Written Answers Nos. 186-211
186. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider keeping the VAT rate below 23% after February 2021 to assist businesses trying to get back on their feet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8976/21]
View answerI do not plan on extending the temporary reduction from 23% to 21% in the standard rate of VAT beyond the end of February.
187. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the review of the National Development Plan 2018-2027 will be completed. [7848/21]
View answerThe decision to proceed with the NDP Review was approved by Government in late-October 2020. Since then, there has been correspondence with Departments and sectors seeking submissions as part of the review. A public consultation process has also been initiated, ‘Review to Renew’. It has been decided recently that the public and stakeholder consultation will extend to Friday 19th February to allow for greater engagement with the National Development Plan process.
Following that, the NDP process will follow two phases. Phase 1 will result in a report being published in spring 2021 which draws upon a number of pieces of research and policy papers, addressing the various strands of the NDP Review process, and which will form part of the evidence base for finalising the drafting of the revised NDP.
Phase 2 will then involve the completion of the revised NDP in setting ten-year sectoral capital allocations out to 2030 alongside detailed five-year rolling departmental capital ceilings and priorities, with a view to delivering balanced, sustainable development of our country in line with the Programme for Government commitments. This work will be published in summer 2021.
188. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the State's resilience and recovery plan; and the way in which the plan will be democratically scrutinised. [8055/21]
View answerThe Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) lies at the heart of the Union’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the Facility is to mitigate the economic and social impact of the pandemic and make European economies and societies more sustainable, resilient and better prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the green and digital transitions.
Ireland is expected to receive €853 million in grants under the Facility in 2021 and 2022. A further set of grants is to be allocated in 2023, taking into account economic developments between now and then.
In order to access this funding, Ireland must develop a National Recovery and Resilience Plan for approval by the European Union. The Plan must set out the reforms and investments to be supported by the Facility and must be submitted to the European Commission no later than 30 April 2021.
My Department, working together with the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Finance and the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment, is responsible for preparing the Plan with input from other Departments as necessary, and for ensuring coordination across Government. This involves detailed engagement with the European Commission which is underway.
A public consultation process is underway. A consultation document has been published on gov.ie/consultation. The consultation process will run until 22 February 2021.
189. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the new strategy statement for his Department; the way his Department will make climate action a core pillar of its new strategies as stated in the programme for Government; if he has directed each of the agencies and offices under his remit to adopt a climate mandate under which those bodies will seek to support climate action within their own operations and among their clients and suppliers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8059/21]
View answerMy Department published its Statement of Strategy 2021-2023 on 19 January 2021. It is available on the gov.ie website at this link: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/7e2cea-statements-of-strategy-2011-2019/
The Strategy has been informed by my priorities and relevant commitments in the Programme for Government and the overall strategic context in which my Department operates.
The Department’s Mission for 2021-2023 will be to serve the public interest through sound governance of public expenditure and by leading and enabling reform across the Civil and Public Service. In support of this mission, it will pursue two strategic goals, as follows:
- To manage public expenditure at sustainable levels in a planned, balanced and evidence informed manner, in order to support Ireland’s economic, social and climate goals; and
- To drive reform and innovation across the Civil and Public Service to improve service delivery to the public, and to enhance strategic policy making and public governance structures.
The Department’s goals, and the actions underpinning them, have been set at a relatively high level and provide a robust framework to support the implementation of the Department's broad remit. However, the Statement of Strategy includes Climate as one of its core pillars, noting that the strategic context in which the Department operates is shaped by, inter alia,
"The step up in ambition at EU and national level with associated commitments and targets on climate action and the transition to a low carbon economy, impacting on all sectors of Government and our economy".
Climate is already a key consideration in determining the Department’s priorities and the forthcoming Climate Action Plan will set out in detail the specific actions that my Department and the bodies under its aegis will be taking to meet the Government’s ambitious climate agenda.
With regard to the Climate Mandate, the development of this mandate is a matter for the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications. Once the mandate has been developed and approved by Government, it will be applied to my Department and the bodies under its aegis.
190. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of coastal flood defences in Dublin Bay; and the amount that has been allocated to improving coastal defences over the next five years. [8073/21]
View answerI am advised that the Office of Public Works, Dublin City Council, and Fingal County Council are working together to progress a number of flood defence schemes in Dublin Bay. These are as follows:
1. Sandymount Flood Relief Scheme (Phase 1 and Phase 2): Dublin City Council (DCC) are currently working to finalise a scheme design for works in Sandymount, with the current proposed scheme cost estimates at approximately €1.6 million for Phase 1, and €17.3 million for Phase 2. The Office of Public Works (OPW) is working closely with DCC to finalise this design and progress the scheme to planning and construction stage. It is anticipated that DCC will submit the final documentation in preparation for planning in the coming months.
2. South Campshires Flood Protection Project: Works on this project are substantially complete, with the OPW’s direct labour crew now finished on site. While DCC are currently addressing some final elements of the project, flood protection is currently provided. €6.3 million has been spent on this project to date.
3. Clontarf: DCC are currently examining potential solutions to flooding in Clontarf, and if a cost beneficial solution is identified they will submit a business case to the OPW for approval for the project to proceed to detailed design and subsequent stages.
4. Dollymount: Dublin City Council led and funded flood defence works along Dollymount Strand. This work is now complete and its total cost was €4million.
5. Sutton and Howth North Flood Relief Scheme : A potential solution to flooding in this area was identified under the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme. While this scheme was not in the first tranche of 60 schemes prioritised to be progressed on foot of the launch of the national Flood Risk Management Plans (FRMP) in 2018, it is scheduled that all FRMP projects will be progressed under the reviewed NDP 2018-2030. The proposed scheme for Sutton and Howth North is expected to cost in the region of €6million, based on preliminary estimates developed as part of the CFRAM Programme.
As the projects are all at different stages, and programmes are to be finalised on a number of these projects, we cannot provide a definitive figure for allocation of funds over the next five years. However, the OPW has budgeted and allocated the required funding to progress these schemes (approximately €31 million euro) as part of its multi-annual budgeting of almost EUR1bn out to 2030.
191. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works will open consultation or hold an online briefing with residents affected by the construction of new flood defences on both the east side and the west side of the River Shannon in Athlone, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8202/21]
View answer192. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works will provide a timeline for completion of the flood defence projects on the east and west sides of the River Shannon in Athlone, County Westmeath. [8203/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 191 and 192 together.
The Athlone Flood Relief Scheme is being led by Westmeath County Council with funding from the Office of Public Works (OPW). Construction works are being undertaken directly by the OPW’s Direct Labour and Direct Managed Services.
Building on the option development work of the Shannon CFRAM (Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment & Management) Study, Westmeath County Council appointed Engineering Consultants in April 2017, to progress appropriate flood risk alleviation measures for Athlone. Following detailed option development, eight discrete cells of flood defence works were identified and six of these were progressed individually through Part 8 Planning by the Council. One cell did not require Planning approval, as the works were minor in nature, and one cell remains to be progressed to Part 10 Planning stage.
Construction of the Scheme is progressing well, despite Covid-19 restrictions and effects and also the high water levels that have hampered progress to some extent. The current anticipated timeline for completion of each flood cell is set out in Table 1 below, but are somewhat tentative, given the current Covid-19 situation and the continuing high water levels.
Table 1: Athlone Flood Relief Scheme - Flood Cell timelines
|
Flood Cell |
Anticipated completion |
|
FC1 – Deerpark |
Q2 2022 |
|
FC2 – The Strand |
Q2 2022 |
|
FC3 – The Quay |
Q2 2022 |
|
FC4 – Brick Island |
Q4 2021 |
|
FC5 – Marine View |
Q2 2022 |
|
FC6 – Iona Park |
Construction complete |
|
FC7 – River Al (Cregan) |
To be confirmed subject to Planning approval |
|
FC8 – Golden Island |
To be confirmed once construction has commenced |
Westmeath County Council, as the Contracting Authority, is responsible for public liaison and Councillors are updated by the Executive at regular meetings. Consultation on preliminary options developed under the Catchment-based Flood Risk Assessment and Management study (CFRAM) was undertaken by the Office of Public Work in 2015, and a further public consultation event was undertaken by the Council on the River Al flood cell in December, 2019. Flood cells advanced by the Council through the Part 8 planning process were all publicly advertised and it was open to the public to make submissions. Any specific interaction with interested parties during the construction phase of the scheme falls within the remit of Westmeath County Council.
193. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the pay bill for the Defence Forces as a percentage of the gross Exchequer civil and public service pay bill from 2013 to 2020, inclusive, and to date in 2021, in tabular form; the amount returned to the Exchequer from the defence budget in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8746/21]
View answerThe below table outlines the gross pay bill for the Defence Vote for the years 2013 to 2020 excluding pay to civil servants in the Department of Defence, and as a percentage of the overall gross Exchequer civil and service pay bill. The figures provided are as per the Appropriation Accounts for each year, with the exception of 2020 where the Provisional Outturn has been used as the Appropriation Account is not yet finalised.
The amounts returned to the Exchequer from the defence allocation in each of these years are also outlined. These amounts are the net figures, and thus, the expenditure outturn is compared with the sums granted by Dáil Éireann under the Appropriation Act, including the amount that could be used as appropriations-in-aid of expenditure for the year.
For 2021, it is too early to provide definitive figures.
|
Defence Forces Pay Bill (in €000)* |
Gross overall Civil & Public Service Pay Bill (in €000)* |
Defence Force Pay Bill as percentage of over Pay Bill |
Amount returned to Exchequer from Defence Budget (in €000)** |
|
|
2013 |
475,144 |
15,050,150 |
3.2% |
20,230 |
|
2014 |
447,845 |
14,710,072 |
3.0% |
13,577 |
|
2015 |
441,315 |
15,126,855 |
2.9% |
13,684 |
|
2016 |
437,316 |
15,576,424 |
2.8% |
26,557 |
|
2017 |
452,308 |
16,514,811 |
2.7% |
21,368 |
|
2018 |
454,182 |
17,757,169 |
2.6% |
17,050 |
|
2019 |
477,125 |
18,907,187 |
2.5% |
11,373 |
|
2020 |
467,611 |
20,205,137 |
2.3% |
6,169 |
*2013-2019 figures are as per the Appropriation Accounts, for 2020 the figure is as per the Provisional Outturn
**The amount returned to the Exchequer is calculated as the difference between the expenditure outturn and the sums granted by granted by Dáil Éireann under the Appropriation Act, including the amount that could be used as appropriations-in-aid of expenditure for the year.
194. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the breakdown of pre-committed capital expenditure for each of the years 2021 to 2026, inclusive, disaggregated by Department, outlining the amount of spending allocated, in tabular form. [8773/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, capital allocations for 2021 were set out in the Revised Estimate Volume and referred to the relevant Select Committees by the Dáil on the 16th of December 2020 (see Departmental capital allocations for 2021 in the table below). Indicative overall expenditure ceilings for 2022 and 2023 were also laid in the Oireachtas Library in 2020, pursuant to the requirement in the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 2013, for the Government to decide on a Government Expenditure Ceiling for the following three financial years.
As you will be aware, I have commenced a review of the National Development Plan (NDP) which is currently being progressed. The review will focus on how Project Ireland 2040 can further support the delivery of the policy priorities in the Programme for Government. The NDP Review will also focus on balanced regional growth and alignment with Ireland's spatial strategy.
The review will also establish agreed capital allocations for Departments over a five year rolling period and set the overall capital aggregate allocations over a ten year period.
