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Wednesday, 5 May 2021

Written Answers Nos. 252-271

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Questions (252)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

252. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán céard iad na sonraí go beacht a choinníonn Údarás na Gaeltachta i dtaobh cliant-chuideachtaí dá chuid maidir le coinníollacha teanga, go háirithe i gcomhthéacs an fhreagra a tugadh ar cheist 661 ar an 21 Aibreán 2021. [22813/21]

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Written answers

Mar chuid den phlé le cliantchomhlachtaí i dtaca le gnó a bhunú nó a fhorbairt sa Ghaeltacht, tuigtear dom go ndéanann Údarás na Gaeltachta a mheabhrú do phríomhaithe an tábhacht atá leis an nGaeilge a chur chun cinn i ngach réimse dá ghnó. Tugann an tÚdarás le fios dóibh go bhfuil tacaíocht an Údaráis coinníollach ar phlean teanga a bheith aontaithe leis an gcomhlacht agus ar chur i bhfeidhm an phlean teanga sin. Léirítear dóibh chomh maith an raon tacaíochtaí atá ar fáil dóibh le cuidiú leo plean teanga a chur i bhfeidhm sa ghnó.

Nuair a cheadaíonn an tÚdarás pacáiste tacaíochta, ullmhaítear Comhaontú Deontais, ina bhfuil coinníollacha teanga mar chuid de agus mínítear na coinníollacha teanga sin do na príomhaithe, mar aon le coinníollacha an deontais ina iomláine.

Nuair a bhíonn an pacáiste tacaíochta ceadaithe agus aontaithe leis an gcliantchomhlacht, aontaítear an plean teanga leis an gcomhlacht, bunaithe ar an saghas gnó atá i gceist. Tá 30 gníomhaíocht leagtha amach sa chlár teanga agus iad dírithe ar réimsí faoi leith - an chumarsáid scríofa, an chumarsáid labhartha, polasaí earcaíochta agus oiliúna, agus aitheantas don Ghaeilge. Aontaítear an plean ag brath ar an saghas gnó atá i gceist.

Bíonn teagmháil leanúnach idir an tOifigeach Teanga san Údarás agus an cliantchomhlacht, ag brath ar riachtanais an chlaintchomhlachta, dul chun cinn an phlean teanga, líon na gcoinníollacha Gaeilge comhlíonta agus íocaíochtaí deontais a bpróiseáil.

Tá sé curtha in iúl ag Údarás na Gaeltachta, óna dtaithí, go mbíonn mórchuid na bpríomhaithe sna cliantchomhlachtaí báúil don Ghaeilge. Bíonn teagmháil rialta ag na hOifigigh Teanga leis na cliantchomhlachtaí agus leis na Feidhmeannaigh Fiontraíochta a bhíonn ag plé leo. Den chuid is mó, éiríonn leis na hOifigigh Teanga dul i bhfeidhm ar lucht bainistíochta sna cliantchomhlachtaí agus tuairiscítear go mbíonn tionchar dearfach ar a gcuid oibre.

Sports Funding

Questions (253)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

253. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if an organisation (details supplied) and its associated sports received 40% of all public sports funding in 2020 from Sport Ireland; if there is only 3% participation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22827/21]

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Written answers

Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards. This includes the allocation of funding to sporting organisations across a variety of funding schemes.

As this is a matter for Sport Ireland, I have referred the Deputy's question to the agency for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 working days.

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

Sports Funding

Questions (254)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

254. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there is oversight of the way that Sport Ireland calculates the distribution of funding between sports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22828/21]

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Written answers

Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards. This includes the allocation of funding to sporting organisations across a variety of funding schemes.

Oversight of the grants process within Sport Ireland is provided by the Board of Sport Ireland. All significant funding decisions are considered and approved at Board level.

Sports Funding

Questions (255)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

255. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if an organisation (details supplied) receives separate funding for other associations; if other sporting organisations will now need to apply separately for women's sports funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22829/21]

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Written answers

Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards. This includes the allocation of funding to sporting organisations across a variety of funding schemes.

