Written Answers Nos. 14-34
14. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to support local and regional radio stations in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37404/20]
View answerI acknowledge the valuable source of reliable and trustworthy news that local radio offers in a time of uncertainty and with much disinformation in circulation. Local radio also plays an important role in bringing communities together, strengthening their bonds of solidarity and mutual support. I recognise the challenges faced by the sector due to COVID-19 and am pleased the supports in 2020 provided a valuable source of funding at this challenging time.
During 2020, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) held two closed rounds for radio, targeted at the independent commercial and community radio sectors respectively.
In June 2020, the BAI awarded €2.5m Sound and Vision funding to 32 independent commercial radio stations across the country supporting public awareness and understanding of COVID-19. This was in addition to a waiver on the broadcasting levy for the independent radio sector for Q1 and Q2 2020 which saved the sector €1m. I secured €0.839m in Budget 2021 to recoup the BAI for this levy waiver.
In addition, the BAI distributed €750,000 this year in a special round for the community radio sector.
The purpose of the Sound and Vision Scheme is to support eligible content across the broadcasting sector as a whole, ensuring a balanced and fair approach. In light of the ongoing challenges faced by the sector, I secured an additional €2m in exchequer funding for the Sound and Vision Scheme under the July Stimulus Package. This greatly enhanced the funding available for the final round of the Scheme this year (round 37), bringing its total value to €4.5m. This funding round is open to those elements of the radio sector that were not eligible for the rounds to commercial and community radio earlier in the year, namely independent audio producers and public service radio. In addition, the round is open to independent audio-visual producers, and commercial, community and public service television stations.
I was pleased to note the impact the Government horizontal supports are continuing to have on substantially reducing the cost base for the commercial radio sector during the restrictions. A total of €4.3m has been received across the industry from the Government’s COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Support Scheme. Local radio has also been included in the Government’s current advertising campaign on resilience.
The BAI continue to report to me quarterly on the Impact of COVID-19 on Commercial Radio Sector. I recently received the quarter 3 report and I am pleased to note the small growth in advertising revenues in that quarter. However I recognise that the current lockdown has again had a severe impact on the sector, especially at local level. The BAI will continue to report to me on a quarterly basis and the Q4 report will help give a picture of the overall impact on the range of supports for the year.
The BAI is currently finalising the most recent round and no decisions regarding 2021 rounds have been made as yet. It must be recognised that the BAI is an statutorily independent body. However I am aware the BAI will be meeting with representatives of the commercial radio sector to discuss the approach to Sound and Vision in the New Year and I very much welcome that. I will continue to work closely with the BAI to see how we can best support the sector in the coming period.
15. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the timeline for the assessment of applications under the large-scale sport infrastructure fund. [37409/20]
View answerThe Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) was launched in 2018 to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects including swimming pools with at least €100m being made available over the period to 2027. The criteria used for scoring applications was published in advance of the assessment work commencing. Amongst the criteria used in this regard was the priority given to projects by the relevant local authority or National Governing Body of Sport, the likelihood of increasing participation or improving high performance and the level of own-funding being provided by the applicant. Following the conclusion of the application process, provisional allocations totalling €77.4m for 25 projects under Stream 2 (construction) of the LSSIF were announced on 10 January 2020. On 13th January additional provisional allocations of €5m for a further 7 projects under Stream 1 (design) of the LSSIF were announced.
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 process has been completed in respect of five projects and my Department is arranging for grant agreements to issue to these projects through the Chief State Solicitor's Office.
The timeline for completing the due diligence procedure varies from project to project depending upon the size and complexity of projects, the response time of applicants to queries raised and the quality of the material submitted in response to queries. 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 LSSIF 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.
16. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on several Departments monitoring the online posts of journalists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37286/20]
View answerSince the foundation of the State, Government Departments and other public bodies follow the reporting of their activities and related matters by the media as a matter of course and have traditionally looked at newspapers. In this increasingly digital age, reporting and public comment is no longer confined to the pages of newspapers and can often be found in online posts on social media.
