Written Answers Nos. 101-120
101. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when it is envisaged the report from the Future of the Media Commission will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2297/22]
View answerThe 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 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 resulted in over 800 written submissions from stakeholder groups and the general public on a wide range of themes.
The Commission also held 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.
The work of the Future of Media Commission has now been completed and their report has been submitted to An Taoiseach and myself for consideration. It will inform media and broadcasting policy in the coming years and An Taoiseach and I are carefully considering the contents of the wide-ranging report.
Following this, the report will be brought to Cabinet for further consideration and agreement on the next steps. The report will not be published prior to consideration of its contents by Government.
102. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Mairéad Farrell 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. [2511/22]
View answerMar is eol don Teachta, luaitear 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, tá comórtas á reáchtáil in athuair ag an Oifig um Sholáthar Rialtais (OGP) ar iarratas na Roinne i dtreo sainchomhairleoireacht a aimsiú le tabhairt faoin athbhreithniú ar an bpróiseas roghnúcháin/toghcháin i ndáil le Bord Údarás na Gaeltachta. Tá an 28 Eanáir mar spriocdháta chun tairiscintí a chur isteach don chomórtas seo agus táthar ag súil leis go gcuirfear tús leis an athbhreithniú go gairid ina dhiaidh sin.
Mar chuid den athbhreithniú, tá sé i gceist ag an Roinn an deis a thabhairt don phobal a dtuairimí agus a moltaí faoin ábhar a léiriú trí phróiseas comhairliúcháin phoiblí a sheolfar go luath.
104. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the planned measures to examine the allowing of persons to make complaints for harmful online content directly to the proposed online safety commissioner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2493/22]
View answerThe pre-legislative scrutiny report on the General Scheme of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill undertaken by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media included recommendations for provision of an individual complaints mechanism for harmful online content. This is a matter I have been considering closely for some time.
The issue of providing for avenues of redress in terms of individual pieces of content in the online world is complex. The approach in the development of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill to date has been to provide the Online Safety Commissioner with the power to require that regulated online services have effective complaints mechanisms in place with powers of audit and investigation provided to the Commissioner in that respect. The Bill also provides for a super complaints mechanism whereby nominated bodies may notify the Commissioner of concerns regarding a designated online service’s compliance with an online safety code, or of concerns relating to the availability of harmful online content on a service.
I am conscious that the introduction of an individual complaints mechanism raises a number of complex practical and legal issues, including in terms of the sheer volume of content online, that Ireland will be regulating a number of services on an EU wide basis, and questions relating to due process requirements and how quickly decisions could reasonably be made by the Online Safety Commissioner.
In light of the recommendations of the Joint Oireachtas Committee, I am examining how these difficult issues can be addressed. As I announced last week, I will shortly establish an expert advisory group to report within 90 days on these matters with recommendations for how best to address these issues. I intend to announce the membership of the group in the coming days. Following the report of the group, I will consider these recommendations in the context of potential amendments to the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill at Committee Stage.
105. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent of her ongoing discussions with representatives of the tourism, arts and culture sectors with a view to putting in place sufficient measures to accelerate recovery as Covid-19 recedes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2079/22]
View answerThe COVID-19 pandemic has a significant and ongoing impact on the operating landscape for the sectors my Department supports. Throughout the pandemic, 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. In this regard, I established a number of fora and taskforces where sectoral stakeholders and experts brought their experiences, ideas and policy proposals to my attention. 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;
The actions contained in the reports produced by the Tourism Recovery Oversight Group, Arts and Culture Recovery and the Night-Time Economy Taskforces’ are actively being addressed by my Department, in partnership with other Government stakeholders, and I consider these as essential inputs to our journey towards recovery.
I am continuing to work with colleagues across Government to ensure that the sectors within my remit are provided with a range of financial supports and pandemic recovery measures. These include horizontal measures such as the PUP, EWSS and CRSS.
Within my own Department, tailored funding measures have also been introduced to support 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, increased funding for the Arts Council as well as funding to assist our national sporting organisations.
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.
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.
106. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the breakdown by county of the funding for Irish language groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2413/22]
View answerFunding in excess of €85m will be deployed in support of the Irish language through my Department next year.
