Written Answers Nos. 286-305
286. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the plans by the Office of Public Works to address a number of issues in respect of a site (details supplied); and the total amount spent on the restoration of the site. [43214/21]
View answerConolly folly is a National Monument in the care of the Office of Public Works.
It is considered that, in recent times, a vehicle of some type struck the boundary iron fence causing the visible damage. Temporary barriers have been put in place until such time as the necessary repairs to the permanent fence can be undertaken.
The CCTV system on site is a closed circuit system maintained on a bi-annual basis. OPW has received no reports of malfunction but will make further enquiries in this regard. Further enquiries, as they pertain to the lighting, are also necessary and have already commenced.
The general surface area of the space, which includes gravelled pathways, within the remit of the OPW is maintained by workstaff on a regular basis. While there is no doubt that restrictions related to COVID-19 impacted greatly on the National Monuments general maintenance program in the last eighteen months, the program has resumed and OPW would consider that the general upkeep of the area of the site within its remit is up to standard.
In the years 2007-2011, approximately €775,000 was expended by the OPW on conservation works at the Obelisk, the vast majority of which related to the Pay of the skilled workstaff involved.
287. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department has utilised the services of organisations (details supplied) at any time from 1 January 2015 to date; if so, the expenditure costs related to same; the purpose of any such engagements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43244/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that as part of its commitment to the continuous professional development of its staff, my Department has participated in the Common Purpose Ireland senior leadership programmes. These programmes offer participants the opportunity to share leadership experiences and challenges, exchange views and establish networks with a wide variety of diverse leaders from across the public, private and not for profit sectors.
The cost associated with this engagement during the specified period is set out in the table below.
|
Common Purpose Ireland |
2021 (to date) |
- |
|
|
2020 |
€6,000 |
|
|
2019 |
€3,000 |
|
|
2018 |
€6,000 |
|
|
2017 |
€7,500 |
|
|
2016 |
- |
|
|
2015 |
€2,000 |
288. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of qualified horticulturists employed by the OPW as of 1 September 2020 and 1 September 2021, in tabular form. [43399/21]
View answerThe OPW had 49 qualified horticulturists employed as of 1 September 2020 and 48 qualified horticulturalists as of 1 September 2021.
289. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures and projects to which funding under the National Recovery and Resilience Facility and Plan are being allocated in 2022 disaggregated by measure and project, funding allocation and Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43470/21]
View answerOn 16 July 2021 my Department published details of Ireland’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan, which has now been approved by the Council of Ministers and details of which can be found here:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/d4939-national-recovery-and-resilience-plan-2021/
This includes details of projects and indicative allocations broken down by priority and by Department. Allocations for 2022 will be decided in the context of Budget 2022.
290. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the commissioning of services other than by public tender is an option for public bodies provided for under EU procurement requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43683/21]
View answerAll Irish public bodies are obliged to spend or invest public funds with care, and to ensure that optimal value for money is obtained in accordance with the Public Spending Code which sets out the rules and procedures to ensure that these standards are upheld across the Irish public service.
Public Procurement is governed by EU legislation and national rules and guidelines with the aim of promoting an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers best value for money. The EU Procurement Directives were transposed into Irish Law in 2016 and 2017 under S.I. No. 284/2016 (the “2016 Regulations”); S.I. No. 286/2016 (the “2016 Utilities Regulations”) and S.I. No. 203/2017 (the “2017 Concessions Regulations”).
The procedures for public bodies, when tendering for goods and services, above and below the EU Thresholds, are set out in the Public Procurement Guidelines for Goods and Services published by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) and are available here:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/c23f5-public-procurement-guidelines-for-goods-and-services/
These Guidelines set out the procurement procedures to be followed by Government Departments and State Bodies under National and EU rules. The guidelines are to support contracting authorities, including the Office of Government Procurement (OGP), the four key sectors (Health, Education, Local Government and Defence), individual Departments, Offices, commercial and non-commercial State bodies, and private entities which are subsidised 50% or more by a public body, when awarding contracts for goods and services.
For all works and works-related services (above and below the relevant threshold) contracting authorities should consult the Capital Works Management Framework (CWMF) available here www.gov.ie/en/service/1d443-capital-works-management-framework/# . The CWMF is an integrated set of contractual provisions, guidance material and technical procedures which covers all aspects of the delivery process of a public works project from inception to final project delivery and review. The CWMF is for the use by contracting authorities involved in the expenditure of public funds on construction projects and related consultancy services. It includes a range of standard template documents and guidance material defining procedures to be followed for the procurement of works contractors and service providers such as architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, etc.
