Written Answers Nos. 87-108
87. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an n-athosclófar Scéim na mBóithre Áise chun tacú le pobal na Gaeltachta feabhas a chur ar an mbonneagar áitiúil; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [33239/21]
View answerTá Scéim na mBóithre Áise, a bhfuil an Teachta ag tagairt di, curtha ar fionraí le roinnt blianta anois. Faoin scéim sin, chuirtí airgead ar fáil do na húdaráis áitiúla ar mhaithe le hobair dheisiúcháin a dhéanamh ar bhóithre cáilithe faoi leith sa Ghaeltacht.
Ar nós a leithéid de bhóithre lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht, is ar na húdaráis áitiúla atá an fhreagracht anois maidir lena leithéid de bhóithre a chothabháil agus a dheisiú.
88. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on maintaining pandemic supports to those working in tourism, culture, arts, Gaeltacht and sports given that these sectors being the most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33223/21]
View answer109. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she and her Department continue to encourage and assist the recovery of sectors of the economy under her remit in the aftermath of Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33190/21]
View answer112. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she continues to encourage the arts, culture and tourism sectors in the context of recovery post-Covid-19 throughout the country by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33191/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 88, 109 and 112 together.
I strongly support the Government's plan to maintain pandemic supports, as set out in in the recently launched Economic Recovery Plan (ERP). In particular, sectors such as tourism, live events, sports and the arts have been among the worst-affected sectors of the pandemic, and the Economic Recovery Plan recognises the particular impact on the economic viability of the sectors that will continue for longer than other sectors in the economy while of physical distancing remains a feature of these sectors.
Under the Economic Recovery Plan, Government has committed to maintaining supports by extending the period during which a range of horizontal and business supports will be available to enterprises and workers in all sectors of the economy, including Tourism, Arts and Culture, Sport, Media and those working in Gaeltacht communities. Of particular relevance are the following measures:
- Extending the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS);
- Extending the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme to 31 December;
- Extending the Pandemic Unemployment Payment beyond 30 June 2021;
- Extending the Commercial Rates Waiver to end-September 2021;
- Broadening of eligibility criteria for the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID-19, which opens the scheme up to businesses in non-rated premises.
The Economic Recovery Plan also sets out the intention to introduce a new, additional and more streamlined business support scheme in September 2021, called the Business Resumption Support Scheme.
In addition to horizontal supports, the Economic Recovery Plan includes a package of sectoral measures for the Tourism, Live Events and the Arts and Culture, which are providing additional interventions to support recovery in these sectors.
For the live events, arts and culture sectors, I opened applications for the new €14 million Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme last week, on 9 June. This payment is targeted at helping not only bands and musicians, but suppliers and music businesses. I also recently announced 237 grant allocations under the €25m Live Performance Support Scheme.
The Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and I have also agreed to deliver a separate €11.5m new fund for the entertainment industry, including festivals, conferencing and large events . This Events Sector Covid Support Scheme will support SMEs that are not eligible for the CRSS.
I am also delighted that the Economic Recovery Plan includes a commitment for Government to prioritise a Basic Income guarantee pilot scheme for artists. This was a key recommendation of the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce, and I will bring forward a proposal following the report of the Arts and Culture Recovery Oversight Group in July.
I also recently confirmed the release of funding for local authorities with €5m to support live music in villages and towns across the country. Amounts of €285,000 are now available to the Dublin local authorities, and €143,000 to other local authorities to facilitate programming of outdoor live performances over the summer months, animating town centres for local communities as public health considerations permit. Local Authorities and hospitality businesses can also benefit from Fáilte Ireland's Outdoor Dining Enhancement Investment Scheme, which will facilitate greater capacity in outdoor dining by supporting the upgrade and enhancement of streets and public spaces, and implementing weather-proofing solutions which will facilitate year-round outdoor dining.
In addition to benefiting from revised and extended horizontal supports, the Economic Recovery Plan also provides the following additional targeted interventions for the Tourism sector:
- An Extension of the 9% VAT rate to September 2022. This will continue to act as a stimulus for the sector as it moves towards recovery.
- The Fáilte Ireland Business Continuity Scheme will also continue.
This will provide tourism and hospitality businesses with much-need clarity that will enable them to plan longer-term with confidence and accept bookings. Government also recognises that as long as physical distancing remains a public health requirement, further supports may be needed for these sectors.