Capital and current funding is provided outside the Gaeltacht as well aswithin the Gaeltacht.
1. Outside of Gaeltacht areas:
The purpose of the capital assistance provided under this fund is the promotion of the use of Irish in accordance with the objectives of the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030.
Community- based committees or organisations, which operate through Irish outside the Gaeltacht, are welcome to apply under the Department’s Irish Language Support Schemes. Funding is provided to assist with the costs of building/refurbishing Irish language centres and to purchase buildings for use as an Irish language centre and /or to purchase equipment for such venues.
Examples of capital expenditure outside the Gaeltacht regions in respect of 2021 is set out below:
|
Organisation |
Expenditure 2021 |
|
An Taibhdhearc |
€38,236 |
|
Togra Thomás Uí Mháille (OÉG) |
€29,372 |
|
Áras Mhic Amhlaigh |
€6,167 |
In terms of the current budget, this funding is awarded to various organisations both nationally and internationally. Some of this funding is directed at the teaching of Irish at 43 universities in Europe and North America and other funding is directed at various research institutions for the benefit of Irish speakers in general e.g. Abair text-to-speech synthesiser. These research projects may be based in one county but are intended to benefit all Irish speakers.
The current expenditure under this programme in 2021 was €6,234,170. Examples of current expenditure outside the Gaeltacht region but within Ireland in respect of 2021 are set out below:
|
C4 Scéimeanna Tacaíochta Gaeilge/Irish Language Support Schemes 2021 |
Expenditure in 2021 |
|
Glór na nGael (National Award) |
€20,000 |
|
Glór na nGael (Scéim Teanga Tí & Fondúireacht Sheosaimh Mhic Dhonnacha) |
€214,874 |
|
Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe |
€384,595 |
|
TEG - Teastas Eorpach na Gaeilge, Ollscoil Má Nuad |
€177,500 |
|
Gaillimh le Gaeilge |
€157,460 |
|
Gnó Mhaigh Eo |
€138,538 |
|
Raidió Rí-Rá |
€75,000 |
|
NPLD (Network for Promoting Linguistic Diversity) |
€15,000 |
|
Oiliúint ar Líne i múineadh na Gaeilge d'Fhoghlaimeoirí Fásta (NUIM) |
€71,149 |
|
Gluaiseacht / Seó Bóthair (Conradh na Gaeilge) |
€140,000 |
|
Féile Pádraig |
€21,819 |
In the context of the unique selling point of the Irish language, as well as its potential benefit in business affairs, the organisations Gaillimh le Gaeilge, Gnó Mhaigh Eo and Baile Átha Cliath le Gaeilge work with relevant stakeholders to promote the Irish language within their various operational areas in the context of the language planning process.
2. Within the Gaeltacht:
The Community and Language Support Programme provides ongoing current and capital funding to support community organisations and committees throughout theGaeltacht that work for the Irish language and for the benefit of the Gaeltacht community, in line with the relevant actions contained in the Action Plan for the Irish Language - Plean Gníomhaíochta 2018-2022.