The media often act, as our Constitution puts it, as the organs of public opinion. It would be remiss of Government Departments not to actively engage themselves in keeping abreast of public opinion, wherever it happens to be reported. To not do so would be to run the risk of Government policy being developed and implemented in a vacuum, devoid of the informative, incisive and persuasive output of our nation’s journalists, reporters and public commentators.
In relation to my Department, reporting or public comment on my Department’s activities is not outsourced or collated centrally for internal dissemination. It is the responsibility for individual Units to keep themselves informed.
I have no function regarding the activities of other Government Departments in this regard.
17. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide funding to cultural and arts groups to host virtual Christmas events given the current Covid-19 situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37323/20]
View answerThroughout the COVID-19 crisis, my Department has funded a wide range of activities in the cultural sphere, many of which involve the online presentation of events that would normally have taken place live and in-person. These include a myriad of online performances, events such as Cruinniú na nÓg and a wide range of activities presented online by Ireland's National Cultural Institutions.
Earlier this year, I introduced a Pilot Live Performance Support Scheme 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 live performance sector while also complying with public health protection measures.
I recently announced the recipients of the €5 million Pilot Live Performance Support Scheme with a total of 59 organisations benefitting from the scheme. The main objective of the scheme is to provide employment opportunities in the live performance sector while also complying with public health protection measures. The projects that are supported have already started to be presented to the public. Last weekend saw the first live events and there will be many more over the coming weeks and covering the Christmas period. These include pantomimes, live performance, musicians all across the State.
In addition to the Live Performance Support Scheme, a project called the Music Industry Stimulus Package was managed on behalf of my Department by First Music Contact. My Department will consider its continuation in the future.
I have increased funding to the Arts Council in 2020 by over €25m and increased it further, to €130m for 2021. Since the onset of COVID-19, the Arts Council has extended its reach and in 2020 has provided grants to many individuals and organisations that have not previously receive Arts Council funding.
In addition to these measures, there are a very wide range of supports available to individuals and businesses whose financial circumstances have been negatively impacted by COIVD-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.
18. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of engagements to date with large event space organisers with a view to allow sporting and cultural events to take place safely. [37397/20]
View answerThe Government’s Plan for Living with COVID-19 is a risk management strategy designed to allow individuals, families, businesses and services to better understand, anticipate and prepare for the measures Government might introduce to control or reduce the transmission of COVID-19. 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.
As part of the Plan, Government committed to developing specific guidance for large, purpose-built event facilities including for stadia, auditoriums, conference or event centres. The Plan provides that the guidance will be developed with the relevant sectors and would take account of size and different conditions for larger events.
I am acutely aware of the need to support our sectors through these challenging times and have been in regular and sustained contact with a broad range of stakeholders over the past weeks and months. In addition to bilateral engagements with a wide range of stakeholders and agencies under the aegis of the Department, a number of taskforces and consultative fora have been established in relation to the particular difficulties facing these sectors. Representatives from the National Governing Bodies of Sport, the live entertainment sector and stakeholders involved in large-scale conferences have been involved in these engagements.
A Working Group with representatives from the FAI, GAA, and IRFU as well as stadium operations and event managers, officials from my Department and Sport Ireland has drafted guidelines on Reopening Sportsgrounds, which are currently the subject of consultation with other relevant Departments. Fáilte Ireland has prepared guidance in respect of professional conferencing.
Separately, an umbrella group representing a number of large, purpose-built venues has drafted a high-level guidance document for use by the venues included in its group. My Department is reviewing these documents in line with our COVID Quality Assurance Process for sectorial guidance and is in contact with the Department of Health and the Department of An Taoiseach in relation to some of these guidance documents.
A key consideration in the finalisation of any guidance is the need to ensure that the number of people allowed to attend events must be appropriate for the epidemiological situation at the time.
19. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the financial situation of an association (details supplied); if correspondence has been received from the association related to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37383/20]
View answerThe Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Minister for Transport, Tourism Sport and the association mentioned by the Deputy was a very important and necessary measure in enabling the Government to participate in a financial support package for the association in January of this year.