I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to funding allocated to the organisations mentioned by the Deputy. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 working days.

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

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (256)

Michael McNamara

Question:

256. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the consideration that has been given to allowing spectators to attend sporting events during 2021; the established targets for enabling spectators to attend such events; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22982/21]

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Written answers

As announced last week, test events will be arranged later in the Summer to investigate how to allow for the safe return of spectators to events. In the meantime my Department will work with sporting and cultural bodies and make practical preparations for these test events.

In relation to sporting events, a Working Group was established to investigate how a safe return of some spectators could be facilitated. It comprised representatives of the FAI, GAA, and IRFU as well as stadium operations and event managers, officials from my Department and Sport Ireland. The Group reviewed international guidance, considered lessons from spectator events hosted elsewhere in Europe, and consulted independent health and safety experts. The Working Group prepared draft guidelines which will guide preparations for test events and beyond.

I am cautiously optimistic that once test events can be undertaken and lessons drawn from those that we can slowly grow spectator attendances. All of that will depend of course on the evolution of the epidemiological situation. Guidelines and plans for pilot events are in development. Further details will be announced in due course.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (257)

Joe Carey

Question:

257. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will extend the inbound agents business continuity scheme and provide €20 million in the programme to cover losses and costs in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22997/21]

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Written answers

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, the Coach and Inbound Tour Operators Schemes, and the Covid Adaptation Scheme are key in helping tourism businesses to survive and adapt.

I am fully committed to continuing support for tourism through this difficult period and to working towards reopening and recovery, including the businesses referred to by the Deputy. In this context, 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.

Administration of the Ireland Based Inbound Operators Business Continuity Scheme is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have accordingly referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for further information and direct reply to the Deputy. 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

Tourism Industry

Questions (258, 259)

Holly Cairns

Question:

258. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide a five year plan outlining the measures including supports and taxation policy to ensure the sustainable recovery of the hospitality industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23054/21]

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Holly Cairns

Question:

259. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide a five year plan outlining the measures, including supports and taxation policy, to ensure the sustainable recovery of the hospitality industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23055/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 258 and 259 together.

The tourism sector has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the necessary public health restrictions introduced to control it. Since my appointment as Minister, I have been fully engaged with stakeholders in seeking to identify and implement supports to ensure the survival and recovery of the tourism sector, of which hospitality is a key component.

A Tourism Recovery Taskforce was appointed last year to prepare a Tourism Recovery Plan which includes a set of recommendations on how best the Irish Tourism sector can adapt and recover in a changed tourism environment as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. The Taskforce presented the Tourism Recovery Plan 2020 – 2023 to me in September last year and it has been an important input for myself and my colleagues in Government in considering measures to assist the tourism sector.

Together with horizontal measures implemented to support businesses across the economy, such as the EWSS and the CRSS, the sector-specific supports I have introduced have been key in helping tourism businesses to survive and employees to remain engaged in the sector. The VAT rate for the sector has been reduced to 9%, which will improve competitiveness and viability of businesses. Any future change to our commitment on the VAT rate or future taxation policy is a budgetary matter but I will continue to engage with the Minister for Finance on these issues in view of the evolving situation in tourism.

The Recovery Oversight Group I appointed last December is keeping me informed of progress on the implementation of the Recovery Plan and developments in the tourism sector more generally and will continue to inform my thinking with regard to ongoing supports.

As part of the National Economic Recovery Plan, Government will be outlining how it will help people return to work and further support sectors which have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. We 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.

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. 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.

Question No. 259 answered with Question No. 258.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (260)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

260. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if clarification will be provided on a matter (details supplied) in relation to the self-catering sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23113/21]

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Written answers

I am aware of the devastating impact of COVID-19 on the tourism accommodation sector, including self-catering businesses, and most importantly, the people working in the sector. I am particularly conscious of the reliance of visitor attractions on international visitors and the repercussions of restrictions on international travel for the sector. As set out in the Tourism Recovery Plan, survival, stabilisation and recovery are the requirements for tourism and I will continue to work with industry stakeholders on the measures required.