These supports will augment the work already being undertaken by Údarás na Gaeltachta, Fáilte Ireland, and Screen Ireland in supporting Gaeltacht companies, the Tourism and Hospitality sector, and the audiovisual industry to withstand the full impact of the pandemic and position them for growth in the coming years.
In regard to sport, a total Covid-19 funding package of €88.5 million was provided last year to support the sport sector. This significant investment benefited all levels of the sport sector, including thousands of grassroots clubs across the country, and provided some certainty for sporting organisations in their planning for 2021. In relation to further Covid-19 funding for 2021, Minister Chambers and I have committed to supporting the sport sector again this year in meeting the challenges arising from Covid-19. Sport Ireland is in ongoing communication with the NGBs and is assessing the financial needs of the sector. In addition, I am engaging with NGBs with regard to the supports required.
I will continue to work with colleagues across Government to ensure that the sectors covered by my Department are supported in their recovery as we reopen our society and our economy.
89. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if consideration has been given to increasing the number of scholarships offered to students through Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge given the impact of Covid-19 on Gaeltacht regions and students alike; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33229/21]
View answerMy Department, via Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge, subvents the cost of attending summer college in Gaeltacht regions. Under the terms of the scheme, the Department provides a subsidy, currently worth €10 per day (equivalent to €220 per student for a three week course) which benefits over 26,000 students a year while staying in any of the c.700 Gaeltacht households approved under the scheme.
This represents a State investment of over €4m annually in support of the Irish summer colleges sector. Not only does this annual state investment yield benefits in providing language learning and enrichment opportunities to thousands of young people annually, it also generates economic benefits for Gaeltacht regions.
In addition to providing and administering this practical assistance, the Department also administers a number of further specific measures under the scheme, including: DEIS Gaeltachta. Under this measure which was introduced in 2019, 50 scholarships are made available annually - worth c. €850 each - to qualifying students attending DEIS post-primary schools. The scheme is administered on behalf of the Department by Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board.
Due to COVID-19, it was not possible to provide the scholarships last year nor indeed this year, following the recent decision not to proceed with recognised Irish summer courses, in the interests of protecting public health.
It is envisaged that the provision of scholarships under DEIS Gaeltachta will resume next year or as soon as it is safe to do so. The number of scholarships made available under the measure will of course be kept under consideration in the context of available resources and competing demands. However, it is a stated priority of mine to expand this scheme in order to increase the availability of the Gaeltacht experience to students from all socio-economic backgrounds.
In the interest of completeness, the Deputy may be interested to note that both I and my officials are continuing to engage with the summer colleges sector on foot of the decision to cancel courses this summer. The overall purpose of this engagement, which includes discussions with a representative group of Gaeltacht accommodation providers, is to tailor insofar as possible, suitable stabilisation measures with a view to ensuring the sector is on a sound footing for a full and safe return in 2022.
90. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the outdoor enhancement scheme will be extended to gyms and health centres given the positive impact the outdoor dining enhancement scheme has had in supporting businesses in the hospitality sector to moving more outdoors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29220/21]
View answerThe development and administration of the Outdoor Dining Enhancement Scheme is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland, in partnership with the Local Authorities. Although I am not aware of any plans to extend or otherwise amend the existing scheme, I have asked Fáilte Ireland to respond directly to the Deputy to confirm whether or not gyms or health centres with a public food and beverage service offering could be eligible to apply for support under the existing scheme. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
91. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of strategies to assist the hospitality industry to retain and regain qualified staff in their sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33299/21]
View answerThe reopening of the country and the economy has been happening gradually over June and I look forward to further reopening in July and beyond. Tourism accommodation and outdoor dining have reopened and subject to satisfactory progress with the health situation, more indoor activities will reopen in July.
The Government has supported businesses, including the tourism hospitality sector, through the closure, in particular with initiatives such as the CRSS, EWSS and the Fáilte Ireland Tourism Business Continuity Scheme (TBCS) and is now assisting them in their reopening. While CRSS and the TBCS have addressed fixed costs, the EWSS has been crucial in maintaining employment and the link between employer and employee. Its continuation was one of the key asks of the sector and the Government has committed to its maintenance until end-2021 in the Economic Recovery Plan. I know that the reopening is very welcome but I also know that it brings a number of challenges, particularly in reconnecting with employees.