The MOU enables Sport Ireland to restore funding to the association of €2.9m per annum and to provide additional annual funding of €2.9m for football development up to 2023. In recognition of the importance of the continued operation of the Aviva Stadium, the MOU also provides for a repayable grant to the association of €7.6m towards the licence fee payable by the association for the Aviva Stadium up to 2022.
The MOU sets out the conditions for receipt of this funding including necessary constitutional and council reform, and corporate governance and financial reforms. Sport Ireland remains in communication with the association on matters relating to its governance and financial management. It has established a process to oversee and review adherence by the association to the commitments given in the MOU.
To date in 2020, Sport Ireland has made total grant payments of €2.45m to the association out of the total grant allocation of €5.8m for football development as set out in the MOU. Only vouched expenditure under agreed headings is eligible to be drawn down by the association.
Sport Ireland has also made total grant payments of €1.9m to New Stadium DAC, the company which operates the Aviva Stadium, out of the total grant allocation of €2.5446m for 2020.
The processing of further payments by Sport Ireland is ongoing.
Like all sporting bodies, the association has been seriously impacted by Covid-19 and it has communicated, both to me and to Sport Ireland, the financial challenges it faces as a result of Covid-19. On 2 November I announced the allocation of grant funding to address significant Covid-19 related losses for the sports sector. €13m was allocated to the association from this funding. To date Sport Ireland has paid out €6.5m of this grant allocation.
The association continues to provide regular updates to Sport Ireland in terms of its financial position, and its quarterly management accounts and business plans are reviewed by Sport Ireland. The agency continues to closely monitor the association’s financial position and there is constant dialogue in relation to the changing financial landscape given the Covid-19 situation and how this is impacting on the association.
20. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the innovation she plans for the upcoming statement of strategy of her Department. [36167/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware my Department, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Management Act, 1997 Government Departments are required to prepare a draft Statement of Strategy within six months of the appointment of a new Minister. The process of preparing a draft Statement of Strategy for the three-year period from 2021 to 2023 is currently underway and I look forward to considering the draft document in due course.
As always, the development of a new Statement of Strategy will reflect the objectives as set out by in the Programme for Government, which includes new policy objectives for the Department. It is also particularly important in the context of a new departmental configuration. In line with commitments in the Programme for Government, my Department's Statement of Strategy will reflect the increased climate action ambition in the Programme for Government, and will consider how delivery on departmental goals can be improved through innovation.
I understand that the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform recently hosted an innovation strategy workshop is to provide guidance on incorporating innovation into the Statements of Strategy of Government Departments. My Department was represented at this event and I am confident that this will be reflected in the proposals to be submitted for my consideration.
21. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the results of the pilot scheme for live entertainment; the number of performances, artists and crew that will be supported; if further schemes will follow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37410/20]
View answerEarlier in the month I announced the recipients of a pilot Live Performance Support Scheme to assist commercial venues, producers and promoters to plan live performances across the country over the coming months, with a total of 59 organisations benefitting from the scheme. The main objective of the scheme is to provide employment opportunities in the live performance sector while also complying with public health protection measures. Grants ranged from €10,000 to €400,000. The funds will support a variety of live events planned including concerts, pantomimes, theatre productions, festivals, outdoor performances and comedy events.
The scheme was heavily oversubscribed with over 100 applications seeking funding of over €16m for events which would be staged in the lead up to and during the 2020 festive period.
This was a pilot scheme and it was the first of its kind which was developed following consultation with the sector. The operation of this scheme will inform any future similar schemes. The Department is engaging with successful and unsuccessful applicants to assess the operation of the scheme in 2020 with a view to informing future schemes. It is expected that a scheme of this kind will be provided in 2021 as part of a suite of measures to be funded from the €50 million announced as part of Budget 2021.
The Press Release listing all the recipients including further details can be viewed on my Department's website.
22. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the interim report on the night-time economy taskforce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37382/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, I established the Night-time Economy Taskforce earlier this year on 30 July 2020 as one of the priority actions for my Department. Key Government Departments and Agencies are represented on the Taskforce; a representative from Give us the Night and the Lord Mayors of Cork and Dublin are also members.
