Written Answers Nos. 167-186
167. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the existing Garda buildings at Harcourt Street have been the subject of assessment from the perspective of security; if works have ever been undertaken on the exterior and or the windows and or internally to enhance their privacy; and the costs of same. [34668/21]
View answerThe Office of Public Works has not carried out a security assessment on Garda Buildings at Harcourt Street. The Office of Public Works can however confirm that works were carried out in 2018 and 2019 to the Garda Buildings at Harcourt Street, which included the tinting of a limited number of windows identified by An Garda Síochána.
The cost of the tinting cannot be ascertained at this time as the works were included as part of larger works carried out at the complex.
168. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a schedule of public buildings under the control of OPW that identifies buildings that are not fully compliant with section 25 of the Disability Act in 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021; if he will provide an estimated cost to bring all buildings up to standard; and if he will provide a separate schedule of costs and progress regarding current and or ongoing works to being buildings up to standard. [34717/21]
View answerI am advised that my colleagues are currently compiling this information and will respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
169. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit fulfil their obligations under section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34859/21]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.
|
Name of Body |
Position in relation to the implementation of the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty under section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 |
|
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform |
Details of the implementation of the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty by the Department are set out on the gov.ie website at this link: www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/5df24-public-sector-equality-and-human-rights-duty/ |
|
National Shared Services Office (NSSO) |
The NSSO has had initial discussions with the IHREC in relation to its obligations under the 2014 Act and how to develop an implementation plan. |
|
Public Appointments Service (PAS) |
The issues that require to be addressed under section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 are covered in the PAS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. |
|
Office of Public Works (OPW) |
Having regard to its functions and purpose, the Office of Public Works does not believe it has any issues in relation to human rights and equality that need assessment, implementation or reporting. |
|
Office of the Ombudsman |
The Office of the Ombudsman is committed to providing a service to all clients that respects human rights and the right to equal treatment and has adopted a proactive approach to implementing this duty. The Office’s approach is underlined by its core organisational values of independence, customer focus and fairness, which are evident in both the culture of the Office and our internal policies and procedures.In 2018, the Office established a working group on its public sector duty. The group considered the human rights and equality issues relevant to the Office’s functions and identified the policies, plans and actions needed to address these. On foot of this, a Public Sector Duty Committee was established and an Equality Officer appointed. The Committee has made a considerable amount of progress since 2018. It oversaw the introduction of an e-learning module on human rights and equality for new staff members, carried out a review of all communications in the Office, introduced a revised internal communications strategy focusing on the availability of needs assessments and assistive technologies and enhanced the accessibility of the Office for staff and visitors |
|
State Laboratory |
The State Laboratory does not deal with the public. The majority of its staff are recruited through the Public Appointments Service who have an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) Strategy which recognises their statutory obligation to implement the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty set out under Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014. A small number of staff are recruited using a listed recruitment agency under license from the Commission for Public Service Appointments. |
|
Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery (ORNL) |
The ORNL has assessed the human rights and equality issues it believes to be relevant to the functions and purpose of the body and identified the policies, plans and actions in place or proposed to be put in place. The Office has already begun to implement these and will be incorporating them in the next Strategic Plan (2022-2024) |
170. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit undertake disability impact assessments; the process by which these assessments are monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34876/21]
View answerBuilt on the performance budgeting framework that has been progressively embedded into the budget cycle since its introduction in 2011, Equality Budgeting has been developed over recent years with a view to enhancing the role of resource allocation policies in advancing equality, reducing poverty and strengthening economic and social rights. Equality budgeting should not be regarded as something separate from the budget process; the intention is to embed equality perspectives across the whole-of-year budgetary process. The pilot programme of equality budgeting was introduced for the 2018 budgetary cycle, anchored in the existing performance budgeting framework. Following the achievements of the pilot programme, Equality Budgeting was expanded in 2019 to further develop the gender budgeting elements and to broaden its scope to other dimensions of equality including poverty, socioeconomic inequality and disability.
Responsibility for proofing expenditure programmes, the selection of indicators, and making progress towards achieving the high-level goals articulated remains a matter for the individual Departments in the first instance. The role of my Department is to facilitate and advance this initiative and provide support for Departments to clarify and to fulfil their equality-related objectives.
To further guide the rollout of equality budgeting, an Equality Budgeting Expert Advisory Group was established, holding its first meeting in September 2018. This group, including the National Disability Authority, is comprised of a broad range of relevant stakeholders and policy experts to provide advice on the most effective way to advance equality budgeting policy. Earlier this year, Government agreed to the establishment of an inter-departmental group for Equality Budgeting to facilitate the embedding of the initiative across all Government Departments. This group will play a key role in guiding the continued progress of Equality Budgeting and as a result of this group's efforts, it is expected that all Departments will be participating in Equality Budgeting within the next 12 months.
