Peadar Tóibín
Question:232. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the content of the reported troika-style spending restrictions implemented in Departments to reduce spending. [22990/21]
View answerDepartmental Expenditure
Questions (232)
Written answers
The Expenditure Report 2021 set out overall expenditure for 2021 of €87.8 billion. In addition to the substantial funding of almost €12 billion for expenditure to respond to Covid-19, Budget 2021 increased overall core expenditure by 7.7%.
Taking into account the significant level of funding allocated to Departments for 2021, Government agreed in February that the sectors accounting for a large proportion of overall spending would provide quarterly reports on expenditure to Government. These reports are intended to provide additional detail in relation to spending by these Departments, identifying key areas where spending is either above or below profile and setting out the outlook for the year taking into account the impact of Covid-19 on programmes and projects. The reporting in relation to capital spending reflects the key role that capital spending can play in enhancing the resilience of the economy and in providing key social infrastructure. This reporting is in the context of the level of capital carryover into 2021 and the 19% increase in core capital spending set out in Expenditure Report 2021.
These quarterly reports provide further detail and context to Government in relation to spending and progress on programmes and projects, and are an important element of the overall expenditure management framework.
Question No. 233 answered with Question No. 227.
Heritage Sites
Questions (234)
Réada Cronin
Question:234. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will request the OPW to remove the railings around Conolly’s Folly, County Kildare, in view of the historical, social and cultural importance of the monument to the local community and which is especially valuable given persons will be undertaking recreation outdoors in summer 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23072/21]
View answerWritten answers
Connollys Folly is a National Monument protected by legislation and under the care and responsibility of the Office of Public Works. While, initially, the railings were erected to secure the site while works were on-going they have become a valuable tool in terms of discouraging the dumping of waste, graffiti and other anti-social behaviours at the site, which would have been the norm prior to their installation and which presented a number of difficulties in terms of maintaining the site to an acceptable standard.
The removal of these railings involves the evaluation of the impact that such a move would have on the protection of the monument and general health and safety and is not something that can be considered by the OPW at this time.
Brexit Issues
Questions (235)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:235. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the impact of Brexit on companies from Northern Ireland applying for public works and Government contracts here. [23073/21]
View answerWritten answers
Public procurement is governed by EU and national rules and must comply with relevant EU, World Trade Organisation (WTO) and national legal requirements and obligations. Under EU rules, public contracts above certain values must be advertised EU-wide and awarded in competitive tendering in an open and transparent process. National rules provide for similar processes. The aim of these rules is to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime delivering transparency and best value for money outcomes. The aforementioned rules have been developed in tandem with the WTO rules on procurement and are therefore flexible in a global context.
The general requirements for public works and works-related government contracts are set out in the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF). The CWMF represents the tools that a public body must use to procure and manage the external resources necessary to deliver a public works project that is to be delivered under the Exchequer-funded element of the National Development Plan. The CWMF incorporates key elements of EU legislation that have been transposed into Irish law and is complemented by Circulars and Guidance issued by this Department and the Office of Government Procurement.
The EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA), which reflects the NI Protocol, contains specific provisions ensuring access to the public procurement markets of both parties. The principal aspects, for above the EU threshold procurements, include inter alia:
- Continued access to public procurement opportunities in both jurisdictions to interested providers and;
- Non-discrimination obligations to ensure that interested providers in each jurisdiction are treated no less favourably than nationally-based providers.
Additionally, the TCA provides for reciprocal treatment and access to procurement opportunities for companies established in each other’s jurisdiction for below-threshold procurements.
The Common Travel Area (CTA) also provides additional rights to UK and Irish citizens to live and work in both jurisdictions. The combined effect of the TCA, the NI Protocol and the CTA means that procurement opportunities in both jurisdictions remain open to businesses on both sides of the border.
Garda Stations
Questions (236)
Brian Stanley
Question:236. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if refurbishment works have commenced on Portlaoise Garda station; the duration of such works; and the estimated cost of such works. [23094/21]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the proposed redevelopment works for a Divisional Garda Headquarters Station at Portlaoise, which is being designed by the Office of Public Works, Major Projects, I am pleased to confirm that the Commissioners of Public Works have recently approved the proposed scheme, subject to standard planning conditions.