We know that COVID-19 has severely restricted social gatherings and has been detrimental to the night time economy and culture of our cities, towns and villages. However, as the economy opens up in the coming months in line with the Government's Plan for living with Covid 19, the industry needs to be ready to bounce back and to have as few obstacles as possible to develop and grow.
This Taskforce is currently examining all the challenges facing the development of a vibrant night time culture and economy such as regulations, licensing laws, transport, and diversity of cultural activities among other issues so our cities, towns and villages which have already faced so many challenges will be able to find and develop new opportunities.
The Taskforce has met twice to date and a number of sub-groups have also been established and are working to progress various elements of the overall terms of reference of the Group. A stakeholder consultation process is also underway with relevant sectors and interested parties who have a significant role in the night-time economy included to ensure that all views and ideas are considered by the Taskforce.
I have asked the Taskforce to report back to me within six months from their first meeting with a series of recommendations on practical measures which will help us develop a vibrant and sustainable night-time economy.
A range of supports and measures from my own Department and across other Departments have already been established for hard hit sectors which contribute to the night-time economy including the arts and creative sectors and the tourism sectors. However, we need even more creative thinking and innovative solutions to the challenges facing the night-time economy and I want every opportunity explored and maximised. I look forward to the outcome of the work of this Taskforce.
23. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has considered or will consider using her powers under Part 2, section 5(3) of the Arts Act 2003 to give written direction to the Arts Council requiring it to comply with policies so as to allocate a portion of the additional funding announced in budget 2021 to sectors or persons that would not ordinarily receive or apply for Arts Council funding particularly workers from the commercial live events and music industries that are currently struggling to survive; and her views on the possibility of exercising these powers. [37389/20]
View answerThe allocation to the Arts Council in 2021 is €130m, an increase of €50m on the initial Budget 2020 allocation of €80m and an increase of €25m on the 2020 Further Revised Estimate allocation of €105m. The increase reflects Government's acknowledgement of the important role that arts and culture play in our economy and society and recognises the devastating impact COVID-19 restrictions have had on the sector. The Government has also allocated €50m for supports for live entertainment in light of the challenges facing that sector, in addition to broader economy wide supports such as Pandemic Unemployment Payment and the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme.
Since the onset of COVID-19, the Arts Council has extended its reach and in 2020 has provided grants to many individuals and organisations that have not previously receive Arts Council funding. Among the measures delivered as a result of the extra funding are new and additional bursaries and commissions from the Arts Council, including supports for freelance artists and those looking to develop projects on a collaborative basis. Arts Council funding in 2020 has therefore reached organisations and individuals never before funded by the Council and I understand that 2021 will see the continuance of some schemes which will have relevance for the wider arts sector.
While I have authority to give policy direction to the Arts Council, I am also bound to recognise the statutory independence of the Arts Council in its funding decisions and accordingly, I have no plans at present to direct the Arts Council as proposed by the Deputy.
24. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the capital funding provided for 2021 for the development of heritage and cultural attractions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37342/20]
View answerThe total gross capital allocation for my Department for 2021 is €185.9m representing an increase of €16.5m or 10% on the comparable figure for 2020. Of this sum, an allocation of €60.7m relates to Arts and Culture projects and further details on the composition of this figure will be made available as part of the Revised Estimates 2021 due to be published by the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform in December.
Funding for the Heritage programme is a matter for my colleague, Darragh O’Brien T.D., Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
25. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of approved applications under the Fáilte Ireland Covid-19 adaptation grant and the Fáilte Ireland restart grant to date in County Cork; the amount drawn down to date in County Cork under both grants; her plans for unspent funding in both schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37339/20]
View answerThe management of both of these schemes is a matter for Fáilte Ireland, however I am informed that the COVID-19 Adaptation Grant Scheme for tourism businesses closed for expressions of interest on 31st October 2020. Applicants have until the end of November to complete their applications. Fáilte Ireland assessments are ongoing and the number of applications or final expenditure will not be known until that process is complete.