All public bodies in Ireland have responsibility to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of their employees, customers, service users and everyone affected by their policies and plans. This is a legal obligation, referred to as the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty, and it originates in Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Act. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) are also members of the Expert Advisory Group and the Public Sector Duty is reflected in all Equality Budgeting policies as appropriate. Details of the implementation of the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty by the Department are set out on the gov.ie website at this link: www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/5df24-public-sector-equality-and-human-rights-duty/.
In terms of employment, I am committed to ensuring that we continue to build a diverse Civil Service that is reflective of the modern Ireland that we serve. As Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I have policy responsibility for recruitment to the Civil Service. The Civil Service is strongly committed to equality of opportunity for all in terms of its recruitment and employment practices. Within my own Department, the HR Unit developed a HR Strategy that has a focus on embracing and embedding a culture of diversity and inclusion across the Department through diversity initiatives and training. This has included the establishment of a vibrant cross-Divisional and cross-grade Diversity and Inclusion staff forum, the PERspectives Group. My Department has a Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) who supports new members of staff with a disability or existing staff who acquire a disability and raise awareness about disability. New hires receive the Code of Practice for the Employment of People with a Disability in the Irish Civil Service, a welcome letter from the Department’s DLO and FAQs on Disability prepared by the National Disability Authority. The induction of new hires includes a presentation and Q&A session with the DLO.
The position in relation to the bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out below. All bodies under my aegis have appointed Disability Liaison Officers (DLOs) and have proactively made available work placement opportunities for participants on the Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) Programme and the Oireachtas Work Learning (OWL) Programme, with a number of these being converted to permanent positions. Embedding diversity and inclusion within each body is a core focus of the respective Management Boards with key ED&I initiatives reflected in existing local HR strategies or those being developed by bodies, such as the EMPOWER People Strategy in the case of the Office of Government Procurement.
Office of Public Works (OPW)
The Office of Public Works is subject to compliance with Guidelines set out in the Cabinet Handbook in respect of Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) of policy and legislative proposals submitted to Cabinet via Memoranda to Government. The Cabinet Handbook requires that such Memoranda include an indication of the impacts on people with disabilities arising from proposed changes to the regulatory framework. Appendix III of the Handbook sets out step-by-step processes for conducting regulatory impact screening and impact assessment.
While the functions and purpose of the Office of Public Works are such that the Office is not primarily involved in developing national policy or legislation, the process steps set out in the Cabinet Handbook guide the Office’s approach to undertaking any necessary disability impact assessments.
Public Appointments Service (PAS)
PAS protect and respect equality, diversity & human rights in all dealings with customers, and within services provided, procedures and processes, in accordance with Public Sector Duty principles. PAS are an Equal Opportunities Employer and this is highlighted in advertising and communication with PAS candidates. It is essential for PAS that processes do not have an adverse impact on candidates within any of the protected grounds. PAS have an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) unit to develop strategies and policies related to ED&I, and a Disability Champion to act as a point of contact for candidates with a disability.
The tests and assessments used as part of recruitment processes are trialled to ensure they are free from bias. A range of reasonable accommodations or adjustments are provided to candidates on a case by case basis to ensure they have an equal opportunity to perform within the assessment processes, which includes extra time, scribes, format changes and screen reader technology. Candidate performance on assessments is monitored against a range of areas including gender, age and disability to ensure that there is no adverse impact.
PAS undertook a web accessibility audit in August 2020 working with an expert in this field to identify areas for potential improvement in accessibility across all website platforms. The improvements have already been implemented or scheduled for implementation throughout 2021 through the wider organisational digital transformation goals.
National Shared Services Office (NSSO)
Whilst the National Shared Services Office (NSSO) does not carry out disability impact assessments, due consideration is given to understanding the impact of existing or proposed services, policies and practices in relation to their consequences for equality for persons with a disability. The NSSO is an equally opportunity employer.
Office of the Ombudsman
The Ombudsman examines complaints about failures by public service providers to provide accessible buildings, services and information, as required under Part 3 of the Disability Act 2005.
As an oversight body, the Office of the Ombudsman is less involved with developing public policy, rather ensuring high standards of fairness in policy developed by other public bodies. Because of this, where the issue of disability impact assessment mainly arises is (i) in relation to the complaint mechanisms the Office provides to the public and (ii) in relation to how the office promote and have oversight of equality of access in other organisations.
