Written Answers Nos. 117-136
118. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has assessed the number of enterprises supported by her Department that are reporting financial distress; and the capacity of policy initiatives to ensure that viable activities can be sustained. [55053/21]
View answer156. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has assessed the number of enterprises supported by her Department which are reporting financial distress; and the capacity of policy initiatives to ensure that viable activities can be sustained. [55109/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 118 and 156 together.
The COVID-19 pandemic has a significant and ongoing impact on the operating landscape for the sectors my Department supports. Throughout the pandemic, while not assessing numbers of enterprises, I have been actively working with and for the sectors within my remit to ensure that they are supported. My focus for these engagements is both to find ways to support the sectors during the period of the pandemic as well as charting a path for their recovery after the crisis has passed.
My Department is also engaged in ongoing analysis of economic trends across the sectors that fall within the remit of my Department, including analysis of trends in uptake for COVID-related horizontal employment supports and potential impacts for businesses in these sectors. This work can help to inform policy responses where required.
Since the onset of the Pandemic, I have established a number of fora and taskforces to facilitate sectoral stakeholders in bringing forward their experiences and ideas to inform the development of appropriate policy responses across my Department's remit. These include:
- Tourism Recovery Oversight Group;
- The Hospitality and Tourism Forum which I co-chair with An Tánaiste;
- The Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce;
- The Sports Monitoring Group and Expert Group on the Return to Sport;
- Live Entertainment Working Group;
- Night-time Economy Taskforce;
Many of the actions contained in the reports produced by the Tourism Recovery Oversight Group, Arts and Culture Recovery and the Night-Time Economy Taskforces’ are now being implemented by my Department, in partnership with other Government stakeholders, and I consider these as essential inputs to our journey towards recovery.
Regular meetings of the Sports Monitoring Group at which NGBs provide up-to-date assessments of the status of their operations and the progress being made in relation to the resumption of their particular sports allow Minister Chambers and I to keep up to date on the ongoing COVID-19 impacts to the sports sector.
My officials and I have also engaged with stakeholders in the media sector in relation to the impact of COVID-19. The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland is reporting to me quarterly on the impacts of COVID-19 on the independent radio sector.
I am continuing to work with colleagues across Government to ensure that the sectors within my remit were provided with a range of financial supports and pandemic recovery measures. These include the horizontal measures of the PUP, EWSS and CRSS.
Within my own Department, tailored funding measures have been introduced to support all of the sectors under my remit, in specific response to the pandemic, as well as to reflect commitments in the Programme for Government and ongoing policy to support, empower and grow these sectors.
These measures include a range of funding streams for the live entertainment sector, an Adaptation Fund and a Business Continuity Scheme for the tourism sector delivered through Fáilte Ireland, a funding package for the sport sector, Gaeltacht supports and increased funding for the Arts Council. My officials are available to assist the Deputy if he has specific questions in relation to any of these measures.
The sectors under my remit are at the heart of our identity as a people and the pandemic has demonstrated very clearly the critical role they play in social and economic well-being. The resilience of these sectors, in the face of the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic, has been remarkable, particularly as many were among the first sectors to close and are the last to return to full capacity.
I am greatly heartened at the response to and uptake of the various supports, both horizontal and sectoral, that have been put in place. Recognising that resilience and the hugely important role that these sectors play in Ireland's collective economic and social well-being, I will continue to work with the stakeholders to monitor the evolving situation and to work with my Government colleagues to support these sectors and, with officials and Government colleagues, to support a strong and stable recovery as we emerge from the pandemic.
119. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the planned allocation of the €50 million provision announced in Budget 2022 for business continuity support for strategic tourism businesses that can help drive the sustainable recovery of the tourism sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55127/21]
View answerThe COVID-19 pandemic had a devastating impact on the tourism industry. As we rebuild this vital sector, which supports livelihoods all across Ireland, we have an opportunity to ensure that the sector recovers and grows in a way which delivers social and economic gain to cities, towns and villages all across Ireland, more evenly spread throughout the year, and in a manner that protects our unique environment. The significant additional funding that I have secured for tourism services in Budget 2022 will help address immediate survival-related concerns while also enabling further resilience and recovery across industry as we reopen to international tourism and transition to a more sustainable future.
The funding for Tourism in Budget 2022 amounting to €288.5m represents an increase of €67.6m over the 2021 allocation. This includes €50m funding for further Tourism Business Continuity Supports to assist strategic tourism businesses with their survival and recovery. This funding will assist vulnerable tourism businesses to survive until summer 2022 when it is expected that inbound tourism will recover. Fáilte Ireland is finalising its detailed plans for 2022 which will include the allocation of Tourism Business Continuity Funding.
The 2022 funding is in addition to the €55m in Tourism Business Continuity supports which were made available in 2021. Five phases of this Scheme have been launched since the beginning of 2021. Phases 4 and 5 closed for applications on 24 September 2021. By the end of 2021 hundreds of tourism businesses will have received vital funding to help them survive the impacts of the pandemic. Hundreds more will again receive support in 2022.