Prior to the pandemic, tourism and hospitality accounted for approximately 260,000 jobs and Fáilte Ireland was very active in the issue of skills development in the sector. The Tourism Recovery Taskforce made a number of recommendations to enhance sustainable employment in the tourism sector to support both its survival and recovery. This includes the development of a National Tourism Education Gateway as a one stop shop to education for all tourism employees. My Department is working closely with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to progress these recommendations.
In addition, Fáilte Ireland chairs and co-ordinates the work of the Tourism & Hospitality Careers Oversight Group which includes members from across the tourism industry and is currently implementing an agreed Plan of Action with stakeholders. Fáilte Ireland is also delivering a number of strategies and working closely with industry, education providers, and other State agencies to address the recruitment and retention challenges in the tourism sector, such as a recent recruitment webinar event and an ongoing social media campaign targeting job-seekers.
92. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if bed and breakfast and guesthouse owners who reopen in summer 2021 thereby having their pandemic unemployment payment discontinued can be supported during the leaner trading autumn and winter season. [33138/21]
View answerThe Government’s recently announced Economic Recovery Plan sets out a framework for recovery as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular sectors most impacted, such as tourism. Under the Economic Recovery Plan, Government extended the period during which a range of horizontal and business supports will be available to enterprises and workers in all sectors of the economy, including the tourism sector.
- Extending the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS). Revisions will see payments for businesses reopening of up to €30,000.
- Extending the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme to 31 December.
- Extending the Commercial Rates Waiver to end-September 2021.
- Broadening of eligibility criteria for the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID-19, which opens the scheme up to businesses in non-rated premises.
- The ERP sets out the intention to introduce a new, additional and more streamlined business support scheme in September 2021, called the Business Resumption Support Scheme.
In addition to benefiting from revised and extended horizontal supports, the Economic Recovery Plan also provides for an extension of the 9% VAT rate to September 2022, which will continue to act as a stimulus for the tourism sector as it moves towards recovery.
These measures and supports will provide tourism businesses, including B&Bs, guesthouses and the wider tourism accommodation sector, with much-needed clarity that will enable them to plan longer-term with confidence and accept bookings. The ERP also commits to continuing to provide business continuity schemes through Fáilte Ireland.
As the Deputy is aware, Fáilte Ireland administered the €8m Restart Grant Plus for B&Bs, which ran in the final quarter of 2020. Taking into account the new and revised horizontal supports set out in the ERP, I have asked Fáilte Ireland to examine what supports will be needed for the tourism sector in the coming months. I will discuss these proposed supports with colleagues across Government to ensure that the tourism sector is supported in their recovery as we reopen our society and our economy.
93. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to remove the minimum business costs criteria from the music and entertainment business assistance scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33293/21]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to Parliamentary Question No 63.
As part of a €50 million suite of supports for the live entertainment sector, the Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS) opened for applications on 9th June. This scheme aims to support businesses operating solely in the live entertainment sector that do not qualify for other business supports and have been significantly impacted by Covid restrictions. This scheme will see support offered by way of three levels of once-off, flat payments:
- €2,500 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover of €20,000 - €50,000 with minimum business costs of €3,000 incurred from 1 April 2020 to 31 May 2021.
- €4,000 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover of €50,001- €100,000 with minimum business costs of €6,000 from 1 April 2020 to 31 May 2021.
- €5,000 for businesses with VAT-exclusive turnover in excess of €100,000 with minimum business costs of €7,500 from 1 April 2020 to 31 May 2021.
Businesses whether sole traders, partnerships or incorporated entities operating exclusively within the live entertainment sector may apply. Businesses of musicians and singers of all genres are eligible to apply, as are sound engineers, lighting engineers, audio engineers, stage managers, stage technicians, sound and lighting equipment suppliers, live-streaming equipment suppliers and full-time Disk Jockeys.
It should be noted that this scheme is not a horizontal income support and grants are intended to provide a contribution towards businesses costs. The scheme was developed in consultation with the sector and the eligibility criteria aims to strike an appropriate balance having regard to other available supports and the need to reach as many professional musicians and crew as possible.
