Written Answers Nos. 1-30
4. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to the dearth of artistic spaces and venues in the city of Dublin; and her plans on same. [22186/22]
View answerI am aware of the demand for artist workspaces and cultural spaces that exists in Dublin City. For this reason a capital allocation of up to €3 million has been made to Dublin City Council specifically to assist in the provision of artists’ workspaces in Dublin. The City Council has been examining a range of sites for their suitability to best capitalise on the €3m investment including two buildings in DCC ownership to create up to 40 new Artists Workspaces.
Recent decades have seen the development of a nationwide infrastructure of venues and arts centres, many of which were initiated and funded by local authorities. These centres also benefit from capital schemes operated by my Department. Annual support provided to these arts centres by local authorities and the Arts Council is critical to ensuring that a stable and vibrant network can be maintained. The Arts Council and County and City Management Association (CCMA) have a joint ten year agreement which is strongly focused on continued investment.
Capital schemes including the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme 2016-2018 and the Cultural Capital Scheme 2019-2022 provides capital grants for arts and culture centres and are administered by my Department. The schemes focus on enhancing the existing stock of arts and culture centres throughout the country. These included allocations for projects involving artist's studios and creative spaces.
My Department is also funding a major €460 million programme of investment in our National Cultural Institutions under the National Development Plan. These institutions are largely based in Dublin City.
County and city councils prepare and implement plans for the development of the arts within their functional areas in accordance with Section 6 of the Arts Act 2003 and Section 67 of the Planning and Development Act 2001. County and city development plans are drawn up by local authorities in accordance with their functions under the Planning and Development Acts. I understand that the new draft City Development Plan 2022 – 2028 for Dublin City Council proposes addressing the provision of artists’ workspaces.
The Department for Housing, Planning, and Local Government operate the Urban Regeneration and Development Fund to support a programme of significant transformational capital projects that will contribute to the regeneration and rejuvenation of Ireland’s five cities and other large towns. I understand there is an allocation to Dublin City Council in respect of Artists Workspaces under this programme
16. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if additional measures will be implemented to promote tourism in the Hidden Heartlands Region for the 2022 season in view of the difficulties facing this sector due to the pandemic since early 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22162/22]
View answerIn Budget 2022, I secured an additional €67.6 million funding for tourism, thereby bringing the overall tourism services budget to €288 million. Part of this funding will enable the tourism agencies to market Ireland's tourism offering, including the Ireland's Hidden Heartlands brand, at home and abroad. Fáilte Ireland's plans for 2022 include driving demand through a doubling of investment in domestic marketing to €10 million, which they are using to encourage short breaks all year round. They have embarked on extensive marketing and communications campaigns, which continue to encourage domestic holidaymakers to take vacations in Ireland, particularly during quieter shoulder seasons.
Fáilte Ireland’s ‘Keep Discovering’ Domestic Marketing Campaign was launched on 12th February and includes the promotion of Ireland and each of the regional brand experiences – Dublin, Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands – across radio, TV, press, social media and digital platforms, with the objective of driving the recovery of domestic tourism by inspiring more people to explore more areas of the country and experience the joy of discovery that a home holiday can bring. Specifically, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands will be promoted for approximately 12 weeks with a TV advertisement airing nationally and in Northern Ireland, as well as through dedicated radio, press, and social media, and the region will also feature across PR, digital and media partnerships throughout the summer. This represents an increase of eight weeks' airtime on the 2021 schedule when the Ireland's Hidden Heartlands advertisement ran over a four-week period.
Tourism Ireland continues to promote Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands around the world – across a range of platforms including on Ireland.com and through social media; at major international consumer and trade fairs; through familiarisation visits for influential travel agents, tour operators, as well as international travel and lifestyle journalists, influencers and bloggers; and through Tourism Ireland’s promotional material including market guides and brochures.
