Written Answers Nos. 320-338
320. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a bank (details supplied) has been awarded State contracts in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37113/20]
View answerThe Office of Government Procurement has not awarded any contracts to KBC during the years 2016 to 2019, nor to date in 2020.
It is a matter for individual contracting authorities to ensure that their public procurement function is discharged in line with the government accounting and procurement rules and procedures.
The operation of any contract is also strictly a matter for the contracting authority which is party to the contract.
In accordance with Circular 10/14, public sector bodies are required to publish all Contract Award Notices over €25,000 (exclusive of VAT) on the eTenders website on completion of the award.
321. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason for not allowing children's swimming lessons under level 3 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36549/20]
View answerThe Government's Resilience and Recovery Plan 2020-2021 provides for indoor individual training only at Level 3. It also states explicitly that there should be no exercise or dance classes at this level. Based on the Plan, my Department has issued guidance to the sports and leisure sector confirming that group swimming lessons are not permitted in Level 3. Only one-to-one swimming instruction is permitted in Level 3.
While the Government fully understands the benefits that sport brings to peoples overall health and well-being, the measures in place to suppress the disease transmission are intended to minimise the risks to public health while striking the right balance in prioritising and protecting some activities over others. Such activities include health and social care services, education and other essential needs, work and economic activity, and other key societal interests (in so far as possible) such as sports and important family gatherings.
Each level of the framework contains a “basket” of measures which are intended, collectively, to contribute to lowering risk of transmission in alignment with the risk level at that time. The set of measures, individually, do not comprise a list of activities or places which are equally safe. Instead, they are “baskets” of measures which are informed by public health understanding of the disease. The measures in place for each level reflect the prevailing disease situation and recognise that we can and must prioritise some activities over others.
While I am pleased to note that COVID-19 data indicates improvements across a range of indicators, which gives us hope that the epidemiological situation is once again coming under control, it is too early at this point to consider the easing of restrictions, including those currently applying to swimming pools.
322. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the matter of individual training at gyms and non-contact sports will be reviewed in view of the mental health impact and winter weather; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36822/20]
View answerGiven the current epidemiological situation with high incidence of disease, widespread community transmission, and considerable numbers of hospitalisations and deaths, it has been necessary to put in place very significant restrictions to arrest the current trajectory of the disease and break transmission chains. This means asking people to stay at home and eliminating as much activity and contacts as is possible to ensure that opportunities for the virus to transmit are minimised, while allowing essential activities to continue. Unfortunately, this means minimising discretionary activities including sporting activity.
While I am pleased to note that COVID-19 data indicates improvements across a range of indicators, which gives us hope that the epidemiological situation is once again coming under control, it is too early at this point to consider the easing of restrictions, including those currently applying to gyms. and indoor sporting facilities.
While the Government fully understands the benefits that sport brings to peoples overall health and well-being, the measures in place to suppress the disease transmission are intended to minimise the risks to public health while striking the right balance in prioritising and protecting some activities over others. Such activities include health and social care services, education and other essential needs, work and economic activity, and other key societal interests (in so far as possible) such as sports and important family gatherings.
The Government recognises the impacts COVID-19 and the related public health measures are having on our mental health and well-being. The “Keep Well” campaign, launched on 29th October, is aimed at showing people of all ages how we can mind our own physical and mental health and well-being by adding healthy and helpful habits to our daily and weekly routines. It provides guidelines, information, and tips on things that will help us keep well through the coming months. All of this is available on gov.ie/healthyireland.
323. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way in which the €2 million allocation for capital expenditure for TG4 was spent in 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36959/20]
View answerTG4's capital allocation for 2020 is €3m which was an increase of €1m on the capital allocation for 2019.
I understand that TG4 planned expenditure for 2020 comprises €1m on programme commissioning, €1.5m on broadcasting projects which includes development of non-linear technical capability such as the Molsceal App and offline playback functionality as well as general capital equipment upgrades, €0.2m on licensing renewals for IT services and €0.22m on hardware upgrades.
