Skip to main content
Normal View

Thursday, 1 Oct 2020

Written Answers Nos. 50-69

Gaelcholáistí Issues

Questions (50)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

50. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if she envisages the Irish-language summer schools in the Gaeltacht proceeding in 2021 as they are a vital resource for rural communities. [24449/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Deputy may be aware that my 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, currently 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 Gaeltacht households approved 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 in overall terms to be worth €50m annually.

Following the cancellation, on 20th April 2020, of Irish summer college courses by my Department in the interests of protecting public health during the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department approved a once-off emergency measure worth €4.7m to support the stabilisation of the Gaeltacht Irish summer college sector.

Under the stabilisation package, up to €3.1m is being directed at enabling college authorities to refund fees/deposits to parents in full in respect of 2020 courses, while a further €1.6m is being allocated towards supporting the c. 700 certified Gaeltacht householders who normally provide accommodation to attending students.  The majority of this funding has now been paid out by my Department.

I should point out that the stabilisation fund was provided as a specific once-off measure with the overall objective of ensuring the ongoing viability of the sector. The approval of this stability initiative took account of the need to address without delay, issues around cash-flow within the summer college sector, which significantly hampered colleges’ ability to adequately refund fees/deposits to parents.

Based, not least, on the broadly positive feedback regarding the measure from relevant stakeholders within the Irish summer colleges sector,  I am satisfied that the measure was both necessary and effective.

In relation to 2021, the Deputy will appreciate that it is not possible at this juncture to predict whether summer colleges will be in a position to operate due to the ongoing pandemic. Having said that, the Deputy may be assured that my Department will continue to carefully monitor the situation and will continue to engage with relevant stakeholders, including CONCOS, the summer colleges' umbrella organisation, as appropriate. 

Like everyone else involved in the summer colleges sector, I look forward to working ultimately towards the safe return of Irish summer colleges in the future, and the ongoing contribution of our Gaeltacht households and colleges to the development of the Irish language and to sustaining Gaeltacht communities.

Irish Language

Questions (51)

Martin Browne

Question:

51. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if consideration will be given to restoring pre-recession funding to the development scheme for Irish run by an organisation (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to the fact that funding for an officer to run the scheme was cut from five days per week to four when the economic crisis hit; her views on the valued contribution the organisation at its branch in Nenagh, County Tipperary, makes towards the use and promotion of the Irish language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27361/20]

View answer

Written answers

In 2005, Foras na Gaeilge introduced Scéim Pobal Gaeilge (SPG) - the Irish Language Community Scheme - offering local voluntary community committees the opportunity to apply for financial assistance towards the costs of implementing a three year business plan for the development and enhancement of the Irish language among their respective target areas and groups.

SPG was revised 2016 and, while the number of funded groups increased, budgetary constraints only allowed funding to be made available on a four-day per week basis.

In October 2019, Foras na Gaeilge submitted a discussion paper to my Department and to the Department for Communities in the North. This outlined a proposed revision of the existing scheme, seeking to align the scheme with the Government’s language planning approach - in line with the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language.

The paper, which was based on consultation with relevant stakeholders, also recommended that the funding to groups be increased to cover salary and associated costs on a five-day basis. 

It is now proposed that a new scheme be developed focusing on the principles of language planning, and that a primary objective of this revised scheme should be to support government policies - those set out in the Gaeltacht Act 2012, in respect of Irish language networks and Gaeltacht service towns, and in the north as outlined in the Draft Strategy to Enhance and Protect the Development of the Irish Language.

The new scheme is currently being finalised by Foras na Gaeilge in conjunction with my Department and the Department for Communities in the North.  Subject to the completion of this process, it will be advertised publicly before the end of 2020 and will come into operation in July 2021.

The group referenced by the Deputy has received funding through the present scheme for the past nine years and has done tremendous work in promoting and developing the Irish Language in its area.  It will, of course, be eligible to apply for the new scheme when advertised.

Question No. 52 answered with Question No. 45.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (53)

James O'Connor

Question:

53. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht the actions taken to date to support high-performance athletes during Covid-19 restrictions. [27521/20]

View answer

Written answers

Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, including high performance sport and its funding allocations.

Sport Ireland has provided an assurance that athletes on the 2020 International Carding Scheme will continue to receive funding as normal for both this year and into 2021. New entrants will be allowed into the Scheme. This funding certainty has been widely welcomed by our Olympic and Paralympic community.