Contracts with estimated values equal to or above the EU thresholds must be advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) and awarded in accordance with the provisions of the 2016 Regulations. There are six award procedures that contracting authorities may utilise when awarding contracts above EU threshold under the 2016 Regulations :
- Open Procedure
- Restricted Procedure
- Competitive Dialogue
- Competitive Procedure With Negotiation
- Innovative Partnership
- Negotiated Procedure Without Prior Publication
The 2016 Regulations introduced a higher threshold procurement regime ( “light-touch” regime) for social and other specific services listed in Annex XIV of the EU Directive 2014/24/EU, which are generally considered to be of lower interest to cross-border competition .
Regulation 77 of the 2016 Regulations allows contracting authorities to reserve certain contracts for health, social and cultural services to organisations such as not-for-profit organisations which meet certain conditions, namely the pursuit of a public service mission linked to the delivery of the relevant services and reinvestment of profits in the organisation. The duration of the contract cannot be longer than three years and the organisation can not have been awarded a contract for the services by the contracting authority under this regulation within the proceeding three years.
Regulation 32 sets out an exhaustive list of limited circumstances where the Negotiated Procedure without Prior Publication may be used. The absence of a call for competition is a departure from the core principles of openness, transparency and competition and as such is a very exceptional procedure. For example, this procedure may be used for the purchase of goods and services where no tenders or no suitable tenders are submitted, in cases of extreme urgency not attributable to the contracting authority and brought about by unforeseen events, the creation or acquisition of a unique work of art or artistic performance, there is only one possible supplier or service provider, for the purposes of research, experimentation, study or development, where the contract follows a design contest.
291. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of Bills prepared by his Department since 27 June 2020; the number and title of those Bills that included a Regulatory Impact Assessments; the title of the Regulatory Impact Assessments that have been published by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43712/21]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.
|
Title of Bill |
Number of Bill |
Regulatory Impact Assessment |
|
Appropriation Bill 2020 |
75 |
No |
|
Public Service Pay Bill 2020 |
78 |
No |
|
Draft Scheme of the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Bill |
Not available until Bill is published |
Yes (not yet published) |
292. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if funding will be provided for works (details supplied) in County Meath. [43879/21]
View answerThe Office of Public works can confirm that there are no current plans to replace the windows at the location referred to by the Deputy . The windows, original (1948) Georgian style, timber sliding sash windows were fully refurbished in 2015 in this protect structure and are in good condition.
293. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when his officials will make a final determination on the sanction of compensation to be paid to a club (details supplied) agreed in principle by the Department of Education in April 2021. [43978/21]
View answerDue diligence must be given to any proposal that involves additional expenditure by the Exchequer, including by reference to the requirements set out in the Public Financial Procedures manual. In this instance, D/PER received a submission from the Department of Education on 30 April regarding a proposed settlement to the club in question. There was no engagement with my officials on any proposed agreement prior to this submission. My Department subsequently sought further clarifications on a number of issues from the Department of Education and received a response to these queries on 18 August. My officials are continuing to engage with the Department of Education on foot of this additional information with a view to bringing this issue to a conclusion in as timely a manner as possible.
294. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount paid in late interest payments and penalty payments by his Department in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021 in respect of late payments being made to suppliers, service providers and contractors in tabular form; and the measures he has put in place and or is implementing to reduce late payment interest and penalty payments. [44009/21]
View answerThe relevant information in respect of penalty interest is set out in the table below. As can be seen from the table, my Department has reduced the overall level of penalty interest incurred in recent years across its three Votes. Due to the devolved nature of budgeting within the Department, the Finance Unit works with business units where penalty interest has been charged to establish the circumstances as to why penalty interest was charged and to put in place local processes to ensure that it does not reoccur. As well as working with business units throughout the year, the Finance Unit also holds annual training and awareness sessions in order to refresh staff knowledge of public sector financial and procurement rules and regulations. As part of the monthly internal financial management reporting, the Management Board is also provided with details of any penalty interest.
|
Year |
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Penalty Interest |
Office of the Government Chief Information Officer* Penalty Interest |
Office of Government Procurement Penalty Interest |
|
2017 |
€1,377 |
- |
€83 |
|
2018 |
€2,111 |
- |
€1,091 |
|
2019 |
€3,034 |
- |
€194 |
|
2020 |
€492 |
€459 |
€113 |
|
2021 |
€473 |
€206 |
€129 |
* OGCIO Vote was established in 2020.
295. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has utilised the services of organisations (details supplied) at any time from 1 January 2015 to date; if so, the expenditure costs related to same; the purpose of any such engagements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43248/21]
View answerI can advise that my Department has not engaged the services of the organisation outlined.
296. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of meetings she has had with businesses, workers and representatives of the events industry since July 2020; and the dates of each meeting. [43287/21]
View answerI understand the devastating impact that Covid-19 has had on all areas of the events industry, and I have endeavoured to make sure that the voices of those in this sector have been heard. I have personally met with the organisations and businesses listed in the below table and officials in my Department have continued contact with these organisations and others on a regular basis throughout the pandemic to ensure that I had the most up-to-date information to ensure appropriate supports were delivered for the sector.
To support the industry through this difficult period I have to date allocated €61.5m for a suite of measures designed to sustain and support the sector, including:
- €25m Live Performance Support Scheme
- €14m Music and Entertainment Business Support Scheme
- €11.5m Event Sector Covid Support Scheme (funded via transfer from D/ETE Vote)
- €5m Local Authority Performance Support Scheme
- €5m Capital Support Scheme
- €1m Patrick's Day Festival
I committed during August to securing a reopening plan for the sector through a clear roadmap for the sustainable reopening of activities in the live entertainment, culture and arts sectors.
At its meeting on 31 August, Government agreed on the return to outdoor and indoor events at the following capacity levels and with maximum available social distancing between groups:
- Indoors – for vaccinated/recovered people and accompanying minors- 60% capacity
- Outdoors - for vaccinated/recovered people and accompanying minors- 75% capacity
- Outdoors - for mixed groups of vaccinated/recovered and unvaccinated people – 50% capacity.
The announcement of dates for the lifting of restrictions is a response to a clear call from the sector. In the interim, we will see increased opportunities for live performance both indoors and outdoors from 6 September.
Government understands that the full return of live performance will not happen overnight. I am examining the supports in place for the sector to ensure that available resources are best deployed to meet the needs of the sector. My Department is working with the Department of Social Protection also on the impact of the changes to the Pandemic Unemployment Payment to ensure that those in the arts and entertainment sector continue to have adequate supports pending the full resumption of activity.
|
Meeting |
Date |
|
Event Industry Alliance |
02 September 2020 |
|
Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce |
22 September 2020 |
|
Night time Economy Taskforce |
29 September 2020 |
|
MEAI (Music and Entertainment Association Ireland) |
20 January 2021 |
|
AIPCO (Association of Irish Professional Conference Organisers) |
27 January 2021 |
|
Live Venue Collective Meeting |
28 January 2021 |
|
EPIC (Event Production Industry Covid-19 Working Group) |
28 January 2021 |
|
Venue Operators and Promoters Forum Meeting |
10 February 2021 |
|
Event Industry Association of Ireland |
25 March 2021 |
|
AVEA (Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions) |
12 April 2021 |
|
Denis Desmond, Mike Adamson, and Justin Green Meeting on behalf of Commercial Venues, Concert Promoters, Live Agents and Suppliers |
06 May 2021 |
|
MCD and Paschal Donohoe |
25 May 2021 |
|
Give Us The Night |
11 June 2021 |
|
AIPCO (Association of Irish Professional Conference Organisers) |
06 July 2021 |
|
MEAI (Music and Entertainment Association Ireland) |
30 July 2021 |
|
Live Entertainment Forum |
18 August 2021 |
|
Live Entertainment Forum |
30 August 2021 |
297. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a schedule of swimming pools delivered under the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund will be provided by county; if a schedule of swimming pools at planning and construction phase under the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund will also be provided by county; and if the information will be provided from the date on which the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund came into operation to date. [43530/21]
View answer298. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the population analysis and pool to person ratio that is used to determine if an application for a swimming pool under the Large-Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund can be granted will be provided. [43531/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 297 and 298 together.
The National Sports Policy was published in 2018 and provided for the establishment of a Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The National Development Plan provided a capital allocation of at least €100m for the Fund over the period to 2027.
