Alan Kelly
Question:28. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his most recent engagements with the social partners. [4808/22]
View answerOfficial Engagements
Questions (28)
Written answers
The Government recognises the importance of regular and open engagement with all sectors of society. In recent months I have had a number of engagements with social partners in a variety of different formats.
This includes through mechanisms such as LEEF, the Labour Employer Economic Forum, which engages with representatives of employers and trade unions on economic and employment issues insofar as they affect the Labour Market. The LEEF, which I chair, has met regularly to facilitate discussions with ongoing issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic and our economic recovery. The most recent meeting of the LEEF took place on 28 October 2021 and the next meeting of the LEEF will take place on 3 February 2022.
Other engagements include a series of meetings held last year with representatives from the Environmental Pillar, the Community and Voluntary Pillar, and the Farming and Agriculture Pillar to discuss how social dialogue can be strengthened, as well as issues of concern to those sectors.
Flexible Work Practices
Questions (29)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:29. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of implementation of the required legislation for the national remote working strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5276/22]
View answerWritten answers
The right to request remote work is part of the Government vision to make remote working a permanent feature of Ireland’s workforce in a way that can benefit all – economically, socially and environmentally. The commitment to introduce legislation to underpin employees' right to request remote work was made in the national Remote Work Strategy.
On 25 January the Government approved the priority drafting of the Right to Request Remote Work Bill 2021 and the submission of the General Scheme to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment to seek early commencement of pre-legislative scrutiny.
I look forward to discussing this important proposal with the Joint Oireachtas Committee as soon as possible and the Bill will be progressed through the Oireachtas as quickly as possible thereafter.
Pension Provisions
Questions (30)
Mattie McGrath
Question:30. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of the consultation process as provided for in response to the Industrial Relations (Provisions in Respect of Pension Entitlements of Retired Workers) Bill 2021; if he plans to engage with the network of retired workers organisations on this matter; when this consultation process will take place; the form this consultation process will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5280/22]
View answerWritten answers
Late in 2021 I did meet with members of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament who shared with me, and officials from my Department, some of their views on occupational pension schemes.
I intend to launch a public consultation into certain matters raised during consideration of the Industrial Relations (Provisions in Respect of Pension Entitlements of Retired Workers) Bill 2021 in February. This public consultation is open to all sectors and I anticipate input from organisations representing retired workers.
Work Permits
Questions (31)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:31. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the status of work permits for persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5374/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Employment Permits Section of my Department inform me that standard applications for Critical Skills Employment Permit for the persons concerned (details supplied) were received on 4 November 2021 and 20 January 2022 respectively.
Applications for employment permits are dealt with in date order. Employment Permits Section are currently processing standard applications received on 13 September 2021.
The Department recommends all applications for an employment permit to be submitted 12 weeks before the proposed start date of an employment. The Department provides regular updates on its website in relation to processing times and advises all employers to take current timelines into account as part of their recruitment plans.
Applicants can keep track of Employment Permit applications current processing dates at enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/Current-Application-Processing-Dates/If a permit is urgently required, an applicant may request to have an application expedited. A request to have an application expedited will only be considered in exceptional cases and must be accompanied by a compelling business case which details the individual circumstances involved.
National Broadband Plan
Questions (32)
Niamh Smyth
Question:32. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of the National Broadband Plan roll-out in area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5196/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Question refers to a premises located in the AMBER area on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department's website www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER area represents the area to be served by the network to be deployed under the NBP State led intervention. I appreciate people's frustration when they are living close to a fibre network owned by a commercial operator, but cannot get a connection to that network, particularly given the heightened importance of connectivity during the Covid-19 pandemic. The NBP will ensure that in all such cases a future proofed high speed broadband network will be built to serve these premises and work to deliver on this is underway.