The Office has an appointed Access Officer in line with Section 26(2) of the Disability Act 2005. The Access Officer is responsible for providing, arranging or co-ordinating assistance to persons with disabilities who wish to access the services provided by the Office. They also act as a point of contact for persons with disabilities who wish to access such services. In carrying out their duties, the Access Officer reports to the Equality and Diversity Officer, the Public Sector Duty Committee and the Head of Corporate Services. The Access Officer is responsible for ensuring access to services at all time that are in line with the provisions of the Disability Act.
State Laboratory
The State Laboratory has not been required to carry out a disability impact assessment as it does not submit substantive policy proposals requiring Government approval and which can have an impact on the wider/ public community.
Office of the National Lottery Regulator (ORNL)
The role of the Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery (ORNL) is to procure and regulate the holding of the Irish National Lottery. As such, it does not provide any services directly to the public, or prepare any policies or practices that impact directly on the public in general or on people with disabilities.
171. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on the implications of circular 08/2019 for staff promotion and movement between public sector bodies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34933/21]
View answerMy Department’s Circular 08/2019 - Revised arrangements applying to starting pay sets out the revised arrangements to apply to starting pay on promotion and appointment for existing civil and public servants.
The revised starting pay arrangements in the Circular were agreed between the Official and Staff Sides at General Council.
The Circular sets out reforming arrangements to modernise and simplify the way existing civil servants are treated when promoted from confined competitions or appointed/recruited from open competition to posts in the Civil Service.
The revised starting pay arrangements are designed to support and facilitate the implementation of the commitment under Action 15 of the Civil Service Renewal Plan to “expand career and mobility opportunities for staff across geographic, organisational and sectoral boundaries”. The circular recognises that the starting pay arrangements whereby some appointees, who are already serving civil or public servants, would be required to start at a point of scale lower than their current point or were required to mark time for considerable periods, was an impediment to mobility.
It also addressed the commitment under Action 15 as reflected in Section 2 of the PSSA 2018-2020 which deals with the elimination of barriers to public service mobility. In particular, it addressed paragraph 2.8.3 which provided that “building on earlier work on the standardisation of terms and conditions of employment across the public service, the Parties agree to review current arrangements for starting pay on transfer and promotion in the public service with a view to simplifying and modernising the current arrangements and removing impediments to cross-sectoral mobility”.
172. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of applications for grant funding that were made under the live performance support scheme; the number of applications that were successful; the criteria and scoring system for determining whether an application is successful or not in tabular form; the number of applicants who received more than one grant; the number of grants they received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34261/21]
View answerGovernment allocated €50 million in 2021 to a suite of measures to assist the arts and culture sector. As part of that funding, on Tuesday June 15th I announced the allocations for the €25m Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS 2021). All allocations of funding for arts, culture and entertainment purposes made by my Department are subject to approval by me as Minister.
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. There was a very high level of interest in this scheme, with over 400 applications requesting funding in excess of €80 million. Given the available funding of €25 million, difficult decisions had to be made and it was not be possible to award grants to everyone who applied. The 237 grants awarded to the 237 successful individual applicants will help support employment and wellbeing opportunities across all genres and the continued production of high quality artistic output for the public. Details of the successful applicants and their individual projects can be found on my department's website here - www.gov.ie/en/service/ca5d7-live-performance-support-scheme-2021/#list-of-grantees.
All applications were referred to an Evaluation Panel for assessment and recommendations for allocations which were then subject to approval. The Evaluation Panel consisted of five members, independent from the administration area running the scheme, comprised of two departmental officials and three external members. All panel members were required to sign a declaration regarding conflict of interest and confidentiality in relation to this scheme.
The evaluation panel assessed applications and scored under the following headings as outlined in the table below.
Maximum Marks
|
Meeting Aims and Objectives of the Scheme - Employment opportunities, Audience strategy, Ensuring ongoing cultural activity in non-subsidised venues |
30 |
|
Track Record - Prior experience, No. of events held, Income generated, other observations |
20 |
|
Feasibility - detailed breakdown of production costs, Completion of budget template, realistic audience targets for live/online, rates of pay in line with industry standards, realistic project timeline |
20 |
|
Contracts of employment for Project- Artists, creative, crew, support staff, - Artists costs as % of production costs |
15 |
|
Other Factors - Flexibility of approach, geographic spread, H&S report, diversity of genres |
10 |
|
Quality of Application |
5 |
|
Total Score |
100 |
Officials in my Department are engaging with applicants in relation to queries regarding the outcome of their Live Performance Support Scheme application. Information in relation to the appeals process for this scheme is available on my Department's website here - www.gov.ie/en/service/ca5d7-live-performance-support-scheme-2021/.
173. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on the implementation of a universal basic income for artists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34356/21]
View answerI was delighted that as part of the National Economic Recovery Plan launched on June 1st, I secured a commitment from Government to prioritise the development of a Basic Income Guarantee pilot scheme for artists. The Government recognises that bold steps are necessary for our invaluable and much treasured arts community to come back stronger than ever before.