In addition to the €50m for the Tourism Business Continuity Scheme, the budget measures include a €35m increase in the Tourism Marketing Fund in 2022 to enable Tourism Ireland to support the delivery of a marketing strategy to help restore inbound tourism to Ireland. Funding is also being provided for a range of initiatives including domestic marketing and festivals, supporting the digitalisation of tourism businesses as well as skills development and staff retention. €36.5m is also being provided in capital funding for tourism product development for the delivery of enhanced visitor experiences in line with the objectives of the National Development Plan 2021-2030.
The supports for Tourism also include a range of cross-Government measures which will assist the sector in its recovery and growth. Tourism enterprises continue to benefit from measures such as the continuation of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme to April 2022, tax warehousing and a commercial rates waiver while the 9% VAT rate for hospitality remains in place until September 2022.
I am committed to continued support for tourism through this difficult period and to working towards a sustainable recovery.
120. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir le toghcháin phoiblí do bhord Údarás na Gaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [54560/21]
View answerLuaitear sa Chlár Rialtais go ndéanfar athbhreithniú ar struchtúir fheidhmiúcháin agus rialachais Údarás na Gaeltachta, agus ar an bpróiseas roghnúcháin/toghacháin i ndáil le Bord an Údaráis
Faoin socrú reatha maidir le struchtúr Bhord an Údaráis agus faoi réir fhorálacha ábhartha Acht na Gaeltachta 2012, ainmníonn na hÚdaráis Áitiúla a bhfuil ceantar Gaeltachta faoina gcúram acu cúigear comhalta faoi seach chuig an mbord agus roghnaítear an seachtar comhalta eile tríd comórtas poiblí a eagraítear faoi scáth na Seirbhíse um Cheapacháin Phoiblí.
Ar mhaithe le beart a dhéanamh de réir bhriathar an ghealltanais, rinne an Oifig um Sholáthar Rialtais (OGP) comórtas a reáchtáil ar iarratas na Roinne i mí Iúil 2021 i dtreo sainchomhairleoireacht a aimsiú le tabhairt faoin athbhreithniú ar an bpróiseas roghnúcháin/toghcháin i ndáil le Bord Údarás na Gaeltachta. Bhíothas ag súil leis go bhféadfaí tús a chur leis an athbhreithniú sa tríú ráithe den bhliain agus go gcuirfí i gcrích é laistigh de dhá mhí.
Reáchtáladh an comórtas faoin gcreatlach atá i bhfeidhm ag an OGP do sheirbhísí comhairleoireachta gnó agus bainistíochta. Foilsíodh an cuireadh chun tairisceana (RFT) ar 8 Iúil ach níor cuireadh aon tairiscint isteach don chomórtas seo faoin spriocdháta a bhain leis - an ceathrú lá de Lúnasa.
Is gá, faoi réir na rialacha lena mbaineann, leasú a dhéanamh ar an gcuireadh chun tairisceana le go bhféadfadh an OGP comórtas nua a reáchtáil faoin gcreatlach. Tá an obair sin idir lámha ag an Roinn faoi láthair i dtreo an OGP a bheith in ann comórtas nua a reáchtáil gan mhoill.
121. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on the importance of investment in sport as set out in the national sports policy; if she will continue to increase investment in sport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55217/21]
View answerThe Government's objectives as set out in the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 are to achieve a sustained increase in participation levels across all sectors of society, to support our athletes to reach their potential in international competition and to support the development of the sport sector, in terms of facilities and organisational capacity.
We fully recognise that these objectives will not be achieved without continued investment across the sporting sector. Our ambition is to double the State's investment in sport, from €112 million in 2018 to €220 million in 2027.
In Budget 2022, we announced over €181 million for sport next year, an increase of almost €11 million compared to the 2021 Revised Estimate. Compared to 2018, we will have achieved an increase of almost €70m.
Current expenditure funding for Sport Ireland for 2022 will be €96 million, an increase of over €4m from 2021 and up by €44 million compared to 2018. This funding will enable Sport Ireland to continue to support the sector as it recovers from the challenges of Covid. It will also allow continued support for high performance sport, participation programmes and other funding programmes.
We are continuing our investment in sport capital programmes. At least €34.5 million has been provided for the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme in 2022, which will cover all existing allocations under older rounds of the Programme plus significant new allocations for the 2020 Capital applications. At least €14.6 million is available for the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund next year.
122. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to encourage members and players to return to sports following full reopening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55117/21]
View answerEnsuring and assisting the overall resumption capacity of the sports system is a key priority for Government and is the main driver for the considerable financial assistance which the Government is providing to the sporting sector.
In order to facilitate the maximum possible return to sport for people of all ages, I was pleased to confirm last month that a new special funding package of up to €65 million will be available to support the sport sector this year. Allied to the additional current expenditure of €26.3 million already provided to Sport Ireland, this equates to a total of €91.3 million in additional current funding to support the sport sector in 2021.
