To date, the vast majority of public service pensioners (an estimated 97%) have been removed from the PSPR. A residual group of 3 - 4,000 pensioners remain affected.
In addition, a Ministerial Order is required to complete FEMPI pay restoration for those public servants whose salary will not be fully restored (those on annualised remuneration greater than €70,000) through the PSSA increases. Under section 19 and section 20 of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act, for those covered by the Agreement, the legislation provides for these remaining amounts to be paid no later than July 2022.
Combined, the full year cost of the measures above are estimated at €520m.
281. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated full year cost of paying all employed public sector staff on the pre-2011 pay grade. [24804/20]
View answerThe reduced new entrant pay scales for civil and public servants introduced in 2011 were abolished in 2013 under the Haddington Road Agreement, where it was agreed to merge the new scales and existing scales - typically by adding the lower two points of the new scale to the existing scale. As such there are no separate reduced pay scales for civil and public servants.
Under the Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA) 2018 – 2020, it was agreed to examine the remaining salary scale issues, associated with the addition of the extra points, for those recruited to entry grades after January 2011. The report, available at the below link, was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas in March 2018, estimates the point in time cost of advancing new entrants to the public service two points along their incremental scales.
https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/4035/071218124404-860d0916d18542c1baa10ffa7dc482d5.pdf#page=1
The report estimated a cost of €199.8m in respect of 60,513 new entrants, an average cost of €3,300 per FTE.
Following this report, lengthy and intensive negotiations with the Public Services Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions took place over 2018 resulting in an agreement on new entrant salary scales being reached in September 2018.
The main components of the agreement are:
- where two additional scale points were applied to pay scales under the Haddington Road Agreement, it was agreed that there will be two separate interventions in the pay scales as they apply to new entrant public servants recruited since January 2011.
- the two separate interventions will take place at point 4 and point 8 of the pay scales. The practical effect of this is that for new entrants the relevant points on the scale will be bypassed, thereby reducing the time spent on the scale for progression to the maximum point.
- this measure was applied from 1 March 2019 and will be applied to each new entrant as they reach the relevant scale points (point 4 and point 8) on their current increment date.
This is an agreement of considerable scale and complexity, each element of which was the product of negotiation with ICTU.
It is estimated that some 58% (35,750) of new entrants benefited from this measure in 2019, rising to 78% (47,750) in 2020.
282. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 111 of 9 September 2020, the reason the flood defence system installed in 2014 failed in the Clifden area of County Galway on 1 and 2 September 2020; if the location was identified by Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management Programme as a flood risk; if so, if the details of same will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24827/20]
View answerFurther to my reply to the Deputy in Parliamentary Question No. 111 on the 9th September 2020, the funding allocated in 2014 related to clean-up, repair and restoration works in relation to public infrastructure that was damaged during severe storms in the period 13 December 2013 to 6 January 2014, rather than installation of new defence infrastructure. This one-off Government Allocation was specifically in respect of coastal infrastructure nationally, including in the general area of Clifden, whereas the flood event of early September this year was specifically a river flow flood event affecting parts of the town of Clifden and the Clifden Glen area to the east of the town. The locations of September’s flood event are in no way related to the funding approved in 2014.
The 2018 Flood Risk Management Plan for the Erriff-Clew Bay-Blacksod-Broadhaven areas identified a potential flood relief scheme for Clifden, which is currently being progressed by Galway County Council with the appointment of consultants to further develop the proposals identified in that Plan. While the 2018 proposals included the construction of an earthen embankment at Clifden Glen and the construction of a flood wall at the Low Road, the detailed project-level study will review all such measures in light of the recent events.
283. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will address a matter regarding section 52 of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and other Provisions) Act 2012 (details supplied). [24892/20]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the principle of abatement of a public service pension is longstanding within the rules of various public service pension schemes and pension abatement is an important aspect of the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012 ("the Single Scheme Act"). Abatement addresses valid concerns about simultaneous payment of both pension and salary in the Public Service.
Section 52 (1) of the Act provides for the abatement of a public service pension where a retired public servant, whose pension is in payment, is re-employed in the public service such that no more of the pension when combined with the remuneration in the new position shall exceed the pensionable remuneration of the old position.