A design team has been put in place and work has commenced on the detailed design phase of this large scale capital works project. It is expected that planned site investigations and further investigative survey work on the historic fabric can now commence with the lifting of the current Covid-19 restrictions.
This complex project will involve the extension and refurbishment of the existing Garda Station and custody suite, along with the provision of additional accommodation for An Garda Síochána on the adjacent site currently occupied by the Department of Defence. Work is also ongoing with regards new accommodation for the Department of Defence on a separate site.
Prior to commencing construction works, OPW, An Garda Síochána and Garda Estate Management will discuss and review the phasing and decanting options for the project. Following the detailed design and procurement process, it is expected that a project of this scale will take between 24 and 36 months to construct.
The total project budget is estimated to be in the region of €25m.
Departmental Legal Costs
Questions (237)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:237. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount in legal fees incurred by his Department in 2020 and in each of the years 2000 to 2020. [23570/21]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that details of the consultancy and legal fees spend for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is regularly updated and published on gov.ie. In this context, details of this spend since the Department’s establishment in 2011 up to the end of December 2020 can be found at the following link:
https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/8b97d6-consultancy-costs/
Gaeltacht Policy
Questions (238, 239, 240)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:238. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the full records of the 1925 Special Census of the Gaeltacht will be released in 2025 in line with the 100 year rule under the Statistics Act 1993; and if the necessary work is underway to conduct the conservation and digitisation of the data in individual 1925 Special Census forms for public release at the end of the statute period. [22451/21]
View answerAengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:239. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil sé i gceist ag an rialtas an taifead iomlán de Dhaonáireamh Speisialta na Gaeltachta a rinneadh sa bhliain 1925 a fhoilsiú in 2025 tar éis céad bliain, de réir an Achta Staidrimh, 1993; agus an bhfuil na riachtanais maidir le caomhnú agus digitiú na sonraí i ngach foirm a bhaineann leis an daonáireamh speisialta á gcomhlíonadh chun go mbeidh siad curtha ar fáil ag deireadh na tréimhse reachtúla céad bliain sin. [22452/21]
View answerAengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:240. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an ndéanfaidh sí an taifead iomlán den Daonáireamh Speisialta na Gaeltachta a rinneadh sa bhliain 1925 a chur ar fáil don phobal tráth níos luaithe ná cothrom 100 bliain ó rinneadh an daonáireamh, mar is gnách do dhaonáirimh, chun an tábhacht a bhaineann le Daonáireamh tosaigh an tSaorstáit a aithint, agus chun géarchéim shochtheangeolaíochta reatha na Gaeltachta a aithint, ionas go mbeimid in ann ceacht a fhoghlaim faoin tionchar a bhí ag bunú an stáit ar phobail na Gaeltachta. [22453/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 238, 239 and 240 together.
Molaim freagraí a thabhairt ar cheisteanna uimh. 238, 239, agus 240 le chéile.
Chuir an Phríomh-Oifig Staidrimh in iúl dom nach ndéantar rangú ar an Daonáireamh Speisialta Gaeltachta 1925 mar Dhaonáireamh Daonra, mar níor tugadh faoi faoin Acht Staidrimh 1993 nó faoi aon cheann de na hachtacháin aisghairmithe, agus mar sin ní bhaineann Alt 35 den Acht Staidrimh 1993 leis.
Cé go dtuigim gur thug an Garda Síochána faoin áireamh, a bhí mar dhlúthchuid d’obair Choimisiún na Gaeltachta sa bhliain 1925, níl fáil ar aon chóip den áireamh seo ag mo Roinnse nó ag an gCartlann Náisiúnta.
B’fhéidir gur mhian leis an Teachta teagmháil a dhéanamh le m’oifigse má tá aon eolas aige faoi cén áit a bhfuil na taifid seo.
Question No. 239 answered with Question No. 238.