Following an invitation for applications last month, Sport Ireland is currently assessing applications from NGBs and sports clubs with the aim of distributing this special funding this year. This new package is additional to the €88.5 million that was provided last year, which benefited all levels of the sport sector, including thousands of grassroots clubs and Community Groups across the country.
In addition to these financial supports, which benefit young and old alike, I consider that a public information campaign emphasising the benefits of sport can also contribute to a comprehensive resumption to sporting activity. Last month, Sport Ireland launched such a campaign under the title of “Let’s Get Back”. The campaign is aimed at encouraging members of the public that are anxious or unsure about returning to sport and physical activity that it is possible to do so in a safe and secure manner. The campaign also collaborated with social media influencers and platforms to promote the message to the younger demographic.
The campaign is part of a wider winter initiative to get people back to sport, with activities planned throughout the sports sector, and provides National Governing Bodies with a perfect platform to launch their Winter Programmes.
Under this initiative, Sport Ireland are co-ordinating activities across the NGB and LSP sector, to ensure that a Return to Sport takes place across the Winter months. Hundreds of activities are already planned or taking place across the country, and this will continue throughout the winter as we strive to get the sport sector back on its feet.
In line with a safe return to sport, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that Government agreed last week to widen the range of sporting opportunities for young people which enables under 18 indoor sports games and competitions in sports such as basketball to go ahead. On foot of this, updated guidance has been provided by Sport Ireland to sporting organisations to allow children under 18 years of age to participate in indoor games and competition activities according to the ordinary rules and limits of the sport concerned. The full guidance can be accessed on the Sport Ireland website at:
www.sportireland.ie/covid19/return-to-sport-and-physical-activity
While the pace and extent of the return to sport for all people is significantly dependent on the capacity of the various sporting organisations and clubs at local level, I hope that these measures will help support organisations and clubs in bringing many people back to sporting activity as quickly as possible.
123. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps she is taking to promote the tourism and hospitality sector in 2022. [55161/21]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the tourism sector has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, therefore I was pleased to secure a record level of funding for tourism in Budget 2022. The total funding of €288.5 million represents an increase of €67.6 million over the 2021 allocation. The allocation includes a €35 million increase to the Tourism Marketing Fund, to support the delivery of a marketing strategy to help restore inbound tourism to Ireland.
As part of its marketing strategy, Tourism Ireland has established a recovery framework entitled: RESTART, REBUILD and REDESIGN, which will be underpinned by an extensive programme of promotional activity throughout 2022.
Tourism Ireland has already begun to ‘roll out the green carpet’ as they work to encourage as many overseas holidaymakers as possible to book Ireland for their next holiday destination. The concept revolves around creating a commitment to travel, by ‘pressing the Green Button’ – green being the universal colour of ‘go’ and instinctively connected with the island of Ireland. I was happy to help Tourism Ireland launch this new campaign in both the UK and the United States recently when I travelled to both markets to engage with our industry partners to reassure them that Ireland was open and waiting to welcome back visitors.
Tourism Ireland will continue to work with airlines and ferry companies through a programme of jointly funded marketing initiatives to support the restoration of air and sea access routes, which are so vital for tourism’s return to growth.
Given the projected slow return of international visitors, additional funding has also been allocated to Fáilte Ireland in Budget 2022, for domestic marketing and festivals. Festivals are a key motivator for visitors to travel and provide an urgency and a specific time frame in which potential visitors must visit Ireland, while domestic visitors will be crucial in sustaining businesses and jobs in the sector.
Fáilte Ireland recently embarked on extensive domestic marketing and communications campaigns, including their ‘Keep Discovering’ and ‘Winter in Dublin’ programmes, designed to encourage domestic holidaymakers to discover Ireland.
There is increasing recognition that tourism growth must be sustainable, as well as being consistent with our sectoral climate change targets and commitments. In that regard, I know that Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland are working towards the longer term goal of ensuring that we are successfully marketed as a sustainable tourism destination.
124. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has conducted a study or research to determine the effects lockdowns and travel restrictions had on Gaeltacht regions during the pandemic. [54110/21]
View answerWhile no formal study has been conducted by my Department to determine the effect of lockdowns and travel restrictions on Gaeltacht regions during the pandemic, both I and my officials and, indeed, those of Údarás na Gaeltachta are acutely aware, through our daily contact with the communities we serve, of the challenges faced by them during the pandemic.
As with communities across the country, our Gaeltacht communities continue to deal with the impacts of the pandemic. Officials from my Department continue to work closely with Údarás na Gaeltachta to ensure that the range of supports being provided by An tÚdarás, including financial and technical support and advice, align with the needs of client companies, particularly in dealing with the implications of both COVID-19 and Brexit, and in order to deliver on the commitments to the Gaeltacht and the Irish language in the Programme for Government.
To that end, the 2020 July Jobs Stimulus programme included a capital allocation of €8m to Údarás na Gaeltachta for essential upgrades to existing building stock and water treatment facilities in order to facilitate the marketing of currently dormant factory spaces for modern job creation projects. This has created 40-50 new construction jobs across Gaeltacht communities in the short term and the re-developed building stock will support the longer-term creation of 320 new jobs in the Gaeltacht, in Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies.