There are two streams of funding within the LSSIF. Stream One provides assistance for the development of detailed plans and cost effective analysis for proposed projects to bring them to tender stage. Stream Two provides assistance for the construction or delivery of a project.
It was open to all local authorities and National Governing Bodies (NGBs) to apply for funding. All applications were assessed in accordance with the published Evaluation Procedures and Guidelines and the published scoring system both of which are available at the following link:-
www.gov.ie/en/service/4113b3-large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif/.
Amongst the key factors in assessing applications was the likelihood of a project increasing participation (including for those with a disability), the priority afforded to the project by the relevant local authority and/or NGB, the level of socio economic disadvantage in the area and whether the proposed project would be shared by a number of different potential users.
The first allocations under the LSSIF were announced in January 2020 and, thus far, approximately €86.4m has been awarded to 33 different proposals. These initial allocations included funding for 8 swimming pool projects under Stream 2 of the LSSIF:
1. Laois: Portarlington Leisure Centre Swimming Pool
2. Sligo: Waterpoint Aqua Park
3. Kilkenny: The Watershed Development,
4. Limerick: Askeaton Pool and Leisure
5. Wicklow: Wicklow Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre
6. Louth: Dundalk Leisure Centre
7. Galway: Galway Regional Aquatic & Fitness Centre
8. Dublin: Samuel Beckett Civic Campus Phase 2
All of these projects are now at various stages of the due diligence process in keeping with the public spending code.
Previously, Government support for new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools was provided through the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP). 52 pools have been completed under the LASPP and three swimming pool projects (Lucan, Buncrana and Edenderry) remain in the programme. A list of the completed projects is attached.
In relation to future swimming pool needs, my Department is currently undertaking a review of progress on all existing LSSIF grants. As part of this review, my Department is also considering the timing of any new call for proposals and it is expected that the review will be completed in the coming months. In addition, the National Sports Policy commits to the development of a National Swimming Strategy. This will involve close collaboration with relevant Government Departments, Local Authorities, sporting bodies and other stakeholders. As part of this, there will be a review of swimming pool provision to identify where gaps exist and how these can be met. Furthermore, a Sports Action Plan, covering the period to end 2023 will be published shortly. It is envisaged that the development of a national swimming strategy will be significantly progressed as a priority action in that plan, with the aim of completing the strategy in early 2022.
|
County |
Pool Name |
Replacement or Refurbishment |
Date Opened |
|
|
1 |
Wicklow |
Arklow |
Refurbishment |
Jan 00 |
|
2 |
Wexford |
Enniscorthy |
Replacement |
Jan 00 |
|
3 |
Meath |
Navan |
Replacement |
Aug 00 |
|
4 |
Wicklow |
Wicklow |
Replacement |
Jun 01 |
|
5 |
Wexford |
Courtown/Gorey |
Replacement |
Oct 01 |
|
6 |
Louth |
Dundalk |
Replacement |
Mar 02 |
|
7 |
Roscommon |
Roscommon |
Refurbishment |
Apr 02 |
|
8 |
Clare |
Ennis |
Replacement |
Sep 03 |
|
9 |
Kerry |
AquaDome Tralee |
Refurbishment |
2003 |
|
10 |
Galway |
Ballinasloe |
Replacement |
Oct 03 |
|
11 |
Dublin |
Finglas |
Replacement |
Apr 04 |
|
12 |
Limerick |
Grove Island Limerick |
Replacement |
Jun 04 |
|
13 |
Kerry |
Sports and Leisure Centre Tralee |
Refurbishment |
Jul 04 |
|
14 |
Tipperary |
Clonmel |
Refurbishment |
Dec 04 |
|
15 |
Cork |
Churchfield, Cork City |
Refurbishment |
Jun 05 |
|
16 |
Dublin |
Ballymun |
Replacement |
Jun 05 |
|
17 |
Galway |
Tuam |
Replacement |
Sep 05 |
|
18 |
Louth |
Drogheda |
Replacement |
May 06 |
|
19 |
Monaghan |
Monaghan |
Replacement |
Aug 06 |
|
20 |
Cork |
Cobh |
Replacement |
Aug 06 |
|
21 |
Cork |
Youghal |
Replacement |
Sep 06 |
|