As announced on 9th February by Fáilte Ireland, counties Cavan, Westmeath and Offaly will now sit wholly within the Ireland's Hidden Heartlands brand and will no longer be part of the Ireland's Ancient East brand. Furthermore, a slightly greater portion of County Tipperary will also be encompassed within the Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands brand (namely all the Nenagh Municipal District and part of the Thurles Municipal District). The expanded footprint for Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands will give visitors a more cohesive visitor experience in the area, strengthen the brand's tourism offering and will allow Fáilte Ireland to further raise awareness of the region domestically and internationally. Fáilte Ireland launched a Destination Experience Development Plan for Lough Derg in April 2021 and intends to develop and launch four other Plans for the region, which will further enhance the appeal of destinations within the Ireland's Hidden Heartlands brand region.
17. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way her Department intends to ensure that those additional social welfare payments such as one-parent families or disability entitlements would not lose those payments should they be accepted on to UBI scheme for artists. [22182/22]
View answerEligibility for social welfare supports is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection.
I have been determined since the outset of the BIA pilot scheme that artists with disabilities would be in a position to participate to the greatest extent possible. Accordingly, my Department has worked with the Department of Social Protection, to establish that the payment will be treated as earnings from self-employment and can be taken into account in earnings disregards that applies to many social welfare payments including Disability Allowance and the One-Parent Family Payment.
Of course, each individual case will differ depending on other household income.
In the case of the Disability Allowance, it will be possible to for many people to avail of the basic income and retain social welfare benefits in addition to the moneys received from the BIA Pilot Scheme. As this will depend on each individual’s circumstances, applicants will need to engage with the Department of Social Protection on the matter. The Department of Social Protection published a guide to the Interaction of the Basic Income for the Arts Pilot Scheme with DSP Payments (www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd818-interaction-of-the-basic-income-for-the-arts-pilot-scheme-with-dsp-payments/#) on Gov.ie on 13 April to assist all applicants for BIA in receipt of DSP supports including those with disabilities.
My Department has met with representatives from the disabled artists community to examine how best we can make artists aware of the position established between my Department and DSP in respect of DSP supports. My Department also has a dedicated email address to answer any questions that applicants may have about any aspect of the Scheme to assist artists and creative arts workers with queries about the Scheme.
18. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the Government will purchase the former home of (details supplied) now that it is back on the market and no longer to be purchased by Dublin City Council. [22098/22]
View answerThe high-level, strategic capital investment priorities for my Department are set out in sectoral investment plans that include, inter alia, Investing in our Culture, Language and Heritage; Linking People and Places and the Audiovisual Action Plan; as well as being informed by cross-Government policies and strategies including the Climate Action Plan, Our Rural Future and the National Planning Framework.
My Department’s capital investment is centred on three high level objectives for the Department’s sectors:
1. to promote Economic Recovery and Resilience;
2. to support Wellbeing and Social Cohesion;
3. to enhance Sustainability in its sectors and Guardianship of our unique cultural, linguistic and sporting heritage.
It is comprised of three strands of activity:
1. Major capital projects;
2. Capital investment and infrastructure programmes; and
3. Capital grant schemes.
Major capital projects are appraised, planned, implemented and evaluated in line with the Public Spending Code and best practice guidance outlined in the Capital Works Management Framework.
Recent decades have seen the development of a nationwide infrastructure of venues and arts centres, many of which were initiated and funded by local authorities. These centres also benefit from capital schemes operated by my Department. Annual support provided to these arts centres by local authorities and the Arts Council is critical to ensuring that a stable and vibrant network can be maintained. The Arts Council and County and City Management Association have a joint ten year agreement which is strongly focused on continued investment.
My Department is also progressing a range of other initiatives under the other two strands of investment activity (grant schemes and investment programmes) which are delivering improved tourism, cultural, sporting and linguistic infrastructure and investment to communities across Ireland. Key programmes include the Cultural Capital Scheme, the Arts and Culture Capital Scheme, the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme, the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund, and the Gaeltacht and Language Support Schemes.
In addition to this, my Department is working with bodies under its aegis and local authorities on a broad range of projects, programmes and schemes to enhance our tourism, culture, art, Gaeltacht, sport and media infrastructure.
My Department does not own or hold property as this is the responsibility of the Office of Public Works. In this context, the Department does not purchase property nor does it provide funding to organisations to purchase land or buildings.
19. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will detail the uptake in County Mayo of the tourism business continuity scheme since its introduction. [22200/22]
View answerIn Budget 2021, I secured €55 million for Fáilte Ireland's Tourism Business Continuity Scheme. Additionally in 2021, €10 million was paid by Fáilte Ireland under the Coach Tourism Business Continuity Scheme and €10 million under the Ireland-Based Inbound Agents Business Continuity Scheme.
In Budget 2022, I secured a further €50 million in business continuity funding. In overall terms, the Government allocated €67.6 million in additional funding for tourism, thereby bringing the overall tourism services budget for 2022 to €288 million.
The purpose of the funding provided through the Tourism Business Continuity Scheme has been to support strategic tourism businesses to survive through the pandemic and help drive the recovery of tourism. There were five phases of the Tourism Business Continuity Scheme in 2021 which ran from February to September 2022. The various phases of the Scheme provided a direct financial contribution to support business continuity plans and contribute towards fixed costs.
The Tourism Business Continuity Schemes for 2022 are managed by Fáilte Ireland and will support businesses across the tourism sectors that need it most urgently, taking account of the Government funding that has already been received and the wider context of the horizontal supports provided by Government. The details of the Schemes are as follows:
- The Strategic Tourism Transport Business Continuity Scheme 2022 opened on 11 January 2022 and closed on 8 February 2022.
- The Strategic Ireland-Based Inbound Agents Tourism Business Continuity Scheme 2022 scheme opened on 12 January 2022 and closed on 9 February 2022.
- The Attractions and Activity Tourism Operators Business Continuity Scheme 2022 opened on 8 March 2022 and closed on 5 April 2022.
- The Tourism Accommodation Providers Business Continuity Scheme 2022 opened on 9 March 2022 and closed on 6 April 2022.
To date under the 2022 Tourism Business Continuity Schemes, 367 payments have been made amounting to €21.7 million with a further 429 applications being evaluated. All schemes are expected to be completed by the end of June 2022.
With regard to the detail of the uptake in County Mayo of the tourism business continuity schemes since their introduction, I have asked Fáilte Ireland to provide this information to the Deputy. Please contact my private office if you have not receive a response within ten working days.
20. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention was brought to a sporting bodies (details supplied) ongoing situation regarding its 17 executives and committee members to allow Russia to enter a bid for a competition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22201/22]
View answerThe football associations in the UK and Ireland have lodged an expression of interest to jointly host the UEFA European Championships in 2028. The deadline for preliminary bid submission is likely to be later this year.
Before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Ireland was ready to host a number of matches as part of the 2020 iteration of those championships. This was on foot of a number of years of preparation by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), the Aviva Stadium and a number of Government Departments, co-ordinated and led by my Department. Accordingly, I am well aware of the significance and scale of the tournament and how it could be a very positive experience to jointly host it in 2028. The Department is working closely with the FAI and across government to better evaluate the case for bidding for Euro 2028 and no commitments have been made at this point.
UEFA's deadline for submission of Expressions of Interest to host EURO 2028 and EURO 2032 was 23 March. UEFA confirmed that Expressions of Interest were submitted from UK and Ireland, Turkey, and Russia for EURO 2028 and from Italy, Turkey, and Russia for EURO 2032. The selection of candidates for EURO 2028 and EURO 2032 is a matter for UEFA. In this regard, UEFA issued a statement earlier this week declaring the bid submitted by the Football Union of Russia to host EURO 2028 or EURO 2032 as not eligible.
21. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cé na tacaíochtaí atá beartaithe ag a Roinn chun a chinntiú gur féidir le teifigh ón Úcráin atá lonnaithe sa Ghaeltacht, páistí scoile agus a dtuismitheoirí san áireamh, páirt a ghlacadh sa phobal labhartha Gaeilge, agus cén anailís nó ullmhúchán atá déanta nó idir lámha ag a Roinn chun a chinntiú nach gcaithfear leis na teifigh seo ar shlí a mbrúfaí an Béarla orthu mar theanga labhartha, fiú nuair nach bhfuil cumas acu sa Bhéarla, agus a ndéanfaí Béarlú ar phobail Ghaeltachta. [22202/22]
View answer26. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil tacaíochtaí breise curtha ar fáil ó thaobh pleanála teanga de do na pobail Ghaeltachta atá tar éis teifigh ón Úcráin a ghlacadh isteach ina bpobal chun deileáil leis na dúshláin bhreise teanga a éireoidh dá bharr; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [22174/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 26 together.