In today's market, offering a wide variety of tourist accommodation helps ensure that various consumer preferences can be catered for and also enhances supply in areas or at periods of high demand. The self-catering sector plays a significant role in this regard, adding to the tourism accommodation stock in popular rural areas, and offering visitors autonomy and flexibility.

Horizontal support schemes such as the EWSS, PUP and the Rates Waiver have been worth hundreds of millions of euro to the broader tourism and hospitality sectors. In line with the recommendations of the Recovery Oversight Group, the Government extended the economy-wide supports for businesses and employees until the end of June and has committed that there will not be a cliff edge end to the supports currently in place.

I am aware that Fáilte Ireland, as the National Tourism Development Authority tasked with supporting the sustainable long-term growth of Ireland's tourism industry, engages regularly with the Irish Self-Catering Federation on a range of activities and supports for the sector.

I am referring the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for further direct reply to the Deputy including details of its engagements with the Irish Self Catering Federation and continued support for the self-catering sector. 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

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (261)

Imelda Munster

Question:

261. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to the fact that three local authorities (details supplied) are facilitating only 50% of the outdoor dining grant scheme to businesses that apply; if her Department provided the funding for the 2020 outdoor dining schemes run by these three local authorities; the reason businesses are being excluded from availing of the Fáilte Ireland scheme when they are entirely separate and unrelated funding schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23138/21]

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Written answers

My Department's tourism services budget is voted for use through the tourism agencies. In response to the Deputy's query about 2020 funding, I can confirm that no monies voted to my Department for Fáilte Ireland investment in tourism product development were allocated to fund those outdoor seating grants schemes run last year by certain local authorities.

This year, however, Fáilte Ireland is running the new Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme in partnership with the local authorities. As is the case for all Fáilte Ireland grants schemes, the design and administration of this scheme are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I referred this question to them for direct reply to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

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

Gaeltacht Policy

Questions (262)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

262. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she is considering plans to reverse the decline in and possibly expand Gaeltacht regions given the decline in the size of Gaeltacht regions in recent decades. [23146/21]

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Written answers

The Gaeltacht boundaries have remained unchanged since the most recent Order in respect of same which was enacted in 1982.

The ongoing implementation of the Government's Action Plan for the Irish Language 2018-2022 and the overarching 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 remains the focus of Government, in support of the Irish language and Gaeltacht Regions.

In line with the commitment made in 2018 to publish annually a progress report regarding the implementation of the 180 actions set out across the nine Areas of Action contained in the Action Plan, I hope to publish shortly on behalf of Government the second such annual report, following cabinet approval.

Notwithstanding the challenges posed by COVID-19 the report (covering mid 2019 to December 2020) will point to ongoing significant progress in relation to the actions set out in the Action Plan in support of the Gaeltacht regions and the Irish language.

Progress to date has being significantly underpinned through a range of initiatives and through incremental increases in exchequer-funding in respect of a wide range of actions, schemes and programmes, all of which are detailed in the aforementioned Action Plan which is available for download on gov.ie

In relation to the issue of Gaeltacht Boundaries, it should be noted that the key step-change at the heart of the language planning process is the concept of supporting Gaeltacht communities across each of the 26 Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas to develop and implement community-centred language plans with the ongoing support of both my Department and Údarás na Gaeltachta. Within a short period, all 26 areas will have advanced to implementation of plans with ongoing financial and technical support.

The process also provides for developing the language across up to 16 Gaeltacht Service Towns and, currently, 3 Irish Language Networks, thus broadening the thrust of the process to include non-Gaeltacht regions in the overall interests of further underpinning the language.