To date, just over 300 applications have been submitted for this scheme. Of these applications, approximately 50 application have approved to date and 3 applications have been unsuccessful.
All details in relation to this scheme, including guidelines and the MEBAS application portal can be accessed on my Department’s website.
94. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir leis na 26 Limistéar Pleanála Teanga agus na 3 Bhaile Seirbhíse Gaeltachta, cé mhéad Pleananna Teanga atá ceadaithe aici; cé mhéad atá ag feidhmiú faoi láthair; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [33294/21]
View answerDen 26 Limistéar Pleanála Teanga Ghaeltachta, tá 22 plean ceadaithe cheana féin. Den 22 plean sin tá 19 acu á fheidhmiú sna Limistéir Pleanála Teanga faoi láthair. Tá céimeanna a dtógáil maidir le tús a chur le feidhmiú an trí phlean eile. Anuas ar sin, tá trí phlean á mheas ag mo Roinn faoi láthair - plean teanga Oileáin Árann, plean teanga Chléire agus plean teanga Mhaigh Eo Thiar. Tá curtha in iúl ag Údarás na Gaeltachta do mo Roinn go bhfuil ullmhúcháin plean teanga An Ghaeltacht Láir, Co Dhún na nGall, idir lámha.
Mar a bhaineann leis an trí Bhaile Seirbhíse Gaeltachta faoin bpróiseas; tá péire dóibh siúd ceadaithe go dáta. Tá plean teanga Dhaingean Uí Chúis á fheidhmiú agus tá céimeanna á dtógaíl maidir le tús a chur le feidhmiú phlean An Clocháin Léith, a ceadaíodh le gairid. Tuigtear dom go bhfuil tús curtha leis an bpróiseas chun plean a chur le chéile mar a bhaineann sé le Béal an Mhuirthead.
Tá 19 Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga agus ceathrar Oifigeach Cúnta Pleanála Teanga fostaithe agus ag cur pleananna i bhfeidhm go dtí seo.
Is fiú a lua go bhfuil soláthar airgid de €5m ar fáil ó bhuiséad mo Roinne don phróiseas pleanála teanga i 2021 - ardú de €1.3m ar an allúntas a bhí ar fáil don phróiseas anuraidh. Chuir an t-allúntas sin ar mo chumas maoiniú de €3.4m a cheadú d’Údarás na Gaeltachta agus d'Fhoras na Gaeilge chun cuidiú le cur i bhfeidhm an phróisis sa bhliain reatha.
96. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will report on the allocation for sport capital grants in the context of the increased level of applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33140/21]
View answer104. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if serious consideration will be given to increasing the funding under the 2021 sports capital and equipment programme in view of the large number of applications received by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33185/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 96 and 104 together.
The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1 billion.
The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritise the investment in disadvantaged areas.
The latest round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1st March, 2021. 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. All applications are being assessed in accordance with this manual. Given the large number of applications received, this assessment process is likely to take a number of months. No decision on allocations will be made until all applications have been assessed but priority will be given to projects that score highest in accordance with the published scoring system. Furthermore, every effort will be made to fund as many worthwhile projects as possible while providing a sufficient level of grant to ensure the projects are viable. While a minimum of €40m is available, the level of funding will be kept under review, in the context of drawdown demands in the coming years for older SCEP grants and the review of the National Development Plan.
97. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the €50 million awarded in Budget 2021 to support the live entertainment sector; and the details of the applications and awards made under schemes announced by her Department. [33232/21]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to Parliamentary Question No 64.
I allocated €50 million to a suite of measures to assist the live performance sector. As part of that funding, on Tuesday June 15th I announced the allocations for the €25m Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS 2021). I was delighted to be in a position to fund 237 successful applications under this scheme, the details of which are available on my Department’s website. These grants will help support employment and wellbeing opportunities across all genres and the continued production of high quality artistic output for the public.
I have also made an allocation of €14m 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 three levels of flat payments:
- €2,500 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover of €20,000 - €50,000 with minimum business costs of €3,000 incurred from 1 April 2020 to 31 May 2021.
- €4,000 for businesses with a VAT-exclusive turnover of €50,001- €100,000 with minimum business costs of €6,000 from 1 April 2020 to 31 May 2021.
- €5,000 for businesses with VAT-exclusive turnover in excess of €100,000 with minimum business costs of €7,500 from 1 April 2020 to 31 May 2021.