In regard to the Restart Grant Plus for B&Bs, the scheme for those businesses affiliated to Fáilte Ireland, was launched on 14th September and closed on 28th October 2020. A 2nd phase of the scheme, for B&Bs not affiliated to Fáilte Ireland, opened on 19th October and will close of 30th November 2020. Grants of at least €4,000 are available to those B&Bs that do not pay rates to their Local Authority. This is to assist with the costs of reopening and operating their B&B business at the appropriate time. The number of applications and final expenditure will be determined when the applications process is complete.
The issue of any unspent funds will be subject to public financial management principles and procedures and will be assessed when the final expenditure figures are available.
In regard to the specific question on applications from County Cork, I have asked Fáilte Ireland to reply directly to the Deputy. Please contact my office if you do not hear within ten working days.
26. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the plans in place to support the creative and performing arts community for the duration of the Covid-19 crisis and the recovery period beyond. [37321/20]
View answerI appointed an Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce in September to prepare a report including a set of recommendations on how best the arts and culture sector can adapt and recover from the challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Taskforce has now completed its deliberations and on Tuesday I brought it to the attention of Government colleagues and subsequently arranged for its publication.
The Government has provided significant additional supports for the arts, culture, audiovisual and creative sectors. In June 2020, an additional €20m was allocated to the Arts Council, as well as €5m to secure the future of key cultural facilities throughout Ireland and for the production of high-quality digital art and on-line performances. The Government's July Stimulus programme saw €5m allocated to a pilot Performance Support Package to assist venues and promoters of live performance in music and theatre. A TV Drama Fund of €3m was provided as well as €5m for a Production Support Package to assist the film and TV drama sector to re-start and continue - both are administered by Screen Ireland. A Culture Fund of €10m provided additional funds for Creative Ireland to employ artists through the Creative Youth and Creative Communities programmes and to support the commissioning of artists to produce creative content for national broadcast. A dedicated fund for musicians was set up in recognition of the particular difficulties being experienced by music performers across all genres. A further €5m was provided to the Arts Council which broadened its reach in 2020, to those affected by the pandemic who would not previously have been beneficiaries of support.
In the meantime, organisations and individuals in the sector have access to the universal supports of the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme and the Pandemic Unemployment Payment respectively.
In Budget 2021, the sector will receive Government resources of €135m more than the amount allocated at the beginning of 2020. Of this, €50m will go to the Arts Council bringing its 2021 allocation to €130m allowing it to help artists, arts workers and arts organisations come through this crisis and play their part in the national recovery, €9m will go to Screen Ireland bringing its allocation to just over €30m in 2021 and, building on the new 2020 scheme, €50m is allocated for live performance supports.
I recently announced the COVID Response Support Scheme along with the Minister for Finance. This will provide assistance to businesses across the economy forced to curtail or close their operations as result of restrictions at Level 3 and above.
27. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 980 of 8 September 2020, the actions she plans to take to ensure the survival and success of Irish dancing through the Covid-19 pandemic (details supplied); the steps she will take and the supports that will put in place to enable world class and up and coming dancers to train and to ensure the sector will survive and thrive through the current level 5 restrictions and the Living with Covid Plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37388/20]
View answerMy Department provides significant funding to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ), which is the largest organisation involved in the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music and Irish dancing. It has hundreds of branches in every Irish county including in small towns and villages. My Department provides annual funding to CCÉ for its work in the protection and promotion of Irish Dance, Irish traditional music and culture. In 2020, €1.6m was allocated to CCE. As part of my response to the COVID-19 crisis, I allocated additional funding of €400,000 to CCÉ for business stabilisation, bringing the full CCÉ allocation in 2020 to €2m.
I understand that CCÉ has been successful in operating on-line, running a virtual Scoil Éigse programme during the year with almost 900 students and 37 tutors participating in various instrumental music, singing, Irish dancing and Irish language classes.
My Department does not have responsibility for oversight of the commercial provision of Irish dancing in the State. Commercial service providers in this context 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. The CRSS 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. Applications can be made to the Revenue Commissioners and details of the scheme, including examples and guidance on the operation of the scheme, is on the Revenue website.
28. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports her Department will put in place for the development of the Irish language in County Clare. [37158/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government acknowledges the importance of the Irish language as the first official language of the State, as a living language and as a vital component of the heritage of this island.