Question No. 240 answered with Question No. 238.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (241, 247)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:241. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports being provided to businesses and workers in the circus sector. [22708/21]
View answerAengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:247. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she made representations on behalf of the circus sector for its inclusion under the Covid-19 restrictions support scheme; the supports being provided to businesses and workers in the circus sector; and if she will meet with representatives of the sector such as a group (details supplied) to discuss their needs under restrictions. [22709/21]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 247 together.
The Government has worked to support businesses through this difficult time with a comprehensive range of measures for firms of all sizes. The measures include the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) now extended until the 30th of June, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS), the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID (SBASC), low-cost loans, the deferral and warehousing of tax liabilities, the waiver of commercial rates the Sustaining Enterprise Fund and a reduced VAT rate from 13.5% to 9% for the hospitality and tourism sector to help businesses in the entertainment, tourism and hospitality sectors.
Budget 2021 included a number of further substantial measures to support and strengthen the tourism sector, such as the provision of an additional €55m in Business Continuity funding to support strategic tourism businesses. This funding will be administered by Fáilte Ireland and focused on those strategic businesses. Fáilte Ireland are currently engaging with those tourism sectors in the design of funding schemes taking into account the effect of other horizontal funding measures.
The Deputy should also note that in the 2021 Budget, the Government allocated significant additional resources to Departments to provide help to different sectors, including €222m allocated to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
My colleague, Minister Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht, would be most appropriate to approach in connection with a request to meet as she has lead responsibility for this sector.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (242)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:242. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will address a matter regarding training for elite sports (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23143/21]
View answerWritten answers
I am happy to inform the Deputy, that the general resumption of inter-county travel with effect from the 10th of May, 2021, will facilitate all sportspeople, including underage, to undertake permitted sporting activity from that date.
Tourism Industry
Questions (243)
Richard Bruton
Question:243. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has assessed the impact of the tourism crisis on town centres and the problems they will face in the short and medium term. [22586/21]
View answerWritten answers
The economic and social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been felt across the entire country and it has been particularly severe in our town and city centres. The lengthy closure of retail and hospitality outlets, culture, arts and entertainment venues, along with requirements to work from home for many office based staff, has led to a significant falloff in economic and social activity in what were, prior to COVID, vibrant and dynamic business and community spaces.
I am fully committed to continuing support for tourism through this difficult period and to working towards reopening and recovery. Together with horizontal measures introduced by Government, such as the EWSS and the CRSS, the sector-specific measures I have introduced to date, including the Tourism Business Continuity Scheme and the Covid Adaptation Scheme are key in helping tourism businesses to survive and adapt. The Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme and the Urban Animation Scheme being run by Fáilte Ireland in partnership with Local Authorities, are particularly important to town centres.
As part of the National Economic Recovery Plan, the Government will consider more targeted measures to help reboot those sectors, such as tourism, which will face particular challenges during the recovery phase when the economy reopens.
As the economy reopens on a phased basis over the coming months, city and town centres, which rely on the cumulative attractiveness of retail, hospitality, attractions and the experience economy, face a complex set of challenges that need to be addressed if they are going to maximise the benefit of reopening and take advantage of the recovery. The pandemic has required new approaches to the urban trading environment, including greater use of outdoor spaces to trade. The expansion of outdoor dining and social spaces in cities and towns will require a coordinated approach.
Officials from my Department are involved in on-going discussions with a number of Government Departments and the Business, Enterprise and Innovation Committee of the County and City Management Association (CCMA) regarding the challenges faced, and steps being taken, by city and urban areas in the period ahead arising from the COVID pandemic. I also continue to engage with the sector on a regular basis and in particular through the Hospitality and Tourism Forum.
In line with our Programme for Government commitments, the development of a new national tourism policy, which will have sustainability at its core, will commence later this year when the sector begins to recover from the COVID-19 crisis. This new policy will set out a path for the coming years which will support a sustainable recovery and subsequent growth in the sector, not just in our cities and towns, but also in regional and rural areas. Tourism has proven itself resilient before and I am confident that, with the support of Government, it will recover from this crisis and thrive again.