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (263)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

263. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has received representations from small or local media outlets that claim they are not receiving a fair share of Government Covid-19 related advertising. [23147/21]

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Written answers

I am aware of the impact of COVID-19 on the print and radio sectors and have engaged with representative bodies to hear their concerns. Officials in my Department have also received a number of representations on behalf of small or local media outlets relating to COVID-19 advertising.

I recognise the essential role of the local print media sector as the providers of reliable and relevant local news. The importance of a strong and independent media sector has been highlighted in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The production and publication of newspapers, journals and periodicals and the distribution of those publications has been listed as an essential service.

I understand that COVID-19 related advertising by the Department of An Taoiseach and by the HSE has been significant across all media sectors. 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 local media outlets.

I will continue to engage with this important sector, particularly in the context of its wider, long term future, which is a core part of the deliberations of the Future of Media Commission. The Commission is due to report to Government in the coming months and I look forward to its deliberations and recommendations on how we might work to shape a vibrant national and local media sector in Ireland.

Culture Policy

Questions (264)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

264. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has discussed with the management of the cultural institutions either the need to guarantee full accessibility for persons with disabilities and provide immersive arts experiences for persons with different disabilities or the opportunity to use the current closure of museums, galleries and theatres effectively to implement measures to meet this need when reopening is permitted; if not, if she will do so; and if a policy will be developed on access for persons with disabilities to the arts which cultural institutions could follow or put into force. [23223/21]

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Written answers

Access to participation in arts and culture is one of the cornerstones of national cultural policy. Culture 2025, published in January 2020, sets the direction for Government policy across the cultural sector, including the arts and the creative and audiovisual sectors. A number of key values underpin Culture 2025 including the right of everyone to participate in the cultural and creative life of the nation. The Arts Council Strategy (2016–2025) Making Great Art Work includes having more people enjoying high-quality arts experiences as a stated objective. The Arts Council also has specific supports for artists with disabilities.

In terms of National Cultural Institutions (NCIs), the circumstances and opportunities in each institution can vary considerably but the commitment and interest towards enhanced inclusion and accommodation is very strong in all cases. The management team in each institution have constant regard to both access and inclusion policies. The recognition and provision of disability facilities is a particular feature of the current very significant €460m programme of investment in the cultural institutions and all new facilities will conform to the highest standards. The NCIs also welcome contact from individuals, families and organisations in relation to the needs and interests of people with difficulties and disabilities. The development and implementation of disability policies and services in each institution are responsibilities of their management and Board.

While my Department's primary focus in the past 15 months has been on the development and delivery of a range of new and emergency supports for the arts, culture and entertainment sectors, we continue to meet regularly with NCIs on a broad agenda including plans for their ongoing reopening in line with public health advice.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (265)

Niall Collins

Question:

265. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if advice will be given to a person (details supplied) in relation to the live performance support scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23268/21]

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Written answers

Recently, I was pleased to allocate €50 million to a suite of measures to assist the live performance sector. €25m has been allocated to Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS 2021) which has now closed for applications. Over 400 applications had been received by the closing date of 14 April. Assessment of applications to the scheme is underway. LPSS 2021 builds on the successful pilot Live Performance Support Scheme in 2020, which provided thousands of days of employment to hundreds of musicians, actors, crew and technicians in tandem with a pipeline of high quality on-line much needed entertainment for Irish audiences. The 2021 scheme is aimed at supporting employment and wellbeing opportunities across all genres and the continued production of high quality artistic output for the public.

An allocation of €14m is being made available for the Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS) to make a contribution to the overheads of businesses, specifically musicians and related crew, that have been significantly negatively affected by COVID-19 and that do not qualify for other business supports. The main features of this new scheme will see support offered by way of two levels of flat payments:

- €2,500 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover of €20,000 - €100,000;

- €5,000 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover in excess of €100,000.