I am advised by National Broadband Ireland (NBI) that, as of 21 January, almost 294,000 premises have been surveyed or have survey underway, with over 154,000 premises constructed or under construction across all counties. NBI has also advised that premises are connected in 11 counties; Carlow, Cavan, Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Limerick, Louth, Monaghan, Roscommon and Tipperary and over 54,400 premises are available to order and pre-order across 21 counties. In County Meath surveying is complete in the Deployment Areas of Dunboyne/Clonee, Navan and Hill of Down, with over 10,000 premises surveyed and over 3,000 premises under construction to date, with over 2,000 of those premises located in the areas around Bettystown, Julianstown, Duleek and Bellewstown to be completed in H1 2022, as advised by NBI.
Further details are available on specific areas within County Meath through the NBI website which provides a facility for any premises within the intervention area to register their interest in being provided with deployment updates through its website www.nbi.ie. Individuals who register with this facility will receive regular updates on progress by NBI on delivering the network and specific updates related to their own premises as works commence. NBI has a dedicated email address, reps@nbi.ie, which can be used by Oireachtas members for specific queries.
In addition to the challenges to the delivery of the NBP due to the Covid-19 pandemic, NBI has faced a range of other challenges due to the sheer scale and complexity of rolling out fibre to the home in a rural environment. These include significant tree trimming to ensure cable can be placed on overhead poles, remediation of ducting that has been in place for many decades, the co-ordination of hundreds of contracting crews and addressing the many issues arising week on week which could not have been foreseen until the build crews commenced work on the ground. My Department has worked closely with NBI to put in place a remedial plan under the Contract. This plan addresses delays experienced by NBI, primarily arising as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and re-baselines milestones for 2021. Work is underway to re-baseline milestones for 2022 and beyond. This has resulted in some changes to timeframes for connection for end users.
Given the scale and complexity of delivery of the new high speed broadband network under the NBP, I am advised that any dates provided by NBI on its website are based on the best available information at the time and may be subject to change. NBI has recently published details of its full deployment schedule on its website, www.nbi.ie, which enables all premises within the intervention area to have an anticipated service activation date range.
Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) are a key element of the NBP providing high speed broadband in every county in advance of the roll out of the fibre to the home network. As of 21 January, 454 BCP sites have been installed by NBI and the high speed broadband service will be switched on in these locations through service provider contracts managed by the Department of Rural and Community Development for publicly accessible sites and the Department of Education for school BCPs. BCP’s are connected at Syddan Gaelic Football Club (approx. 6.7km from premises referred to), Drumree GAA Club, Rathkenny Hall, Meath GAA Centre of Excellence, Cormeen Sports Complex, Teach Raithneach Heritage & Cultural Centre, Meath Hill Community Centre, Castletown GAA Club, Boardsmill GAA Club/Community Centre, Kilskyre GAA Club, Moynalty GAA Club, Ballinlough Shop & Former Halfway House Public House, Bective GAA Clubrooms, Cortown GAA Club and Carnaross Mart. Further details can be found at nbi.ie/bcp-locations/.
Kentstown National School, Gaelscoil na Mí, Gaelscoil an Bhradáin Fheasa and Newtown National School have been installed by NBI for educational access. My Department continues to work with the Department of Education to prioritise schools with no high speed broadband, within the Intervention Area, for connection over the term of the NBP. In this regard, an acceleration of this aspect of the National Broadband Plan was announced in December 2020 with an ambition to connect some 679 schools to high speed broadband by the end of 2022, well ahead of the original target delivery timeframes across the NBP fibre program. Further details of schools in scope are available on the NBI website at nbi.ie/primary-schools-list/.
Waste Management
Questions (33)
Brendan Griffin
Question:33. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will address a matter regarding a waste collection company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5228/22]
View answerWritten answers
The electricity and gas retail markets in Ireland operate within a European Union regulatory regime wherein electricity and gas markets are commercial, liberalised, and competitive. Operating within this overall EU framework, responsibility for the regulation of the electricity and gas markets, is solely a matter for the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), which was assigned responsibility for the regulation of the Irish electricity and gas markets following the enactment of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA), 1999. I understand from the Deputy that the matter raised in this specific instance has already been submitted to the complaint resolution service offered by CRU. The CRU, as the Deputy will appreciate, is an independent statutory regulator and is accountable for the performance of its functions to the Oireachtas, and not to me as Minister. I have no function in these matters.The Deputy may wish to note that CRU provides a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, which enables them raise questions on general energy regulatory matters to CRU at oireachtas@cru.ie for timely direct reply.