Print Media
Questions (244)
Richard Bruton
Question:244. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has assessed the pressures on the local print media and the challenges it faces in the short and medium-term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22587/21]
View answerWritten answers
A strong and independent media sector is central to our parliamentary democracy, freedom of speech and to the provision of quality and impartial information, particularly in the context of Covid-19. I recognise the essential role that the print media plays in this regard and the particular value of local and regional newspapers in bringing communities together and sharing reliable and relevant local news. In terms of specific supports for the local print sector, it is of particular importance regarding media organisations to avoid any perception of undue Government interference or influence and the funding of newspapers is therefore a complex issue. I am, however, cognisant of the importance of this sector, and the financial issues which it currently faces.This is a sector which is undergoing fundamental changes due to new patterns in the consumption of media and a shift to online advertising. In recognition of these longer term challenges, the Programme for Government provided for the establishment of the Future of Media Commission to consider the future of print, broadcast and online media in a platform-agnostic fashion. While the Commission is not a representative body, the Taoiseach and I were pleased to be in a position to appoint a member of the Commission who has a strong background in local print and radio. In addition, at the Commission’s invitation, the representative group, Local Ireland, has participated in two panel discussions with Commission members and the public as part of the Commission’s series of thematic dialogues. The Commission has therefore been extensively briefed on issues facing the local print sector. I look forward to receiving the Commission's report in the summer. The print sector has participated in the Commission’s consultations and will be part of the recommendations. The sector has suffered losses from Covid-19 and is receiving Government supports such as the temporary wage subsidy scheme and the employment wage subsidy scheme. In the shorter term, the loss of advertising the sector has suffered from the impact of the restrictions has been helped by the public health advertising placed by the Government. I understand that in the region of €4.4 million has been expended on regional print advertising from March 2020 to date.
My officials continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders in order to continue to explore issues and build an understanding of the range of challenges facing the sector at present.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (245)
Neale Richmond
Question:245. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the efforts that have been made to examine the possibility of using rapid antigen testing for Covid-19 to allow for the return of some spectators to sports matches, concerts or other spectator events; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22604/21]
View answerWritten answers
As announced last week, my Department will work with the Department of Health and Department of the Taoiseach to prepare proposals on the holding of a limited number of pilot live events for sport and live entertainment, both indoor and outdoor. This is to inform the safe reopening of these activities and events when the public health situation allows.
We would hope to begin hosting these events in July, depending on the epidemiological situation at the time and subject to the rollout of the vaccination programme. All options for the safe roll out of these events are being considered, including antigen testing. I am cautiously optimistic that once test events can be undertaken and lessons drawn from those that we can grow spectator attendances later in the Summer.
In the meantime my Department will work with sporting and cultural bodies and make practical preparations for these test events. Guidelines and plans for the pilot music and sport events are in development. Further details will be announced in due course.
Culture Policy
Questions (246)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:246. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will address a matter regarding funding for a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22679/21]
View answerWritten answers
The Creative Ireland Programme is a culture-based programme led by my department to promote individual, community and national wellbeing. Its core proposition is that participation in arts, cultural and heritage-based activities drives personal and collective creativity, with significant implications for individual and societal wellbeing and achievement.
Under the Creative Communities initiative in the Creative Ireland Programme, my department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage provide funding to each of the 31 local authorities to enable them to implement their individual Culture and Creativity Strategies 2018-2022. These Strategies were developed in 2017 following extensive local public consultation and are unique to each local authority, reflecting the breadth of cultural and creative work being undertaken in each area as well as the strategic priorities identified by the local community. Kerry County Council also established a Culture and Creativity Team led by a Creative Ireland Coordinator to oversee implementation of their Strategy. The cross-functional Culture and Creativity Teams (including Arts Officers, Heritage & Biodiversity Officers, Librarians, Archivists, Conservation Officers, Irish Language Officers, Local Enterprise Offices) is a unique model, providing local authorities with an agile and adaptable resource to address locally-relevant priorities.
Through Creative Communities, funding provided to Kerry County Council for the period 2018-2020 is set out in the table below and it has supported an extensive programme of activities, events and initiatives in Co Kerry.
|
- |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|||
|
Funding |
Events |
Funding |
Events |
Funding |
Events |
|
|
Kerry |
€145,885.00 |
40 |
€138,774.00 |
52 |
€182,201.00 |
34 |
In 2021, I have allocated €145,160 to Kerry County Council under Creative Communities to support their programming and delivery of creative initiatives as part of their implementation of their Culture and Creativity Strategy.