Under the scheme, self employed businesses including musicians, singers, lighting and sound crew and audio equipment suppliers operating exclusively within the commercial live entertainment sector are eligible to apply. Applications may be made via the MEBAS application portal on my Department’s website.
I have also made an allocation of €5 million 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. This funding will be allocated shortly.
€5 million will also be made available for a scheme of capital supports for the commercial live entertainment sector.
Up to €1 million was allocated to the St Patrick's Festival 2021 for programming and it has supported over 3,500 days of employment for performers, producers, artists, technicians, creatives and support staff. With gatherings still restricted, SPF 2021 curated a rich and dynamic programme of events involving hundreds of artists, musicians, performers, creators, and community organisations which was broadcast on the St. Patrick’s Festival TV online channel marking the national day.
In addition, I have announced an additional €11.5m for a new Events Sector Covid Support Scheme which I hope to launch soon. This scheme will target SMEs in the events sector which aren’t eligible for the CRSS and for whom MEBAS and the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID-19 will not make a significant contribution to fixed costs relative to the level of support that that would be available under CRSS, had such SMEs been eligible for that support.
99. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the measures that are being taken to ensure affordable vacant spaces for artists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33283/21]
View answerThe Arts Council operates a number of schemes and initiatives have been established for the particular support of visual arts, including the Visual Artists Workspace Scheme. The purpose of the Visual Artists Workspace Scheme is to support artists’ workspaces throughout the country to provide the best possible working environment for visual artists and, where feasible, to enable a level of subsidy for the artists working in these spaces.
The scheme will award grants of up to €40,000 towards core costs such as the running costs of the workspace such as light, heat, rent, administration and/or appropriate management costs. A proportion of support up to a maximum of 20% of the total request may be directed towards essential repair and maintenance.
The Council is now inviting applications for the Visual Artists Workspace Scheme 2022. The closing date of this scheme is 8 July 2021 and applications and detailed guidelines can be accessed on its website at the following link: http://www.artscouncil.ie/Funds/Visual-Artists-Workspace-Scheme/
The Cultural Capital Scheme 2019-2022 is a €4.7m capital investment scheme for arts and culture centres which is being administered by my Department. The scheme will run until 2022 and will focus on enhancing the existing stock of arts and culture centres throughout the country. In line with the Government's action on climate change, this scheme will prioritise projects that reduce an organisation's carbon footprint that will make a real and positive impact on the environment. Projects that provide additional capacity for artists and artistic production particularly in arts centres will also be favoured. The Cultural Capital Scheme 2019-2022 is constructed of a number of funding steams one of which is Stream C which is aimed at upgrading visual artists' workspaces and is run by Visual Artists Ireland (VAI) on behalf of my Department. Funding of approximately €79k was announced in October 2020 by VAI for Stream C to 10 applicants.
In recent years my Department has had discussions with the Arts Council, the Office of Public Works and some local authorities to consider possible short-term and longer-term approaches to the issue of artists workspaces both in relation to specific issues in Dublin and to wider national approaches. In that regard my Department, in conjunction with Dublin City Council, has agreed in principle to make up to €3m available towards artists workspaces in Dublin. There are certain sites in the city currently being examined for their suitability in this regard by the City Council. This level of investment will greatly benefit the artists in this area and address the deficit in artist workspaces in Dublin City.
The Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) was launched in 2018 to support more compact and sustainable development. I understand that my colleague the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government announced up 87 projects approved under Call 1 together with up-to-date provisional URDF funding allocations and this includes an allocation to Dublin City Council in respect of Artists Workspaces.
100. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has engaged, met or corresponded with organisations (details supplied) in recent weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33237/21]
View answerI regularly meet with and remain open to engaging with all tourism representative bodies. The Hospitality and Tourism Forum, was established by the Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar, TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and I, to provide a platform for structured engagement between the Hospitality and Tourism sector, the tourism agencies and relevant Government Departments.
Its purpose is to allow key issues of relevance to the sectors to be discussed, with a view to identifying practical actions which could be taken by government (national or local), or by industry itself, to support the sectors.