I have established an Oversight Group with the remit of addressing the outstanding recommendations of the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce report Life Worth Living. The Oversight Group held its first meeting on May 27th , chaired by my Department and joined by representatives of the Departments of Finance, Social Protection, Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Public Expenditure and Reform, as well as Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The Directors of the Arts Council and Screen Ireland are also members alongside a representative of the County and City Managers Association.
I have asked the Oversight Group to prioritise the examination of Recommendation 1 of the Life Worth Living report, and to examine the manner in which a Basic Income Guarantee pilot scheme for artists will be delivered.
The work of the Oversight Group will be independent of the work of the Low Pay Commission which has been tasked by the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to examine the Programme for Government commitment to pilot a Universal Basic Income within the lifetime of this Government.
174. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on the current difficulties being faced by sporting businesses and clubs that are not affiliated to a governing body such as independent carting clubs which are excluded from operating as the current definition of a sporting event under the current Covid-19 legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34357/21]
View answerIn line with the Government-approved “Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19” organised outdoor gatherings are limited to 15 participants, with different restrictions applying to organised sporting events. Sporting events are defined in the relevant public health regulations, S.I. No. 217/2021 - Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 2) Regulations 2021, as amended. Per section 2 of the regulations, the exemption from restrictions on sporting events only applies to those being held under the auspices of a National Governing Body recognised and supported by Sport Ireland, or a school, university or higher education institution.
Our recognised NGBs have done excellent work to develop and implement protocols for the safe return to training and competition, with guidance from Sport Ireland and the Expert Group on Return to Sport established by my Department. The detailed and comprehensive protocols applied for sports training and competition are aligned with international best practice, and informed by experience. It is regrettable that at this time, it is not possible to permit a broader return to mass events, but the current restrictions are clear that matches and competitive sporting events are not permitted except for those governed and overseen by recognised NGBs.
As the summer goes on and the vaccination rollout continues it is anticipated that the restrictions we must operate under will lessen, and I expect that a larger number and range of events will be possible in due course.
175. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the timeframe for introducing a 20 year rule for the release of State papers. [34381/21]
View answerThe National Archives Act 1986 provides for the transfer and release to the public of the records of Departments of State to the National Archives when they are 30 years old. The National Archives (Amendment) Act 2018 was commenced as it introduced a provision that allows records to be transferred when they are 20 years old and over, in certain circumstances.
The transfer of records under the 2018 legislation will be implemented on a phased basis, currently comprising records relating to Northern Ireland and Anglo-Irish affairs. It applies to specific departments only - the departments and offices most closely involved in Anglo-Irish matters.
This legislation is a positive step which will allow for the early release of records which are of significant historical or public interest, while ensuring our shared history with the UK is presented in a balanced fashion. I will provide further updates on the release of these records over the coming months.
176. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the building requirements, room dimensions and so on that a self-catering cottage must meet in order to qualify for the welcome standard as set out by Fáilte Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34546/21]
View answerThe qualifying criteria for the welcome standard is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland, for further information and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
177. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there will be another opportunity later in 2021 for applicants to apply for the live performance support scheme given that there was a short timeframe to apply for this particular grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34580/21]
View answerGovernment allocated €50 million in 2021 to a suite of measures to assist the arts and culture 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. The scheme opened for applications on the 19th March 2021. There was a very high level of interest in this scheme, with over 400 applications received by the closing date 14th April requesting funding in excess of €80 million. The scheme was operated by my Department and all applications were assessed and scored. Given the available funding of €25 million, difficult decisions had to be made and it was not possible to award grants to everyone who applied. The funding available under this scheme has now been fully allocated. 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 237 grants awarded will help to support employment and wellbeing opportunities across all genres and the continued production of high quality artistic output for the public.
While there are no plans at present for a further round of the scheme, the Economic Recovery Plan published on 1 June stated that Government also recognises that as long as physical distancing remains a public health requirement, further supports may be needed for these sectors. In that context, supports are kept under review in light of developments in public health guidance.
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.
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.
178. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the headings and subheadings under her vote, Vote 33 or any other vote, the €50 million promised to live performance in Budget 2021 is categorised under. [34585/21]
View answerThe €50 million suite of measures to support those in the live entertainment sector is allocated under the B6 subhead - Regional Museums, Galleries and Cultural Centres & Projects.
Projects funded under the B6 subhead meet a specific cultural need and support the high level goal of the department in relation to enhancing access to the arts, culture and film sectors and recognising the social and economic role of these sectors in Ireland. The projects make a very important contribution to the development and promotion of Ireland’s cultural tourism offering, to the benefit of both the domestic and foreign tourist and represent an important component of the delivery of the cultural tourism commitments in the Programme for Government.