Within the local authority network, the public libraries have to date proven to be a significant partner in supporting the implementation of Creative Communities initiatives. For example, I note that within the Kerry Culture and Creativity Strategy there is a priority, amongst other things, to
- implement a Kerry Library Events Programme to develop outputs including author visits, displays, workshops, promotions, Irish language and culture, the Right to Read literacy programme, and story-time events, and
- explore The Scealaíocht Chiarraí/ Stories of Kerry project.
Significant resources are being made available to Kerry County Council in this regard including support for its Creative Ireland Kerry Creative Communities grant scheme through which community groups and organisations may apply for funding. Therefore, and in recognition of their leading role in the funding and delivery of creative programming as part of their implementation of their Culture and Creativity Strategy, I would urge Storied Kerry to liaise directly with the Creative Ireland Coordinator at Kerry County Council. Further details and contacts are available online at
https://www.creativeireland.gov.ie/en/kerry/.
Question No. 247 answered with Question No. 241.
Arts Policy
Questions (248)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:248. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the persons who have been appointed as members of the oversight group to deal with the recommendations of the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce; when the oversight group was established; the order under which it was established; the structure and terms of reference of the group; the funding, pay, expenses or renumeration that will be allocated to the group and its members; and the duration the oversight group is expected to be in operation. [22722/21]
View answerWritten answers
I recently established an Oversight Group with the remit of addressing the recommendations of the Life Worth Living Report. The membership of the Group is as follows:-
- Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (Chair)
- Department of Finance,
- Department of Social Protection,
- Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage,
- Department of Public Expenditure and Reform;
- Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
- Director of the Arts Council
- Director of Screen Ireland
- CEO Clare County Council (representing the CCMA)
As can be seen from the above, the membership is drawn from departments and agencies which have the ability and wherewithal to make appropriate progress on the outstanding recommendations, and to whom recommendations of the Taskforce are addressed.
The Terms of Reference for the Oversight Group will be publicly available on the website in due course. Members of the Oversight Group will not receive any payment for their role, but expenses will be covered.
Industrial Relations
Questions (249)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:249. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she plans to ensure that no State funding goes to employers that engage in union busting practices and anti-worker activities. [22723/21]
View answerWritten answers
The right of workers to form associations and join a trade union is enshrined in Article 40 of the Irish Constitution. However, our Superior Courts have established that the Constitutional guarantee of the freedom of association does not guarantee workers the right to have their union recognised for the purpose of collective bargaining.
Notwithstanding this, it has been the consistent policy of successive Irish Governments to promote collective bargaining through legislation and by the development of an institutional framework supportive of a voluntary system of industrial relations that is premised upon freedom of contract and freedom of association. There is an extensive range of statutory provisions designed to support collective bargaining within the concept of voluntarism.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (250)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:250. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason nine hole golf courses were excluded by Fáilte Ireland from the support available to golf courses to assist them through the Covid-19 pandemic given that some of the most tourist reliant areas in the State have such courses which attract many tourists to them and in which in many cases the development of 18 hole golf courses was impossible due to Natura 2000 designations on neighbouring land and water; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22734/21]
View answerWritten answers
I understand that the Deputy is referring to Stage One of Fáilte Ireland's Tourism Business Continuity Scheme, which closed for applications on 8th March 2021. As administration of the Scheme, including the setting of its eligibility criteria, is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply to the Deputy. I have also asked Sport Ireland to provide the Deputy with further information in regard to support provided to clubs through Golf Ireland. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Departmental Investigations
Questions (251)
Catherine Murphy
Question:251. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of staff in her Department that have had access to files and or email restricted and or revoked as part of a disciplinary process or preceding or following a disciplinary process from 1 January 2018 to date in 2021. [22784/21]
View answerWritten answers
I am informed that there is no record of any staff in my Department having had access to files and or email restricted and or revoked as part of a disciplinary process or preceding or following a disciplinary process from 1 January 2018 to date in 2021.