My Department provides significant funding to Foras na Gaeilge to carry out its statutory mandate to promote the Irish language on an all-island basis. One of its most successful schemes, Scéim Phobail Gaeilge (SPG) - the Irish Language Community Scheme - was introduced in 2005 to offer 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.
An Clár as Gaeilge, in Ennis, Co Clare has received funding through this scheme for the past fifteen years, and has done tremendous work in promoting and developing the Irish Language in the area. In addition, Ennis has been granted the status of Líonra Gaeilge/Irish Language Network under the terms of the Gaeltacht Act 2012.
My Department also supports the development of Irish-language centres in areas outside Gaeltacht areas through the Irish-language Support Schemes (Capital Programme), with an allocation of €632,000 for 2020 set to rise to €2m in 2021.
Community-based committees/organisations who operate through Irish outside the Gaeltacht, may make an application under this scheme. Funding can be provided to assist with the costs associated with building or upgrading Irish-language centres and for their fit out.
The purpose of the capital assistance provided under this fund is to strengthen the Irish-language as a community and family language in accordance with the objectives of the Gaeltacht Act 2012 and the 20 Year Strategy for Irish 2010-2030, which represents the cornerstone of the Government’s policy on the Irish language.
I would also like to note that my Department has been in discussions on a number of occasions in recent months with Coláiste Eoghain Uí Chomhraídhe in Carrigaholt in relation to its plans to upgrade the property which is recognised as one of seven residential summer colleges for the purposes of funding under the Department's Scéim na bhFoghlaoimeoirí Gaeilge. I understand that, on foot of these discussions, the college authority was considering submitting a business plan and formal application for capital funding under the Department's Community and Language Supports Schemes.
The Deputy may be assured that my officials remain available to those community groups in Co. Clare wishing to promote and develop the Irish Language throughout the county and will offer guidance and advice, should such be required.
29. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil sí sásta go bhfuil cead ag forbrithóirí, eastáit tithe a thógáil i nGaeltachtaí gan aon srian ar iad a dhíol do clann gan Gaeilge; agus an bhfuil sí sásta nach bhfuil aon cosaint dlíthiúil ar ár dteanga dúchasach mar gheall ar forbairt tithe. [31220/20]
View answerIs ceist don Aire Tithíochta í cúrsaí pleanála trí chéile ar an gcéad dul síos ar ndóigh. É sin ráite, faoi Alt 28 de na Rialacháin um Pleanáil agus Forbairt 2001, is gá d'údaráis áitiúla a bhfuil ceantar Gaeltachta faoina gcúram teagmháil a dhéanamh le mo Roinn agus le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta chun a dtuairimí a fháil maidir le forbairtí dar leo a d'fhéadfadh cur isteach ar oidhreacht chultúrtha agus teanga na Gaeltachta. Is féidir liom a dheimhniú don Teachta go bhfuil scríofa ag mo Roinn chuig na húdaráis áitiúla a bhfuil ceantar Gaeltachta ina ndlinse ar roinnt ócáidí thar na blianta chun a gcuid dualgas maidir leis an nGaeilge a mheabhrú dóibh i gcomhthéacs an Achta.
Ní gá a rá ach go dtapaíonn mo Roinn na deiseanna a dtugtar di le haighneachtaí a sheoladh chuig údaráis phleanála a bhfuil ceantair Ghaeltachta faoina gcúraim maidir le forbairtí tithíochta den chineál atá luaite.
Níos túisce i mbliana, chuir mo Roinn aighneacht chuig an Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta maidir le hathbhreithniú atá á dhéanamh acu ar na treoirlínte d'údaráis phleanála inar leagadh béim ar na dúshláin a fheictear a bheith ag baint leis an ábhar seo go ginearálta.
Tuigeann mo Roinn an tábhacht a bhaineann le tionchar teanga a bheith tógtha san áireamh i dtaobh forbairtí tithíochta i gceantar Gaeltachta agus is féidir a bheith cinnte go leanfaidh mo Roinn ag tapú gach deis chun an tábhacht sin a chur ina luí ar na húdaráis cuí cúram a dhéanamh d'fheidhmiú fhorálacha ábhartha an Achta ar leas na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht.
30. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le ceist 27095/20, cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir le Plean Teanga Chathair na Gaillimhe; cén dáta a fhoilseofar an plean; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [37346/20]
View answerTá plean teanga Chathair na Gaillimhe curtha faoi bhráid mo Roinne ag Foras na Gaeilge le tamall agus á bhreithniú faoi láthair. Tuigtear dom go bhfuil gá le tuilleadh plé a dhéanamh le páirtithe leasmhara sula mbeifear in ann an plean a chur faoi mo bhráid chun críche faofa agus go bhfuil céimeanna idir lámha chun an plé sin a shocrú gan mhoill.
Ach an Plean a bheith faofa agam faoi réir fhorálacha Acht na Gaeltachta 2012, rachfar i dteagmháil leis an bhForas chun na socruithe ábhartha a dhéanamh le n-é a chur i bhfeidhm.
Meabhráitear don Teachta go bhfuil fógartha ag mo Roinn cheana féin go bhfuil allúntas suas le €80,000 in aghaidh na bliana ar fáil ó mo Roinn do chur i bhfeidhm pleananna teanga i mBailte Seirbhíse Gaeltachta, ach amháin i gcás Cathracha Chorcaí agus na Gaillimhe, áit a mbeidh allúntais suas le €100,000 ar fáil.
31. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the engagement she has had to date with Údarás na Gaeltachta with regard to its collection and dissemination of administrative data related to the take-up of Covid-19 and Brexit supports by Gaeltacht companies and the need for market diversification for these companies as highlighted in the recent spending review as areas in need of improvement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37350/20]
View answer54. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the interaction her Department has had with Údarás na Gaeltachta on increasing awareness among Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies of available Brexit and Covid-19 supports particularly in view of the recent report carried out as part of the 2020 spending review which showed that 82% of Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies have not availed of Brexit supports and that Gaeltacht companies are significantly more exposed to a disorderly Brexit than the economy in general; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37347/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 54 together.
As with communities across the country, our Gaeltacht communities continue to struggle with the impacts of the pandemic. In light of Brexit, coupled with the economic impact of the pandemic, client companies of Údarás na Gaeltachta will continue to need support which is being provided on an ongoing basis by Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Officials from my Department continue to work closely with Údarás na Gaeltachta to ensure that the range of supports being provided by Údarás, including financial and technical support and advice, align with the needs of client companies. I am assured that Údarás na Gaeltachta will continue to engage in this regard with its client companies in order to further develop awareness around the supports being provided to assist companies in dealing with the implications of both COVID-19 and Brexit.
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department recently completed a spending review and assessment of the impact of Brexit and COVID-19 on Údarás na Gaeltachta and its client companies. The work was carried out by the Evaluation Unit of my Department, which is an independent unit working with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES).
My Department engaged with both Údarás na Gaeltachta and a selection of its client companies in order to complete the assessment. The findings and recommendations were considered as part of the Estimates process and resulted in significant additional exchequer funding of €8.1m being provided to Údarás na Gaeltachta in Budget 2021 - bringing its total allocation to €31.8m for the coming year.
Since the formation of this Government, I have been working tirelessly with Government colleagues to mitigate against the worst of the COVID-19 impacts. To that end, in July, we announced an additional €8m for Údarás na Gaeltachta on top of the existing capital allocation of €10 million for 2020. This additional funding is supporting a range of capital investments which will enhance the agency's capacity to further support the development of enterprise and is currently creating in the region of 40-50 new construction jobs throughout the Gaeltacht. It is expected that this additional investment will ultimately support the creation of 320 new longer-term jobs in client-companies of Údarás na Gaeltachta.
It is important to note also that Gaeltacht enterprises also have access to the broad range of targeted national and sectorial measures put in place by Government since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and in preparation for Brexit. Furthermore, Údarás na Gaeltachta also has access to the schemes and funds administered by the IDA, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices to ensure delivery within the Gaeltacht areas.
32. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media is there a specific allocation made by her Department to local authorities for the development of tourism projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37046/20]
View answerMy Department’s tourism services budget is voted for use through the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. Accordingly, there is no specific allocation made by my Department directly to local authorities for the development of tourism projects.