Mar is eol don Teachta, is cur chuige ilgabhálach tras-rannach atá idir lámha chun dul i ngleic leis na dúshláin a bhaineann le freastal a dhéanamh ar theifigh na hÚcráine - lena n-áirítear teifigh a thagann chun na Gaeltachta.
Mar a bhaineann sé leis an gcóras oideachais agus an próiseas pleanála teanga cuir i gcás, tá nasc á chruthú i rith an ama idir scoileanna Gaeltachta sna Limistéir Pleanála Teanga Ghaeltachta agus na Ceanneagraíochtaí Pleanála Teanga agus Oifigigh Pleanála Teanga.
Ar an mbunús céanna go mbíonn bearta á bhfeidhmiú ag na ceanneagraíochtaí pleanála teanga i gcomhar leis an scoileanna le tacú le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge i measc phobal na scoile, béifear in ann teacht ar bhealaí comhchosúil le tacú le muintir na hÚcráine agus iad ag iarraidh socrú isteach sna pobail chéanna.
Tuigtear don Roinn go bhfuil cur chuige aontaithe idir na hOifigigh Pleanála Teanga atá fostaithe ag na ceanneagraíochtaí chun tabhairt faoin obair sin. Anuas air sin, tá tacaíocht bhreise ar fáil tríd an Rannóg Pleanála Teanga de chuid Údaráis na Gaeltachta do na ceanneagraíochtaí pleanála teanga nó do ghrupaí pobail eile má tá éileamh ann ó mhuintir na hÚcráine do ranganna Gaeilge / tacaíochtaí teanga taobh amuigh den chóras oideachais. Tuigtear don Roinn go bhfuil sé seo curtha in iúl ag an Údarás do na hOifigigh Pleanala Teanga agus na ceanneagraíochtaí i gcomhthéacs an chúraim atá sannta don Údarás mar a bhaineann sé le feidhmiú an phróisis pleanála teanga.
Comthreomhar leis sin uile, tá mo Roinn ag breathnú faoi láthair ar an gcaoi a bhféadfaí tacú tuilleadh le teaghlaigh na hÚcráine go príomha tríd na scéimeanna agus cláir atá á riar cheana féin faoi scáth eagraíochtaí ábhartha a bhíonn ag feidhmiú ar an talamh le cúnamh leanúnach mo Roinne agus / nó Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Ní gá dom a rá go leanfaidh mo Roinn ag coinneáil an scéal uile faoi bhreithniú sa chaoi is go mbeifear in ann ár gcion a dhéanamh ar leas foriomlán theifigh na hÚcráine, laistigh de na hacmhainní atá ar fáil.
22. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceisteanna Parlaiminte 10295/22 agus 2836/22, cad é stádas an ghasra oibre; soiléiriú a thabhairt ar na téarmaí tagartha; cad é dáta an chéad chruinniú den ghrúpa; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [22178/22]
View answerMar a mhínigh mé don Teachta i mo fhreagra ar Cheist 101 ar 23 Feabhra, tá mo Roinn ag obair i dtreo grúpa oibre a bhunú faoi chathaoirleacht mo Roinne a bheidh ag obair ar leas tuismitheoirí Gaeltachta atá ag tógáil a gclann trí Ghaeilge nó ar mhian leo sin a dhéanamh. Is i gcomhthéacs fhorfheidhmiú an phróisis pleanála teanga a dhéanfar é sin.
Mar a chur mé in iúl sa bhfreagra sin, tá obair ullmhúcháin ina leith ar bun ag mo Roinn agus ag Údarás na Gaeltachta faoi láthair i dtreo an chéad chruinniú a ghairm go luath.