National Broadband Plan
Questions (34)
Matt Carthy
Question:34. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications further to Parliamentary Question No. 169 of 19 January 2022, if he will provide the number of completed connections and premises passed in each county and in each month of 2021 under the National Broadband Plan in tabular form given that the question did not receive an adequate response. [5266/22]
View answerWritten answers
Further to my reply to Question No 169 on19 January 2022 (PQ2136/22) and my reply to Question 233 on 1 February 2022 (PQ4495/22), my Department does not have any additional information on the matter since the previous replies.
National Postcode System
Questions (35)
Niamh Smyth
Question:35. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the status of an Eircode application made by a person (details supplied); if he will ensure it is on the list to be released in February 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5272/22]
View answerWritten answers
Capita Business Support Services Ireland, trading as Eircode, assigns Eircodes to new property addresses using a valid postal address and verified geo-locations. An Post collects information on all new and existing buildings, as well as changes to existing addresses and Ordnance Survey Ireland provides the geo-locations for these buildings. An Post GeoDirectory, a subsidiary company of An Post and Ordnance Survey Ireland, issue a new release of the GeoDirectory database file on a quarterly basis to Eircode in accordance with their licence agreement. Each new postal address assigned an Eircode is published on the free to use Eircode Finder website, a notification letter is issued to the property occupant containing the Eircode of that address and an updated Eircode Database is provided to licenced businesses for their use. Eircode have informed my officials that over 160,000 property addresses have been assigned an Eircode since the launch in 2015. An Post have informed my officials that the individual's address data has been recorded in the latest An Post database which An Post GeoDirectory release to Eircode on a quarterly basis. My officials have requested Eircode to contact and liaise directly with the individual in question regarding the assignment of an Eircode for this new property address.
Energy Conservation
Questions (36)
Seán Sherlock
Question:36. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if a person (details supplied) in County Cork is obliged to change their property’s heating system from oil to gas in order for essential works to be carried out under the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. [5335/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low-income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date, over 143,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme. In the first six months of 2021, the average value of the energy efficiency measures provided per household was approximately €17,100. A range of home energy improvements can be funded under this scheme. The upgrades that are recommended for any given property depend on many factors including age, size, type and condition of the property. Each eligible home is assessed on a case-by-case basis by SEAI’s managing agent. This involves a survey of the home which determines the upgrades that can be installed and funded. The home is subsequently allocated to a contractor which carries out a further assessment of the property to confirm the initial recommendation. A programme of work is then agreed between the contractor and SEAI. Decisions in relation to the recommended upgrades made by both SEAI’s managing agent and contractors are informed by a technical operations manual
From 1 November 2019, new building standards have applied to major renovations on existing residential dwellings. This means where renovations affecting more than 25% of the surface area of a home (e.g. external wall insulation) are being carried out the energy performance of the whole home must be upgraded to new energy efficiency standards. This means that older heating systems in these homes must be replaced with newer, more efficient models.
My department has contacted SEAI and they have been informed that the works on this home including the heating system upgrade have been agreed with the homeowner and allocated to a contractor and will commence in due course.
Mining Industry
Questions (37)
Jackie Cahill
Question:37. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he intends to grant a mining licence for the purpose of mining for gold and silver and other minerals in the hinterland of Thurles, County Tipperary; if so, the rationale for the granting of such a licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5378/22]
View answerWritten answers
No application for a mining licence has been received for this area. I published a public notice of intention to grant a Prospecting Licence in an area near Thurles, County Tipperary on 22 December 2021. A Prospecting Licence (PL) gives the licence holder the right to explore for minerals but not to mine . A PL holder may undertake mineral exploration activities, such as mapping, geophysical and geochemical surveys, and drilling in accordance with Prospecting Licence conditions and environmental legislation.
Seeking permission to mine is a separate process requiring three State authorisations; planning permission from the local county council; a licence from the EPA (Industrial Emissions or Integrated Pollution Control licence); and a State Mining Licence/Lease from the Minister.