As part of this suite of supports, I was pleased to recently announce the allocations for the €25m Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS 2021). 237 successful applications have been allocated grants 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. Applications may be made via the MEBAS application portal on my Department’s website.
I have also made €5 million available to local authorities for live performances in summer 2021 to animate town centres, should public health considerations permit. 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. The details of this scheme are currently being considered and will be announced in due course.
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.
179. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the breakdown of the intended recipients of the €59,870,000 allocated in current expenditure to regional museums, galleries, cultural centres and projects under Vote 33 in the revised estimates; and the funding streams and State schemes that are distributing this funding. [34586/21]
View answerThe breakout of the €59,870,000 allocated to Subhead B6 of my Department's Vote for 2021 is as follows:
- €45m for the Live Performance Support Scheme. I recently announced the allocation of €25m under this Scheme to assist commercial venues, producers and promoters to plan live performances across the country over the summer months, €5m to local authorities and the €14m MEBAS support for musicians and crew
- €9.15m to the Creative Ireland Programme, including the very successful Cruinniú na nÓg series of events.
- €4.11m operational and programme funding for key cultural bodies, such as the Hunt Museum, The James Joyce Centre and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
- Two funding schemes, the results of which were recently announced, namely:
- €147,000 for cross-border cultural projects under the Cooperation with Northern Ireland Scheme
- €96,400 for 28 projects under the Small Local Festivals and Summer Schemes
- €207,000 for EU and International programmes, such as the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage programme and the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM).
- €1,159,600 for cultural projects, programme and policies such as Music in Great Irish Houses, Feis Ceoil, Hot Press Young and Emerging Artists Series, and Night Time Culture.
Details of the results of the schemes mentioned above may be found on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-tourism-culture-arts-gaeltacht-sport-and-media/.
A full breakdown of subhead B6 for previous years can also be found on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/6acdc-cultural-projects-funding/. This is typically published annually following submission of my Department's Draft Appropriation Account to the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
180. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the breakdown of the intended recipients of the €27,100,000 allocated in capital expenditure to cultural infrastructure and development under Vote 33 in the revised estimates; and the funding streams and State schemes that are distributing this funding. [34587/21]
View answerMy Department's investment programme for Culture under the National Development Plan (NDP) is set out in its sectoral plan Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage – 2018 to 2027. Funding has been made available under the NDP for a culture and creativity investment programme. The Department's investment programme includes capital projects, capital programmes and capital grant schemes.
The majority of these capital investments, fall within an ambitious €460 million programme of redevelopment and renovation of our National Cultural Institutions (NCIs). Considerable work has been undertaken to date in partnership with the NCIs themselves and with the OPW in advancing the NCI projects through the appraisal and design/planning stages as required under the Public Spending Code and the the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF). Other flagship projects include the redevelopment of the Royal Irish Academy of Music, in partnership with the Department of Education, the Mary Robinson Centre in Mayo and the Butler Gallery in Kilkenny.
Priority projects under the National Cultural Institutions Investment programme of €460 million can be listed as follows :
National Library of Ireland redevelopment;
Provision of an Archival Repository at the National Archives in Bishop Street;
National Museum of Ireland masterplan redevelopment;
National Concert Hall renovation;
Crawford Art Gallery redevelopment;
National Theatre redevelopment;
Irish Museum of Modern Art renovation;
National Gallery of Ireland – further phases of the masterplan redevelopment;
Chester Beatty Library improvements.
Based on this investment we can expect to see the delivery of significant redevelopments our National Cultural Institutions. 2021 will see the advancement of a further phase of the redevelopment at the National Library of Ireland, as well as the commencement of the major construction phase of the National Archives project. This is in addition to a range of preparatory, investigative and enabling works at a number of other NCIs. Work is underway on the Preliminary Business Cases for the redevelopment of the Natural History Museum and the Abbey Theatre.
There will also be investments in regional arts and culture facilities and in the digitisation of important National Collection. A Cultural and Creativity investment programme is closely aligned with the cultural infrastructure, creative communities and creative industries pillars of the Creative Ireland Programme and include:
- Drawdown of funding allocated under Streams A, B and D of the Cultural Capital Scheme;
- Drawdown of funding under the national digitisation investment programme whereby collections of national importance are digitised supporting the conservation, preservation and dissemination of collections;
- The Regional Museums Exhibition Scheme; and
- The Music Capital Scheme.
Details of all allocations are set out by programme area and by subhead in the Revised Estimates Volume 2021 (REV2021) published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on its website at www.gov.ie/en/collection/e20037-revised-estimates. All expenditure within my Department's vote will continue to be carefully monitored between now and year end to ensure the best use of available financial resources.