TG4 publishes Annual Reports and Accounts each year which are publicly available on their website at www.tg4.ie and the 2020 Accounts due to be published in 2021 will provide a breakdown of expenditure for the year.
324. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount of additional ring-fenced funding to be provided to domestic violence services under budget 2021 in order that services can respond adequately to increased incidence of domestic violence through Covid-19 and beyond; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37138/20]
View answer329. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the additional ring-fenced funding to be provided by her Department to domestic violence services in budget 2021 in order that services can respond adequately to the shadow pandemic of domestic violence through Covid-19 and beyond; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36352/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 324 and 329 together.
I can confirm that my Department has no function in relation to domestic violence services or other services of this nature. Therefore, no funding has been ring-fenced by this Department for the provision of domestic violence services in Budget 2021.
325. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the funding allocation for her Department for 2021, by project. [36285/20]
View answerDetails of funding allocations for my Department by programme area were published as part of Budget Estimates 2021 and are available at http://www.budget.gov.ie/Budgets/2021/Documents/Budget/Part%20III%20-%20Estimates%20for%20Public%20Services%202021.pdf
A further breakout of the programme allocations will be made available as part of the Revised Estimates 2021 due to be published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in December.
326. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason Fingal County Council did not receive direct funding through the €85 million allocated by Sport Ireland to address the existential threat to national governing bodies, their club networks, local sports organisations and the local sports partnership small grant scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36297/20]
View answerOn 2 November, I announced a funding package of €85m to support the sport sector.
This included an amount of €64 million allocated to National Governing Bodies of sport, Local Sports Partnerships and clubs under new Covid-19 grant schemes administered by Sport Ireland.
Sport Ireland invited all Local Sports Partnerships to apply for funding under the Restart and Renewal Grant Scheme. Funding was available under this scheme to support Local Sports Partnership led small grants schemes for small clubs and community groups, dedicated funding for disability sport and older adults, and a broad range of Innovative and restart projects supported through Local Sports Partnerships and National Governing Bodies.
In total, over €2.35m was allocated to Local Sports Partnerships under the Restart and Renewal Grant Scheme.
I have had enquiries made with Sport Ireland and I am informed that Fingal Local Sports Partnership chose not to submit a funding application under the Covid-19 grant schemes as they had secured funding directly from Fingal County Council to support local clubs in response to COVID-19.
327. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a meeting will be arranged with a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36319/20]
View answerThe Tourism Transport Alliance has written to me on a number of matters. While I am always willing to meet with stakeholders, none of the issues raised in the correspondence come under my remit. They are primarily matters for my colleagues the Minister for Transport and the Minister for Finance, to whom the correspondence was referred. This was confirmed to the Tourism Transport Alliance in a letter from my office on 13 November.
I understand from earlier correspondence from the Tourism Transport Alliance that their ‘Recovery Plan for the Tourism Private Transport Industry’ was sent to Tourism Recovery Taskforce for its attention and to inform it's deliberations. The Tourism Recovery Taskforce’s final report was published in October.
328. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will consider reviewing the national framework for living with Covid-19 level 5 restrictions to allow for pools and gyms to reopen on a limited basis which would have mental and physical health benefits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36323/20]
View answerGiven the current epidemiological situation with high incidence of disease, widespread community transmission, and considerable numbers of hospitalisations and deaths, it has been necessary to put in place very significant restrictions to arrest the current trajectory of the disease and break transmission chains. This means asking people to stay at home and eliminating as much activity and contacts as is possible to ensure that opportunities for the virus to transmit are minimised, while allowing essential activities to continue. Unfortunately, this means minimising discretionary activities including sporting activity.
While I am pleased to note that COVID-19 data indicates improvements across a range of indicators, which gives us hope that the epidemiological situation is once again coming under control, it is too early at this point to consider the easing of restrictions, including those currently applying to swimming pools and gyms. The current Level 5 restrictions will continue until 2 December.
While the Government fully understands the benefits that sport brings to peoples overall health and well-being, the measures in place to suppress the disease transmission are intended to minimise the risks to public health while striking the right balance in prioritising and protecting some activities over others. Such activities include health and social care services, education and other essential needs, work and economic activity, and other key societal interests (in so far as possible) such as sports and important family gatherings.