|
2021 Allocation €,m |
|
|
Agriculture, Food and the Marine |
299,293 |
|
Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth |
32,100 |
|
Communications, Climate Action & Environment |
579,178 |
|
Defence |
131,000 |
|
Education |
740,433 |
|
Enterprise, Trade & Employment |
558,147 |
|
Finance Group |
34,000 |
|
Foreign Affairs Group |
13,000 |
|
Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science |
500,096 |
|
Health |
1,048,250 |
|
Housing, Local Government & Heritage |
2,766,400 |
|
Justice Group |
258,307 |
|
Public Expenditure and Reform Group |
222,262 |
|
Rural & Community Development |
168,644 |
|
Social Protection |
16,000 |
|
Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport, Gaeltacht, and Media |
185,924 |
|
Transport |
2,527,500 |
|
Total |
10,080,534 |
195. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the percentage of the European Regional Development Fund allocated to each NUTS 3 region in Ireland in each of its priority areas, namely, the digital agenda, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, environment and the net-zero-carbon economy during the 2014 to 2020 period; and the proposed allocations for the 2021-2027 programmes (details supplied). [8839/21]
View answer196. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the proportion of the European Regional Development Fund allocated to each NUTS 3 region in Ireland during the 2014-2020 programme; the proposed allocation to each NUTS 3 region during the 2021-2027 programme; if the European Commission's downgrading of the northern and western region has been taken into account in his Department's planning for the 2021-2027 programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8840/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 196 together.
The information requested by the Deputy is not available on a NUTS III basis and is presented reflecting totals for NUTS II regions. For the 2014-2020 programming period Ireland was comprised of two NUTS II regions – the Southern and Eastern Region and the Border, Midland and Western Region. Reflecting the changes introduced to Ireland's regional structure, this will change for the 2021-2027 period, to three NUTS II regions, the Southern Region, the Eastern and Midland Region and the Northern and Western Region.
For the 2014-2020 programming period the EU Regulations provided for expenditure under 11 Thematic Objectives. They also required that at least 80 % of the total European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) resources at national level be allocated to two or more of the thematic objectives 1, 2, 3 and 4. Given this structure, it is not possible to break out the allocations under the headings of the digital agenda, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, environment and the net-zero-carbon economy.
In response to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Commission introduced additional flexibilities, delivered through two Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative (CRII and CRII+) packages, in which Member States could re-programme existing allocations of funding towards the Covid-19 response, at a co-financing rate of 100%. Ireland took advantage of these flexibilities and reprogrammed €226.6 million of unclaimed ERDF funding to support a new Health Support Heading primarily used to support the purchase of PPE for the Health Services.
Details of the two ERDF Regional Operational Programmes, are summarised in the table below:
|
Thematic Objectives for ERDF |
ERDF S&E |
ERDF BMW |
ERDF - Total |
|
Strengthening research, technological development and innovation |
€21,652,061 |
€20,157,967 |
€41,810,028 |
|
Enhancing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises |
€11,933,177 |
€9,889,293 |
€21,822,470 |
|
Supporting the shift towards a low-carbon economy in all sectors |
€60,878,975 |
€18,000,000 |
€78,878,975 |
|
Preserving and protecting the environment and promoting resource efficiency |
€24,427,315 |
€13,148,850 |
€37,576,165 |
|
Health Support Scheme (PPE) * |
€129,165,299 |
€97,415,632 |
€226,580,931 |
|
Technical assistance |
€2,009,350 |
€2,097,179 |
€4,106,529 |
|
TOTAL |
€250,066,177 |
€160,708,921 |
€410,775,098 |
* A further €60m of European Social Funding (ESF) was also reprogrammed for the Health Support Scheme, under the EU Corona Virus Response Investment Initiative.
In addition as part of Next Generation EU additional resources were provided through the REACT-EU measure for the 2014-2020 Programmes. Funding from REACT-EU is split into two tranches, one allocated at the end of 2020 and another to be allocated at the end of 2021. In the first tranche, Ireland has been allocated approximately €84 million (2018 prices). The second tranche makes up 30% of the total funding allocation and the allocation method will be based on economic data available in October 2021.
With regard to how REACT-EU can be utilised, maximum flexibility is being given to Member States to utilise the additional funding under their existing European Social Fund, European Regional Development Fund, and Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived programmes, with an option to avail of up to 100% EU co-financing. The relevant national authorities in Ireland are currently engaged in a process to finalise the arrangements to allocate this funding between the eligible Funds and Programmes.
In relation to 2021-2027 Ireland is expected to receive a total of €1,137 million (in 2018 prices) in Cohesion Policy Funds, comprising of:
- €351 million for the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF);
- €451 million for the European Social Fund + (ESF+);
- €258 million for European Territorial Cooperation (including PEACE PLUS); and
- €77 million under the Just Transition Fund (JTF).