Expenditure from this subhead is published annually on my Department's website. Details of expenditure in previous years is available at the following link
www.gov.ie/en/publication/b1eab-creative-arts-grants-and-funding-previous-schemes/#cultural-development-expenditure.
181. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an dtabharfaidh sí miondealú ar cé hiad atá ceaptha chun dáileadh a dhéanamh ar an €7,650,000 faoin bhfotheideal C.4, Scéimeanna Tacaíochta don Ghaeilge, atá sonraithe sna Meastacháin Athbhreithnithe de chuid Vóta 33, agus ar cé hiad a gheobhaidh an t-airgead sin, agus an dtabharfaidh sí míniú ar an idirdhealú atá idir an maoiniú sin agus an tacaíocht a thugann Foras na Gaeilge do phobal labhartha na Gaeilge. [34588/21]
View answerMaidir leis na Scéimeanna Tacaíochta Gaeilge atá á riar ag mo Roinn agus an soláthair de €7,650,000 atá curtha ar fáil faoin scéim i mbliana, tá cúnamh caipitil agus reatha ar fáil do réimse leathan tionscnamh Gaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht agus thar lear, d'eagraíochtaí atá gníomhach sna réimsí gnó, oideachais, cultúrtha, teicneolaíochta agus digitithe go príomhá.
Áirítear chomh maith institiúidí idirnáisiúnta agus cláir Fulbright agus ICUF ar mhaithe le teagasc na Gaeilge agus dea-thoil i leith na Gaeilge agus an chultúir Ghaelach a spreagadh agus a chothú trasna na hEorpa, sna Stáit Aontaithe Mheiriceá, i gCeanada agus níos faide ó bhaile. Faoi láthair, tá maoiniú á dhéanamh ar chúrsaí in os cionn 40 institiúidí tríú leibhéal thar lear faoi na cláir seo.
Maoinítear chomh maith an Tionscnamh Ard-Scileanna Gaeilge, a thacaíonn le stádas na Gaeilge mar theanga oifigiúil agus oibre den Aontas Eorpach. Áiríonn na tionscnaimh sin, mar shampla, forbairt bhunachar sonraí téarmaíochta an AE i nGaeilge atá á dhéanamh ag Fiontar, Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath chomh maithe le scéim intéirneachta i réimse an aistriúchain sna hinstitiúdí Eorpach.
Ó thaobh cúnamh caipitil de, is féidir le heagraíochtaí phobalbhunaithe, a fheidhmíonn trí Ghaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht, iarratas a dhéanamh faoi Scéimeanna Tacaíochtaí Gaeilge na Roinne. Cuirtear maoiniú ar fáil chun cabhrú leis na costais a bhaineann le hionaid Ghaeilge a thógáil nó a athchóiriú, chun foirgnimh a cheannach le húsáid mar ionad Gaeilge agus trealamh a cheannach dá leithéid d’ionaid.
Is é an cuspóir atá leis an chuidiú caipitil a chuirtear ar fáil faoin gciste seo an Ghaeilge a threisiú mar theanga pobail agus teaghlaigh i gcomhréir le haidhmeanna na Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030.
Cuirtear maoiniú ar fáil d’Fhoras na Gaeilge ó mo Roinn fhéin agus ón Roinn Pobal i dTuaisceart Éireann de réir bhuiséid atá ceadaithe ag an gComhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas (CATT). Cuirtear maoiniú breise ar fáil d'Fhoras na Gaeilge chomh maith i ndáil le nithe imfhálaithe mar a bhaineann le Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge agus Colmcille.
Maidir leis an idirdhealú atá idir an maoiniú thuasluaite agus an tacaíocht a thugann Foras na Gaeilge do phobal labhartha na Gaeilge, is ar bhonn uile-Éireann a bíonn Foras na Gaeilge ag feidhmiú le hais mo Roinne, a fheidhmíonn i ndlínse an deiscirt amháin.
182. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an dtabharfaidh sí miondealú ar cé hiad atá ceaptha chun dáileadh a dhéanamh ar an €10,199,000 faoin bhfotheideal C.3, Scéimeanna Tacaíochta don Ghaeltacht, atá sonraithe sna Meastacháin Athbhreithnithe de chuid Vóta 33, agus ar cé hiad a gheobhaidh an t-airgead sin, agus an dtabharfaidh sí míniú ar an idirdhealú atá idir an maoiniú sin agus an tacaíocht a thugann Údarás na Gaeltachta don Ghaeltacht. [34589/21]
View answerFaoi gClár Tacaíochtaí Pobail agus Teanga de chuid na Roinne (C3) cuirtear idir airgead caipitil agus reatha ar fáil le cabhrú le feidhmiú foriomlán an phróisis pleanála teanga.