Le bunú an ghrúpa nua a bhfuil tagairt déanta ag an Teachta dó, tabharfar páirtithe leasmhara le chéile lena n-áirítear ionadaíocht ó na hOifigigh Pleanála Teanga, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta agus eagraíochtaí eile de réir mar is cuí.
Beidh sé mar phríomh-chuspóir ag an gcur chuige seo trí chéile tacú tuilleadh le feidhmiú an phróisis pleanála teanga mar a bhaineann sé le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge mar theanga teaghlaigh agus comhoibriú agus comhpháirtíocht a chothú i measc na bpáirtithe éagsúla atá ag feidhmiú ar an talamh faoi scáth an phróisis le cúnamh airgeadais mo Roinne.
Ar bhonn ginearálta, níor mhiste a lua gur cheadaigh mo Roinn ciste €1.6m don eagraíocht Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta anuraidh chun cur ar a gcumas clár trí bliana ar leas teaghlaigh Gaeltachta a chur chun feidhme. Comhthreomhar leis sin, cuirtear maoiniú reatha ar fáil i leith réimse leathan gníomhaíochtaí lena n-airítear réimse na luathbhlianta agus na n-ealaíon traidisiúnta, atá ar leas foriomlán cur chun cinn na Gaeilge ag leibhéal an teaghlaigh sa Ghaeltacht.
Tugtar léargas níos iomláine ar na tacaíochtaí seo ar fad sa dara tuairisc bhliantúil ar fheidhmiú Phlean Gníomhaíochtaí 2018-2022 an Rialtais don Ghaeilge a foilsíodh i mí Dheireadh Fómhair 2021 agus a bhfuil fáil air ar shuíomh na Roinne.
23. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the proposed approach that Government is taking to the report by the Media Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22144/22]
View answerThe media sector in Ireland, which is a vital element of our democracy and society as a whole, is undergoing fundamental change. These changes are for the most part driven by advances in technology and the manner in which we ourselves consume media content.
This Government is committed to putting in place a framework which will enable a sustainable future for a vibrant, diverse and independent media sector, encompassing print, audiovisual, radio and online.
A key element in this was the establishment of the Future of Media Commission, which was chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith. I am sure the Deputy appreciates that the Commission's task was a complex one, with a remit to address the many issues of concern for the entire media industry. As a result, the Commission’s report and the wide ranging recommendations it contains has required careful and detailed thought.
However, the consideration of the Commission’s report cannot be carried out in isolation, but must have regard to a range of other complex and inter-related issues that Government is addressing in the wider media and digital space. These include the national digital strategy and Ireland’s approach to the implementation of the Digital Services Act, which has been recently agreed at political level in Europe.
Another key element of this overall approach is the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill, which is currently at Committee stage in the Seanad, and in particular the establishment of a new media regulator, Coimisiún na Meán.
An Coimisiún will provide the regulatory and developmental framework to implement the report of the Future of Media Commission. The Commission will comprise an Executive Chairperson and three additional Commissioners, including a Broadcasting Commissioner and a Media Development Commissioner. Both of these Commissioners will have a role in ensuring the effective delivery of the report.
The detailed consideration of the Future of Media Commission’s report by An Taoiseach, myself and other key Ministers is nearing conclusion, and it will be brought to Government for consideration in the coming weeks.
24. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceist Pharlaiminte 15507/22, cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir le plean teanga Bhearna agus Chnoc na Cathrach atá faofa ag an Aire le tamall fada, agus go háirithe, an ndeimhneoidh sí go bhfuil Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga ceaptha; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [22180/22]
View answerFaoi mar a chur mé in iúl roimhe seo, rinne mé plean teanga an Limistéir Pleanála Teanga Gaeltachta: Bearna agus Cnoc na Cathrach a fhaomhadh faoin bpróiseas pleanála teanga i mí Bealtaine 2021.
Tuigtear don Roinn nach bhfuil Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga fostaithe sa cheantar go fóill, áfach, ach go bhfuil céimeanna idir lámha ag Údarás na Gaeltachta chun dlús a chur le rudaí gan tuilleadh moille i dtreo tús a bheith curtha le feidhmiú an phlean. Cuimseofar sa chur chuige seo earcú Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga.