Under the scheme, businesses including musicians, singers, lighting and sound crew and audio equipment suppliers - whether sole traders, partnerships or incorporated entities - operating exclusively within the commercial live entertainment sector will be eligible to apply. This scheme has been developed following wide consultation with the sector. Administrative arrangements for this scheme are being finalised and it is hoped that it will open for applications in the coming weeks.

An allocation of €5 million will be made available to local authorities for live performances in summer 2021 to animate town centres, should public health considerations permit. This will allow for the procurement by local authorities of performances by local performers. Performances can be recorded or streamed if health restrictions prevent live events.

€5 million will also be made available for a scheme of capital supports for the commercial live entertainment sector.

Culture Policy

Questions (266, 271)

Alan Farrell

Question:

266. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of her plans in facilitating Culture Night 2021; the supports that will be available to organisations that will be involved in the events; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23287/21]

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Alan Farrell

Question:

271. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports her Department is considering for cultural organisations when Ireland emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23292/21]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 266 and 271 together.

Culture Night is an annual, public event that celebrates culture, creativity and the arts. This year, the sixteenth edition of Culture Night will take place on Friday 17th September 2021. Culture Night has grown from a relatively small-scale cultural event in Dublin in 2006, to the significant national cultural event it is now, with some 400,000 people visiting museums, galleries, historic houses, artists’ studios and cultural centres across the island in 2019. Culture Night became a national event from 2008 onward. In 2020, responsibility for steering and funding Culture Night on a national level was transferred from my Department to the Arts Council.

Thanks to the support of the Arts Council and local authorities, all activities are made available to the public free of charge. Details of the 2021 Culture Night programme are available on the Culture Night website https://culturenight.ie/.

Primary support for the arts is delivered through the Arts Council which is a statutory agency under the Arts Act 2003. Funding for the Arts Council has increased steadily in recent years, reaching €130 million in 2021. A wide range of arts organisations are supported by the Arts Council by way of grants under a range of categories including Bursary, Strategic Funding, Project Awards and Touring and Dissemination awards. Under the Arts Act, the Arts Council is independent in its funding decisions.

Supports from the Arts Council are in addition to the wide range of non-sector specific horizontal supports available for businesses and individuals impacted by COVID-19. The Government's response to the impact of the pandemic on the economy is comprised of a broad range of supports delivered across a range of Departments. Along with the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, there are a number of enterprise supports including the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme and the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID-19. Information in relation to the business and financial supports provided by the Department for Enterprise, Trade and Employment place for businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis can be viewed at the following link: https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports.

The Government’s COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 - The Path Ahead plan sets out the Government’s objectives for the full recovery of social life, public services and the economy. The plan committed to the development of sectoral guidance for very large purpose built event facilities, for example: stadia, auditoriums, conference or event centres. I established the Return to Live Entertainment Working Group to facilitate stakeholder consultation and develop COVID-19 Guidelines for the Live Entertainment sector. The Group includes stakeholders from across the live entertainment sector as well and those with appropriate technical knowledge in the planning, management and delivery of events. The Group will produce a set of overarching guiding principles that all venue promotors can adopt for their specific purposes. It is chaired by my Department and had its first meeting on 21 April 2021. The Return to Live Entertainment Working Group includes stakeholders with appropriate technical knowledge in the planning, management and delivery of events and is will produce a set of overarching guiding principles which all venue promotors can adopt for their specific purposes.

The Arts Council and Fáilte Ireland entered into a strategic partnership in order to develop guidance for the safe presentation of festivals and live events. This document is currently at the consultation stage and is due to be published in the coming weeks. While the timeframe for the resumption of entertainment events is dependent on public health considerations, it is critical that a set of COVID-19 guidelines is developed and ready in advance of the re-opening of the sector.

I recently announced the allocation of a €50 million suite of additional measures to further support the Live Entertainment Sector this year. As part of this suite, an allocation of €14m will be made available for the Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS) to make a contribution to the overheads of businesses, specifically musicians and related crew, that have been significantly negatively affected by COVID-19 and that do not qualify for other business supports.