More detailed responses to the Deputy's specific questions are set out below:
(i) List of commercial semi-state bodies, including subsidiaries, where the imposition of a pension abatement is not a feature of employment contracts
The Single Scheme Act provides that where a public service pensioner is re-employed in a Public Service Body, any pension in payment will be subject to abatement. The Act defines what a public service body is and the Schedule to the Act defines a list of Bodies to which the definition of "Public Service Body" does not apply. This is set out as follows below:
1. A body corporate established by Act of Parliament before 6 December 1922 that, upon its establishment, was of a commercial character.
2. Irish Bank Resolution Corporation Limited.
3. Bord Gáis Éireann.
4. Bord na gCon.
5. Bord na Móna.
6. Córas Iompair Éireann.
7. Coillte Teorants (being a company formed and registered under the Companies Acts as provided for by Section 9 of the Forestry Act 1988).
8. Cork Airport Authority, public limited company.
9. Dublin Airport Authority, public limited company.
10. Electricity Supply Board.
11. EirGrid.
12. A harbour authority within the meaning of the Harbours Act 1946 or company to which section 7 of the Harbours Act 1996 relates.
13. Horse Racing Ireland.
14. Irish National Stud Company Limited.
15. Irish Aviation Authority.
16. An Post.
17. An Post National Lottery Company.
18. Raidió Teilifís Éireann.
19. Shannon Airport Authority, public limited company.
20. Teilifís Na Gaeilge.
21. Railway Procurement Agency.
22. Voluntary Health Insurance Board.
23. A subsidiary of a body to which this Schedule relates, including a subsidiary of such a subsidiary.
The exact details regarding subsidiaries is a matter for each body listed above to clarify as the full range of subsidiaries is not set out in the Act.
(ii) Other state, semi-state, or publicly funded body or company (either in part or wholly), where the imposition of pension abatement is not a feature of employment contracts Retired public servants appointed to the bodies listed above would not be subject to pension abatement. Appointments to all other public service bodies are subject to pension abatement in accordance with Section 52(1) of the Single Scheme Act, 2012.
Spike Island Development CompanyI am informed that Spike Island Development Company is a subsidiary of Cork County Council and therefore would be encompassed by the definition of a public service body provided in Section 5 of the Single Scheme Act, 2012. This definition notes that any subsidiary of, or company controlled (within the meaning given by section 10 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997) by, a body to which paragraph (d) (e) or (h) relates and in respect of which a pre-existing public service pension scheme exists or applies or may be made. Paragraph (d) refers to local authorities( i.e. Cork County Council in this instance) bringing the development company within the scope of abatement.
Accordingly, an individual who takes up a position in Spike Island Development Company and who is in receipt of a public service pension or whose public service pension comes into payment during such employment will be subject to abatement in accordance with Section 52 of the Single Scheme Act, 2012.
Queries in relation to employment in a particular organisation and the possible conditions attached to such employments, such as abatement, should be addressed to the Local HR unit of the relevant organisation and/or the Body to which the organisation a subsidiary.
284. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated cost in 2021 of recruiting two additional Assistant Legal Advisor at Assistant Principal Officer for the Office of the Ombudsman. [24919/20]
View answerI am informed by the Office of the Ombudsman that the estimated cost of recruiting two additional Assistant Legal Advisors at Assistance Principal Officer level in 2021 is €165,000.
285. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated cost to increase funding to the Workplace Relations Commission by 50%. [25311/20]
View answerFunding for the Workplace Relations Commission is allocated under the Regulation Programme of Vote 32 and details of this are published in the latest volume of Revised Estimates for Public Services 2020. The 2020 estimate for the Workplace Relations Programme is €19,299,000. This is inclusive of the Workplace Relations Commission, The Labour Court and the Employment Appeals Tribunal.
The 2020 allocation for the Workplace Relations Commission specifically amounts to €15,182,000. Increasing this allocation by 50% would result in a total funding level of €22,773,000 representing a €7,591,000 increase in funding.
286. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount generated in lottery ticket sales for the bi-weekly draw in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020. [25346/20]
View answer287. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount generated by scratch card sales in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020. [25347/20]
View answer288. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount donated to charities from money derived from lotto and scratch card sales in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020. [25348/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 286, 287 and 288 together.