The details supplied to date indicate an initial ERDF allocation for the transition region – the Northern and Western Region of €97,811,529 with the remaining €253,296,072 allocated across the two more developed Regions – the Southern Region and the Midland and Eastern Region. However, the Regulations governing the funds, which are nearing finalisation, provide for a number of flexibilities, including transferring allocations between Funds, and between Regions.
Work is well advanced in preparing Ireland’s Partnership Agreement and ERDF Operational Programmes for 2021 - 2027. I have acknowledged that the Northern and Western region of Ireland has been designated as a 'Region in Transition'. In light of this, I announced in October 2020 that there would be a specific ERDF programme focused on the North West and that the Northern Western Regional Assembly will act as Managing Authority for the programme for the 2021-27 period. Moreover, an independent Needs Analysis was conducted by Indecon Economic Consultants to provide the evidence base for the future ERDF (and ESF+) programmes. The report includes a specific analysis of regional disparities and the particular challenges faced by each region. Given the reclassification of the Northern and Western region, a specific chapter is dedicated to the past performance and the particular needs of this region. In developing the Operational Programmes, consideration will be given to how best we can avail of the flexibilities available in the regulations, how to maximise synergies between the various EU Funds and how the overall process can help to address the specific needs of all regions.
197. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the contracts for public relations advice and consultancy entered into by his Department costing more than €10,000 since January 2021; the nature of the contract; and the length of the contract, in tabular form. [8897/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has not entered into any contracts for public relations advice or consultancy in the period specified.
198. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if there has been any contact with his counterpart in the United States. [8917/21]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's question there has not been any contact with my counterpart in the United States administration.
199. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will engage with an organisation (details supplied) in advance of the 5 March 2021 review of Covid-19 restrictions. [8683/21]
View answerCorrespondence has been received from the organisation concerned and the matters raised therein are being considered with a view to the issue of a response at the earliest possible date.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I have had extensive engagement with the long-established representative body for the businesses in question. In addition to this body regularly participating in meetings of the Sports Monitoring Group which I chair, my officials and Sport Ireland have been in ongoing contact with that organisation on matters of concern, including the public health restrictions and advice relating to sport and exercise.
200. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount in annual funding given to the media in Ireland inclusive of the TV licence; the breakdown of the recipients of this funding; the amount they receive; and the items on which the funding is spent. [7906/21]
View answerThe total funding for media allocated through my Department in 2020 amounted to €259.39m.
Total net TV licence receipts for 2020 were €212.52m. RTÉ received €197.65m and the Broadcasting Fund received €14.88m. The Broadcasting Fund administers grants to the broadcasting sector through the Archiving Scheme and the Sound and Vision Scheme. The Schemes are limited by statute to audiovisual and sound media and are administered by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. Further information on the successful applicants in receipt of funding under the Sound and Vision Scheme is available on the BAI's website at: Sound & Vision 4 - Broadcast Authority of Ireland (bai.ie)
Total exchequer funding for 2020 was €46.87m. TG4 was in receipt of €34.233m in current and €3m in capital funding in 2020. The remaining €9.64m in exchequer funding was secured in 2020 in response to the challenges felt by the sector as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by a reduction in commercial income due to the current crisis. This comprised €0.839m reimbursed to BAI in 2021 in respect of the Broadcasting Levy Waiver for Quarters 1 and 2 of 2020 which benefitted all broadcasters by €1m. The BAI met the balance of the waiver from cost savings in 2020. Additional COVID-19 funding support of €1.9m was secured for TG4. A further €2m in exchequer supports were secured for the sector under the July stimulus package and a further €4.9m was allocated to the Sound and Vision Scheme in December 2020, both of which will fund projects for the broadcasting sector during 2020 and 2021.
RTE and TG4 provide audited Annual Reports and Accounts in respect of each year which details how their funding is spent. The most recent Accounts for 2019 are available on their websites at www.rte.ie and www.tg4.ie . Details of expenditure in 2020 will be outlined in the 2020 Reports when these are published later this year.