The Forum enables the Tánaiste and I, to engage with a wide spectrum of industry stakeholders, including the tour operators and conference sectors, in order to assess the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also helps improve understanding and responses to the crisis and to discuss ideas for recovery measures, thus assisting the Government in formulating its on-going response to the crisis.
The Forum will meet four times each year, but may convene more frequently by agreement. The forum has met four times to date i.e. in October 2020, December 2020 , March 2021 and most recently on the 2nd June 2021.
Representatives from the Hospitality and Tourism sectors on the Forum include:
- Irish Hotels Federation
- Restaurants Association of Ireland
- Vintners Federation of Ireland
- Licenced Vintners Association
- Drinks Ireland
- Association of Irish Professional Conference Organisers
- B&B Ireland
- Event Industry Ireland
- Irish Self Catering Federation
- Irish Tourism Industry Confederation
- Incoming Tour Operators Association
- Coach Tourism & Transport Council of Ireland
- Association for the Visitor Experience and Attractions
- Irish Congress of Trade Union
101. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on a proposal (supplied supplied); if support will be provided to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33222/21]
View answerUnder its statutory remit, Sport Ireland is the development agency in Ireland for all sports including football. Consideration of funding proposals for any particular sport such as the one referred to by the Deputy arises accordingly in that context, also bearing in mind the specific role and responsibility of the National Governing Body concerned.
As the recognised National Governing Body for the development of football in Ireland, the FAI is currently in the process of developing a new Strategic Plan which will identify targeted and measurable objectives and the key enablers for delivery, to drive the development of football in Ireland in the coming years. I consider that all proposals for the development of football in Ireland, including the one to which the Deputy refers, requires assessment in the particular context of that new Strategic Plan and also bearing in mind the Government’s broader National Sport Policy (2018-2027).
There is considerable emphasis in current programming on the important role of schools. The FAI currently delivers a range of programmes and projects in second level schools. In a normal year, the FAI target a participation level of some 6,000 players in its post-primary school futsal programme delivered locally and regionally by FAI Development Officers. 38,000 participants also take part in the FAI’s Post-Primary Schools competitions. The FAI has also delivered programmes/coach education course for Transition Year students in secondary schools. Programmes are also delivered by the FAI in third level colleges and universities both with a participation focus and also coach education. The FAI have also delivered Education Training Board courses supporting Player Development to approx. 250 trainees in a given academic year.
There is already considerable financial support provided by the State for the development of football in Ireland. The Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and the FAI for the period 2020-2023, provides for a package of funding of €5.8million per annum to the FAI for the period 2020-2023 for football development as well as a recoupable amount of €7.6338million, (paid in three instalments of €2.5446 million, directly to New Stadium DAC (trading as Aviva Stadium) on behalf of the FAI in each of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022,) towards the licence fee payable to New Stadium DAC. In addition to this funding, Sport Ireland has also invested an additional €13.2m in the FAI in COVID-19 grants as part of the Government’s €88.5m COVID-19 funding package for the overall sports sector announced last year.
Proposals for an alteration of the distribution of proceeds from the betting levy are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance.
102. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of efforts to support companies in the Irish circus, events and the live performance sector. [30230/21]
View answerCircus has a long tradition in Ireland, incorporating classical or traditional circus and contemporary circus. Both strands are valued artistically, with classical circus having a long working history in Ireland, while contemporary circus practice is relatively new. The Arts Act 2003 cites circus as one of nine art forms. As an art form, circus attracts high audience numbers each year including many rural audiences and members of new communities.
The Arts Council supports both strands of circus and, through direct support and strategic intervention, engages with the sector to assist individuals and organisations to develop high-quality performance and participatory work. The Arts Council's support is by way of grants under a range of categories including bursary, strategic funding, project awards and touring and dissemination awards. There were very significant increases in supports provided to circus in 2020 and 2021, with over €2.2 million allocated to circus, street arts and spectacle in 2021 to both organisations and individual circus artists. Details of all grants are available on the Arts Council’s website. Funding for the Arts Council has increased steadily in recent years, reaching a record level of €130 million this year. Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council is independent in its funding decisions.
Under the Economic Recovery Plan, Government extended the period during which a range of horizontal and business supports will be available to enterprises and workers in all sectors of the economy, including the Arts and Culture sectors. Measures include:
- Extending the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme to 31 December.
- Extending the Pandemic Unemployment Payment beyond 30 June 2021.