Mar a bhaineann sé leis na Limistéir Pleanála Teanga Ghaeltachta go ginearálta, tá pleananna teanga i leith an 26 limistéar ina iomláine ceadaithe faoin bpróiseas.
25. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps she has taken to promote the Irish Language and to ensure the survival of the language in Gaeltacht areas since she took office. [21987/22]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the overarching 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 and the accompanying Action Plan for the Irish Language (Plean Gníomhaíochta 2018-2022) represents state policy for the Irish language and Gaeltacht regions. The Strategy and supporting action plan have cross-departmental ownership and, accordingly, responsibility for implementation falls on a number of Government Departments, bodies and Irish language and Gaeltacht organisations. The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media is responsible inter alia, for coordinating its implementation.
The Action Plan and the two annual progress reports published to date present a clear overview of the 180 or so actions being advanced by circa 60 stakeholders in support of the language and Gaeltacht regions. Undoubtedly, functioning in the shadow of the pandemic over the last two years has proved challenging and this is no less the case in terms of delivery of supports in the domain of Irish language and Gaeltacht affairs.
Nonetheless, significant progress is being made and the publication of the second progress report - covering the period from July 2019 to December 2020, following Government approval, sets out in detail the advances that have been made on a cross-governmental and cross-sectoral basis over the period.
In terms of financial supports for the language insofar as my Department is concerned, an additional exchequer allocation of €7m for language programmes plus €4.2m extra for Irish language broadcasting was included in Budget 2022, further enabling support for the language and Gaeltacht regions - particularly in the context of the ongoing implementation of the language planning process and the Policy on Gaeltacht Education, being spearheaded by the Department of Education.
This additional allocation ultimately means that total funding of nearly €90m is being deployed by my Department in support of the Irish language and Gaeltacht regions in the current year.
An overview of measures, schemes and initiatives being undertaken in support of the language can be found on my Department's website as well as those of Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge.
27. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when a review into the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund will be completed; and the subsequent process that Monaghan County Council will be required to progress in order to avail of future funding through the fund with a view to the provision of a public swimming pool in Carrickmacross. [22015/22]
View answer44. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the rules governing the operation of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund; the amount expended under the fund to date; the amount made available and spent under each respective project; her plans for the future of the fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22091/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 44 together.
The Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) was launched in 2018 to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects, including swimming pools, with at least €100 million being made available over the period to 2027.
The first allocations under the LSSIF were announced in January 2020 and, thus far, approximately €86.4 million has been awarded to 33 different proposals. The projects that received provisional allocations and the amounts provisionally awarded to them are published on the Department's website at www.gov.ie/en/service/4113b3-large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif/. The rules of the scheme and the assessment process are also published on that page.
Total LSSIF payments of €460,600 have been made to date consisting of €417,015 in 2021 and €43,585 in 2022. Limerick City and County Council has received payments amounting to €375,371 in respect of the Regional Athletics Hub in Newcastle West and Dublin City and County Council has received payments amounting to €85,229 for the Dalymount Park Redevelopment Project. It is expected that a number of additional projects will be in a position to draw down funding this year.
The total funding applied for under the scheme significantly exceeded the amount available to allocate and it was not possible to allocate grants to many worthy projects. It was also not possible to provide all successful applicants the full amount sought.
While the priority in the short term is to advance all of the projects that were allocated funding, as it is now two years since the first allocations were made, and in view of the issues faced by grantees as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was considered timely to review progress on all projects allocated grants. My Department has now met with all successful grantees and work is at an advanced stage in drafting the review. I expect this work to be finalised shortly.
Once that review is complete the scope for awarding any additional grants, adjusting the level of existing grants and the timing of any new call for proposals, including proposals for new swimming pools, will be considered.
28. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he will provide an update on the proposed redevelopment of Dalymount Park. [22183/22]
View answerDublin City Council made an application under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) for a grant towards the design work associated with the redevelopment of Dalymount Park. A provisional grant of €918,750 was announced in January 2020 towards the overall design cost and my Department made its first payment in respect of this grant towards the end of last year.