The Government recognises the impacts COVID-19 and the related public health measures are having on our mental health and well-being. The “Keep Well” campaign, launched on 29th October, is aimed at showing people of all ages how we can mind our own physical and mental health and well-being by adding healthy and helpful habits to our daily and weekly routines. It provides guidelines, information, and tips on things that will help us keep well through the coming months. All of this is available on gov.ie/healthyireland.
330. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the new round of sports capital funding will be announced. [36357/20]
View answerThe Sports Capital Programme (SCP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCP and to prioritise the investment in disadvantaged areas.
The most recent (2018) round of the SCP attracted a record 2,337 applications. Allocations were announced in January, May and November of last year with a total of over €56 million awarded to 1,648 different projects. All unsuccessful applicants were given the opportunity to appeal the Department’s decision. In relation to the capital grants announced in November, a total of 122 appeals were submitted by the December deadline. The review of these appeals was completed in April with 6 new allocations approved.
With regard to future rounds of the programme, a full Review of the 2018 round of the SCP has now been completed and the terms and conditions of the next round of the programme will be based on the recommendations in the Review. Work on these terms and conditions is now being finalised and an announcement in relation to the timing of the next round and the funding available will be made in the coming weeks.
331. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the funding allocation for her Department by project for 2021. [36431/20]
View answerDetails of funding allocations for my Department by programme area were published as part of Budget Estimates 2021 and are available at
http://www.budget.gov.ie/Budgets/2021/Documents/Budget/Part%20III%20-%20Estimates%20for%20Public%20Services%202021.pdf
A further breakout of the programme allocations will be made available as part of the Revised Estimates 2021 due to be published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in December.
332. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason the circus sector has been excluded from the Covid-19 support scheme and Arts Council funding; if she will put in place a financial support package for the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36445/20]
View answer341. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the range of supports available to a person (details supplied) whose business has been adversely affected due to Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36812/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 332 and 341 together.
There are a very wide range of supports available to individuals and businesses whose financial circumstances have been negatively impacted by COVID-19. The particular support depends on the institutional arrangements of the individual or organisation and whether they are a sole trader or an incorporated entity. There is detailed information provided on all supports on https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/c36c85-covid-19-coronavirus/
A guide to business supports booklet gives details of the key supports and resources available to help businesses and is available at https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/Supports-for-businesses-COVID-19.html. Further details of financial supports can be viewed on gov.ie website at a dedicated webpage that can be accessed at the following link https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/. These include income supports, loans, grants, vouchers and schemes, rates waiver and tax measures as well as skills and training supports. The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation has a Business Support Call Centre for information on the supports available to businesses and enterprises affected by COVID-19 at +353 1 631 2002 or infobusinesssupport@dbei.gov.ie.
Businesses, including circuses, may qualify for the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) a targeted support for businesses significantly impacted by restrictions introduced by the government, at Level 3 or higher, under public health regulations to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is designed to assist those businesses whose trade has been significantly impacted or temporarily closed as a result of the restrictions as set out in the government’s Living with COVID-19 Plan. The scheme applies to businesses where government restrictions prohibit or reduce access by customers to their business premises. Other features of the scheme are as follows:
- qualifying businesses can apply to the Revenue Commissioners for a cash payment in respect of an advance credit for trading expenses for the period of the restrictions;
- to qualify under the scheme, a business must be able to demonstrate that, because of the COVID-19 restrictions, the turnover of the business in the period for which the restrictions are in operation, and for which a claim is made, will be no more than 25% of an amount equal to the average weekly turnover of the business in 2019 (or average weekly turnover in 2020 in the case of a new business) multiplied by the number of weeks in the period for which a claim is made;
- the scheme will operate from 13 October 2020 to 31 March 2021 and there is provision for the Minister for Finance to vary aspects of the scheme by Ministerial Order; and
- the Revenue Commissioners have published an overview of the scheme with some detailed examples, together with guidance on the operation of the scheme on www.Revenue.ie.