The 30 day public consultation on the PL process has concluded and the submissions received as part of this consultation will be considered before I make a decision on whether or not to grant the Prospecting Licence.
Transport Policy
Questions (38)
Thomas Gould
Question:38. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Transport the list of refused applications under the active travel 2022 allocations in Cork city; and the reason for refusal in each case. [5231/22]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including cycling and walking infrastructure.
Details of individual projects are matters for the NTA and the relevant local authorities; accordingly I have referred your question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Road Projects
Questions (39)
Charles Flanagan
Question:39. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport when funding will be made available to progress to phase 3 of the N52 Tullamore Kilbeggan link road scheme in the context of having been identified as a key piece of infrastructure for the economic and development of the wider Tullamore area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5204/22]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to the National Roads Programme. Once funding arrangements have been put in place with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for TII, in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Public Spending Code and the necessary statutory approvals.
Approximately €600 million of exchequer capital funds have been provided for national roads through TII to local authorities in 2022. The 2022 funding allocations are made having regard for the NDP, which balances investment in transport against other priorities of Government, such as housing and health over the lifetime of the Plan. It was necessary to prioritise projects for funding in a manner which seeks to achieve key outcomes in line with the NDP. Resulting from this, while a large majority of the projects under the NDP were issued a funding allocation in 2022, TII were unable to provide an allocation for the N52 Tullamore to Kilbeggan Link Road Scheme. The delivery programme for this project will be kept under review for next year and considered in terms of the overall funding envelope available to TII.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Pension Provisions
Questions (40)
David Cullinane
Question:40. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Transport if his Ministerial approval has been given for the increase of 2.5% to Dublin Port pensioners; if another Department needs to approve the payment; the timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5292/22]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to confirm to the Deputy that Dublin Port Company, in line with the provision of Dublin Port Superannuation Scheme 1996, has sought my consent and that of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, to a 2.5% increase in pensions in payment and in deferment under the scheme.
That request for consent is being examined in my Department, with the assistance of NewERA. On completion of that review, I will consider the matter in consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.
National Car Test
Questions (41)
Catherine Murphy
Question:41. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the length of time persons must wait to secure an NCT booking; his plans to clear the backlog; and if he will consider an amnesty for persons who must wait many months for their booking while their car does not have a valid NCT certificate on display. [5460/22]
View answerWritten answers
The operation of the National Car Test Service (NCTS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply.
However, I am given to understand that customers seeking test appointments may contact the NCTS directly by calling 01-4135992 or may avail of the waiting list function via the website www.ncts.ie.
I would also advise the Deputy that it is an offence for any person to drive a vehicle on public roads and in public places without a valid NCT. The frequency of testing is set out in the Road Traffic (National Car Test) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 415 of 2017) and there are currently no plans to amend this legislation. It is worth noting that the NCT Regulations allow that a car may be tested up to 90 days in advance of the test due date without affecting the expiry date of the certificate issued.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 51
Tax Code
Questions (42)
Christopher O'Sullivan
Question:42. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider amendments to the VAT rules for imports from registered UK charities into Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5185/22]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by Revenue that electronic Customs import declarations are now required for all parcels / packages coming from non-EU countries including those coming through the postal system regardless of the value of the goods being sent. Since 1 July 2021, all goods imported to the Union, regardless of their value, are liable to VAT. In addition, all goods valued at €150 or more may be liable to a Customs duty charge.
The Customs value on which Customs duty is calculated is the cost of the goods plus the transport costs (including postage), any insurance fees and any handling charges to deliver the goods to the EU. VAT is calculated on the Customs value, plus any Customs duty applicable. In addition, postal operators and courier businesses may charge an administration fee for the delivery of the goods.
I am advised by Revenue that the VAT rating of goods and services is subject to EU VAT legislation with which Irish VAT law must comply. There is no provision in the EU VAT Directive or in domestic legislation to allow for amendments in how VAT is applied to imports into the EU as this is harmonised throughout the European Union. As a result, Ireland cannot unilaterally alter the provisions relating to VAT on goods imported from the UK.