Capital expenditure which has taken place in each Gaeltacht region in respect of 2021 is set out below:
|
County |
Expenditure in 2021 |
|
Kerry |
€67,884 |
|
Donegal |
€199,161 |
|
Galway |
€570,306 |
|
Mayo |
€72,340 |
|
Other |
€4,215 |
|
Grand Total |
€913,906.00 |
Current expenditure in the Gaeltacht in respect of 2021 is set out below:
Current funding under the programme is provided to some 12 Gaeltacht organisations for the implementation of agreed work programmes and schemes. It is not possible to provide this information on a county by county basis, given the nature of the funding provided on a cross-Gaeltacht basis. The following table sets out expenditure in respect of 2021:
|
Programme – funding normally allocated on a 3 year basis |
Expenditure in 2021 |
|
Scéim ng gCampaí Samhraidh (Summer Camps Scheme |
€240,217 |
|
Scéim na gCúntóirí Teanga (Language Assistants’ Scheme) |
€1,259,499 |
|
Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge OÉG (Irish Language Academy, NUIG) |
€1,334,000 |
|
Clár Aclaíochta (Physical Exercise Programme) |
€90,297 |
|
Clár na gCluichí Gaelacha |
€174,452 |
|
Gaeltacht administration grants – Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne, Oideas Gael, Coláiste UISCE agus Comhordaitheoir Pobalscoil Chorca Dhuibhne |
€200,043 €65,000 €85,140 €33,600 |
|
Administration grants for residential colleges - Scoil na Leanaí Port Láirge agus Scoil na nÓg Corcaigh. |
€34,258 |
|
Grand Total |
€3,516,506 |
Irish Summer Colleges
Due to cancellation of courses as a result of the pandemic, stability funding was provided to the Irish Language Summer Colleges sector in the Gaeltacht on an exceptional basis in 2020 and 2021. The breakdown of this funding in 2021 is as follows:
|
Gaeltacht |
2021 (Colleges, Community Halls and Households) |
|
Gaillimh agus na Mí |
€2,085,060.50 |
|
Dún na nGall |
€745,988 |
|
Corcaigh |
€66,695 |
|
Ciarraí |
€297,605 |
|
Maigh Eo |
€339,349 |
|
Port Láirge |
€85,630 |
|
Iomlán |
€3,620,327.50 |
|
CONCOS Admin. Grant (Umbrella Body) |
€32,665.92 |
Language Planning
Through my Department’s C10 subhead, ongoing current funding is provided to support the implementation of the Language Planning Process both within and outside theGaeltacht. It also provides ongoing current funding to organisations involved in the strengthening the Irish language and for the benefit of the Gaeltacht community, in line with the relevant actions contained in the Action Plan for the Irish Language - Plean Gníomhaíochta 2018-2022.
|
Programme |
Expenditure in 2021 €000 |
|
The Language Planning Process* |
2,651 |
|
Early Years Irish-Language Provision |
223 |
|
Language Transmission by the Family |
650 |
|
Traditional Arts |
545 |
|
Other |
31 |
|
Grand Total |
4,100 |
* Includes funding for Foras na Gaeilge to assist with the language planning process outside the Gaeltacht
Údarás na Gaeltachta
My Department alsoprovides both current and capital funding to Údarás na Gaeltachta, details of which are included in the table below:
|
Organisation |
Subhead (Description) |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
C6 Current (Administration) |
10,852,000 |
13,040,607 |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
C7 Current (Community and Language Development) |
4,250,000 |
4,750,000 |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
C8 Capital (Grants for Enterprise) |
13,275,000 |
13,980,000 |
Further information on the various schemes funded by Údarás na Gaeltachta is available on www.udaras.ie.
Foras na Gaeilge
Foras na Gaeilge, one of the agencies of the North South Language Bodies, receives 75% of its funding from my Department. The North South Ministerial Council approved 2021 budget from my Department for Foras na Gaeilge totalled €12,062,225. My Department also provides ring-fenced funding in 2021 towards Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge (€1,061,165) and Colmcille (€118,519), administered by Foras na Gaeilge.
My Department has been allocated an increase of €700,000 for the North South Language Body in the 2022 Budget. Officials in my department are currently in communication with officials in the Department for Communities, Northern Ireland, joint Sponsor Department for the North South Language Body, regarding its final 2022 budget.
Groups can apply to Foras na Gaeilge for funding under various Irish Language Schemes administered by the organisation on an all-island basis eg Scéim na bhFéilte; Scéim na gCampaí Samhraidh – further details at: www.forasnagaeilge.ie/sceimeanna-maoinithe/
I trust that the above is of assistance to the Deputy. If the Deputy has specific queries relating to a particular programme or scheme, my officials will provide him with the relevant information in that regard on request.
107. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the Future of Media Commission report will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2607/22]
View answerThe 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 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 resulted in over 800 written submissions from stakeholder groups and the general public on a wide range of themes.
The Commission also held 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.
The work of the Future of Media Commission has now been completed and their report has been submitted to An Taoiseach and myself for consideration. It will inform media and broadcasting policy in the coming years and An Taoiseach and I are carefully considering the contents of the wide-ranging report.
Following this, the report will be brought to Cabinet for further consideration and agreement on the next steps. The report will not be published prior to consideration of its contents by Government.
108. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of two projects (details supplied); if it is expected that there will be further rounds of the platforms for growth facility centres for water sports investment scheme announced by her in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2445/22]
View answerThe matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred this question to the agency for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
109. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to the request by a committee (details supplied) to meet with her and her officials to discuss the Covid-19 supports they need given the impact of public health measures on their ability to earn income over recent months; if she will respond positively to the request for a meeting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2529/22]
View answerI am critically aware of the devastating impact that Covid-19 has had on all areas of the arts and cultural sector, and I have endeavoured to make sure that the voices of those in this sector have been heard. I have personally met with numerous representative organisations, including members of the group mentioned by the Deputy a number of times, and have continued contact with these organisations and others on a regular basis throughout the pandemic.
I continue to engage with the tourism and hospitality sector on a regular basis, including through the Hospitality & Tourism Forum. The Tánaiste and I co-Chair the forum and it is designed to engage with a wide spectrum of industry stakeholders in order to assess the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, to help improve understanding and responses to the crisis and to discuss ideas for recovery measures, thus assisting the Government in formulating its on-going response to the crisis.
In addition, my Department has frequent meetings with the stakeholders in the live entertainment industry through a Stakeholder Forum for Live Entertainment, which has become a regular fixture hosted by my officials, and I attend this engagement frequently when possible. As I have said stakeholder engagement is at the heart of my approach to dealing with the impact of Covid on the sector. A number of members of the group referred to by the Deputy are members of the Live Entertainment Stakeholder Forum.
I remain committed to ongoing consultation with sector stakeholders who continue to be impacted by this devastating pandemic. I intend to meet with the Live Entertainment Stakeholder Forum again in the near future and of course I also look forward to continued interaction with Oireachtas colleagues. I once again thank my Oireachtas colleagues for their ongoing support for the recovery of the arts and culture sector.
110. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the Report of the Future of Media Commission; her plans to publish this report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2497/22]
View answerThe 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 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 resulted in over 800 written submissions from stakeholder groups and the general public on a wide range of themes.
The Commission also held 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.
The work of the Future of Media Commission has now been completed and their report has been submitted to An Taoiseach and myself for consideration. It will inform media and broadcasting policy in the coming years and An Taoiseach and I are carefully considering the contents of the wide-ranging report.
Following this, the report will be brought to Cabinet for further consideration and agreement on the next steps. The report will not be published prior to consideration of its contents by Government.
111. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceist Pharlaiminte Uimhir 108 ar an 11ú Samhain 2021, an dtabharfaidh sí soiléiriú ar an athbhreithniú atá idir lámha ag Údarás na Gaeltachta maidir leis na córais agus leis an gcur chuige atá i bhfeidhm ag an Údarás faoi láthair chun tacú le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge sna cliantchuideachtaí agus ar na bealaí a dhéantar an t-ábhar a bhaineann leo a riaradh; cén uair a thosaigh an t-athbhreithniú seo agus cathain a bheidh sé críochnaithe; cé atá i mbun oibre; cén uair a thosaigh an dara céim agus cathain a bheidh an taighde críochnaithe agus foilsithe [2442/22]
View answerTá tugtha le fios ag Údarás na Gaeltachta do mo Roinn gur cuireadh tús leis an athbhreithniú atá mar ábhar na ceiste in Earrach na bliana 2021 nuair a fostaíodh an comhlacht comhairleoireachta Meas Media le breathnú ar an gcur chuige agus na córais riaracháin atá i bhfeidhm ag an Údarás i dtaca le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge ina chuid cliantchomhlachtaí.
Tuigtear don Roinn go bhfuil céimeanna faoi leith idir lámha ag an Údarás chun cúram a dhéanamh d'fheidhmiú moltaí faoi leith a d'eascair as taighde a rinneadh mar chuid den obair sin.
Tá an comhlacht taighde Brioclage fostaithe ag an Údarás anois le tabhairt faoi thaighde ar na cliantchomhlachtaí féin le heolas agus tuairimí a bhailiú uathu a bheidh mar bhunús de chlár tacaíochta nua a bheidh dírithe ar na cliaintcomhlachtaí a mhealladh agus a spreagadh chun an Ghaeilge a úsáid agus a chur chun cinn ina ngnólachtaí.