Advancing the project to construction stage is a matter for Dublin City Council in the first instance. I understand however, that design work is progressing so that planning permission for the development can be sought later this year.
For my part, I remain committed to providing the necessary support to ensure all of our sport infrastructure is fit for purpose. In relation to possible grant assistance for the construction work, my Department is currently finalising a review of all projects in receipt of LSSIF funding. Once that review is complete the scope for awarding any additional grants, adjusting the level of existing grants and the timing of any new call for proposals will be considered. Any future application for funding towards construction work at Dalymount will be considered on its own merits in line with the terms and conditions of any new call for LSSIF proposals.
29. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán soiléiriú a thabhairt ó thaobh na bpleananna atá beartaithe maidir le coláistí samhraidh i mbliana, agus go háirithe na fadhbanna maidir le lóistín; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [22176/22]
View answerÓs rud é go bhfuiltear ag súil leis go mbeidh córas na gcoláistí faoi lán seoil an samhradh seo, is é tosaíocht mo Roinne faoi láthair, mar a bhaineann sé le córas na gcoláistí Gaeilge, cúram a dhéanamh de phróiseáil iarratas ar aitheantas ó na coláistí agus éilimh íocaíochtaí ar dheontais Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge de chuid na Roinne.
Mar is iondúil san fhómhar nuair atá cúrsaí an tsamhraidh thart, beidh an deis chuí ann chun gnéithe scéim na Roinne a bhreithniú ag an tráth sin i gcomhar le páirtithe leasmhara.
Chun tacú le hathoscailt bisiúil an chórais tar éis COVID-19, cheadaigh mé trí bheart faoi leith i mbliana ar leas an chórais:
- Cheadaigh mé ardú 10% sa deontas laethúil a íoctar le teaghlaigh Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge ar chostas tuairim is ceithre céad míle euro (€400,000). Cabhróidh sé seo gan amhras le hiarrachtaí na gcoláistí teaghlaigh a choinneáil agus a mhealladh.
- Anuas ar sin cheadaigh mé ciste faoi leith ar fiú ceithre céad míle euro eile (€400,000) chun go mbeidh an deis a bheith ag suas le ceithre céad scoláire ó scoileanna DEIS na tíre freastal ar chúrsa sa Ghaeltacht.
- Lena chois sin uile ceadaíodh gearrchúrsaí Gaeilge nach giorra ná 3 oíche faoin scéim mar bheart eisceachtúil don bhliain seo amháin. Rinneadh é seo chun cabhrú tuilleadh le téarnamh na hearnála. Tabharfaidh an beart faoi leith sin deis bhreise do scoláirí a chaill amach ar an deis freastal ar chúrsaí sa Ghaeltacht le dhá bhliain anuas de bharr COVID-19.
Is ionann luach na mbearta sin ar fad agus infheistíocht bhreise ar fiú tuairim is ocht gcéad míle euro (€800,000) a bheith curtha ar fáil don chóras sa bhliain reatha. Is é seo ceann na harduithe bliantúla is airde ar chiste chóras na gcoláistí ó bunaíodh Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge caoga bliain ó shin. Fágfaidh sé seo uile go mbeidh infheistíocht ar fiú os cionn cúig mhilliún euro (€5m) á cur ag mo Roinn i dtreo earnáil na gcoláistí Gaeilge.
Tagann sé seo uile, ar ndóigh, sna sála ar an gcúig bheart faoi leith a bhunaigh mo Roinn thar dhá bhliain anuas arbh fhiú os cionn ocht milliún euro iad (€8m) chun cabhrú le teacht aniar chóras na gcoláistí Gaeilge tar éis COVID. Bhí na bearta aon uaire sin dírithe ar theaghlaigh an chórais, ar hallaí pobail Gaeltachta agus, ar ndóigh, ar lucht stiúrtha na gcoláistí féin.