Fáilte Ireland supports local authorities in the development of tourism in their area including funding for capital investment, festivals and events. I have asked Fáilte Ireland to provide the Deputy with more detail in regard to their support for local authorities. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
33. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the work of her Department and its subsidiaries to develop a programme of commemorative events for upcoming centenaries, such as the Tan War truce, Treaty Debates and Civil War. [31219/20]
View answerMy Department is currently developing specific proposals and indicative plans for a co-ordinated, cross-governmental programme for the remainder of the Decade of Centenaries. Next year's budget of €5 million is a significant increase of €3 million on this year's funding allocation. It will support the development of a rich diversity of ongoing and new partnerships to further enhance public engagement with this complex and sensitive period in our history. The programme will comprise four thematic strands - State Ceremonial; Historical Exploration; Community, and Creative Expression.
As we navigate through this phase of the Decade of Centenaries, the Government's approach to commemorations will continue to be underpinned by the guidance of the Expert Advisory Group on Centenary Commemorations; and in consultation with the All Party Consultation Group on Commemorations, which I will reconvene shortly. The Expert Advisory Group has published three statements to date, which can be found on the Decade of Centenaries website (https://www.decadeofcentenaries.com/publications/). I would urge everyone who has an interest in the period of commemorations to consult the principles and advice laid down in these publications.
I am committed to ensuring that the State's approach to the remembrance of all of those who lost their lives during this period will be based on the respectful, sensitive, measured and authentic ethos that is core to the Decade of Centenaries programme.
One of the cornerstones of the commemorative programme for the coming years will be to continue to further reconciliation on the island of Ireland and between Ireland and Britain.
The programme will continue to encourage reflection about the multiple identities, traditions and perspectives that are part of the overall Irish historical experience. It will respond with sensitivity to the local historical context, acknowledging that there was no uniform experience within counties or across the island of Ireland.
Historical accuracy, academic integrity and archival discovery will continue to be key tenets as the commemorative programme develops – following closely the centenary timeline of the events that occurred during this period. It is important that our history is faithfully presented, even when the historical record is distressing. We must acknowledge the great tragedy of the lives that were lost or irrevocably altered during those divisive and traumatic years.
Collaborative initiatives are currently being progressed, in co-operation with State partners, our National Cultural Institutions, institutions of learning, local authorities, and creative communities. I welcome and encourage the continuing research of historians and custodians of records, who seek to increase our understanding of the historical events that occurred, which have so significantly shaped our modern life.
Our National Cultural Institutions are uniquely positioned to offer accessible, familiar, reflective public spaces where people of all traditions can reflect on the historical events that occurred. These safe, cultural spaces are in public ownership and, as such, I believe that they have great potential to play an enhanced role in facilitating and supporting public engagement.
Local authorities will continue to have a very important role in driving and supporting community-led commemoration. It is clear that they have already given significant and thoughtful consideration as to how they will plan for commemorations at county and community level over the remainder of the Decade. In recognition of their leading role, I plan to significantly enhance my Department's funding supports to local authorities next year from this year's baseline allocation of €10,000, in recognition of their very important contribution. I will make further announcements in this regard in the coming weeks.
34. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the financial support her Department is committing to ensure a league (details supplied) will continue in 2021. [37374/20]
View answerI know how valuable top level competition is and the central part that following your team plays in the lives of club supporters. We are fortunate that the league in question is dynamic and vibrant and I was very pleased with how the clubs adapted this year to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The operation of the league is a matter for the relevant National Governing Body. On 2 November I announced the allocation of Covid-19 grant funding to National Governing Bodies of sport, including an allocation of €13 million for the National Governing Body which operates the league mentioned by the Deputy.
In recent contacts with the sport sector, it has been made clear that the financial and operational challenges associated with COVID-19 will continue into 2021. I am pleased to have secured an additional €26.25 million in the 2021 budget which will ensure that Sport Ireland can continue to support our valued sport sector next year.
Decisions in relation to the allocation of funding for 2021 will be made by Sport Ireland in due course and will be announced in the new year.