Public Sector Staff
Questions (43)
Michael Lowry
Question:43. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the way that a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary can obtain consent from his Department to apply for the one person one salary scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5270/22]
View answerWritten answers
The objective of the policy on One Person One Salary (OPOS) is to restrict payment of extra remuneration, from additional public service sources, to public sector employees.
While the initial policy focused on board fees, it has been expanded over time to cover any type of potential second income from a public service source that might accrue to a public sector employee.
Additional payment may be made for undertaking other work in the public sector if certain conditions apply. Sanction for such payments are considered where Departments put a supporting business case forward and where it is established, that each of the following conditions is met:
that the duties involved are neither a part nor an extension of the officer’s normal duties, and
that a rigid insistence on the principle of one person-one salary would deny scarce skills to the State, and
that payment is permitted for one additional appointment only, and
that the approval of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for additional payments is required in each case, and
that in no case should payment exceed the normal fee for the activity concerned, and
that the duration of such payment should be limited to one term or 5 years whichever is greater.
Where a Department is satisfied that each of the conditions is met, application for sanction should be made to my Department. Such applications are considered and a decision is given by reference to the conditions quoted above.
It is normal practice that such cases are made by a Department based on a business need and not by an individual.
Television Licence Fee
Questions (44)
Mattie McGrath
Question:44. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of television licences that have not been paid; the number of legal proceedings initiated by An Post in the past two years; the number of persons charged for non-payment of a television licence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5283/22]
View answerWritten answers
An Post act as issuing agent for TV Licence fee collection. The estimated TV Licence evasion rate is 15.2% and while An Post make every effort to bring TV Licence evaders into the licensed pool, a considerable amount of time and resources are spent in dealing with this issue, with prosecution of evaders being a last resort.
Details of legal proceedings initiated by An Post for non-payment of TV Licences in 2020 and 2021 are detailed in the table below.
TV Licence Legal Proceedings 2020 and 2021
|
Year |
Number of Summons applied for |
Number of cases brought to court |
|
2020 |
9,555 |
4,581*[1] |
|
2021 |
7,507 |
4,328 |
*The number of cases heard in 2020 does not include 902 cases that were adjourned as Dublin court cases are heard at standalone court sittings and Court Services decided to adjourn all TV Licence cases as they were deemed to be not on the essential list. These cases were adjourned and most were heard in July 2021.
Prosecution for non-payment of TV licences is a matter for the Courts Service. Where a fine is imposed, this is collected by An Garda Síochána. Statistics of fines imposed and non-payment of fines are not provided to An Post or my Department.
Sports Funding
Questions (45)
Niamh Smyth
Question:45. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of an application by a club (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5255/22]
View answerWritten answers
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 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 prior to assessment work commencing and all applications were 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.
In relation to the remaining capital SCEP applications, including one from the club referred to by the Deputy, the initial assessment of all applications is complete. In accordance with our objective of making the whole application process as user-friendly as possible, applicants who did not submit fully correct applications were given a two week period to submit corrected documentation. My Department is now finalising the examination of these revised documents and I expect to announce the final list of successful grants shortly. All unsuccessful applicants will be given the opportunity to appeal the Department’s decision and information in this regard will be issued when the grants are announced.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (46)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:46. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount spent to date on the Galway 2020 project; the amount that was Exchequer funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5375/22]
View answerWritten answers
As of the end of December 2021, €22.7 million had been spent on the delivery of the Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture project. To date, the Department has paid €14 million of the overall €15 million Exchequer commitment to the project and €1 million remains towards Galway 2020 legacy initiatives.
Film Industry
Questions (47)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:47. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will seek advice and a meeting with officials in her Department to discuss possible funding and support avenues for a local film project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5459/22]
View answerWritten answers
Funding grants for film projects in Ireland is provided by Screen Ireland and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI). Screen Ireland provides funding as the national development agency for Irish film, television and animation. The BAI has a range of funding supports and initiatives in place for programming relating to Irish culture, heritage and experience under the Broadcasting Funding Scheme. Decisions on funding by Screen Ireland and the BAI are a matter for their respective Boards which are independent of my Department.