Maidir leis an ghné chaipitil a bhfuil soláthar €2.498m ar fáil dó sa bhliain reatha tuigfidh an Teachta nach féidir a bheith cinnte faoi chonas a dháilfear an soláthar sin; ní bheadh a leithéid d’eolas ar fáil go dtí deireadh na bliana. Is iondúil go ndáiltear é bunaithe ar na hiarratais a thagann chun cinn agus déantar gach iarratas a mheas, ar ndóigh, faoi réir chritéir an chláir.
Maidir leis an ghné reatha den chlár a bhfuil soláthar €7.699m ar fáil ina leith sa bhliain reatha, dáiltear an ciste bunaithe ar na héilimh éagsúla – ag cur san áireamh mar is cuí na cláir oibre chomhaontaithe a ndéantar a mhaoiniú ón gciste chomh maith, ar ndóigh, leis an dáileadh a bhaineann leis an trí scéim a mhaoinítear ón gciste eadhon: Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge, Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga agus Scéim na gCampaí Samhraidh. Seo a leanas an dáileadh a bhain le 2020 i gcás na trí scéim sin:
- Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge - €4,516,973
- Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga - €1,280,903
- Scéim na gCampaí Samhraidh Gaeltachta - €122,787.
Ina theannta sin, ar ndóigh, cuirtear cúnamh reatha ar fáil faoin gClár chun cabhrú le heagraíochtaí Gaeltachta agus Gaeilge cláir oibre comhaontaithe leis an Roinn a chur i bhfeidhm ar leas an phróisis pleanála teanga agus mar thaca d'fheidhmiú foriomlán na Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge agus an Phlean Gníomhaíochta don Ghaeilge 2018-2022 lena mbaineann. I measc na bhforas agus eagraíochtaí a ndéantar a mhaoiniú faoin ghné seo den chlár reatha, tá Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge (OÉG) agus Comhairlí Chonnacht agus na Mumhan den CLG (Clár na gCluichí Gaelacha).
Cé go bhfuil fomhír C3 de chuid mo Roinne dírithe ar ghníomhaíochtaí a thacaíonn le cur i bhfeidhm an Phróisis Pleanála Teanga taobh istigh den Ghaeltacht, tácaíonn na cláir éagsúla eile atá á reáchtáil ag Údaras na Gaeltachta leis an bpróiseas chomh maith. Is féidir tuilleadh faisnéise maidir leis na cláir sin a fháil ag www.udaras.ie.
183. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an dtabharfaidh sí miondealú ar cé hiad atá ceaptha chun dáileadh a dhéanamh ar an €5 milliún faoin bhfotheideal C.10 “Próiseas Pleanála Teanga” atá sonraithe sna Meastacháin Athbhreithnithe de chuid Vóta 33, agus an dtabharfaidh sí míniú ar an idirdhealú atá idir an maoiniú sin agus an tacaíocht a thugann Údarás na Gaeltachta agus Foras na Gaeilge don phleanáil teanga. [34590/21]
View answerBaintear leas as fomhír C10 mo Roinne le cúram a dhéanamh d'fheidhmiú an Phróisis Pleanála Teanga.
Dáiltear sciar den chiste ar bhonn bliantúil ar Údarás na Gaeltachta agus ar Fhoras na Gaeilge faoi seach atá freagrach, faoi réir fhorálacha Acht na Gaeltachta 2012, ar stiúir a dhéanamh ar fheidhmiú an phróisis mar a bhainean sé leo.
D’fhógair mé le deireanaí go bhfuil maoiniú suas le €2,751,000 ceadaithe d’Údarás na Gaeltachta agus €653,500 d’Fhoras na Gaeilge ón gciste sin do 2021. Bainfidh na heagraíochtaí sin úsáid as an maoiniú sin chun tacú le hullmhú agus feidhmiú pleananna teanga anuas ar thacaíochtaí eile a chur ar fáil don phróiseas.
Anuas ar sin, chun tacú leis an bpróiseas pleanála teanga, cuirtear maoiniú ar fáil ón gciste C10 do na hearnálacha: Na luatbhlianta; An Teaghlach agus na healaíona traidisiúnta. Mar chuid den cur chuige seo ceadaíodh allúntas trí bliana ar fiú €1,600,522 le gairid don eagraíocht: Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta chun go leanfaidís ar cur seirbhísí ar fáil i réimse an teaghlaigh sa Ghaeltacht.
Tá allúntas de €425,000 in aghaidh na bliana ceadaithe faoi láthair d'Ealaín na Gaeltachta ón gciste chomh maith chun cuidiú leo tacaíochtaí a chur ar fáil do na healaíona traidisiúnta a dírítear go príomha ar aos óg na Gaeltachta.