- Extending the Commercial Rates Waiver to end-September 2021.
- Broadening of eligibility criteria for the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID-19, which opens the scheme up to businesses in non-rated premises.
- The Economic Recovery Plan sets out the intention to introduce a new, additional and more streamlined business support scheme in September 2021, called the Business Resumption Support Scheme.
In addition to horizontal supports, the Economic Recovery Plan includes a package of sectoral supports for the Tourism, Live Events and Arts and Culture.
For the live events, arts and culture sectors, I opened applications for the new €14 million Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme on 9 June. This payment is targeted at helping not only bands and musicians, but also technical crew who support live performance.
I also recently announced 237 grant allocations under the €25m Live Performance Support Scheme. I allocated €50 million to a suite of measures to assist the live performance sector. 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. These included a number of allocations to circuses.
An allocation of €5 million has been 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. This funding will be allocated shortly.
Up to €1 million was allocated to the St Patrick's Festival 2021 for programming and it supported over 3,500 days of employment for performers, producers, artists, technicians, creatives and support staff.
The Economic Recovery Plan includes a commitment for Government to prioritise a Basic Income guarantee pilot scheme for artists. This was a key recommendation of the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce.
103. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the guidelines and pathway in place for reopening sports grounds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33298/21]
View answerThe Government recently decided to allow for the further easing of restrictions in line with public health guidance. In general, from 7 June the numbers permitted at organised outdoor events can increase to a maximum of 100 for the majority of venues, with a maximum of 200 for outdoor venues with a minimum accredited capacity of 5,000. From 5 July the numbers permitted at outdoor organised events can further increase to a maximum of 200 for the majority of venues, with a maximum of 500 for outdoor stadia/venues with a minimum accredited capacity of 5,000. Subject to improving public health conditions, further easing of restrictions will be considered for August and we anticipate further increases in the numbers permitted at both indoor and outdoor events.
In addition to that, my Department has been working since October 2020 with a combined working group of the FAI, the IRFU and the GAA and Sport Ireland. The working group's guidelines, prepared with the assistance of health and safety experts, are designed for use by event organisers and have recently been published. The guidelines describe how spectators can safely be accommodated at sporting events.
Pilot events are necessary as a proof of concept for the safe management of events in line with the guidelines whilst Covid-19 is still circulating in our communities. They assess and build confidence in the Covid-19 guidance and event management protocols developed by sectors. The pilot events we have announced will allow for sports bodies and stadiums to put in place and test out the necessary safety measures to allow the safe return of spectators.
The pilot events will use measures to mitigate against Covid-19 including reduced attendances, careful communication with spectators, social distancing, mask-wearing, the careful management of entrance and departure of spectators and hand sanitising. Spectators are required to agree to a code of conduct for the event and advised not to attend if they are feeling the symptoms of Covid-19. A health screening questionnaire is communicated to spectators before events. Full refunds are available to spectators should they need to stay away from the event for health reasons.
The intention is that the pilots will, subject to public health conditions, pave the way for greater attendances in July and August. Pilots will be reviewed by the working group in the week following any pilot event and results will also be communicated to broader society to ensure that communities around Ireland can get back to safe enjoyment of our favourite sports and events. The guidelines will be updated at the end of the pilot events if need be to reflect any lessons learned.
105. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the testing carried out at the trial live events held under the auspices of her Department. [33082/21]
View answerFollowing the recent Government decision to prepare for the safe reopening of live cultural, sporting and entertainment events, my Department has prepared a programme of pilot live events for June and July. This broad programme includes sporting, cultural and live entertainment events, both indoors and outdoors. These pilot events will allow for sports, arts, culture and entertainment organisations to test necessary control and other measures in venues across a range of settings and have been designed to inform the safe reopening of these sectors.
As part of the preparations for the events, my Department has worked and continues to work with representative bodies and stakeholders from the culture, sport and live event sectors on the programme of events. The events are being organised with venue operators and promotors who are submitting Event Management Plans to my Department which are reviewed by Health and Safety consultants.
My Department has also been monitoring pilot events internationally and is aware of the role that testing can play in supporting activities. I announced today that antigen testing will be deployed for the forthcoming concert event at IMMA on 3 July. 3,500 fans will be in attendance, 500 of those will be health care workers; and some of Ireland's best talent will be performing on stage - talent we have all greatly missed seeing live this past year. The measures being employed will be reviewed for their appropriateness as pilot events proceed and will be adjusted as necessary and if necessary.
106. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans for eco-tourism infrastructure in rural areas. [33301/21]
View answerWhilst the immediate focus is on the survival of tourism businesses, I believe we have an opportunity to address sustainable tourism development in a more meaningful way during the recovery and rebuilding phase following this crisis. Promoting responsible travel through activities such as eco-tourism will be key to minimising any negative environmental impacts of tourism and will help to protect and conserve our natural landscape and built heritage for future use by future generations.
A Sustainable Tourism Working Group set up under the aegis of my Department published Guiding Principles for Sustainable Tourism Development at the end of 2019. This sets out the ambition that “Ireland will seek to be amongst the world-leaders in sustainable tourism practices”. Earlier this year, in order to maintain momentum on the sustainable tourism agenda, I reconvened the Working Group to complete the development of a set of actions that promote sustainable tourism practices which can be implemented prior to a new national tourism policy being developed.
I expect to receive the Group’s final report shortly which will outline the steps that can be taken to promote sustainable tourism practices in the short term. Following on from this, I will be instructing my officials to initiate the development of a new national tourism policy later in the year. This policy will mainstream sustainability, rather than having it as an additional consideration. I am clear that I want the recovery in the sector over the coming years to be sustainable in environmental, social and economic terms.
In regard to ongoing infrastructure development, in line with its functions under the National Tourism Development Authority Act, Fáilte Ireland is responsible for tourism product development. Accordingly, as any plans to support eco-tourism infrastructure would be an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland, I have referred this question to the agency for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
107. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when events (details supplied) will resume; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33046/21]
View answerI wish to clarify that parkruns, whilst a valuable and inclusive recreational activity for many communities countrywide, are an activity governed by a recognised National Governing Body of Sport and are therefore subject to the rules governing organised outdoor gatherings, not sports events or training events. While neither my Department nor Sport Ireland provide funding for parkruns, they do however receive some State funding from the Department of Health and the HSE.
The return of parkruns is fundamentally concerned with the removal of the current restrictions on the size of outdoor public gatherings. I understand from my colleague, the Minister for Health, that there continues to be regular contact with parkrun organisers and detailed discussions regarding a return of parkrun events will commence once Government has taken further decisions in relation to the re-introduction of outdoor mass participation events.
I met with representatives from parkrun on 25th May. There has also been engagement through Sport Ireland and the Expert Group on the Return to Sport in which feedback has been provided on the protocols developed by parkrun in preparation for their return to activity. Parkrun has clarified that it does not intend to modify its mode of operation to accommodate current public health requirements and that it is prepared to wait until the prevailing public health situation is such that parkrun can resume in the same way as pre-March 2020.
108. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she plans to increase funding to grassroots and community sports clubs following 18 months in which clubs have been unable to fundraise; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33224/21]
View answerA total Covid-19 funding package of €88.5 million was provided last year to support the sport sector. This significant investment benefited all levels of the sport sector, including thousands of grassroots clubs across the country, and provided some certainty for sporting organisations in their planning for 2021.
The funding package included support for the three main field sports organisations (the FAI, GAA and IRFU), a Resilience Fund to support the National Governing Bodies of Sport, a Sports Club Resilience Fund to support clubs, and a Sports Restart and Renewal Fund.
In addition to funding of almost €17m allocated to National Governing Bodies of Sport under the Sports Club Resilience Fund to enable them to support their affiliated clubs, funding of €1.9 million was provided to 1,637 clubs throughout the country as part of small grant schemes operated by Local Sports Partnerships. This small grants scheme fund was developed to support clubs which may not have the finances to implement Covid-19 related hygiene and social distancing protocols.
It should also be noted that Sport Ireland received an increase of €26.3m in current funding for 2021 compared to 2020, to enable Sport Ireland to continue to support the sport sector in 2021.
In relation to further Covid-19 funding for 2021, Minister Martin and I have committed to supporting the sport sector again this year in meeting the challenges arising from Covid-19. Sport Ireland is in ongoing communication with the NGBs and is assessing the financial needs of the sector. In addition, I am engaging with NGBs with regard to the supports required.