Díreofar an taighde seo ar eolas, aischothú agus moltaí a bhailiú trí agallaimh díreacha a dhéanamh le hionadaithe as 15 cliantcomhlachta agus trí shuirbhé ar-líne a dhéanamh a áiríonn 100 cliantchomhlacht eile.
Tá an tÚdarás ag súil go mbeidh an taighde seo críochnaithe faoi dheireadh Mhárta agus tuairisc curtha faoina bhráid i mí Aibreáin 2022.
Déanfar na moltaí a thiocfaidh chun cinn a thabhairt san áireamh mar chuid den athbhreithniú atá á dhéanamh ag an Údarás ar na tacaíochtaí atá ar fáil aige dá chliantchomhlachtaí i leith cur chun cinn na Gaeilge ina chuid cliantchomlachtaí.
Tacóidh sé seo uile leis an obair leanúnach atá ar bun agus beartaithe mar chuid d'fheidhmiú bisiúil an phróisis pleanála teanga mar a bhaineann sé leis na ceantair Ghaeltachta.
112. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will report on the commitments made in the Programme for Government to examine the development of national tourism trails linking ferry ports and the rail network and to work with port and ferry companies to increase the number of foot and cycle passengers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2677/22]
View answerAccess-related matters in the Programme for Government come under the remit of the Minister for Transport.
From a tourism perspective, late last year I brought to Government a report developed by the Sustainable Tourism Working Group which was established under the aegis of my Department. The report identifies a suite of actions that will promote sustainable tourism practices ahead of the development of a new national tourism policy. The successful implementation of these actions will shine a light on areas and destinations that are striving to be best in class in terms of sustainability and will provide better access to information and tools for the tourism industry and visitors to practice responsible tourism. In particular Fáilte Ireland will help to establish Ireland as a leading sustainable tourism destination by supporting Government investment in leveraging Ireland’s national capital. For example, Fáilte Ireland will work with the National Transport Authority to give appropriate consideration to linkages to ferry ports and the rail network when considering new walking trail developments and extensions to existing trails.
I understand that the Department of Transport has undertaken a review of the services and facilities available to accommodate foot and cycle passengers at our seaports and on ferry services out of Ireland. While the travel restrictions imposed by COVID-19 and the impacts of Brexit delayed this work for a time, I am informed that as restrictions ease engagement with the shipping operators on the issue of foot passengers will resume shortly.
I also understand that the Department of Transport will also engage with the passenger ports at Dublin, Rosslare and Cork on their plans for ensuring continued access to ferry services for foot passengers, working with the ferry companies in this regard. Based on the outcome of that engagement, the Department of Transport will assess what changes need to be encouraged to enhance the passenger experience and make it a more attractive option for the travelling public.
113. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he will report on progress in relation to delivering Fáilte Ireland’s destination town initiative in Ennistymon, County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2424/22]
View answerThe matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred this question to the agency for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
114. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an dtabharfaidh sí soiléiriú ar an gcoiste comhairleach atá beartaithe faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003 arna leasú le hAcht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; cathain a bheidh an coiste i bhfeidhm; cé a bheidh ar an gcoiste; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [2443/22]
View answerMar is eol don Teachta, faoi réir fhorálacha Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2021 beidh coiste reachtúil, An Coiste Comhairleach um Sheirbhísí Gaeilge, á bhunú chun Plean Náisiúnta a fhoilsiú ar mhaithe le soláthar seirbhísí poiblí trí mheán na Gaeilge a mhéadú.
Mar atá leagtha amach san Acht, déanfaidh mé, le hordú, lá a cheapadh, tráth nach déanaí ná 6
mhí tar éis Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021 a rith, chun bheith ina lá bunaithe an Choiste chun críocha an Achta. Tá comhaltas agus feidhmeanna an Choiste Chomhairligh leagtha amach sa Bhille ach beidh Cathaoirleach agus líon gnáthchomhaltaí nach lú ná 5 ná nach mó ná 10 ar an gcoiste. San áireamh sna gnáthchomhaltaí beidh ionadaí do mo Roinn-se, ionadaí don Roinn Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe, ionadaí don tSeirbhís um Cheapacháin Phoiblí, 6 chomhalta eile ar a mhéid a bheidh ainmnithe ag comhlachtaí poiblí, ionadaí do Limistéir Pleanála Teanga Ghaeltachta agus ionadaí do limistéir den Stát nach Limistéir Pleanála Teanga Ghaeltachta é.