Against this backdrop, the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta has approved over €7.4m of COVID-19 supports to date for over 435 Gaeltacht companies to address financial and supply difficulties, ensure cash-flow and enhance their ability to access global online sales markets.
The Deputy will be aware that I have recently set up a stabilisation fund worth €1.7m to help the Irish Language summer colleges sector. The funding is being made available to college authorities as a result of the cancellation of Irish language courses in the Gaeltacht for the second summer in a row due to COVID-19. This latest assistance follows the special €2.2m fund announced in July to support Gaeltacht families who provide accommodation for Gaeltacht college students and €240,000 for Gaeltacht community halls to address the impact of COVID-19 on the summer colleges sector.
I might also point out that an additional exchequer allocation of €14.8m was included in Budget 2021 for the Irish language and Gaeltacht sectors. This additional allocation ultimately means that total funding in excess of €78m is being deployed in support of the Irish language via my Department alone this year. Following Budget 2022, this will increase significantly to €85m next year.
In summary, the impact of Covid-19 on the country as a whole and particularly on the Gaeltacht should not be underestimated. However, in commending Gaeltacht communities for showing great resilience in the face of the challenge presented, I am also satisfied that both my Department and Údarás na Gaeltachta rose to the challenge to mitigate the impact of the pandemic in as far as possible.
I think it is important at this juncture to recognise the vital work carried out by Gaeltacht co-operatives and community organisations during the bleakest of times during the past 18 month. The people involved in this network went above and beyond the call of duty in reaching out to the most vulnerable in their communities and, for that, they should be highly commended. It is at times like this that we realise the importance of these locally-based organisations to their communities.
125. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an ndéanfaidh sí athbhreithniú ar Scéim na mBóithre Áise chun í a thabhairt ar ais do na Ceantair Ghaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [54561/21]
View answerTá Scéim na mBóithre Áise, a bhfuil an Teachta ag tagairt di, curtha ar fionraí le roinnt blianta anois. Faoin scéim sin, chuirtí airgead ar fáil do na húdaráis áitiúla ar mhaithe le hobair dheisiúcháin a dhéanamh ar bhóithre cáilithe faoi leith sa Ghaeltacht.
Ach an oiread leis an gcuid eile den tír, is faoi na húdaráis áitiúla ábhartha a bhaineann an fhreagracht maidir le cothabháil bhóithre na Gaeltachta.
Faoin Scéim Feabhsaithe Áitiúil (LIS), cuireann An Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail maoiniú ar fáil chun cabhrú le húdaráis áitiúla obair fheabhsúcháin a dhéanamh ar bhóithre príobháideacha agus ar bhóithre nach ndéantar cothabháil phoiblí orthu sa ghnáthbhealach. Tuigtear dom go gcaithfidh an bóthar i gceist bheith ag dul chuig árais chónaithe, talamh feirme nó suíomhanna taitneamhach ar nós locha, aibhneacha nó tránna. Tá breis eolas le fáil ar suímh na Roinne sin ag: www.gov.ie/ga/seirbhis/57f354-none/?section=boithre-aitiula-a-fheabhsu-lis
Is i gcomhthéacs fhorfheidhmiú na Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030, a ndéanfaí aon chinneadh maidir le hathnuachan Scéim na mBóithre Áise de chuid mo Roinne – rud nach bhfuil beartaithe a dhéanamh ag an bpointe ama seo. Is é an Plean Gníomhaíochta 2018-2022 , a d’fhoilsigh mo Roinn i mí Meithimh 2018, an mapa bóthair ina ndéantar rianú ar cad a dhéanfar chun cúram a dhéanamh d'fheidhmiú na Straitéise 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge sa tréimhse cúig bliana ó 2018 go dtí 2022.
Tá infheistíocht leanúnach á dhéanamh ag mo Roinn i dtograí caipiteal sa Ghaeltacht faoin gClár Tacaíochtaí Pobail agus Teanga, a léiríonn go bhfuil mo Roinn tiomanta d’fhorbairt na Gaeltachta agus do phobal bríomhar inbhunaithe a choinneáil ann. Maidir leis an ghné chaipitil a mbeidh soláthar €2.698m ar fáil dó in 2022, tuigfidh an Teachta go ndáiltear an ciste sin chun cabhrú le feidhmiú foríomlán an phróisis pleanála teanga. Mar eolas don Teachta chomh maith, tá cúig mór thogra Gaeltachta ag mo Roinn luaite i dTionscadail Éireann 2040.
Maidir le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta, beidh €14.450m in airgead caipitil ar fáil don Údarás an bhliain seo chugainn, méadú de 60% ar an allúntas a bhí ag an eagraíocht in 2019. Tugadh méadú suntasach breise don Údarás i mbliana le dul i ngleic leis na fadhbanna a chruthaigh an phaindéim dá gcuid cliantchomhlachtaí. Deimhníodh i gCáinaisnéis 2022 go bhfuil an t-airgead sin coinnithe ag an Údaráis – rud a dhéanfaidh difríocht ollmhór don eagraíocht agus í ag pleanáil do na blianta amach romhainn.
126. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she plans to respond positively to the requests of an organisation (details supplied) for a package of supports and measures to assist the recovery of those working in music, events and entertainment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55225/21]
View answerEngagement with stakeholders has been at the heart of my Department's response to the Covid pandemic. My officials and I have met with industry bodies and representatives consistently over the past 20 months. I have received a copy of the organisations submission and will consider it as I decide how best to continue support for the live entertainment sector into 2022.
Indeed, following consultation with and feedback from the organisation referred to by the Deputy, I ran a number iterations of the MEBAS scheme (Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme). For example, I added an additional tier to MEBAS to assist very small music businesses with turnover between €15,000 to €20,000. I also opened a second phase of the scheme to provide additional supports. In excess of 1,000 grants were provided to support businesses under these schemes. I also extended the application deadlines a number of times to ensure people had adequate time to apply.
At its meeting of 19th of October Government agreed that the remaining aspects of the hospitality, entertainment and night-time economy sector could reopen from October 22nd with the full range of protective measures in place and the wide and robust implementation of the COVID-19 pass. This represents an important next step towards the full reopening of our economy and our society, and is a crucial opportunity to return to work for those who work in the live entertainment and events sector.
I was very cognisant of the challenges the restrictions caused for the arts/culture and live entertainment industry in 2021 and I allocated over €60m to support the sector and drive employment opportunities through the introduction of the following schemes:
- €25m Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS)
- €16.5m Events Sector Covid Support Scheme (ESCSS)
- €10m Local Live Performance Support Scheme (LLPSS)
- €4m Music and Entertainment Support Scheme (MEBAS)
- €5m Commercial Entertainment Capital Grant Scheme (CECGS)
- €1m St. Patrick's Festival
I have allocated €25m for the live entertainment sector as part of Budget 2022 and 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 to ensure a full recovery is possible.
As part of Budget 2022, I have maintained the Arts Council allocation at the record-level of €130m. This allocation will allow the Arts Council to continue to protect jobs and livelihoods of artists, and assist arts organisations through financial difficulties.
Other priorities for Budget 2022 was to secure €25m in funding for a pilot Basic Income Guarantee Scheme for artists and arts workers. I plan to launch this pilot scheme early in 2022 and I hope it will provide an important legacy for our artists and creatives.
127. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her assessment of the challenges facing local media in a post-Covid-19 environment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55108/21]
View answer190. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her assessment of the challenges facing local media in a post-Covid environment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55052/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 190 together.
The local media sector has faced a fall in revenue arising from the pandemic, but also faces longer term challenges as a result of changing patterns of media consumption, technology and shifts in advertising revenue to online services. I recognise the essential role that the local media plays and the particular value of local and regional newspapers and radio stations, including community radio, in sharing reliable and relevant local news and bringing communities together.
The Future of Media Commission was tasked with bringing forward recommendations to put media on a sustainable footing over the next decade. It has engaged comprehensively with stakeholders, including local media. Its work has now been completed. The report of the Commission has been submitted to An Taoiseach and myself and we are currently considering its contents in advance of bringing the matter to Government, after which the report will be published.
In terms of supports for the local print sector, I understand that at least €4.4 million was spent by Government on regional and local print advertising from March 2020 to date. Recently, my Department's campaign for Cruinniú na nÓg included a spend of €187,000 on local print advertising.
In relation to the local radio sector, I allocated additional funding to the Sound and Vision Scheme administered by the BAI in December 2020. This enabled a specific round of €2.48m for the independent and local radio sector which was distributed in April 2021. This funding, which is Round 39 of the Sound and Vision 4 scheme, was in addition to a similar funding round of Sound and Vision that took place in 2020, together with a waiver of the broadcasting levy for the first half of that year, which was worth €1m to the sector.
Moreover, Government COVID-related advertising spend provided an additional €1.8m to the sector in Q2 2021 and 11 radio stations availed of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), receiving a total of €0.9m in Q2 of this year.
The BAI will continue to report to me on the financial status of the independent radio sector in the coming months.
128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her long-term ambitions to develop the various portfolios under her aegis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55088/21]
View answer141. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the degree to which she anticipates progress towards achieving her Departmental mission objectives in respect of each heading; the extent to which she can use ongoing monitoring to reflect progress; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55087/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 128 and 141 together.
My Department’s Statement of Strategy 2021-2023 published in August of this year sets out the actions that my Department will take over the coming period to enrich the quality of life in Ireland through supporting the development of tourism, culture, arts, sports, media and Irish language.
In addition to their immense inherent value, these are valued by all of our communities and are important resources for social cohesion, individual and community wellbeing and for the presentation of Ireland as an attractive destination for tourism and sustainable inward investment. These sectors are of great economic significance to Ireland, they generate both domestic and export earnings and employ people across the country, a fact made even more apparent by the impact of the pandemic.