I am informed by the Office of the National Lottery Regulator that sales of Draw Based Games (including the two bi-weekly Lotto and EuroMillions draws) amounted to €537.3m in 2018 and €586.7m in 2019. Sales of Scratch Cards and online Instant Win Games amounted to €267.7m in 2018 and €297.8m in 2019.
As a result of the commercially sensitive nature of the information requested, and in accordance with the licence, financial information provided to the National Lottery Regulator may be made available by the Regulator to the Minister but shall otherwise be kept confidential, save as required by law or with the prior written consent of the Licensee. The Regulator has informed me that the Licensee, Premier Lotteries Ireland, has given its consent to the release of sales information from its audited annual returns for 2018 and 2019 but declined to consent to the release of figures for the current year to date.
As per the terms of the National Lottery Licence, 65% of Gross Gaming Revenue (total sales minus prizes) is made available for use by Good Causes projects. A total of €224.7m was transferred from the National Lottery Fund to the Exchequer in the year ended 31 December 2018, €250.7m was transferred in the year ended 31 December 2019 and €181.6m has been transferred in 2020 to date (which includes €16.1m of historic amounts relevant to the previous licence).
Funding from the National Lottery is provided by the Oireachtas, in accordance with the National Lottery Act, through expenditure subheads which form part of Departmental funding Programmes.
Appendix 1 of the Revised Estimates for Public Services, which is published each year, provides a breakdown of expenditure subheads, and consequently Good Causes projects, which are supported by proceeds of the National Lottery. As set out in the Appendix, the funding allocation for these subheads typically exceeds the amounts raised by National Lottery sales, and the balance of the expenditure allocation comes from normal Exchequer sources.
289. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to exercise his power under section 8 (11)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 to introduce regulations concerning management and maintenance of records held by freedom of information bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25378/20]
View answerThe Government has recently put in place a number of detailed measures to improve the way that public service data is used, managed and governed including the Data Sharing and Governance Act and Public Service Data Strategy.
The Data Sharing and Governance Act is an enabling piece of legislation which will facilitate significant improvements to data management and data sharing, in the Public Service. To complement this, the Public Service Data Strategy outlines a broad based plan for data. When put into practice, together, they will create a strong and supportive data ecosystem for the Public Service.
A Data Governance Board will be established under this legislation. The Board will play a central role in advising my Department on the operation of the legislation, including advice on the introduction of data management standards and guidelines, applicable to all public service bodies.
In addition, as part of the Public Service ICT Strategy, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer has introduced eDocs, a Document and Records Management, as part of a suite of common business applications offered under the Build to Share (BTS) Applications programme. eDocs is a Document and Records Management system designed to help improve filing and records management practices across the Civil Service.
There are no plans at present for regulations to be made under section 8(11)(b) of the Freedom of Information Act. This would be a very significant undertaking at this point in time, given its potential implications for some 600 FOI Bodies throughout the civil and public sector. However, as outlined above, work remains ongoing in relation to record management and the better use of data, in conjunction with key stakeholders, under a variety of strategies and statutory schemes. Consideration will be given to what further steps may be appropriate as these initiatives progress, and in particular once the Data Governance Board has been established and embedded in its role.
290. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a drain. [25474/20]
View answerThe Office of Public Works is investigating the matter and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy.
291. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when refurbishment works for the Garda water unit at Athlone Garda station will be completed; and the estimated cost of the project [25637/20]
View answerIt is expected that the "Fit-out" works in question will be completed in the next number of weeks and facility handed over to An Garda Síochána for their operations. The 'final account' has not yet been agreed with the Contractor so the total cost of the project is yet to be determined.
292. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht her plans to publish specific guidelines forthe leisure, health and fitness sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24813/20]
View answerAs the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, Sport Ireland has issued guidance to the sport sector on the practical implications for sport of the various Covid-19 restrictions that have been introduced to date. The guidance issued by Sport Ireland applies to the sport sector generally, including gyms, pools etc which operate within the leisure, health and fitness sectors.
Sport Ireland’s guidance is informed by and aligned with public health guidance developed by the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive.
Sport Ireland and the Expert Group on Return to Sport continue to engage with Ireland Active, the representative body for the leisure, health and fitness sector, and to provide guidance on specific issues as required.
293. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht her plans to have the tourism trade back up and running safely by March 2021. [25471/20]
View answerI have had a number of engagements with stakeholders in the Irish tourism sector since assuming the office of Minister with responsibility for Tourism and I am very conscious of the damage suffered by the sector as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Tourism Recovery Taskforce was appointed to prepare a Tourism Recovery Plan which will include a set of recommendations on how best the Irish tourism sector can adapt and recover in the changed tourism environment as a result of the crisis. It submitted an Initial Report to me at the end of June which informed the Government’s thinking for measures adopted as part of the July Stimulus package.
The July Stimulus measures are a significant part of our response to the COVID-19 crisis. These measures were in addition to other Governments supports already in place. They provide supports for tourism businesses to retain jobs, and aim to build confidence in consumers and communities all over Ireland.
I expect to receive the Final Recovery Plan from the Taskforce in the coming weeks and I will consider its recommendations in the context of the Budget and the development of the National Economic Plan, at which point the Government will review and refine existing supports, and consider any further necessary measures required as a consequence of COVID-19. Clearly, given the importance of inbound tourism for the sector here, a critical issue will be to safely restart international tourism into Ireland.
To assist tourism businesses reopening in line with Government advice – including, most recently, the new Resilience & Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with Covid-19 and its framework for restrictive measures – Fáilte Ireland has published guidelines for the tourism sector, prepared in consultation with the tourism industry and relevant authorities. Designed as “living” documents, to be updated as required as Government restrictions and public health guidance and protocols evolve, these guidelines are intended to assist tourism businesses meet requirements in line with the Return to Work Safely protocol and based on the latest health advice. Fáilte Ireland has also introduced a new COVID-19 Safety Charter, designed to boost public confidence in the safety of businesses as the tourism sector reopens and continues to operate safely and in line with requirements.
With Government and the tourism industry working together, I am confident in our ability to overcome the difficult challenges that lie ahead in a safe manner and informed by public health advice.
294. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht the progress of the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce. [24845/20]
View answer297. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if a voice will be given to the commercial live events sector in the recently announced task force in order to represent the substantial needs of the live events community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24908/20]
View answer300. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if representation by the commercial live events sector will be ensured on the taskforce for the recovery of the arts and culture in view of the fact this subsection of workers are the least likely to return to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25188/20]
View answer303. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht her plans to grant funding to the live events sector (details supplied); if the sector will be considered when appointing persons to the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25268/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 294, 297, 300 and 303 together.
The Programme for Government: Our Shared Future, includes a commitment to “establish a cross-departmental taskforce to develop a clear approach, informed by the views of all stakeholders, to protect and sustain the arts and culture sector through the COVID-19 recovery and beyond. This will be fed into the National Economic Plan.” While the restrictions put in place to prevent the spread of the coronavirus have had an unprecedented effect on society and on the economy, the impact on the arts and culture sector has been more detrimental and will undoubtedly last longer than that of many other sectors.
To advance this commitment, I have announced the establishment of a new Taskforce for the recovery of the Arts and Culture sector under the Chair of Clare Duignan. I intend to address the first meeting of the Taskforce this afternoon. The Terms of Reference of the Taskforce are as follows.
The Taskforce will prepare a report for the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht including a set of recommendations on how best the arts and culture sector can adapt and recover from the unprecedented damage arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. The sector includes culture, the arts, the audiovisual industry and the live entertainment industry. Taking as its starting point, the research and evidence of the devastating impact of the pandemic on the sector compiled by the Department, the Arts Council and other stakeholders, the Taskforce will:-
- adopt a solution-focused approach;
- seek sector-specific expert input and consult with stakeholders;
- invite additional individuals or expertise to attend meetings on an ad hoc basis, as it deems necessary;
- focus on providing intelligence and recommendations for an expected on-going and varying impact of COVID-19 restrictions;
- identify immediate and medium term goals for recovery and sustainability in the sector;
- identify possible policy initiatives or impediments to a robust sustainable recovery in the sector;
- recommend whole of Government policy initiatives and actions to support the sector;
- report to the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht by the 31 October 2020 in order to provide the Government with an action-plan for the sector.