22 |
Dublin |
Jobstown |
Replacement |
Nov 06 |
|
23 |
Kerry |
Ballybunion |
Replacement |
Jun 07 |
|
24 |
Offaly |
Birr |
Refurbishment |
Jul 07 |
|
25 |
Donegal |
Letterkenny |
Replacement |
Jul 07 |
|
26 |
Limerick |
Askeaton (outdoor) |
Replacement |
Aug 07 |
|
27 |
Longford |
Longford |
Replacement |
Sept 07 |
|
28 |
Dublin |
St. Joseph's School for Deaf Boys |
Refurbishment |
Nov 07 |
|
29 |
Laois |
Portarlington |
Refurbishment |
Dec 07 |
|
30 |
Laois |
Portlaoise |
Replacement |
Dec 07 |
|
31 |
Dublin |
Clondalkin |
Replacement |
Jan 08 |
|
32 |
Tipperary |
Thurles |
Replacement |
Apr 08 |
|
33 |
Dublin |
St. Michael's House |
Replacement |
Apr 08 |
|
34 |
Kerry |
Killarney |
Replacement |
Jul 08 |
|
35 |
Wicklow |
Bray |
Replacement |
Sep 08 |
|
36 |
Dublin |
Ballyfermot |
Replacement |
Oct 08 |
|
37 |
Wicklow |
Greystones |
Replacement |
Oct 08 |
|
38 |
Offaly |
Tullamore (outdoor) |
Replacement |
Oct 08 |
|
39 |
Kilkenny |
Kilkenny City |
Replacement |
Dec 08 |
|
40 |
Kildare |
Athy |
Replacement |
Mar 09 |
|
41 |
Kildare |
Naas |
Replacement |
Mar 09 |
|
42 |
Dublin |
Dundrum |
Replacement |
Apr 09 |
|
43 |
Mayo |
Claremorris |
Replacement |
Sep 09 |
|
44 |
Tipperary |
Roscrea |
Replacement |
Sep 09 |
|
45 |
Wexford |
Ferrybank |
Refurbishment |
Jun 10 |
|
46 |
Dublin |
Loughlinstown |
Refurbishment |
May 13 |
|
47 |
Donegal |
Ballybofey Stranorlar |
Replacement |
Oct 13 |
|
48 |
Wexford |
New Ross |
Replacement |
Aug 13 |
|
49 |
Dublin |
De Paul, Navan Road |
Refurbishment |
Oct 15 |
|
50 |
Offaly |
Clara |
Refurbishment |
Nov 15 |
|
51 |
Cork |
Dunmanway |
Replacement |
May 17 |
|
52 |
Mayo |
Castlebar |
Replacement |
April 19 |
299. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the position in respect of the release of monies under the 2018 sports capital programme and in particular the monies due to a club (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43587/21]
View answerThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. The 2018 round of the Programme closed for applications on Friday 19th October, 2018. By that deadline, 2,337 applications were submitted seeking a total of €162m in funding. Allocations were announced in January, May and November of 2019 with a total of over €56 million awarded to 1,648 different projects. To date, over €24 million has been drawn down by grantees.
The club referred to by the Deputy was provisionally allocated a grant of €86,018 under the 2018 round for security fencing and the development of a natural playing surface. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the SCEP and due to the level of grants received by the club in the past, it is necessary to execute a Deed of Covenant and Charge in order to protect the public investment in the facility. Legal formalities in relation to this grant have not yet been finalised and it will not be possible to provide formal approval for the grant until the Chief State Solicitor’s Office (CSSO) confirms that all matters are in order. I understand that contacts between the CSSO and the club's solicitors are ongoing in this regard. Once the CSSO confirmation is received, there will be no undue delay in paying the grant subject to the other necessary documentation being submitted by the club.
300. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide a roadmap for the amateur and professional music and arts sector as the reframing the challenge, continuing our recovery and reconnecting plan is rolled out;; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43694/21]
View answerAt its meeting on 31 August, Government agreed on the return to outdoor and indoor events from 6 September at the following capacity levels and with maximum available social distancing between groups:
- Indoors – for vaccinated/recovered people and accompanying minors- 60% capacity
- Outdoors - for vaccinated/recovered people and accompanying minors- 75% capacity
- Outdoors - for mixed groups of vaccinated/recovered and unvaccinated people – 50% capacity.
As signalled by Government in its reopening plan, there will be a full return to all activities from 22 October 2021 as the vaccination programme progresses and subject to the levels of infections and hospitalisations at that time.