The diverse yet related range of sectors served by this department has been amongst those most severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Statement of Strategy sets out the priorities for my Department over the next few years to ensure these sectors recover and grow in a manner that underpins social cohesion and supports strong, sustainable economic growth, with a focus on a number of cross cutting goals of equality, diversity, social inclusion, the Irish language and environmental sustainability.
This work will be progressed within the context of the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future which outlines an inclusive vision of an Ireland for all ages, where the arts and culture thrive, the Irish language is nurtured and developed, a safe digital environment facilitates the use of technology, and sport inspires us to lead healthier and better lives. The Programme charges the Department to deliver across a range of commitments some of which involve collaboration with other government departments and state agencies. These are reflected in the strategies and actions outlined in this document.
The Government's Economic Recovery Plan sets out the framework of actions for an investment led recovery leading to a renewed and restructured, people-focused economy. Decarbonising the economy and addressing regional and sectoral imbalances are particular priority areas under the plan. It also sets the context for a coherent, national response to the urgent need for Climate Action, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the outcome of BREXIT. The plan recognises the broad context for the Department’s work, in terms of its capacity to support economic recovery and resilience, and its contribution to individual and collective wellbeing.
The extensive package of supports announced under Budget 2022, which resulted in the increased total allocation for my department in 2022 of €1.197bn, includes:
- €288.5m for Tourism
- €346.5m for Arts & Culture
- €181.2m for Sports and Recreation
- €5.5m for establishment of new Media Commission and an increased finding allocation of €44.933m for TG4.
Details of the strategies to be followed by my Department in the delivery of these diverse but critical work programmes and the indicators to be used in tracking progress towards achieving the intended outcomes are set out in the Statement of Strategy.
I welcome the Deputy’s interest in the work of my Department and look forward to providing further detail in respect of the progress attained in respect of individual programmes in due course.
129. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 394 of 19 October 2021, the engagement she has had with Fáilte Ireland with regard to extending the tourism accommodation providers' business continuity scheme to independent tourism providers who are not registered with Fáilte Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55209/21]
View answerMy Department’s main role in relation to tourism lies in the area of national tourism policy development. Implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. Funding is provided to Fáilte Ireland to promote and support the development of Irish tourism. This includes funding for business supports for tourism enterprises. The eligibility criteria for the Tourism accommodation Providers Business Continuity Scheme is a matter for Fáilte Ireland.
I understand that Fáilte Ireland provided a response to question 394 to the Deputy on the 29th October in which Fáilte Ireland confirmed that the general eligibility criteria section of the guidelines for the Tourism Accommodation Providers Business Continuity Scheme advises applicants that they must be registered or approved (or in application) under Fáilte Ireland’s National Quality Assurance Framework (NQAF) as at July 23rd 2021.
The Fáilte Ireland National Quality Assurance Framework (NQAF) was developed to provide visitors with the assurance that nationally recognised minimum standards are in place. The Framework was also designed to maintain and develop standards across the tourism accommodation industry and to support the development of individual tourism accommodation operators. Given the importance of the Framework in this regard, funding was restricted to accommodation providers for those registered or approved under the NQAF. It should be noted that Fáilte Ireland waived its registration fee for accommodation providers in 2021. Accordingly applicants could register at no cost.
As with all Government funded grants and supports, Fáilte Ireland is obliged to follow strict protocols to ensure the grant application process is followed in a fair and consistent manner and that all relevant criteria are met by applicants.
€55m funding was provided in Budget 2021 for a Tourism Business Continuity Scheme. Phase 5 of this scheme supports eligible Fáilte Ireland approved tourism accommodation providers such as hotels, guesthouses, hostels, holiday camps, camping and caravan parks, self catering and B&Bs. The maximum grant amount is €800,000. This phase opened for applications on 5th August 2021 and closed on 21st September 2021. There are approximately 400 applications being evaluated for this scheme, with payments expected to commence in the near future.
As the Deputy will be aware be aware, accommodation providers can also benefit from many of the horizontal supports provided by Government such as the VAT reduction, the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, tax warehousing and rates waivers.
130. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the basic income pilot for artists will be open for applications; the details of the application criteria; the number of places there will be on the scheme; the way participants will be chosen; the person or body that will be administering the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55210/21]
View answerI was delighted that as part of the National Economic Recovery Plan, I secured a commitment from Government to prioritise the development of a Basic Income Guarantee pilot scheme for the arts and cultural sector. As Minister with responsibility for Arts and Culture, I am conscious of the value that this sector brings to all Irish citizens. The importance of Irish culture, Irish art and Irish productions as a whole cannot be understated - it contributes to individual and societal well-being, as well as contributing to Ireland's reputation as a country with a rich cultural history and output. The intrinsic value of culture and the arts to society was particularly evident during the pandemic.
Against this backdrop, and my own experience of the arts, funding for the Basic Income Guarantee Pilot Scheme was a key priority of mine for Budget 2022 and I secured €25m to realise the pilot scheme next year.