Composition of Taskforce
Clare Duignan is chairing the Task Force and the other members are as follows:
- Arts Council
- Business to Arts
- Council of the National Cultural Institutions
- County and City Management Association (CCMA)
- Department of Health
- Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht,
- Department of Social Protection
- Ealaín na Gaeltachta
- Events Industry Alliance (2)
- Irish Congress of Trade Unions
- National Campaign for the Arts
- Irish Music Rights Organisation
- Irish Theatre Institute
- Screen Ireland
- Screen Producers Ireland
- Denise Chaila
- Martin Hayes
Each of the members has my gratitude for taking on this challenging task and I look forward to the report in due course.
295. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the hardship and distress the Covid-19 restrictions have caused to those previously working in the live events sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24906/20]
View answerThe Arts and Culture sectors have taken a very particular hit as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; cultural venues and events were among the first to be closed in the country’s public health response to the crisis, and they will be among the last to recover. I am eager to get our musicians, our performers and all their behind-the-scenes technical support people back to earning a living and doing what they do so well, as Irish society needs live performance and events.
The Jobs Stimulus package has specifically provided a range of supports as follows:
- The culture and audio visual sectors will benefit from a new €10 million pilot “Performance and Production Support Package” to support the live performance and the audiovisual production sector. Under this funding package, a new scheme "Live Performance Support Scheme" has been be put in place to assist venues and promoters of live performances in music and theatre, by helping to de-risk the costs of preparing for new productions which may subsequently have to be postponed or cancelled. Also under this package, an audiovisual scheme will be put in place to assist the film and TV drama sector. These pilot schemes have been designed in consultation with the sectors, and aim to build confidence in recommencing production, rehearsals and event planning now for the months ahead.
- A further €2 million will also be available for the next round Sound and Vision for the audiovisual sector. Broadcasting has played a vital role in providing reliable news and information to citizens throughout the COVID-19 crisis, and in bringing together local communities.
- The additional funding to this sector comes on top of other supports made this year totalling €13.2m. A €3 million TV Drama Fund administered by Screen Ireland will support the production of new Irish TV drama content in line with the Government’s Audiovisual Action Plan, and will grow the sector, firmly placing creativity at the centre of Irish government policy.
- In addition, the Jobs Stimulus has provided a new €10 million Culture Fund, which will include increased funding for Creative Ireland, to employ artists through the Creative Youth and Creative Communities programmes, funding to support the commissioning of artists to produce creative content for the national broadcast, a dedicated fund for musicians, recognising the particular difficulties being experienced by music performers across a range of genres and funding for Ealaíon na Gaeltachta for new artists’ bursaries and arts activities in Gaeltacht schools.
- A further capital funding of up to €6 million is also being made available to accelerate the redevelopment and renewal of our National Cultural Institutions envisaged under the National Development Plan.
I have also recently announced the membership of the Arts and Culture Recovery Task Force, which meets for the first time today. The pandemic has had a devastating impact on the arts and culture sectors. Live performances, theatre, music and events have all but disappeared from society. Identifying ways of preserving and re-establishing this once-vibrant, heart-warming and magical sector will be a mammoth task. The membership of the Task Force that I am appointing holds a wealth of experience and talent and I have no doubt that collectively they will rise to the challenge. The sector includes culture, the arts, the audiovisual industry and the live entertainment industry.
Clare Duignan will chair the Task Force and the other members will be:
- Arts Council
- Business to Arts
- Council of the National Cultural Institutions
- County and City Management Association (CCMA)
- Department of Health
- Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht
- Department of Social Protection
- Ealaín na Gaeltachta
- Events Industry Alliance
- Irish Congress of Trade Unions
- National Campaign for the Arts
- Irish Music Rights Organisation
- Irish Theatre Institute
- Screen Ireland
- Screen Producers Ireland
- Denise Chaila
- Martin Hayes
The Taskforce will prepare a report including a set of recommendations on how best the arts and culture sector can adapt and recover from the unprecedented damage arising from the Covid-19 pandemic and I look forward to receiving this. Taking as its starting point, the research and evidence of the devastating impact of the pandemic on the sector compiled by the Department, the Arts Council and other stakeholders, the Taskforce will:-
- adopt a solution-focused approach;
- seek sector-specific expert input and consult with stakeholders;
- invite additional individuals or expertise to attend meetings on an ad hoc basis, as it deems necessary;
- focus on providing intelligence and recommendations for an expected on-going and varying impact of COVID-19 restrictions;
- identify immediate and medium term goals for recovery and sustainability in the sector;
- identify possible policy initiatives or impediments to a robust sustainable recovery in the sector;
- recommend whole of Government policy initiatives and actions to support the sector;
- Produce a report by the 31 October 2020 in order to provide the Government with an action-plan for the sector.
296. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if she will consider granting funding to the live events sector proportionate to the funds allocated to the Arts Council in 2020 in recognition of the fact that the sector accounts for 90% of all tickets sold here; if the critical lack of grant funding to the sector will be acknowledged; if a commitment will be given to a ringfenced fund for businesses in the sector that can remain viable until restrictions are lifted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24907/20]
View answer301. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if she will give urgent consideration to the issues (details supplied) raised regarding a sector that has been adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic; if adequate financial support will be provided to enable this sector reopen to the safest extent possible and protect employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25212/20]
View answer302. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if her Department is working on the design of initiatives to support the various elements of the events sector which are unlikely return to generating more than a fraction of former revenue at any point in the new Covid-19 Roadmap; and the options under consideration. [25267/20]
View answer306. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if he will address the matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25318/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 296, 301, 302 and 306 together.
I recently met with the Events Industry Alliance (EIA) and heard first hand the concerns of the events industry which includes the commercial live music performance sector. I am eager to get our musicians, our performers and all their behind-the-scenes technical support people back to earning a living and doing what they do so well, as Irish society needs live performance and events. I am acutely aware of the balance needed between the health guidelines, living with Covid-19 and sustaining livelihoods.
I am also very conscious of the unprecedented nature of the challenge facing live performance promoters and producers, not least from a financial point of view. I was pleased to have recently announced a new fund that will assist established commercial venues and promoters to employ performers, artists, technicians, creative and performance support staff up to the end of 2020 in anticipation of the return of audiences to live performance.
An allocation of €5 million is being made available under the “Live Performance Support Scheme” under my Department which aims to assist commercial venues, producers and promoters of live performances and provide employment to workers in the creative industries. The scheme will help to de-risk the costs of preparing for new productions which may subsequently have to be postponed, cancelled or curtailed due to restrictions to safeguard public health. The main objective of the scheme is to provide employment opportunities in the ticketed performance sector and allow commercial organisers of live performances to commence preparations immediately and productions to go ahead in the near future while also complying with public health protection measures. This scheme has been developed following consultation with the sector and will be managed directly by my Department.
I was delighted to also recently announce the establishment of a new Taskforce for the recovery of the Arts and Culture sector under the Chair of Clare Duignan. The Taskforce, which meets for the first time today, will prepare a report including a set of recommendations on how best the arts and culture sector can adapt and recover from the unprecedented damage arising from the Covid-19 pandemic.
The sector includes culture, the arts, the audio-visual industry and the live entertainment industry with the Events Industry Alliance represented on the taskforce. The Taskforce will:-
- adopt a solution-focused approach;
- seek sector-specific expert input and consult with stakeholders;
- invite additional individuals or expertise to attend meetings on an ad hoc basis, as it deems necessary;
- focus on providing intelligence and recommendations for an expected on-going and varying impact of COVID-19 restrictions;
- identify immediate and medium term goals for recovery and sustainability in the sector;
- identify possible policy initiatives or impediments to a robust sustainable recovery in the sector;
- recommend whole of Government policy initiatives and actions to support the sector;
- prepare a report by the 31 October 2020 in order to provide the Government with an action-plan for the sector.
298. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if the 100 spectators and patrons allowed at outdoor sporting events includes players and management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24971/20]
View answerThe Government’s Resilience and Recovery 20-21: Plan for Living with Covid-19 permits attendance, at the current Level 2 of the Plan, by up to 100 spectators at outdoor sporting events and 50 spectators at indoor sporting events. Up to 200 spectators are allowed for outdoor stadia or other fixed outdoor venues with a minimum accredited capacity of 5,000. These numbers are in addition to players, officials and other persons necessary for the holding of the event.
Under Level 3 of the Plan, no matches or sports events are permitted other than those which are specifically exempted under the Recovery and Resilience Plan. The exemption applies to elite and professional sport, inter-county GAA, ladies football or camogie matches and any national senior club championships that are already underway. Where these events are taking place, they must be held behind closed doors with no spectators permitted.