Níl aon amhras orm ach gur chabhraigh sé seo uile leis an earnáil teacht tríd na dúshláin arbh éigean dúinn uile mar phobal a iompar le beagnach dhá bhliain anuas de bharr na paindéime.
Ach an oiread le gach réimse eile atá faoi mo chúram mar Aire Stáit na Gaeltachta, coinneoidh mo Roinn cás na hearnála faoi bhreithniú agus tapófar le aon deis chuí a thagann chun cinn chun cabhrú tuilleadh - i gcomhthéacs na n-acmhainní atá ar fáil agus ag cur éilimh eile san áireamh mar is cuí.
30. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her Department’s strategy to bridge the gaps in participation in sport by women and people with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22120/22]
View answerIncreased participation in sport is a key objective of my Department. In pursuit of that objective, we are committed to a Sport for All approach aimed at ensuring that all persons have the opportunity to partake equally in sport and physical activity, regardless of age, social-economic status, disability, or membership of, for example, the LGBTI+ community, the Traveller community or other ethnic minorities. Increasing participation amongst these groups is a core objective of the National Sports Policy 2018-2027.
At the end of November 2021, I launched a new Sports Action Plan covering the period up to the end of 2023, which includes a series of actions and initiatives aimed at increasing participation levels across the board. The plan's emphasis is heavily orientated towards increasing inclusion, diversity and equality in sport.
That plan contains a specific commitment to establish an Inclusion, Diversity and Equality Fund to promote increased and sustainable participation in sport among children, adolescents and young adults, those from lower socio-economic groups, persons with a disability, the LGBTI+ community, the Traveller community and other ethnic minorities. It further commits that this fund will apply the Sport for All ethos. Work is underway to embed the Sport for All approach in funding drawn down from the Dormant Accounts funds that are specifically aimed at increasing participation levels amongst disadvantaged communities and people with a disability. Forthcoming rounds of funding will place further emphasis on the Sport for All approach. The total amount of funding being allocated from the Dormant Accounts funding for such projects this year is €12 million, more than twice the amount available a number of years ago and representing a 20% increase on last year's provision.
The Deputy may also wish to note that Sport Ireland is in the process of developing a specific Diversity and Inclusion policy which is expected to be launched shortly.
In relation to participation in sport by women and girls, the aim in the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 is to eliminate the gender participation gap in sport entirely by 2027. The 2019 Irish Sports Monitor Report showed that the gender gap in sports participation was 3.4%, narrower than at any point over the past ten years.
While the Irish Sports Monitor report for the first quarter of 2021 showed that the gender gap was eliminated during the Covid-19 restrictions, the latest data for Quarter 3 2021 show that a gender gap was beginning to re-emerge as Covid-19 restrictions were lifted. The emerging gap is a cause for focus and ongoing monitoring. To this end, many National Governing Bodies are delivering Women in Sport and Dormant Accounts Funded Programmes which will actively target populations that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic including females, economically and socially disadvantaged communities, people with a disability and ethnic minorities. These targeted activities form part of a Winter Initiative for sport to kickstart participation following the easing and elimination of restrictions.
The Women in Sport funding programme is an important support for sporting bodies in putting programmes in place to increase women’s participation in their sports and to progress their strategic objectives for women in sport. Last year, Sport Ireland announced an investment of €4m in the Women in Sport Programme for the 2021 - 2022 period. 45 National Governing Bodies (NGBs) will receive funding under this investment. A further €265,000 was invested last year in the Local Sports Partnerships under the Programme.
Finally, in terms of bridging the gap in administrative participation in sports, the Sports Action Plan sets a target for all NGBs to achieve 40% gender representation on their boards by the end of 2023. It is a particular priority for me to enable women to take more leadership positions in sport and the 40% target reflects this prioritisation. The most recent Board Composition Snapshot, which was published by Sport Ireland in December 2021, shows that the overall percentage of women on boards of NGBs has increased from 24% in 2019 to 32% in 2021. The Snapshot also highlights that 39 NGBs have now achieved representation of 30% or more women on their board, up from 19 NGBs in 2019. Sport Ireland will continue to provide support to NGBs towards achieving the target of 40% and will monitor and report on progress.
