Written Answers Nos. 241-251
242. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason retired prison officers who are in receipt of a State pension did not receive the 2% rise in payments that other sectors of the public service received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55325/21]
View answerI assume the Deputy is referring to pensions payable to retired prison officers under the civil service (occupational) pension scheme rather than the State Pension payable by the Department of Social Protection.
Under the current pension increase policy for the pre-existing public service pension schemes, qualifying pensions fall to be increased in line with a general round increase in annualised basic salary of 1% or €500, whichever is greater, granted to serving public servants on 1 October 2021.
My Department issued a circular on 1 October authorising pension administrators to pay the increase to qualifying pensions. In the case of the civil service pension scheme, I have been advised by the National Shared Services Office (NSSO) that due to a technical issue within the pension payroll system, there has been a delay in processing cases. I understand that this is now being addressed as a matter of urgency by the system provider and that the 1 October increases will be applied over the coming period, with arrears paid as appropriate.
243. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the flood relief scheme for Portumna, County Galway; when the project will be ready for construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55397/21]
View answerFlood Relief measures were first identified for Portumna in the Shannon Catchment Flood Risk Management Plan (FRMP), which was published in May 2018.
The proposed scheme, which would provide protection to 22 properties at a preliminary total project budget of €3.65m, was not included in the first tranche of schemes to be progressed in 2018, but the Office of Public Works (OPW) and Galway County Council will work closely to ensure that it will be commenced as soon as possible within the lifetime of the NDP 2021-2030.
The proposed measures for Portumna in the Flood Risk Management Plan include:
- Construction of new flood defences (over 430m of flood wall and approximately 870m of flood embankment)
- Installation of a simple flood-forecasting unit, including an addition of telemetry to an existing hydrometric gauge to send warning messages when water level reaches a specified trigger point.
- Raised road level over a length of 20m along the north of Portumna Harbour.
- Vertical Sector Gate to act as a barrier to flooding across the entrance to Portumna Harbour to prevent the inlet receiving flood water directly from the Shannon. The structure would consist of a set of gates
- which could be closed after a flood warning, and open during normal conditions to allow the passage of boats.
- Maintain existing flood defences.
- Raising public awareness of flooding issues.
- OPW has approved funding to Galway County Council for a Project Engineer to enable the Council to progress Flood Relief schemes in Ballinasloe, Clifden and, in time, Portumna.
In due course a Project Brief will be developed for the appointment of Consultants to progress a Flood Relief Scheme for Portumna, including environmental assessment and further public consultation, for refinement and preparation for planning / exhibition and, if appropriate, construction of the Flood Relief Scheme.
244. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of commissions of investigation currently ongoing; the duration of each commission of investigation; the deadline for each commission of investigation; and the actual and projected cost of each commission of investigation. [54098/21]
View answerI am advised that there are no ongoing commissions of investigation in progress within the remit of my Department at this time.
245. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the strategies to address labour supply and skills requirements in the tourism and hospitality sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55123/21]
View answerMy Department and Fáilte Ireland are collaborating with industry and other Government Departments to ensure that there is a coordinated approach to addressing the labour and skills shortages in tourism.
Work is currently underway by Fáilte Ireland to understand the views of employers and employees around the skills and labour force challenges facing the sector. Fáilte Ireland is also engaging with the recruitment sector and undertaking an international review to understand the experience of other sectors and other destinations. This programme of work will inform the agency’s work plans on how to support businesses to drive change, retain talent and build the appeal of working in the industry.
Fáilte Ireland carried out a number of activities in 2021 supporting the industry’s recruitment drive for reopening including chairing the Tourism and Hospitality Careers Oversight Group, delivering a multi-channel #BeThePulse Recruitment Awareness Campaign, promoting and enhancing tourismcareers.ie website and working with education providers and with the Department of Social Protection to promote the Government’s Pathways to Work strategy.
246. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans for a full return of indoor sports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55118/21]
View answerAt its meeting on 19 October 2021, and following consideration of the public health advice, Government agreed that additional aspects of society could reopen only with the full range of protective measures in place. As such, current restrictions under the Government’s plan state that organisers of indoor and outdoor group activities should ensure that appropriate protective measures are in place. For indoor sports, this means:
- The use of the EU Digital COVID Certificate (vaccine or recovery certificate) will be required for accessing indoor sporting activities and events.
- Where individuals have mixed immunity status, pods of up to 6 participants will be permitted (excluding adult coaches/instructors).
- Multiple pods will be permissible subject to protective measures.
