Written Answers Nos. 497-520
497. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the guidelines of operation in terms of sporting organisations reducing risk; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40955/21]
View answerResponsibility for the preparation and implementation of such guidelines is a matter for each National Governing Body (NGB) concerned. Different sports have different public liability risk profiles reflecting the specific characteristics of that sport.
NGBs are accordingly best placed to consider and decide upon the optimum risk mitigation and reduction measures to deploy in order to enhance participant safety, minimise risk and reduce insurance costs. Further information on the guidelines currently in place is available from the websites of the sports in question.
498. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department in consultation with the Department of Health will publish ventilation guidelines for hospitality settings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40985/21]
View answerCovid-19 operational guidelines for tourism hospitality settings are available from Fáilte Ireland. The operational guidelines include comprehensive guidance on ventilation including a requirement that the guidance outlined in the "Work Safely Protocol" should be adhered to including appropriate measures in relation to implementation of effective ventilation. This includes guidance on increasing airflow, air extraction systems, and the use of CO2 monitors.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for further details on the relevant guidance. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
499. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated full year cost of funding for the arts to 0.6% of GDP and 0.6% of GNI*. [41258/21]
View answerThe 2020 preliminary figure for Ireland's Gross Domestic Product at current market prices as published by the Central Statistics Office on 15 July 2021 is €372,869 million and 0.6% of this is €2,237 million.
The equivalent figure for Gross National Income at current market prices published on the same date is €283,735 million and 0.6% of this figure is €1,702 million.
Full details are available at www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-nie/nie2020/mainaggregates/
The Deputy may also wish to note that the European Union publishes data on the share of general government expenditure on cultural services, broadcasting and publishing services. This is based on data gathered by Eurostat as part of the data collection exercise on government expenditure. Under this process, the general government sector is defined as consisting of institutional units which are non-market producers whose output is intended for individual and collective consumption, and are financed by compulsory payments made by units belonging to other sectors, and institutional units principally engaged in the redistribution of national income and wealth. The general government sector comprises central government, state government, local government and social security funds.
The latest published data, for 2019, can be found at ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Culture_statistics_-_government_expenditure_on_cultural,_broadcasting_and_publishing_services&oldid=524139. It shows that the general government expenditure on cultural services, broadcasting and publishing services in Ireland in that year was in line with the EU average.
500. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated full year cost of providing artists, musicians and live entertainment workers a basic income of €350 per week. [41259/21]
View answer543. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the planning made for the introduction of a universal basic income for all artists; when it will commence; the persons in the art world that can avail of it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40571/21]
View answer587. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the pilot project of basic income for artists; if a timeline has been established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41391/21]
View answer588. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if comedians will be eligible for inclusion in the pilot project of basic income for artists. [41392/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 500, 543, 587 and 588 together.
The Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce report Life Worth Living, was published in November 2020 and made ten recommendations for the sector. The recommendations included a proposal to pilot a basic income scheme for a three-year period in the arts, culture, audiovisual and live performance and events sectors.
I was delighted that as part of the Economic Recovery Plan launched on June 1st, I secured agreement from Government for 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 recently established an Oversight Group with the remit of addressing the outstanding recommendations of the Life Worth Living report. The membership of the Group is drawn from Departments and Agencies which have the ability and wherewithal to make appropriate progress on the outstanding recommendations, including the Basic Income Guarantee pilot.
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, 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 manner in which a Basic Income Guarantee pilot scheme for artists will be delivered. As the work of the group has only recently begun it is too early to say with any certainty what the details of the pilot scheme will be.
501. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the timeline for the reopening of indoor sport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41337/21]
View answerSince 7 June, indoor sports, swimming pools and leisure centres have been allowed to re-open for individual training purposes and for the provision of swimming classes. Any decision on the further lifting of the restrictions, and its timing, is a matter for Government and not for individual Ministerial decision. The Government has indicated that any such decision will be considered in the context of the prevailing public health situation and vaccination roll-out.
On 29 June, Government announced the next phase of reopening the economy and society in line with Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead , with an emphasis on lower risk activities given the risks posed by the Delta variant.
The Government continues to follow its plan to review and monitor the control of the virus and follow the prevailing public health advice in support of a safe and gradual reopening, in line with Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead. Unfortunately this means that indoor activities in groups or classes cannot be permitted at present. Detailed Information and updates may be accessed on the Gov.ie website.
502. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when in the Roadmap for Reopening the Economy and Society it is expected indoor sports will be considered for reopening in particular indoor gym and indoor dance classes. [41417/21]
View answerSince 7 June, gyms, indoor sports, dance, swimming pools and leisure centres have been allowed to re-open for individual training purposes and for the provision of swimming classes. Any decision on the further lifting of the restrictions to include classes, and its timing, is a matter for Government and not for individual Ministerial decision. The Government has indicated that any such decision will be considered in the context of the prevailing public health situation and vaccination roll-out.
On 29 June, Government announced the next phase of reopening the economy and society in line with Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead , with an emphasis on lower risk activities given the risks posed by the Delta variant.
The Government continues to follow its plan to review and monitor the control of the virus and follow the prevailing public health advice in support of a safe and gradual reopening, in line with Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead. Unfortunately this means that indoor activities in groups or classes cannot be permitted at present. Detailed Information and updates may be accessed on the Gov.ie website.
503. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when in the Roadmap for Reopening the Economy and Society it is expected further details will be provided on arrangements for weddings. [41418/21]
View answerThroughout the period of the pandemic the Government has made special provision for weddings in view of the importance of these occasions to couples and the level of planning that is involved for couples and their families. In this regard, the Government decided today to increase the number of guests allowed at weddings from 50 to 100 from 5th August. We are continuing to monitor disease progression and vaccination roll-out and will give further consideration to arrangements for weddings as the epidemiological situation evolves.
504. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when sports grounds will be in a position to return to full capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39096/21]
View answerFrom 5 July the numbers permitted at outdoor organised events have increased 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. 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 been published. The guidelines describe how spectators can safely be accommodated at sporting events.
The pilot events use measures to mitigate against Covid-19 including reduced attendances, careful communication with spectators, physical 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. Full refunds are available to spectators should they need to stay away from the event for health reasons. Sporting bodies apply the guidelines to each event. The specific circumstances and unique character of each venue are taken into account when considering attendances for 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 have allowed sports bodies and stadiums to put in place the necessary safety measures and have allowed for the safe return of spectators. Pilot events are being held not just in Dublin but throughout the country. For example, in the period to today's date, events will have been held in Sligo, Mayo, Limerick, Cork, Tipperary and Dublin. Athletics, cricket, association football, gaelic football, camogie, hurling and rugby are some of the examples of the sports involved.
Pilots are reviewed by the working group in the week following the hosting of the pilot events and results are shared. The guidelines will be updated at the end of the pilot events if need be to reflect any lessons learned.
In regard to the broader return of spectators, the Government will take into account learnings in regard to the pilot events and will make its decision based on the evolving public health situation including vaccination levels, the prevalence of the virus and the associated hospitalisations and deaths.
505. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if indoor summer camps such as art camps are permitted to take place; if not, if a date will be given for when they can take place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39159/21]
View answerOn 29 June, Government announced the next phase of reopening the economy and society in line with Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead, with an emphasis on lower risk activities given the risks posed by the Delta variant.
Details of current public health measures can be found online at gov.ie. Gov.ie provides the current position with respect to summer camps: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/7894b-post-cabinet-statement-resilience-and-recovery-the-path-ahead/#summer-camps. It provides that summer camps should adhere to public health measures on organised indoor and outdoor activities as appropriate, applying at the time. Currently outdoor camps can go ahead, but indoor camps are not permitted.
The public health measures decided upon by Government are also given effect in regulations made by the Minister for Health under Section 31A of the Health Act of 1937. The current regulations are Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions)(COVID-19)(No.2)(Amendment)(No.5) Regulations 2021 (S.I. 329 of 2021) which set limits on attendances at organised outdoor events and do not provide for any organised indoor events.
506. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has held meetings with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to increasing the amount available to her Department for the Sports Capital Fund. [39171/21]
View answerThe 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 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1st March. By the closing date, 3,106 applications were submitted seeking over €200 million in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received. The scoring system and assessment manual for the 2020 round was finalised earlier in the year and is available at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie . All applications are being assessed in accordance with this manual. Assessment of the "equipment-only" applications is nearing completion and an announcement in relation to these grants will be made shortly. The remaining applications for capital works will be assessed immediately afterwards with these allocations expected before the end of the year.
No decision on the total final allocation amount will be made until all applications have been assessed. 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 for older SCEP grants.
507. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to her response to a club (details supplied), if further advice can be issued to the club in order to progress the mater; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39206/21]
View answerAs the club in question is not affiliated to the relevant National Governing Body, Motorsport Ireland, events organised by this club cannot be considered sporting events within the meaning of the public health regulations. The exemptions from restrictions that are available for sporting events are contingent on those events being held under the auspices of a National Governing Body (NGB) recognised and supported by Sport Ireland, or a school, university or higher education institution. This legislative requirement reflects the work undertaken by those officially recognised NGBs 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. In addition, the NGB structure allows for a degree of oversight of their affiliated clubs to ensure that the protocols in place are being adhered to, which provides an important assurance from the public health standpoint.
The Government has no plans to extend the current provisions for sporting events to include unaffiliated clubs, which it considers to be fully justified by the prevailing public health situation. Unaffiliated clubs therefore remain subject to the general rules on organised outdoor events, details of which are available at www.gov.ie/en/press-release/7894b-post-cabinet-statement-resilience-and-recovery-the-path-ahead/
Both Sport Ireland and I would encourage this particular club to communicate directly with the NGB for motorsport, Motorsport Ireland, which will be in a position to provide general advice and guidance on the applicable affiliation process.
508. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the release of a grant to a sports club (details supplied) in County Kildare; if same will be communicated to the club; and if there are outstanding issues for the club to address and or resolve in respect of documentation. [39218/21]
View answerThe club referred to by the Deputy was provisionally allocated a grant of €81,500 under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme (SCP) for the development of an artificial playing surface and a further €83,343 under the 2018 SCP towards the provision of floodlights and non-personal sports equipment.
I understand the Chief State Solicitor's Office (CSSO) continues to liaise with the grantee's solicitor in relation to outstanding legal requirements in relation to the first grant. The latest correspondence issued from the CSSO earlier this week. It will not be possible to provide formal approval for either amount until all legal formalities have been completed in each case. Once the legal formalities have been completed, there will be no undue delay in paying the relevant grants subject to the other necessary documentation being submitted by the club.
509. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an méid a bhí díolta, ina iomláine, briste síos de réir contae, do Mhná Tí sa bhliain 2020 mar chúiteamh. [39243/21]
View answer510. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an méid a bhí díolta do Mhná Tí sa bhliain 2020 mar chúiteamh briste síos de réir incrimintí de €100; agus cé mhéad Ban Tí a fuair íocaíocht idir €300-€400, €400-€500 srl. [39244/21]
View answer511. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil sé ar intinn aici deontas nuathionscanta a thabhairt isteach, cosúil leis an deontas a tugadh isteach do ghnólachtaí eile, do Mhná Tí mar gheall ar na costais bhreise a bheidh orthu agus iad ag atosú in 2022. [39245/21]
View answer512. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an ndéanfaidh sí athbhreithniú ar an bpróiseas cúiteamh do Mhná Tí chun a chinntiú nach bhfuil an méid cúiteamh a íoctar bunaithe ar 2019 amháin i gcásanna ina bhfuil cúinsí eisceachtúla i gceist. [39246/21]
View answer513. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil sé ar intinn aici íocaíocht bhuan d’íosmhéid áirithe a thabhairt isteach do Mhná Tí leis na costais bhuana, mar shampla árachas, innealtóireacht srl a chlúdach. [39247/21]
View answer514. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an mbeidh sí sásta an spriocdháta d'iarratais le haghaidh cúiteamh do Mhná Tí, atá socraithe don Aoine an 16 Iúil 2021, a shíneadh amach mar nach bhfuil an fhoirm ar fáil i leagan crua agus go gcaithfear an fhoirm a phriontáil amach. [39248/21]
View answerMar is eol don Teachta, rinneadh cinneadh i mí Bealtaine nach bhféadfadh coláistí Gaeilge feidhmiú den dara bhliain as a chéile mar gheall ar COVID-19. Rinneadh an cinneadh sin ar bhonn comhdhearcaidh, tar éis dom dul i ndáil comhairle le páirtithe leasmhara - idir lucht lóistín, lucht stiúrtha na gcoláistí agus lucht stiúrtha hallaí pobail ábhartha na Gaeltachta araon.
De thoradh an chiste ar fiú €2.2m a d'fhógair mé le gairid, beidh a fhios ag an Teachta go mbeidh cúnamh atá 25% níos fearr ná ciste cobhsaithe 2020 á chur ar fáil láithreach ar leas an tuairim is 700 teaghlach Gaeltachta atá aitheanta faoin gcóras.