Other important supports are also being provided, notably in relation to access to the world class facilities available at the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus in Blanchardstown. Due to the work and support of Sport Ireland and the NGBs our high performance athletes have already been back training since the 8th of June.  High performance sport is proceeding on a gradual and modified basis in accordance with detailed protocols.  

International travel, which is an essential part of high performance programmes, is also being facilitated and supported. Athletes may be required to travel overseas to compete in Olympic/Paralympic qualification events and major championships. The Return to Sport Expert Group, chaired by my Department, has developed detailed guidance to assist high performance sport in its approach to international travel. This important support will assist athletes who need to travel, especially those who are still looking to qualify for the Olympics and Paralympics.

Sport has been a leader throughout this pandemic.  Our Olympic and Paralympic athletes have acted as great role models, showing people how to adapt, keep physically active and demonstrating compliance with the guidelines in media appearances.

I would like to take this opportunity to offer my best wishes to our Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls. I would also like to assure them that the strong sectoral engagement that has been pursued by Sport Ireland will continue to apply right up to, and beyond, next year's Games.

Film Industry

Questions (54)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

54. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if her attention has been drawn to the fact that two of the major film producer companies here currently engaged in co-productions with major US networks which have been the beneficiaries of corporation tax relief in the past five years (details supplied) are the subject of a significant number of claims before the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court, including penalisation for appearing before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. [27480/20]

View answer

Written answers

The section 481 relief is available in respect of qualifying films, to film producer companies on particular expenditure provided certain conditions, as laid out in statute and regulations, and as specified in the film certificate issued by my Department, are met.  There is no annual cap on the credit though there is a “per project” cap of up to 32% (or 37% where regional film development uplift applies) of the lowest of eligible expenditure; or 80% of the cost of production; or €70 million. The incentive applies to feature films, television dramas, animations and creative documentaries. All claims in respect of section 481 are now on a self-assessment basis and subject to Revenue’s Code of Practice for Revenue Audit and other Compliance Interventions. Under the self-assessment basis, the administration of the film corporation tax credit has been separated into two steps: The first step involves the certification of a film as a qualifying film by my Department while the second step involves the producer company making a claim for credit relief through Revenue’s Online Service.

To support an application to my Department, the Regulations require submission of an undertaking that in producing the film, the producer company and the qualifying company (“the companies”) shall provide quality employment, and training and skills development opportunities. This is known as the ‘TAB M Undertaking’ and in the event that the application for certification of the film is successful, the TAB M Undertaking commits companies to: comply in all material aspects with all applicable laws, including employment law; be responsible for compliance with all statutory requirements of an employer; have written policies and procedures in relation to grievances, discipline and dignity at work; and provide details of any Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) decisions in relation to the companies or other companies in the film group, and where those decisions are a finding against such a company, confirmation that the finding has been followed or an explanation where the finding has not been followed. It is a standard condition of section 481 Certificates that both the producer company and qualifying company shall continue to comply with the conditions of the TAB M undertaking while producing the certified film and to have available, as part of the compliance report required under Regulation 10 of the Film Regulations 2019, any Work Place Commission decisions in relation to any company in the film group.

The WRC is a statutorily independent office of the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.  It is tasked, inter alia, with the adjudication of employment rights and complaints of penalisation pursuant to the Protected Disclosures Act.  The decisions of the WRC and its appellant body, the Labour Court are publically available.  The WRC does not comment on individual cases and it would not be appropriate for me to comment on cases that are currently before the WRC.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (55)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

55. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht her plans to support cultural events in line with the recently published Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27380/20]

View answer

Written answers

The 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 have recently appointed the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce which is being chaired by Clare Duignan.  The membership of the taskforce includes representation from the Events Industry Alliance.  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 prepare a report to me setting out 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.

The Taskforce has already met twice.  Its proceedings will be conducted in a transparent manner and all correspondence will be published in due course.

In parallel with the work of the Taskforce, the July stimulus package included a range of new supports for the sector. In this context, funding for the Arts Council has been further increased and last month I launched a number of new music and performance support schemes to aid employment in the creative industries.  An allocation of €5 million is being made available under the “Live Performance Support Scheme” which aims to assist commercial venues, producers and promoters of live performances and provide employment to workers in the creative industries.