The new scheme will see support offered by way of two levels of flat payments of:-

- €2,500 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover of €20,000 - €100,000;

- €5,000 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover in excess of €100,000.

Supports provided to sectors that are impacted by COVID-19 are kept under review.

Sports Capital Programme

Questions (267)

Alan Farrell

Question:

267. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the processing of applications made under the sports capital and equipment scheme 2020-2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23288/21]

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Written answers

The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country.

The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1st March. By the closing date, 3,106 applications were submitted seeking over €200m in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received.

The scoring system and assessment manual for the 2020 round has now been finalised and is available at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie. Given the record number of applications and the detailed information contained in each application, the assessment process will take a number of months to complete. It is envisaged that allocations to "equipment- only" applications will be made during the Summer with allocations to other capital projects announced before the end of the year.

Tourism Industry

Questions (268)

Alan Farrell

Question:

268. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the measures taken to implement the recommendations of the Recovery Oversight Group for Tourism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23289/21]

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Written answers

The Recovery Plan submitted to me by the Tourism Recovery Taskforce last year will continue to be an important consideration for me as I evaluate additional measures to support the recovery of the sector. The Recovery Oversight Group will keep me apprised of progress with regard to implementation of the Recovery Plan and the recovery of the sector more generally.

The Oversight Group presented its first report to me in February, setting out progress to date and areas it has identified as requiring attention. The report welcomes the progress made to date and highlighted a number of areas on which the Oversight Group recommends the Government should focus its attention. I brought this report to the attention of my colleagues in Government to ensure they are fully up to date with the position in tourism as we prepare the National Economic Recovery Plan.

A number of the areas highlighted by the Group have already been addressed in the COVID plan, The Path Ahead. The CRSS, EWSS and Local Authority Rates waiver have all been extended out to the end of June 2021. As Minister with responsibility for tourism, I am delighted that we have been able to begin the process of reopening the sector, one of the worst hit by the pandemic, in the latest easing of restrictions. From 10 May, we will be able to once again enjoy a broad range of cultural and tourism experiences around the country. As we move further into the summer, we will see this welcomed reopening expanding into other areas of the tourism and hospitality sector, with hotels and other accommodation open from 2 June. Across Government, we will also continue to work at national and EU level on the safe return of inbound international tourism, which remains critical for the sector. In the context of the report submitted by the Oversight Group, I also welcome the substantial progress made under the Action Plan for Insurance Reform.

These are just the first steps in our plan for reopening. If we continue to work together, doing the right things, in the right way, we will be in a position to reopen many more services and venues into the future. Updates from the Recovery Oversight Group, along with the original Recovery Plan produced by the Tourism Recovery Taskforce, will continue to inform my options in terms of helping tourism to recover in a meaningful and sustainable way.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (269)

Alan Farrell

Question:

269. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the supports being offered to businesses that will benefit the night-time economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23290/21]

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Written answers

A range of supports and measures from my Department and across other Departments have already been established for sectors hardest hit by the COVID-19 Pandemic. These include the arts and creative sectors and the tourism sectors which contribute to the night-time economy.

The Night-time Economy is a hugely important sector, contributing to our economy and our cultural and creative sectors. I have been advised that the work of the Night Time Economy Taskforce, which I established last July, is nearing completion and that they expect to conclude their report in the coming weeks.

Since its establishment, the Taskforce has been examining all the challenges facing the development of a vibrant night time culture and economy such as regulations, licencing 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.

I look forward to the report which I expect will include practical suggestions to help build, support and sustain this important sector.

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (270)

Alan Farrell

Question:

270. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the measures her Department is considering in order to boost domestic tourism when inter-county travel and staycations are permitted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23291/21]

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Written answers

The implementation of specific plans for promoting domestic tourism in Ireland when inter-county travel is permitted again are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland. I have accordingly referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply to the Deputy. 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
Question No. 271 answered with Question No. 266.
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