In relation to the timeline for the launch of the pilot the Deputy will appreciate that this is a major policy intervention requiring significant resources to develop a coherent policy and to operationalise. This work is ongoing and my ambition is to open the scheme for applications early in Q1 2022. The Oversight Group continues to meet regularly and met yesterday with a representative from SIPTU.
The selection process for recipients of the basic Income will be finalised following the stakeholder engagement early next month, however, I can confirm the following:
- Participation in the scheme will not be based on a means test.
- It will be a non-competitive process, therefore once a person satisfies the eligibility criteria they will be included in a randomised selection process.
- A number of unsuccessful applicants will be invited to participate in a control group to facilitate a comprehensive ex post appraisal of the pilot in due course.
- Proposals for the parameters of the scheme will be finalised in light of the stakeholder engagement.
I believe the Basic Income Guarantee pilot scheme will bring new life and support to the Arts and Cultural Sector and I hope it will provide an important legacy for our artists and creatives.
131. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceist Pharlaiminte Uimhir 9 ar an 5ú Deireadh Fómhair 2021, cén dul chun cinn atá déanta ar an tríú beart den phacáiste tacaíochta atá beartaithe chun cabhair a thabhairt do na coláistí samhraidh i mbliana; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [55212/21]
View answerBeidh áthas ar an Teachta a chloisteáil go bhfuil ciste cobhsaithe ar fiú €1.7m bunaithe agam le déanaí chun teacht i gcabhair ar earnáil na gcoláistí samhraidh. Tá an chistíocht seo á cur ar fáil de thoradh cúrsaí Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht a bheith curtha ar ceal den dara samhradh as a chéile mar gheall ar COVID-19.
Faoin gciste faoi leith seo, cuirfear buníocaíocht idir €500 agus €7,000 mar aon le híocaíocht ionann le €75 in aghaidh an scoláire ar fáil do choláistí incháilithe. Bunófar an íocaíocht iomlán ar an líon scoláirí a d’fhreastail ar chúrsaí samhraidh sa choláiste i gceist in 2019. Is faoi réir uasíocaíocht de €142,000 (2,000 scoláire) i leith gach coláiste ábhartha a bheadh an socrú seo le cur i bhfeidhm, rud a chuideodh le coláistí costais riaracháin, árachais agus cothabhála a chlúdach don bhliain reatha.
Tuigim go bhfuil na hiarratais á bpróiseáil go pras ag feidhmeannaigh na Roinne agus go bhfuil thart ar leath an chiste íoctha amach leis na coláistí cheana féin le seachtain anuas.
Tagann bunú na cistíochta seo sna sála ar an gciste €2.2m faoi leith a fógraíodh i mí Iúil chun tacú le teaghlaigh Ghaeltachta a chuireann lóistín ar fáil do scoláirí na gcoláistí Gaeltachta agus €240,000 do hallaí pobail na Gaeltachta chun dul i ngleic le tionchar COVID-19 ar earnáil na gcoláistí samhraidh
In éindí leis an mbeart faoi leith seo ar leas na gcoláistí agus dóibh siúd a chaill amach ar an deis freastal ar chúrsaí samhraidh i mbliana agus anuraidh, beidh an Roinn sásta mar eisceacht, gearrchúrsaí seachtaine nó coicíse a aithint faoin scéim idir seo agus an samhradh seo chugainn faoi réir ghnáthchoinníollacha na scéime agus srianta reatha COVID-19.
Is ar an mbunús agus ar an tnúthán go mbeidh na coláistí Gaeilge athoscailte in 2022 atá an Roinn ag feidhmiú.
Níl aon amhras orm ach go gcabhróidh an ciste is déanaí tuilleadh leis an earnáil le go mbeidh teacht aniar agus athoscailt rathúil i ndán di in 2022 and is féidir leis an Teachta a bheith cinnte de go leanfaidh mé orm mar Aire Stáit na Gaeltachta ag tacú oiread is féidir leis an earnáil.
132. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the building up of regulatory capacity, structures and expertise ahead of the planned establishment of the media commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55125/21]
View answerThe establishment of the Media Commission and the appointment of Commissioners, including an Online Safety Commissioner, is a priority for the Government. As the Media Commission cannot be formally established until the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill is enacted, it is intended to undertake preparatory work to ensure the Commission hits the ground running on establishment. To this end, I secured €5.5m in Budget 2022 to facilitate the establishment of the Commission. Through the provision of this funding, we as a Government are demonstrating our commitment to the timely establishment of the Commission.
On establishment, the Media Commission will be required to carry out a range of tasks in order to commence the day to day operations and administration of the organisation including the matters related to the absorption of the BAI and to develop regulatory codes and working relationships required in order to execute the functions assigned under the legislation. In particular, it is envisaged that the development of regulatory codes and the designation of services for the online safety aspect of the legislation will result in a significant workload, by virtue of the complexity involved and the need to carry out extensive stakeholder and industry consultation.
Considering the scale and complexity of the entitles to be regulated under the online safety strand, I envisage that staff with significant legal, regulatory, financial, and social media experience will be required to ensure that the Media Commission has the capacity to develop and implement appropriate regulatory measures to fulfil the objectives and functions set out in legislation. I am of the view that it is imperative that the capacity building process must begin at the earliest possible stage.
The Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill also provides that the staff of the BAI will transfer to the Commission on their existing terms and conditions and that current broadcasting regulation will continue in force. The Department is working closely with the BAI to ensure an orderly transition to the new Media Commission.
133. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department is engaging in the development of any application to host or co-host any major sporting events in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55218/21]
View answerThe Major Sports Events section of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media is responsible for coordinating Government support for potential bids for major sports events. In this regard, along with the football associations and government partners of the UK and Ireland, the Department continues to undertake feasibility work to assess the viability of a bid to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup before FIFA formally opens the bidding process in 2022. A wide range of factors will be examined during this feasibility study prior to any final decision to bid.
My Department is also engaged in a further six month period of assessment to build on the initial cost benefit analysis work to assess the potential of hosting the 37th America's Cup. This work will need to be completed before a recommendation can be made to Government on whether Ireland should move forward in the host venue bid process and this has been conveyed to the organisers. In the meantime, my Department will consult other stakeholders as appropriate.
Cricket Ireland is also in the early stages of a joint bid process with the England and Wales Cricket Board and Cricket Scotland to co-host the T-20 Cricket World Cup in 2030 and an initial letter of general support has been provided to them.
134. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a member of the indoor sport sector has been invited to sit on the Expert Group on the Return to Sport. [55091/21]
View answerTo facilitate the safe return of sporting activity, an Expert Group was established to provide advice and guidance to sporting bodies and to review protocols to ensure they are in compliance with public health advice. In addition, the Expert Group has developed extensive guidance for the sport sector on assessing and mitigating the risk of infection at sports training and competitive events. I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to all members of the Group for their efforts which have facilitated a safe return to sport for children and adults.
The Expert Group membership includes representation on behalf of indoor sport and is made up of the following people.
- Mr. Micheál Ó Conaire (Chair), Department of Sport
- Ms. Betty Griffin, Department of Sport
- Mr. James Lavelle, Department of Sport
- Professor Seamas Donnelly, Trinity College - Professor of Medicine
- Dr. Jim O’Donovan, Sport Ireland Institute – Medical Professional
- Dr. Rod McLoughlin, IRFU - Medical Professional
- Dr. Alan Byrne, FAI – Medical Professional
- Dr. Una May, Sport Ireland – Participation, Ethics, Antidoping
- Mr. Paul McDermott, Sport Ireland - High Performance/National Governing Bodies
- Mr. Shane Califf, Sport Ireland - National Governing Bodies
- Ms. Niamh O’Sullivan, Sport Ireland - High Performance
- Mr. Feargal McGill, GAA – Games Administration
- Ms. Brenda O’Donnell, Cara - Disability Representative
- Ms. Sarah O’Connor, Wilson Hartnell - Head of Sport
All Sport Ireland members are heavily engaged with a broad range of sports and stakeholders across organised, high performance and participation sport. This includes all recognised NGBs and LSPs. This group also includes a member with a longstanding relationship with Basketball as a former board member and Vice President of Basketball Ireland
Sport Ireland also frequently engages with other representative bodies who in turn communicate the various operational challenges experienced by their communities.
These include:
- Ireland Active (Leisure Sector)
- Go for Life (older adults)
- CARA (disability sport)
- Student Sport Ireland (third level sport)
- Federation of Irish Sport (Members include non Sport Ireland recognised NGBs)
Separately my Departmental Officials and I have engaged directly with the sector, holding regular meetings throughout the pandemic, through the Sports Monitoring Group. This engagement has included specific meetings with the indoor sport sector.
135. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on the Future of Media Commission’s report; the timeline for the publication of the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54845/21]
View answerA strong and independent media sector is central to our parliamentary democracy, freedom of speech and to the provision of quality and impartial information. It is for this reason that the Programme for Government expanded the remit of the Public Service Broadcasting Commission to become the Future of Media Commission. The Commission was tasked with considering the future of print, broadcast, and online media in a platform agnostic fashion and with recommendations to put media on a sustainable footing over the next decade.
The Commission was chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith, and it included experts in public service media, independent journalism, social media, new technology platforms, media economics, culture, language, creative content, governance and international best practice.
The Commission engaged comprehensively with stakeholders, including broadcasters, journalists, publishers, regional media and the wider public. The first phase of the Future of Media Commission public consultation, which ran from December 12th 2020 to January 8th 2021, resulted in over 800 written submissions from stakeholder groups and the general public on a wide range of themes.
At the end of January 2021, the Commission began a series of thematic dialogues. In these online webinars, panels of experts explored key themes in more depth and answered follow-up questions from the virtual audience and the Commission members. The webinars and the public consultations are all available on the Future of Media Commission’s website.
The work of the Future of Media Commission has now been completed. The report of the Commission has been submitted to An Taoiseach and myself and we are currently considering its contents in advance of bringing the matter to Government, after which the report will be published.