- The overall number of pods will have regard to the size of venue and there should be substantial social distance between individual pods.
- For Vaccinated individuals no fixed capacity limits apply to these activities.
- For spectators, the use of the EU Digital COVID Certificate (vaccine or recovery certificate) will be required for accessing indoor sporting activities and events.
- Vaccinated spectators attending indoor sporting events should be fully seated.
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
247. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the position regarding the processing of applications for the sports capital and equipment programme; if an announcement will be made in the coming weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55119/21]
View answer248. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the processing of applications to the sports capital and equipment programme; if the processing of applications remains likely to be concluded before the end of 2021; if more details can be provided on the significant additional grants allocated to the sports capital and equipment programme as mentioned in Budget 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55196/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 247 together.
The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1 billion.
On 30 November 2020, Minister Martin and I announced that a new 2020 round of the Programme was opening with at least €40 million available to allocate. The original closing date for applications was 12 February 2021 but in view of difficulties some applicants were encountering as a result of Covid restrictions, this deadline was extended until 1 March 2021. By this closing date, 3,106 applications had been submitted seeking over €200m in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received.
The scoring system and assessment procedures were finalised and published earlier this year and all applications are being assessed in accordance with these procedures.
Approximately one thousand of the submitted applications were for 'equipment-only' projects. These applications were assessed first and grants with a total value of €16.6m were announced on 6 August 2021. The letter of provisional allocation encouraged all grantees to draw down this funding before year-end if possible and in recent weeks my Department has been prioritising the payments of all existing grants. Ensuring that as many older grants as possible are paid before year-end will maximise the funding available to allocate for the 2020 capital SCEP applications.
In relation to these 2020 capital SCEP applications, assessment work is continuing and every effort is being made to have it complete as quickly as possible. Given the record number of applications received however, it is likely to take a further number of weeks to have these assessments complete.
In relation to the funding available to allocate, as already stated, the payment of as many older grants as possible before the end of this year will help increase the potential allocation amount for these remaining capital applications. I am pleased that following completion of the 2022 budget discussions, at least €34.535m has been provided for the SCEP in 2022. This represents an increase of €6.6m on the 2021 allocation. This will cover all existing allocations under older rounds of the Programme plus significant new allocations for the 2020 Capital applications. 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.
249. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the report from the Future of Media Commission; when it is likely to be published; if details will be provided on the supports being put in place for local media and particularly local print media; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55197/21]
View answerThe 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, in sharing reliable and relevant local news and bringing communities together.
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 April 2021. Recently, my Department's campaign for Cruinniú na nÓg included a spend of €187,000 on local print advertising.
Since I assumed formal responsibility for the media sector in September 2020, I have met key stakeholders including NewsBrands, Local Ireland and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ). In relation to the local radio sector, I have received quarterly reports from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, analysing how COVID-19 has affected Independent Radio. My officials continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders in order to explore the issues arising and build an understanding of the range of challenges facing the sector.
The Future of Media Commission, chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith, held its inaugural meeting on 29 October 2020. It was tasked with considering the future of print, broadcast, and online media in a platform agnostic fashion. The future of local media and local print media fell within its remit.
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, including many submissions from local media organisations.
At the end of January 2021, the Commission began a series of thematic dialogues through online webinars in which panels of experts explored key themes in more depth and answered follow-up questions from the virtual audience and the Commission members. Local Media played an active part in these dialogues.
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.
250. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 5 of 5 October 2021 and her comments in Dáil Éireann in relation to same, if minutes are published or taken in respect of the fortnightly meetings that take place between her Department and Galway 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55235/21]
View answer251. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to the publication of a report (details supplied), the role of the Ministerial nominee who sat on the board of Galway 2020; the details of the reporting requirements on the Departmental official; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55236/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 251 together.
I can confirm that minutes are taken at the fortnightly meetings between my Department and Galway 2020.
The role of the Ministerial nominee on the board of Galway 2020 involved keeping the Department appraised of the work of the Board and reporting on progress on the cultural programme. It also involved reporting to the Board on any issues which the Department may raise from time to time and advising the Board of Galway 2020 on key policies in the culture sector relevant to the implementation of the Capital of Culture and enabling collaboration between Galway 2020 and other national stakeholders as appropriate.
The appointment of a representative of the Minister to serve on the board of Galway 2020 is provided for in the Performance Delivery Agreement between my Department and Galway 2020. Since 2017, there have been two successive Ministerial appointments to the board of Galway 2020. Both representatives have been external to the Department, have possessed experience of governance and the Irish arts sector and have been active and valued members of the board.