In Budget 2021, the Government announced the provision of support of €50m for the live entertainment sector. This will include measures for the commercial entertainment sector and will support live entertainment across the country. The 2021 supports for the live entertainment sector will be the subject of further consultation with stakeholders. It will also be informed by a pilot Live Performance Support Scheme now rolled out, to assist commercial venues, producers and promoters of live performances to provide employment to workers in the creative industries. 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.
Earlier in the autumn, a project called the Music Industry Stimulus Package was managed on behalf of my Department by First Music Contact. The Package was targeted at professional musicians and their teams to support song-writing camps, recording and album releases. While this scheme is now closed, my Department will consider its continuation in the future.
I would also point to the Deputy that the Arts Council supports and funds the circus sector and in fact circus is one of the artforms identified in the Arts Act 2003 as supported by the Council. The Arts Council's website shows that the Council made many grants to circus in 2020 ranging from €3,000 to €93,000 at http://www.artscouncil.ie/Who_we_funded/.
333. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will consider reviewing the national framework for living with Covid-19 level 3 restrictions to allow for swimming lessons in pods of up to 15 persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36446/20]
View answer340. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will address a matter in relation to the return to swimming lessons under level 3 restrictions (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36686/20]
View answer342. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to allow swimming lessons to proceed under level 3 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36828/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 333, 340 and 342 together.
The Government's Resilience and Recovery Plan 2020-2021 provides for indoor individual training only at Level 3. It also states explicitly that there should be no exercise or dance classes at this level. My Department has issued guidance to the sports and leisure sector confirming that group swimming lessons are not permitted in Level 3. Only one-to-one swimming instruction is permitted in Level 3.
While the Government fully understands the benefits that sport brings to peoples overall health and well-being, the measures in place to suppress the disease transmission are intended to minimise the risks to public health while striking the right balance in prioritising and protecting some activities over others. Such activities include health and social care services, education and other essential needs, work and economic activity, and other key societal interests (in so far as possible) such as sports and important family gatherings.
Each level of the framework contains a “basket” of measures which are intended, collectively, to contribute to lowering risk of transmission in alignment with the risk level at that time. The set of measures, individually, do not comprise a list of activities or places which are equally safe. Instead, they are “baskets” of measures which are informed by public health understanding of the disease. The measures in place for each level reflect the prevailing disease situation and recognise that we can and must prioritise some activities over others.
While I am pleased to note that COVID-19 data indicates improvements across a range of indicators, which gives us hope that the epidemiological situation is once again coming under control, it is too early at this point to consider the easing of restrictions, including those currently applying to swimming pools.
334. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 489 of 3 November 2020, if the Irish tradeshow and exhibition sector will qualify for funding under the €50 million live events funding; and if so, the way in which it can apply for funding. [36449/20]
View answerThe Government announced the provision of support of €50m for the live entertainment sector in Budget 2021. This will include measures for the commercial entertainment sector and will support live entertainment across the country. My Department is engaging with stakeholders to seek their input into the roll-out of the 2021 supports for the live entertainment sector. These supports will also be informed by the pilot Live Performance Support Scheme in 2020 which is active now. The purpose of this funding is to support performers, technical staff, crew other support staff who have been severely impacted by the current public health crisis. Service providers in this sector may also provide services to the subsidised arts sector on occasion and accordingly may also benefit from the increased allocation to the Arts Council of €130 million in 2021.
I stated in previous PQ replies that the tradeshow and exhibition sector would not generally be eligible for live entertainment supports from my Department as this will be targeted at live entertainment sector. The Government has in place a range of supports for commercial enterprises impacted by COVID-19. These include the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, exemptions from commercial rates, the warehousing of tax liabilities, the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme, and a reduction in VAT on ticket sales. In addition, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is available to all employees and the self-employed who have lost their job due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There are also a range of loans, grants, vouchers and schemes available including the COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme which offers loans from €10,000 to €1 million, for terms of up to five and a half years, and COVID-19 Business Loans of up to €25,000 which are available through Microfinance Ireland with zero repayments and zero interest for the first 6 months and the equivalent of an additional 6 months interest-free subject to certain terms and conditions. Details of all of these supports are available at https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/.
335. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if consideration has been given to allowing indoor training for small pods once level 5 restrictions are lifted for pastimes such as martial arts and Irish dancing that are unable to operate safely outside. [36460/20]
View answerThe Framework for Restrictive Measures is a risk management strategy designed to allow individuals, families, businesses and services better understand, anticipate and prepare for the measures Government might introduce to stop escalation of the transmission of the disease. The Government’s strategy, in line with the public health advice, is disease suppression. COVID-19 spreads when individuals and groups come into close contact with one another, enabling the virus to move from one person to another. The risk of infection spread is greater in certain environments than others e.g. uncontrolled environments, crowded and noisy places, indoor environments, poorly ventilated spaces.
Given the current epidemiological situation with high incidence of disease, widespread community transmission, and high numbers of both hospitalisations and deaths, it has been necessary to put in place very significant restrictions to arrest the current trajectory of the disease and break transmission chains. This means asking people to stay at home and eliminating as much activity and contacts as is possible to ensure that opportunities for the virus to transmit are minimised, while allowing essential activities to continue. Unfortunately, this means minimising discretionary activities including indoor sports training and exercise.
Currently, in Level 5 sporting competition is not permitted except for defined exempted athletes and teams, as set out in the public health regulations. In addition to this, non-contact outdoor sports training, including athletics, is permitted for school aged children in pods of up to 15. It is not currently permitted to open gyms, swimming pools or leisure centres.
I recognise that there is great disappointment among those who wish to engage in sport indoors around the current restrictions. While I am pleased to note that COVID-19 data indicates improvements across a range of indicators, which gives us hope that the epidemiological situation is once again coming under control, it is too early at this point to consider the easing of restrictions.
336. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if UK-licensed television broadcasters that sell advertising aimed at the Irish market on an opt-out basis will be entitled to continue their operations here in the event of a no-deal Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36552/20]
View answerTelevision broadcasters that obtain a broadcasting licence in one EU Member State can make their services available in all EU Member States, without having to obtain separate regulatory clearances. This is provided for under the country of origin principle set out in the Audiovisual Media Services Directive and is not impacted by whether there is a free trade agreement between the EU and UK.
Following the UK’s departure from the EU, it is the responsibility of UK licensed television broadcasters that wish to continue to make services available within the EU to obtain the correct regulatory clearance in an EU Member State. UK-licensed broadcasters that have obtained EU licences will be entitled to continue to make their services available in Ireland and other EU member States.
337. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will consider bringing forward the date for publication of the 1926 census from 2026 to 2021 in view of the fact this would stimulate interest amongst the Irish diaspora and possibly increase international travel to Ireland in the coming years. [36567/20]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that a significant body of information from the 1926 census has been collated and published by the Central Statistics Office on its website. There are hundreds of tables giving details of the size, age, gender, occupations, housing, dependency, and the speaking of Irish in the population of the State in 1926. These tables are available at this link https://www.cso.ie/en/census/censusvolumes1926to1991/historicalreports/census1926reports/
Where information relates to an individual identifiable person, the Statistics Act 1993, precludes such information from being released until 100 years after the date on which the census was taken.
It is expected that information relating to individuals taken in the 1926 Census will be ready for public release at the end of the statutory period in 2026.
338. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason the notice seeking nominations to fill the four vacancies on the board of Screen Ireland was posted three days before the closing date of 6 November 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36570/20]
View answerAs Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, I have responsibility for the governance of Screen Ireland to ensure the body is fully compliant with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State bodies.
With regard to Board appointments, Public Appointments Service (PAS) ran a campaign to fill a number of vacancies on the Board of Screen Ireland. The PAS campaign was launched on 15 October, 2020 with a closing date of 06 November, 2020. In accordance with general practice and procedures, PAS issued reminders on their social media and so did my Department in the days before the closing deadline. The PAS campaign for seeking nominations is now closed.