In addition, the Government has put in place a range of supports for all businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which are available to the media sector.
Significant Government expenditure has also been incurred on advertising in 2020 across all media sectors, particularly in the context of communications in relation to the COVID-19 health restrictions which has provided a boost in advertising revenues for the sector.
201. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has conducted a risk assessment or received updated advice regarding the resumption of outdoor non-contact training and non-contact outdoor sports or activities for amateur teams and persons. [7960/21]
View answer202. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has conducted a risk assessment or received updated advice regarding the resumption of indoor non-contact training and non-contact indoor sports or activities and dancing classes for amateur teams and persons. [7961/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 202 together.
The resumption of the activities to which the Deputy refers will be decided by Government in the context of its review of the Framework of Restrictive Measures and consideration of the restrictions to apply after the expiration of the current regulations on March 5th.
As the Deputy may be aware, I wrote to all of the National Governing Bodies of sport before Christmas, inviting ideas on how the restrictions affecting sport might be adjusted under Level 3. More than 40 bodies have made submissions to Sport Ireland for consideration by the agency and the Expert Group on Return to Sport. As the level of infection in the community at present remains high, and our health service is under significant strain, it is likely to be some time before it is possible to significantly relax the restrictions on sport and exercise. Nevertheless, evaluation of these submissions is continuing and nearing completion. It is my intention to bring these matters to my colleagues in Government within the next few weeks.
Insofar as risk assessment and advice is concerned, the Expert Group on Return to Sport provides relevant advice to the sporting bodies to inform their own risk assessment, and the majority of sporting bodies have put in place appropriate COVID-19 protocols to mitigate the risk of transmission at training and competitive events. NPHET provides broad public health advice to Government in relation to the overall Covid-19 response, which will be considered by Government in the context of its review of the Recovery and Resilience Plan 2020-2021: Plan Living with COVID-19.
203. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has engaged with Sport Ireland and national governing bodies, NGBs, in respect of plans to resume sports matches and training for amateur teams and persons. [7962/21]
View answerThe Government's clear message at the present time is for people to stay in their homes, unless necessary for those essential reasons set out in the public health regulations. Sporting activity, including sports matches and training for amateur teams and persons, is not considered essential in this context. Planning for the resumption of such sporting activity is however continuing.
I have an ongoing dialogue with the National Governing Bodies of sport through the Sports Monitoring Group. I have also actively sought the views of sporting bodies in regard to how to conduct sport safely. In December 2020, I wrote to all National Governing Bodies seeking submissions on what key modifications, in particular to Level 3 of the Government Framework, can be safely introduced to bring the most benefit to sport. The sector has welcomed this engagement and to date a total of 44 submissions have been received from sporting bodies. Review and analysis of these submissions is currently underway.
I can assure the Deputy that the Government is keen to facilitate the maximum possible level of sporting activity at the earliest possible date once the public health circumstances have improved to the extent required.
204. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to correspondence from an association (details supplied); and if she has consulted the Minister for Health and the National Public Health Emergency Team, NPHET, regarding same. [7963/21]
View answerI am aware of the correspondence to which the Deputy refers. The resumption of such sporting activity is a matter for decision by the Government, which affords all Ministers the opportunity to air their views including my colleague the Minister for Health. The Government's clear message at the present time is for people to stay in their homes, unless necessary for those essential reasons set out in the public health regulations.
I have an ongoing dialogue with the National Governing Bodies of sport, including the sport referred to in the correspondence, through the Sports Monitoring Group. I have also actively sought the views of sporting bodies in regard to how to conduct sport safely. In December 2020, I wrote to all National Governing Bodies seeking submissions on what key modifications, in particular to Level 3 of the Government Framework, can be safely introduced to bring the most benefit to sport. The sector has welcomed this engagement and to date a total of 44 submissions have been received from sporting bodies. Review and analysis of these submissions is currently underway.
205. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the administration costs payable to a maximum of €83,000 for the management of the music industry support package is in addition to or to be included within the €1.7 million allocated to the package. [8012/21]
View answerI introduced the Music Industry Support Package in 2020 to help meet the needs of the whole of the music sector in these unprecedented times. This was the first time this type of support was offered to the music industry and it was designed to cover all music genres and had three components, song writing, album release and recording.
The administration of the schemes was managed by First Music Contact on behalf of my Department. Under the terms of a Performance Delivery Agreement there is a maximum amount of €83,000 payable to FMC for the management of the €1.7 million Music Industry Support Package. All payments made to FMC are strictly on the basis of receipted administration costs.
The administration costs for the Music Industry Stimulus Package of €83,000, are included in the €1.7m allocated to the Package. The costs include panel assessments, manager for the schemes, accountant, digital, legal, banking, and audit charges. The management of the three schemes from setting up systems, mentoring applicants, management and assessment of applications, payments of awards and managing reports and outcomes of schemes involved staff other than the MISP Manager and these other human resource costs are being covered by FMC.
206. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the criteria used to select a body to manage the music industry support package. [8013/21]
View answer207. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount paid to an organisation (details supplied) for administration costs relating to the management of the music industry support scheme; and the breakdown of the money spent. [8014/21]
View answer208. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 248 of 15 December 2020, the process by which an organisation (details supplied) was selected. [8015/21]
View answer209. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if an organisation (details supplied) is wholly owned and funded by the State; and the position regarding and status of its legal relationship with the Arts Council, Culture Ireland and her Department. [8016/21]
View answer210. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason a body with experience in the international showcasing of Irish musicians was given the responsibility of managing an entirely domestic €1.7 million package instead of a body with experience distributing grants domestically or with a statutory role to do so, such as the Arts Council. [8017/21]
View answer211. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 248 of 15 December 2020, if other bodies were considered for the management of the €1.7 million music industry support package before an organisation (details supplied) was selected. [8018/21]
View answer217. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 248 of 15 December 2020, the definition of administration costs referred to. [8024/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 206 to 211, inclusive, and 217 together.
I introduced the Music Industry Support Package in 2020 to help meet the needs of the whole of the music sector in these unprecedented times. This was the first time this type of support was offered to the music industry and it was designed in a time of crisis and at short notice to cover all music genres.
First Music Contact (FMC) is an independent private company limited by guarantee and is the lead national music organisation for resourcing musicians and the independent music sector in Ireland. My Department has a well established working relationship with FMC. It is an organisation funded by the Arts Council on the basis of its proposal for programming activities each year as by my Department through Culture Ireland for international promotion of musicians under the terms of a Performance Delivery Agreement. Fifty percent of FMC’s funding is raised through self-generated income, private funding and sponsorship.
FMC has operated in the domestic music sector in Ireland for 25 years. FMC has had weekly advisory meetings for Irish artists and their teams for the past 20 years, delivered Ireland Music Week for 19 years, the Breaking Tunes music portal and community for domestic artists is 10 years old this year. This is additional to international facing export work, presented under the title Music from Ireland, which is now in its 16th year of operation. For all of these reasons FMC was considered to offer a cost effective way of administering the MISP last year when there was no capacity in my Department or the Arts Council to manage such schemes in the given timeframe.
FMC therefore fulfilled the criteria of having in depth knowledge of the music industry, a history of managing applications from musicians and their agents, many years of mentoring artists and an understanding of national and international factors in music support and promotion.
As there was no financial gain to management of these schemes and the only costs being covered were limited and receipted administrative costs there was no requirement for an open process. No other body was considered to be able to match FMC's experience, and capacity to deliver in the tight timeframe with cost efficiencies.
Under the terms of the Performance Delivery Agreement between my Department and FMC for the management and delivery of the Music Industry Stimulus Package, a maximum of €83,000 was provided for administration purposes from the €1.7m allocated to the Package.
A breakdown of total administration costs relating to the fund are as per the table below.
|
MISP Administration Cost Breakdown |
|
|
Panel Assessors Fees |
€26,440.00 |
|
Legal , banking and Auditing |
€7,452.00 |
|
MISP Manager and Accounts Staff costs |
€48,425.00 |
|
Digital Support |
€490.68 |