My Department continues to engage with the sectors as they progress through the phases to the full reopening of live performance and in person events. All sector specific financial supports operated by my Department are being kept under review to ensure that they meet the needs of the sector in the period ahead.
301. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of Bills prepared by her Department since 27 June 2020; the number and title of those Bills that included a Regulatory Impact Assessments; the title of the Regulatory Impact Assessments that have been published by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43716/21]
View answerMy Department has prepared one bill in the period specified by the Deputy - the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill. This bill has not yet been published.
A Regulatory Impact Assessment entitled Regulatory Impact Analysis – Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill – November 2020 was completed and is available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/d8e4c-online-safety-and-media-regulation-bill/.
I trust that this information is of assistance to the Deputy.
302. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there are funding streams available for ultra-triathlon competitors such as a person (details supplied) that wish to compete in a series of events culminating in the ultra-games grand final in August 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43850/21]
View answerSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding across its various programmes. Sport Ireland does not provide direct funding for clubs or individuals but channels the funding through the relevant National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs), in this case Triathlon Ireland. There is no mechanism by which Sport Ireland can allocate funding outside of this process.
The person mentioned by the Deputy should engage with Triathlon Ireland to discuss any potential supports they might be able to offer.
303. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated expenditure on high performance sports in 2020 and 2021; and the expected expenditure for 2022. [43897/21]
View answerSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, including high performance sport and its funding allocations. Sport Ireland provides High Performance Programme funding which supports Irish athletes in reaching finals and achieving medals at European Championships, World Championships, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Total expenditure by Sport Ireland on high performance sport in 2020 was €15.5m and estimated expenditure for 2021 is €18.57m, as outlined in the tables below.
Funding for sport for 2022 will be determined as part of the Estimates 2022 process.
|
High Performance Sport Investment |
2020 |
|
High Performance Programme Funding |
€ 8,500,000 |
|
International Carding Scheme |
€ 2,445,500 |
|
Olympic Federation of Ireland |
€ 420,000 |
|
Paralympics Ireland |
€ 400,000 |
|
Sport Ireland Institute |
€ 2,539,831 |
|
Tokyo 2020 Special Project Funding |
€ 1,225,000 |
|
Total |
€ 15,530,331 |
|
High Performance Sport Investment |
2021 |
|
High Performance Programme Funding |
€ 8,500,000 |
|
International Carding Scheme |
€ 2,750,000* |
|
Olympic Federation of Ireland |
€ 420,000 |
|
Paralympics Ireland |
€ 400,000 |
|
Sport Ireland Institute |
€ 3,500,000* |
|
Tokyo 2020 Special Project Funding |
€ 3,000,000* |
|
Total |
€ 18,570,000 |
*Estimated expenditure. Full year expenditure will be determined at year-end.
304. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount paid in late interest payments and penalty payments by her Department in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021 in respect of late payments being made to suppliers, service providers and contractors in tabular form; and the measures she has put in place and or is implementing to reduce late payment interest and penalty payments. [44013/21]
View answerDetails of the amount paid in late interest payments and penalty (compensation) payments by my Department and all Government departments are published by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on a quarterly basis. I have attached the relevant links below:
enterprise.gov.ie/en/Publications/Prompt-Payment-Returns-Government-Departments-2021.html.
enterprise.gov.ie/en/Publications/Prompt-Payment-Returns-Government-Departments-2020.html.
enterprise.gov.ie/en/Publications/Prompt-Payment-Returns-by-Government-Departments-2019.html.
enterprise.gov.ie/en/Publications/Prompt-Payment-Returns-Government-Departments-2018.html.
enterprise.gov.ie/en/Publications/Prompt-Payment-Returns-by-Government-Departments-2017.html.
The Department’s Management Board closely monitors the performance of the Department on a quarterly basis and my officials are aware of their obligations under Prompt Payment Legislation.
305. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount paid in late interest payments and penalty payments in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021 made by Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland in respect of late payments being made to suppliers, service providers and contractors in tabular form; and the measures that each respective body has put in place or are implementing to reduce late payment interest and or penalty payments. [44016/21]
View answerThe amounts paid in late interest payments and penalty payments by Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland are operational matters for both tourism agencies.
I have accordingly referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland for direct reply to the Deputy. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