Tá tús curtha ag oifigigh mo Roinne leis an obair le feidhm a thabhairt d’fhorálacha an Achta leasaithe sa tréimhse romhainn.
115. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has engaged with the Minister for Social Protection and the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment in relation to ensuring and maintaining income and grant supports for musicians and performers; if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties and lack of supports being encountered by grassroots self-employed musicians performers and workers in this sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2528/22]
View answerI am fully aware of the severe difficulties being faced by live performers and all artists as a result of the pandemic and my Department and I have met with stakeholders regularly to understand these challenges and put in place appropriate supports for the sector.
I have engaged extensively with my Government colleagues to advocate for the retention of horizontal supports like the PUP, EWSS and CRSS which are critical to ensuring the survival of the live performance sector.
In December I was pleased to announce details of a €50 million suite of measures to support the live performance sector in 2022. As part of this suite of supports and, building on the success and exceptional demand for the Live Performance Support Scheme 2021 (LPSS 2021), a further strand of this scheme, called the LPSS 3, opened for applications on December 20th. LPSS 3 will support events which were due to be staged in December 2021 and January 2022 and have been curtailed, cancelled or rescheduled due to the restrictions on audience capacity at live performances at 50% and a closing time of 8pm.
In addition to LPSS 3, further supports will also be provided for the sector in 2022, including;
- Another strand of the Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS 4), to support performances being staged from February 2022 to June 2022. Further information, including guidelines for this scheme will be made available in the coming weeks.
- Another round of the MEBAS (Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme) scheme due to be announced shortly, this scheme is specifically to support small music and entertainment businesses which do not operate out of a rateable premises;
- €5m for Local Authorities to support local artists and performances through the LLPSS (Local Live Performance Support Scheme). This scheme in particular has provided thousands of hours of employment for local musicians, artists and crews.
- €5m to continue the capital supports scheme (CECGS) to venues, including for ventilation upgrades and other COVID adaptations
- €1m for the Saint Patrick's Festival 2022
LPSS and LLPSS 2021 funded thousands of hours of employment for artists, musicians and crew in 2021. I am confident the schemes will provide further employment opportunities in 2022.
I am committed to supporting the live performance and nightclub sector as they journey through a difficult and unprecedented phase of business operations. I will continue to review the supports for the sector on an ongoing basis.
116. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the progress she is seeking in 2022 in relation to the commitment in the Programme for Government in respect of creating a wild Atlantic walkway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2311/22]
View answerThe matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred this question to the agency for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
117. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update on supports to assist organisations in the sports sector to recover and develop post-pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2498/22]
View answerOn 13 December, Minister Martin and I announced the allocation of almost €80m for the sport sector under two separate support programmes.
This includes €73.6m in Covid-19 funding under five separate streams to help sports organisations to recover and grow post-pandemic, support our grassroots networks of clubs and local sports partnerships, and ensure that people of all ages and abilities return to sport and physical activity. The timing of the schemes provides stability and certainty to the sports sector for 2022 as it emerges from Covid-19 restrictions.
A further €5.3m has been allocated to National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) and Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) for the provision of sports equipment including the roll out of defibrillators for clubs, sport kits for school children and state of the art equipment for our high performance athletes.
This is a very significant investment and builds on the extensive support package of €88.5m provided in 2020 to address the Covid-19 challenges to the sport sector.
These financial supports will assist the sector as it continues to play an important role in supporting all members of society in getting and staying active.
A full breakdown of the funding is available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/5c21c-major-80m-funding-boost-for-sports-to-recover-grow-and-attract-people-nationwide/
In Budget 2022, the Government announced over €181 million in funding for sport this year, an increase of almost €11 million compared to the 2021 Revised Estimate. The current expenditure budget for Sport Ireland this year is €96m, an increase of over €4m from 2021. This funding will enable Sport Ireland to continue to support the sport sector as it recovers from the challenges of Covid and will allow continued grant funding support for sporting bodies through Sport Ireland's range of funding programmes.
Sport Ireland engages with sporting organisations on an ongoing basis and will continue to support the sector in its recovery and development post-pandemic.
118. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her strategy to promote the use of the Irish language at an official level at national and European Union level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2492/22]
View answerThe Department implements its Irish language strategy outside the Gaeltacht through the funding of a number of projects both within Ireland and internationally. These fall under the following headings and correspond to specific actions in the Government’s 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language, 2010-2030.
- Irish Language Support Scheme;
- Technological and Digital Initiative;
- Advanced Irish Language Skills Initiative;
- Universities abroad.
Additionally, the enactment of the Official Languages (Amendment) Act in December 2021 has added a great impetus to engage further with colleagues across the public service to increase the use of Irish and my officials are working to establish the necessary structures to successfully implement the provisions in the Act.
I welcome the end of the derogation on the use of the Irish language in the EU institutions at the end of 2021 and I am very committed to the promotion of the Irish language across the public service at home and in Europe and intend to ensure that it is embedded in the fabric of our public services.
To that end, my Department has been working to promote EU Irish language positions and continues to engage with the Public Appointments Service (www.publicjobs.ie) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to promote all positions and to encourage various stakeholders to promote Irish language vacancies on their social media channels in order to reach potential candidates.
Irish Language Support Scheme
On a national level, the Irish Language Support Scheme provides funding for a variety of projects for promoting the usage of Irish in domains as follows:
- Language supports for businesses - Gaillimh le Gaeilge, Gnó Mhaigh Eo, and the recently-launched, Baile Átha Cliath le Gaeilge;
- Youth development - TechSpace and Gluaiseacht;
- Theatre and Media - An Taibhdhearc and Raidió Rí Rá;
- Family - Scéim Teanga Tí de chuid Ghlór na nGael.
In addition, the Department has provided supports for initiatives to promote a diverse range of careers using the Irish language. For example, the Department funded the development of a range of video content on the Careers Portal website ‘Saol Oibre.’ These videos are available on www.saoloibre.ie
Advanced Irish Language Skills Initiative
In 2006, the Department established the Advanced Irish Language Skills Initiative. This initiative was put in place in order to increase the number of qualified persons with Irish language skills in the context of the requirements arising from the status of Irish as an official and working language of the EU and also from the implementation of the Official Languages Act 2003.
The fund, which is administered by the Department in conjunction with the Higher Education Authority (HEA), provides funding for a range of specialised third-level Irish language courses in areas such as translation, interpretation, IT and law. Currently there are 12 courses, provided by various institutions, in operation. These programmes have had a major input into increasing the translation capacity of EU institutions, thus ending of the derogation on the Irish language’s status in the EU.
Aistritheoirí Óga
The fourth Aistritheoirí Óga competition for secondary schools has taken place in conjunction with the European Commission. A total of 68 secondary school students from 28 schools participated, with my Department sponsoring the prizes for all winners. I was delighted that the five winners could join me at a virtual ceremony held on Friday 30th April 2021 to celebrate their achievements and it is my hope that I can meet future winners in person in the years to come.
Internship scheme
The Internship scheme which launched in 2018 has continued to be a great success. A total of 40 applications were received in 2021. My Department appointed 7 interns to contribute to the work in the various institutions this year. Feedback from the EU Institutions has been overwhelmingly positive and many of the interns have been offered contracts for positions within the EU institutions.
Universities Abroad
Also in the field of third level education, my Department provides funding for the Fulbright Ireland scholarship scheme in the USA and the Ireland-Canada University Foundation scheme. Under these programmes, successful applicants spend a year in U.S. and Canadian universities working as Foreign Language Teaching Assistants (FLTAs) and teach Irish language and culture. Students also have an opportunity to visit the Gaeltacht to learn Irish language and culture from native speakers. My Department also funds numerous universities in Europe in order to support the teaching of Irish.
Technological and Digital Initiatives
My Department provides funding for a range of initiatives for the promotion of Irish in the field of technology. A Digital Strategy for Irish is currently being prepared which addresses gaps such as speech-to-text and text-to-speech technology, machine translation and sharing of translation resources such as translation memories - all vitally important in the provision of public services. I look forward to launching the Strategy in the coming months and believe that this will add greatly to the career opportunities using the Irish language as well as the provision of resources for translators and Irish speakers.