Is mar aitheantas ar chostais bhreise atá ar na teaghlaigh atá an tacaíocht faoin scéim méadaithe i mbliana. Mar a bhí anuraidh, beidh an méid tacaíochta a fhaigheann gach teaghlach bunaithe ar líon na scoláirí a choinnigh siad i 2019.
Tá próiseáil iarratas ó cheann ceann na Gaeltachta idir lámha ag mo Roinn agus tuigtear dom go bhfuil íocaíochta déanta cheana féin le formhór na dteaghlach i gcontaetha Dhún na nGall, Mhaigh Eo, na Mí agus Chorcaí. I gcás nach bhfuil iarratais faighte ag mo Roinn ó theaghlaigh atá incháilithe faoin scéim, rachaidh oifigigh mo Roinne i dteagmháil leo chun a chumasú dóibh iarratas a dhéanamh. Sna cúinsí sin, ní gá síneadh a foirmeálta a chur leis an spriocdháta d'iarratais.
Leagtar amach sa tábla thíos caitachas na Roinne le teaghlaigh faoin gciste cobhsaithe de réir contae Gaeltachta. Níl briseadh síos de réir teaghlach ar fáil:
|
Contae |
Líon teaghlach SFG 2019 |
Líon scoláirí SFG 2019 |
Íoctha* le teaghlaigh 2020 |
|
Dún na nGall |
191 |
5,445 |
€306,668 |
|
Maigh Eo |
44 |
3,278 |
€115,124 |
|
Gaillimh |
391 |
12,660 |
€922,300 |
|
An Mhí |
9 |
257 |
€17,840 |
|
Ciarraí |
47 |
3,328 |
€161,144 |
|
Corcaigh |
15 |
451 |
€6,456 |
|
Port Láirge |
15 |
1,258 |
€21,160 |
|
Iomlán |
712 |
26,677 |
€1,550,692 |
*Ní áirítear anseo aon íocaíocht a rinneadh le teaghlaigh i leith roinnt cúrsaí a reáchtáladh ag tús 2019 ná aon íocaíocht i leith brúnna ná coláistí cónaithe. Níor chóir aon tátal staitisticiúil a dhéanamh ó na figiúirí sa tábla seo.
Ní choinníonn mo Roinn staitisticí maidir leis na hincrimintí airgeadais ina dtiteann na teaghlaigh a fhaigheann tacaíocht faoin scéim.
515. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an ndéanfaidh sí an taifead iomlán den Daonáireamh Ginearálta Speisialta ar Cheantair ina Labhraítear Gaeilge a rinne An Garda Síochána sa bhliain 1925, agus a cuireadh, de réir comhfhreagras a fuaireamar ón Aire Dlí agus Cirt, go Brainse Staidrimh na Roinne Tionscail agus Tráchtála a bhí ann ag an am, a fhoilsiú go luath agus sinn ag teacht suas go dtí céad bliain ó tugadh aitheantas Stáit don Ghaeltacht; cá bhfuil an taifead sin lonnaithe, agus an bhfuil aon chaomhnú, digitiú nó staidéar á dhéanamh ar na sonraí ann cheana féin. [39277/21]
View answerMar a chuir mé in iúl i mo freagra ar cheisteanna Dála 238, 239 agus 240 ar an ábhar chéanna, tá curtha in iúl ag an Phríomh-Oifig Staidrimh dom nach ndéantar rangú ar an Daonáireamh Speisialta Gaeltachta 1925 mar Dhaonáireamh Daonra, mar níor tugadh faoi faoin Acht Staidrimh 1993 nó faoi aon cheann de na hachtacháin aisghairmithe, agus mar sin ní bhaineann Alt 35 den Acht Staidrimh 1993 leis.
Cé go dtuigim gur thug an Garda Síochána faoin áireamh, a bhí mar dhlúthchuid d’obair Choimisiún na Gaeltachta sa bhliain 1925, níl fáil ar aon chóip den áireamh seo ag mo Roinnse nó ag an gCartlann Náisiúnta.
Is oth liom nach féidir le mo Roinn níos mó faisnéise a chur ar fáil ach má thagann an Teachta ar bhreis sonraí maidir leis an ábhar, is féidir leis teagmháil a dhéanamh le m'oifig.
516. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of applications to date to the music entertainment business assistance scheme; the number of applications approved; the number refused; the funding allocated to date; and the funding as yet unallocated. [39536/21]
View answer530. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will review the music and entertainment business assistance scheme to create a lower turnover of €15,000 to €20,000 and remove the minimum cost to align with the small business assistance scheme for Covid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40206/21]
View answer544. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on whether there has been sufficient advertising of the music and entertainment business assistance scheme; and if she will consider any future advertising and awareness campaigns in advance of the final application deadline. [40598/21]
View answer545. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the position regarding the music and entertainment business assistance scheme; the number of applications have been made both successful and unsuccessful to date; if all successful grants have been drawn down; and if there is a timeline for payment of outstanding monies owed to applicants. [40609/21]
View answer546. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason business costs are included in the music and entertainment business assistance scheme when they are not a qualifying criterion for other Government grants including the small business assistance scheme for COVID; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40611/21]
View answer549. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason minimum business costs are required of applicants for the music and entertainment business assistance scheme despite not being a requirement for the new event sector Covid support scheme, small business assistance scheme for Covid-19 or the business continuity schemes from Fáilte Ireland. [40701/21]
View answer550. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason a step-by-step online video guide or explanatory webinar was not provided to assist in explaining the music and entertainment business assistance scheme application form to potential applicants, in particular the more technical questions in the form. [40702/21]
View answer551. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason the music and entertainment business assistance scheme includes a commitment to publishing the names of successful grantees, despite this not being a requirement in other schemes such as the event sector Covid support scheme which only states names may be published.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40703/21]
View answer552. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason grant payments for the music and entertainment business assistance scheme have not yet been issued, despite applications having opened over six weeks ago on 9 June 2021. [40704/21]
View answer553. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason the wait time between applying and approval for the music and entertainment business assistance scheme is inconsistent; if her attention has been drawn to some applicants being approved within days of applying while others who had applied before them are left waiting for weeks for a decision; and the reason for the apparent random order in which applications are approved. [40705/21]
View answer554. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the process an application for the music and entertainment business assistance scheme goes through between the submission of the application to approval or refusal of the application; if applications are processed chronologically in the order in which they are submitted in a first-come-first-served manner; if there is a procedure by which it is decided to process certain applications as a priority over others previously submitted; and if so, the person charged with making such decisions. [40706/21]
View answer555. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of applications made by the original deadline of 7 July 2021, the first extended deadline of 21 July 2021 and in total to date for the music and entertainment business assistance scheme; and the number of applications her Department had anticipated or estimated when it announced the €14 million allocation for the scheme. [40707/21]
View answer556. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason her Department understands to be the cause of the music and entertainment business assistance scheme receiving such a low uptake; the additional measures that were undertaken to address these reasons and increase awareness and uptake when the deadline was extended to 21 July 2021 and then again to 3 August 2021; the reason the scheme was not modified in the interim to attract a higher number of applications or ease access to the scheme; and if her Department gave any consideration to modifying the scheme. [40708/21]
View answer557. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department is of the view that the unnecessary extra criteria not applicable to other Covid-19 supports for businesses, such as the minimum business costs and publishing of grantee names, that the application not being sufficiently simple or properly explained, or that a lack of awareness about the grant and the way it applies to the cohort it intends to assist, contributed to the low uptake of the music and entertainment business assistance scheme and caused the need to extend the deadline for applications. [40709/21]
View answer558. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason the music and entertainment business assistance scheme was created under de minimis aid regulations as opposed to the European Union’s Temporary Framework for State Aid under which other schemes, including the small business assistance scheme for Covid-19, live performance support scheme and business continuity schemes under Fáilte Ireland, were created with the same rationale as MEBAS; and if this difference imply a difference in the degree to which the commitment to spend the allocated funding promised under the scheme must be adhered to or require the extra obstacles not involved in the temporary framework schemes, such as the minimum business costs and publishing of grantee names. [40710/21]
View answer559. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason a lower threshold for turnover, such as €15,000, was not used for the music and entertainment business assistance scheme, especially given the sector being known to have a below average income and some of the lowest paid workers in precarious employment without minimum wage conditions to rely on; and if she will consider lowering the turnover threshold. [40711/21]
View answer560. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to continue to extend and if a commitment will be given to extending the deadline for application to the music and entertainment business assistance scheme until such time as the allocated funding is delivered to those for whom it was intended. [40712/21]
View answer572. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will address a series of matters in relation to Covid-19 supports for businesses (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40741/21]
View answer573. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will address a series of matters in relation to Covid-19 supports for businesses (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40742/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 516, 530, 544, 545, 546, 549, 550, 551, 552, 553, 554, 555, 556, 557, 558, 559, 560, 572 and 573 together.