A further support package, the Music Stimulus Package, involves three funding schemes designed to help sustain the popular and commercial music sector across all music genres, including rock, pop, hip hop, indie, jazz, country and western and traditional and folk.  Under this package, a fund of €1,000,000 is being put in place to stimulate areas of work which artists would usually fund with income from own sources including live event fees.  These schemes are targeted at professional musicians and their teams and will support song writing camps, recording and album releases.  The aim is to ensure that Irish musicians, engineers, PR, media, agents, labels and publishers can continue to develop and share their work in the context of COVID restrictions. The Music Stimulus Package schemes will be managed on behalf of the Department by First Music Contact and will be subject to peer panel assessment.

With the upcoming Budget and the development of the National Economic Plan, the Government will review and refine existing supports, and consider any further necessary measures required as a consequence of COVID-19.

Sports Funding

Questions (56)

Chris Andrews

Question:

56. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht the timeline for the reopening of the large-scale sport infrastructure fund; the amount of funding to be allocated to the next round of the fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27405/20]

View answer

Written answers

The National Sports Policy published in 2018 provided for the establishment of a Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The National Development Plan has provided a capital allocation of at least €100m over the period to 2027 for the Fund. The aim of the fund is to provide support for larger sports facilities where the Exchequer investment is greater than the maximum amount (€300,000) available under the Sports Capital Programme (SCP).

Provisional Grants totalling €82.5m were announced in January of this year. The evaluation procedures and guidelines for the LSSIF provide that once provisional allocations are announced, the successful projects will undergo a further process of due diligence. This process includes a further review of projects including economic appraisals and feasibility studies as appropriate to comply with the Public Spending Code. This work is continuing and the priority in the short term is on advancing the projects allocated funding in January. While it is not proposed to open the fund for new applications at present, it is planned to review progress on existing grants in 2021 when the question of whether or not it would be appropriate to seek new applications will be considered.

Tourism Promotion

Questions (57)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

57. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht the progress of plans to promote areas such as the Lee valley as being near the Wild Atlantic Way; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27426/20]

View answer

Written answers

At the end of June Fáilte Ireland launched a new domestic marketing campaign ‘Make a Break for It’ which is running across all media channels between now and mid-October 2020. The campaign is designed to drive consumers to all areas of the country including the Lee Valley in Cork.  Fáilte Ireland has also profiled a number of Lee Valley tourist attractions in their Wild Atlantic Way 2020 brochures. 

The Lee Valley has also featured on Fáilte Ireland's recently launched new look DiscoverIreland.ie website for domestic visitors.  The website has been redesigned as a one-stop shop for domestic visitors, showcasing the wealth of things to see and do across Ireland.

It should be noted that all marketing plans are kept under constant review in line with the Government’s public health measures and announcements on the Living with Covid-19 Plan.  From mid-October Fáilte Ireland intends to transition back to its ‘Keep Discovering’ campaign to drive awareness of Ireland as a holiday destination to the domestic audience and stimulate the demand for staycations.

I have asked Fáilte Ireland to provide the Deputy with further information on their work developing and promoting tourism in the Lee Valley.  I ask him to contact my private office if he does not receive a reply within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51

Film Industry

Questions (58)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

58. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if she has engaged with the Minister for Finance ahead of budget 2021 on the ongoing need to ensure that the tax regime here remains supportive of and attractive to film and television production. [27377/20]

View answer

Written answers

While Budget 2021 is a matter for the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, I as Minister, take every opportunity at Government and with my Ministerial colleagues to highlight the importance and value of the culture and audiovisual sectors and the benefits of increasing public investment in them. Government policy supports the film and television sector in a number of ways to create an attractive environment for film production: through funding for Screen Ireland, international film co-production treaties, an annual international programme of Irish film festivals, and the engagement of high-profile talent to project a positive image of Ireland and reflect Ireland as a creative place.

The section 481 tax credit system is also a vital part of the financial infrastructure of the audiovisual industry in Ireland. Its importance is highlighted in the Government’s Audiovisual Action Plan under Pillar 4 of the Creative Ireland programme which is designed to deliver on ambitions to make Ireland a leader in the audiovisual sector and contains a number of recommendations in respect of our tax regime. Significant work has taken place in this area in the past year.  In July 2019, the EU Commission gave State Aid approval in respect of two aspects of Irelands tax credit: the extension of the Section 481 credit until 2024 which provides certainty for film production companies on the future availability of the credit, ensuring the continued growth of our film industry; and the introduction of the Regional Film Development Uplift which offers an additional tapered tax credit over a period of 4 years and supports the development of a vibrant creative audio-visual sector across the country. The Department of Finance is represented on the Audiovisual Action Plan Steering Group, which will continue to keep section 481 under review over the lifetime of the Audiovisual Action Plan.