Maidir le gnóthaí luatbhlianta, tá plé ar bun faoi láthair i gcomhar leis an Údarás agus Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta faoi chomhaontú úr a shocrú. Tuigfidh an Teachta nach féidir a bheith cinnte faoi cé mhéad a cheadófaí sa chás seo do tí go mbeidh an plé sin críochnaithe.
Ina theannta sin, baintear leas as an gciste chun maoiniú ar fiú €75,000 thar tréimhse trí bliana a chur ar fail don togra: Fighting Words ar mhaithe le deiseanna breise sealbhaithe agus saibhrithe Gaeilge a chur ar fáil d'aos óg na Gaeltachta tríd an tionscnamh faoi leith seo.
Cé go bhfuil fomhír C10 de chuid mo Roinne dírithe go heisiach ar chur i bhfeidhm an Phróisis Pleanála Teanga taobh istigh agus taobh amuig den Ghaeltacht faoi réir fhorálacha Acht na Gaeltachta 2012, tácaíonn na cláir éagsúla eile atá á reáchtáil ag Údaras na Gaeltachta agus Foras na Gaeilge leis an bpróiseas chomh maith. Is féidir tuilleadh faisnéise maidir leis na cláir sin a fháil ag www.udaras.ie agus ag www.forasnagaeilge.ie.
184. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén méid san iomlán de mhaoiniú stáit a tugadh don Choimisiún Logainmneacha gach bliain ó bunaíodh é go dtí gur cuireadh deireadh leis. [34595/21]
View answerAg eascairt as moltaí Phlean an Rialtais um Athchóiriú na Seirbhíse Poiblí, cuireadh deireadh leis an gCoimisiún Logainmneacha sa bhliain 2012, tráth gur ceapadh Coiste Logainmneacha in áit. Ó bunaíodh mo Roinn i lár 2020, dá réir, níor rinneadh aon chaiteachas i leith an Choimisiúin Logainmneacha
Bhíodh baill an Choimisiúin i dteideal costais taistil agus cothabhála, agus íocadh táille chuig na baill, de réir na rátaí a bhí ceadaithe ag an am.
Feidhmíonn an Coiste Logainmneacha ar bhonn pro bono, ach tá na baill i teideal costais taistil agus cothabhála a éileamh de réir na gnáthrátaí atá ceadaithe ag an Rialtas.
Oibríonn an Coiste Logainmneacha i gcomhar le Brainse Logainmneacha de chuid mo Roinne. Is foireann de chuid mo Roinne iad foireann an Bhrainse agus áirítear a gcostas siúd mar chuid d’ollchostais foirne na Roinne.
Íocann mo Roinn maoiniú chomh maith le Fiontar & Scoil na Gaeilge, Ollscoil Bhaile Átha Cliath, chun cothabháil agus forbairt a dhéanamh ar Bhunachar Logainmneacha na hÉireann, www.logainm.ie i gcomhar leis an mBrainse Logainmneacha. Íocadh maoiniú €203,996 sa bhliain 2020 i leith logainm.ie.
185. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén méid san iomlán de mhaoiniú stáit a tugadh do Scéim Labhairt na Gaeilge gach bliain ó bunaíodh é go dtí gur cuireadh deireadh léi. [34596/21]
View answerÓ bunaíodh an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Méain sa bhliain 2020 níor íocadh aon mhaoiniú stáit faoi Scéim Labhairt na Gaeilge.
Cuireadh deireadh le Scéim Labhairt na Gaeilge sa bhliain 2010.
186. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if funding will be made available for a club (details supplied) to acquire a pitch. [34609/21]
View answerThe Sports Capital & Equipment Programme (SCEP) is operated by my Department and provides grants to assist in the development or refurbishment of sports facilities and the provision of sports equipment.
The Programme’s objectives are to:
- Assist voluntary and community organisations, national governing bodies (NGBs) of sport, local authorities and Education and Training Boards and schools to develop high quality, well-designed, sustainable facilities in appropriate locations and to provide appropriate equipment to help maximise participation in sport and physical recreation.
- Prioritise the needs of disadvantaged areas and groups (such as people with disabilities) in the provision of sports facilities.
- Encourage the sharing of sports facilities.
It should be noted however, that the Programme does not fund the purchase of land or buildings. Full details of the Programme and they type of projects funded can be found at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie
A separate tax relief scheme for donations to sports clubs may be used by any sports club or organisations to assist in funding the acquisition of land or a building, developing facilities or purchasing fixed, non-personal equipment for sports activities, or repaying a loan for any of these purposes to fund the purchase of land. More information in this regard can be found at www.revenue.ie.