As part of a €50 million suite of supports for the live entertainment sector, €14m has been made available for the Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS) to make a contribution to the overheads of businesses that have been significantly negatively affected by COVID-19 and that do not qualify for other business supports. Under this 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. The application window for this scheme has recently been extended to 3 August.
It should be noted that this scheme is not a horizontal income support and grants are intended to provide a contribution towards businesses costs which arise even if the business is not operating. Therefore, details of fixed costs are required to determine eligibility. 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. Grant recipients of MEBAS may also be published on the Department website, as is the case for other grants administered through this department.
Guidelines were made available prior to the scheme opening for applications to assist applicants in their preparation, along with a comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions section. Applicants may also contact the MEBAS team directly with questions they may have in relation to their applications. My department has also provided an online application system for ease of access with clear guidance and instruction therein.
The scheme continues to be widely publicised on my department’s website on Gov.ie and throughout various social media channels, providing up to date information in relation to extensions to the application window. Several representative and stakeholder groups have also published information in relation to the scheme.
Applications for this support are processed in chronological order. Once submitted, applications are reviewed and further information or requests for clarification are issued to the applicant where necessary. Once all details have been provided, a decision is made in line with the published criteria and guidelines and the outcome is communicated to the applicant. If an application has been approved, the applicant will be provided with details of the grant amount and when payment can be expected. If an application has been unsuccessful, details are provided as to why the application was not approved for a grant, along with information regarding the appeals process. The payments process for grants approved as of last week will commence this week and this will see payments totalling almost €1.5 million made over the coming weeks.
Grants provided under this scheme are classed as De Minimis State Aid. There is a ceiling of €200,000 for all De Minimis aid regardless of the source, given to any one enterprise or group by any state agency or public body over the last 3 years. Such amounts of De Minimis Aid are regarded as falling outside the category of State aid that is banned by the EC Treaty and can be awarded without notification to or clearance from the European Commission.
The Economic Recovery Plan published on 1 June stated that Government recognises that as long as physical distancing remains a public health requirement, further supports may be needed for this sector. Officials have gained valuable insights from this scheme and will apply these learnings when considering further support measures, including those which have recently emerged from engagement with the sector and with stakeholders. Details of further measures will be announced in due course.
While it was difficult to determine how many applications would be submitted for this scheme, 589 applications were submitted by 7 July with a further 109 submitted by 21 July. 714 applications have been received to date with 475 approved. 159 applications have been unsuccessful, with the remaining applications currently being processed or awaiting further information from the applicant.
519. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the capital funding provided to ladies and men’s sports respectively in County Cork from 2015 to date in tabular form. [39648/21]
View answerThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country.
The 2020 round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme closed for applications on Monday 1 March. By the closing date, 3,106 applications were submitted seeking over €200 million in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received. The scoring system and assessment manual for the 2020 round was finalised earlier in the year and is available at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie . All applications are being assessed in accordance with this manual. Assessment of the "equipment-only" applications is nearing completion and an announcement in relation to these grants will be made shortly. The remaining applications for capital works will be assessed immediately afterwards with these allocations expected before the end of the year.
All applications, allocations and payments under the Programme are published on a county basis on my Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/service/d13385-sports-capital-programme/#sports-capital-programme-applications-allocations-and-payments . A high proportion of applicants under the programme have mixed membership so it is not possible to provide a breakdown between ladies and mens sport.
520. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if aqua-aerobics classes can be permitted given that swimming pools are currently open for individual use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39258/21]
View answerSince 7 June, indoor sports, swimming pools and leisure centres have been allowed to re-open for individual training purposes and for the provision of swimming classes. The decision to exceptionally include swimming classes is in specific recognition of the contribution that such classes make to water safety and is not intended to cover other indoor fitness classes such as those mentioned by the Deputy. Any decision on the further lifting of the restrictions, and its timing, is a matter for Government and not for individual Ministerial decision. The Government has indicated that any such decision will be considered in the context of the prevailing public health situation and vaccination roll-out.
On 29 June, Government announced the next phase of reopening the economy and society in line with Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead , with an emphasis on lower risk activities given the risks posed by the Delta variant.
The Government continues to follow its plan to review and monitor the control of the virus and follow the prevailing public health advice in support of a safe and gradual reopening, in line with Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead. Unfortunately this means that indoor activities in groups or classes cannot be permitted at present. Detailed Information and updates may be accessed on the gov.ie website.