Culture Policy

Questions (59)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

59. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 16 of 22 July 2020, the status of the performance delivery agreement with Galway 2020; if the Irish language officer has been reinstated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27092/20]

View answer

Written answers

My Department has in place a Performance Delivery Agreement with Galway 2020 which addresses the respective roles and responsibilities of the Department and the Company in the management of the Government commitment to Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture and the terms and conditions attached to the drawdown of funding. The Performance Delivery Agreement was signed on 6 November 2018 and covers the period to 1 July 2021.

With regard to the Irish language officer, it is my understanding that Galway 2020 does not plan to reappoint an Irish Language Officer at this time but will consider engaging Irish language services, as required. I am pleased to advise, however, that the Irish language features prominently in the revised cultural programme that I approved in July, with 7 of the 28 projects either solely in Irish or fully bilingual.

Tourism Policy

Questions (60)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

60. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht the status of consideration of the report by the tourism recovery task force. [27379/20]

View answer

Written answers

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 environment as a result of the pandemic. I received its Final Report this week and, together with my colleagues in Government, I will consider its recommendations in the context of Budget 2021 and the National Economic Plan.

Toghcháin d'Údarás na Gaeltachta

Questions (61)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

61. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Meán, Turasóireachta, Ealaíon, Cultúir, Spóirt agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil an t-athbhreithniú arna ghealladh ar struchtúr Údarás na Gaeltachta tosaithe go fóill; an féidir léi an gealltanas a thug an tAire Stáit in agallamh teilifíse le TG4 a neartú os comhair na Dála, arb é go ndéanfaidh an Rialtas toghcháin Údarás na Gaeltachta a thabhairt ar ais. [27395/20]

View answer

Written answers

Luaitear sa Chlár Rialtais go ndéanfar athbhreithniú ar struchtúir fheidhmiúcháin agus rialachais Údarás na Gaeltachta, agus ar an bpróiseas roghnúcháin do Bhord an Údaráis.

Faoi láthair, tá cúigear comhalta a d’ainmnigh na hÚdaráis Áitiúla a bhfuil ceantar Gaeltachta faoina gcúram acu ar an mbord. Cinntíonn sé seo go bhfuil bunús daonlathach le bord Údarás na Gaeltachta.

Chomh maith leis sin, roghnaítear seachtar comhalta - bunaithe ar chomórtas poiblí a eagraítear faoi scáth na Seirbhíse um Cheapacháin Phoiblí.  Cinntíonn an próiseas seo go bhfuil daoine leis an saineolas agus na scileanna cuí á roghnú don chúram – rud atá ar leas an Údaráis agus an phobail ar a dhéanann sé freastal mar fhoras stáit. 

Is fiú dom a rá go mbeidh an Bord reatha ann go dtí mí Eanáir 2023 agus go bhfuil an cur chuige reatha mar a bhaineann sé le struchtúr Bord Údarás na Gaeltachta ag feidhmiú go sásúil faoi láthair.

É sin ráite, gealladh sa Chlár Rialtais go ndéanfaí athbhreithniú ar struchtúir fheidhmiúcháin agus rialachais Údarás na Gaeltachta agus tá sé mar sprioc agam go gcuirfear tús leis an obair sin chomh luath is féidir.

Question No. 62 answered with Question No. 31.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (63)

Christopher O'Sullivan

Question:

63. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht the status of safety guidelines for the events and music sector to continue their trade in bars and music venues. [26591/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Government's Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021, the Plan for Living with COVID-19, reflects a cross-government approach to managing the pandemic for the coming months.  This Plan sets out how the balance between public health, economic and social aspects of living with COVID-19 will operate in the short to medium term.  It brings greater certainty so that society and business can move forward.

While most of the country is now at Level 2 of the Roadmap, the Government has decided that the entire counties of Dublin and Donegal will be placed on Level 3 of the Framework for Restrictive Measures and remain at Level 3 for a period after which the situation will be reviewed by the Government.

All businesses and employers continue to be obliged to implement and observe the Return to Work Safety Protocol to protect their employees, visitors and customers.  The Health and Safety Authority is responsible for the implementation of the Protocol which is available at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/22829a-return-to-work-safely-protocol/.

Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla

Questions (64)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

64. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Meán, Turasóireachta, Ealaíon, Cultúir, Spóirt agus Gaeltachta cá bhfuil na dréacht-chaighdeáin teanga do Bhille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla a gealladh sa Chlár Rialtais laistigh de thrí mhí ó bunaíodh an Rialtas nua; agus é ráite aici agus ag an Aire Stáit go bhfuil leasuithe ag teastáil sula n-achtófar Bille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, cé na lochtanna atá sa Bhille, a bhí os comhair na Dála deiridh, atá i gceist acu iad a leasú sula n-achtófar é. [27396/20]

View answer

Written answers

Mar is eol don Teachta, tá gealltanas sonrach tugtha i gClár an Rialtais seo, go ndéanfar Bille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) a achtú roimh dheireadh na bliana seo.

Le hachtú an Bhille seo, tá i gceist, mar chuid de, go ndéanfar deireadh a chur le córas na scéimeanna teanga agus córas nua a chuir i bhfeidhm ag baint úsáide as rialacháin chun caighdeáin teanga a leagan síos do na comhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi scáth an Achta.  Tá oifigigh mo Roinne i mbun dréachtú na gcaighdeán seo i láthair na huaire.

Rinneadh an Bille a fhoilsiú i Nollaig 2019 agus is é príomhchuspóir an bhille ná Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 a leasú ionas go mbeifear in ann feabhas a chur ar sholáthar seirbhísí poiblí trí Ghaeilge agus líon na gcainteoirí Gaeilge a earcaítear sa seirbhís phoiblí a mhéadú.  Tá mé ag súil an Bille a thabhairt ar ais os comhar na dTithe, ag céim ag dó, áit a mbeidh deis ag an Teach an Bille a phlé agus moltaí maidir le leasuithe a chur chun cinn.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (65)

Thomas Gould

Question:

65. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht the supports in place for sporting organisations whose running costs remain the same but have lost income as a result of reduced fundraising opportunities and loss of script, membership and affiliation fees.. [17382/20]

View answer

Written answers

I am acutely aware of the particular difficulties and challenges facing sporting organisations. Measures introduced by the Government to date have benefitted the sport sector including the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and the series of enterprise supports.

There has been extensive engagement with the sport sector over the past number of months which has highlighted the significant, adverse impact of COVID-19 at all levels of the Irish sporting landscape.  A COVID-19 Sports Monitoring Group, chaired at Ministerial level, has been established to engage directly with the sporting bodies. An Expert Group on Return to Sport, chaired by an official of my Department, has also been established to provide advice and guidance to sporting bodies.

Sport Ireland is also directly engaging with the sporting bodies on an ongoing basis.

A funding package of up to €70 million has been put in place to support the sector. The funding package, which will be administered by Sport Ireland, includes;

- Funding of up to €40m for the three main field sports organisations – the FAI, the GAA and the IRFU.

- a Resilience Fund of up to €10m to support the National Governing Bodies of Sport,

- a  Sports Club Resilience Fund of up to €15m to support clubs, and

- a Sports  Restart and Renewal Fund of up to €5m.

The funding will be invested through new grant schemes with Sport Ireland’s recognised funding partners, including the National Governing Bodies of Sport, Local Sports Partnerships and other funded sporting organisations.

The closing date for applications to Sport Ireland under the COVID 19 grant schemes was September 14. I understand that a large number of applications was received. 39 National Governing Bodies applied on their own behalf or on behalf of their member clubs. Sport Ireland is currently processing and validating the applications. There is significant interest in each of the 4 strands of funding. The process will be complete by the end of October and an announcement on allocations will be made at that time.

In addition to this funding scheme, I announced a special fund of €2.5 million as part of the July Jobs Stimulus to support the reopening of publicly accessible swimming pools in recognition of the particular challenges pool operators face in reopening to the public. This funding will also be administered by Sport Ireland. Sport Ireland is currently finalising the grant scheme. Full details of the scheme and the application process will be announced shortly.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (66)

Paul Murphy

Question:

66. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if she will recommend that all workers from the arts and live entertainment industries, based upon such workers being certified by a reference from a relevant employer or an Irish cultural organisation, are made eligible for full payment of the €350 pandemic unemployment payment for the duration of the shutdown of live entertainments and artistic events due to Covid-19. [27478/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Government has put in place a range of supports for the arts, culture and live entertainment sectors developed following a wide ranging consultation with sectoral stakeholders. While, as the Deputy will be aware, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is the responsibility of my colleague Minister Humphreys, Minister for Social Protection, I will continue to engage with those affected, and with colleagues across Government, to assess appropriate measures to support artists in making and presenting work in light of the evolving challenge posed by COVID-19.

Sports Organisations

Questions (67)

Chris Andrews

Question:

67. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if an association (details supplied) will be encouraged to roll out pay equality for the senior Irish women's football team with their male counterparts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27406/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Government has demonstrated its commitment to women's sport over many years, and considerable Exchequer funding has been allocated to programmes aimed at encouraging women's active and social participation in sport. I would highlight in this regard the Sport Ireland Women in Sport programme established in 2005, which has provided funding support of over €20 million to a broad range of programmes aimed at increasing participation by women and girls. My predecessors Shane Ross and Brendan Griffin, T.D. were enthusiastic supporters of the Federation of Irish Sport's 20 x 20 campaign and my colleague Minister Chambers has already been in discussions with the Federation on how Government can do more to support this initiative.

In respect to the sporting body referred to by the Deputy, at the outset I must recognise that as a National Governing Body of sport the Government respects the indepenence and autonomy of this association in organising its competitions, selecting international teams and other matters. Payments to international players is a matter for the association itself, and neither I nor my Department have any role in determining the level of payments for the different international teams selected by this or any other National Governing Body of sport.

With that being said, it is important to recognise that when the members of the women's international team referred to by the Deputy highlighted challenges in their remunerations and conditions, my predecessor Minister Ross raised the issue with the association concerned on a number of occasions. In 2018 the Minister provided additional funding to support the women's international team referred to by the Deputy. In 2019, in spite of a number of challenges, my Department and Sport Ireland made arrangements to ensure that funding allocated for the women's international team was disbursed to them and used to support their preparations for international fixtures.

I want to thank the Deputy for highlighting this important issue and I can assure him that I will indeed discuss the question of equality for the men's and women's senior international teams with the sporting association concerned at the earliest opportunity. I would like to assure the Deputy that the importance of women's sport is something I will be highlighting in all my contacts with national and international sporting bodies.

Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla

Questions (68)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

68. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Meán, Turasóireachta, Ealaíon, Cultúir, Spóirt agus Gaeltachta cén dáta a fhoilseofar Bille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [27094/20]

View answer

Written answers

Tuigim go maith an tábhacht atá leis an mBille seo, a foilsíodh i Nollaig 2019, do phobal labhartha na Gaeilge. 

Tá teagmháil déanta le mo Roinn ag páirtithe leasmhara cheana féin, an Coimisinéir Teanga agus Conradh na Gaeilge san áireamh, lena gcuid moltaí maidir leis an mBille.  Ag eascairt as na teagmhálacha sin, bhí cruinniú agam féin leis na páirtithe leasmhara céanna le déanaí chun a gcuid moltaí a phlé. 

Táthar ag súil leis an mBille a thabhairt ar ais os comhar na dTithe, ag an dara céim, go gairid.  Mar atá geallta sa Chlár Rialtais, tá i gceist go mbeadh an Bille achtaithe roimh dheireadh na bliana.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (69)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

69. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht the degree to which she can assist the events, tourism and sport sectors which have been severely and negatively hit by the Covid-19 virus; the extent to which she has engaged with those involved with a view to a longer term strategy in an effort to maintain employment in these vital areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27367/20]

View answer

Written answers

The COVID-19 crisis has had a devastating and unprecedented impact on the sectors for which I have responsibility.  Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport are integral parts of the fabric of society, supporting economic activity, physical and societal well-being. Well-being should a core principle underpinning how we continue to live with COVID-19, as it will be fundamental to public confidence and resilience as we manage the crisis over the longer term.

My officials and I are in regular contact with stakeholders, industry, governing bodies and representatives in all of the sectors for which I have responsibility.  I have established a number of sector specific taskforces to map out plans for the recovery of the tourism, arts, culture and sports sectors and ensure those sectors remain viable and resilient as we continue to deal with the pandemic. Those taskforces include:

- The Tourism Industry Taskforce;

- The Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce;

- The Night-time Economy Taskforce, and;

- An Expert Group on Return to Sport.

I will consider the views and recommendations of these taskforces in the context of Budget 2021 and in mapping out how to best help those sectors remain viable going forward. With the upcoming Budget and the development of the National Economic Plan, the Government will continue to review and refine existing supports, and consider any further necessary measures required as a consequence of COVID-19.

Top
Share