Tuesday, 21 Jun 2022

Written Answers Nos. 1-20

Sports Facilities

Questions (8)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

8. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media If she will support a boxing club (details supplied), a hugely successful community boxing club with a person and Olympic hopefuls, that still does not have a permanent home and is operating in utterly inadequate facilities and to work with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to assist them as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32457/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (Deputy Jack Chambers)

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 €1.15 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.

The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1 March 2021 and by the deadline a record 3,106 applications were submitted.

Approximately one thousand of the submitted applications were for 'equipment-only' projects. These applications were assessed first and grants with a total value of €16.6 million were announced on 6 August, 2021.

The remaining capital applications were then assessed and 1,865 individual grant offers with a total value of over €143.8 million were announced on Friday 11 February 2022.

Unsuccessful applicants were able to appeal the Department's decision. The deadline for submission of capital appeals was Monday 4 April and 146 appeals were received. The assessment of all appeals is complete and the consequent allocations amounting to €6.14 million were announced on Tuesday 31 May.

The total allocation of €150 million for capital projects represents the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP.

While the Programme funds a broad range of projects it should be noted that the Programme does not fund the purchase of land or buildings. Full details of the Programme and the type of projects funded can be found at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie

A separate tax relief scheme for donations to sports clubs may be used by any sports club or organisations to assist in funding the acquisition of land or a building, developing facilities or purchasing fixed, non-personal equipment for sports activities, or repaying a loan for any of these purposes to fund the purchase of land. More information in this regard can be found at www.revenue.ie.

Currently all boxing clubs are entitled to apply directly for Sports Capital and Equipment funding up to a value of €150,000 for local projects. In cases where a club does not own a premises, it is still permissible for that club to apply for capital grants up to a value of €50,000 and I note the club in question has received SCEP funding previously for equipment under the 2018 round. The SCEP is also open to applications from local authorities however, and such applications may include proposals to develop sports facilities on behalf of local sports clubs. The latest round of the SCEP included an application from Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to develop a new facility at the rear of an existing community facility which will primarily be used by the club referred to by the Deputy. The local authority sought €150,000 towards the work and I was pleased that the allocations announced in February of this year included the full amount sought which is the maximum grant available for local projects under the SCEP. It is now a matter for the local authority to advance the works and my Department will ensure there is no undue delay from our perspective in advancing the proposal.

More generally, it should be noted that 49 boxing clubs received funding under the 2020 SCEP round which is indicative of our commitment to the sport. With regard to any future applications from the boxing club or the local authority a full review of all aspects of the 2020 round of the SCEP will commence shortly and any recommendations arising will be reflected in the terms and conditions of the next round. The precise timing of this next round of the Programme will be announced once this review is complete.

In relation to current expenditure funding, Sport Ireland channels funding for boxing through the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) as the National Governing Body for boxing. It does not provide direct funding for clubs. In 2021, Sport Ireland allocated funding of almost €1.5 million to the IABA across the Core Funding, High Performance, Women in Sport and Dormant Accounts Funding. A further €1.2m was allocated to the IABA in Covid funding over the last two years to support the NGB and its clubs in meeting the challenges arising from Covid-19.

Questions Nos. 9 to 12, inclusive, answered orally.

Gaeltacht Policy

Questions (13)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

13. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department is taking steps to ensure the survival and growth of Gaeltacht regions and the preservation of the Irish language within these regions. [32078/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (Deputy Jack Chambers)

As the Deputy is aware, The 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 and the accompanying Action Plan for the Irish Language (Plean Gníomhaíochta 2018-2022) represent Government policy in relation to the Irish language and Gaeltacht regions. 

My Department is responsible inter alia, for coordinating its implementation which has cross-departmental ownership. Accordingly, responsibility for implementation falls on a number of Government Departments, bodies and Irish language and Gaeltacht organisations. 

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.

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 over €85m is being deployed by my Department in support of the Irish language and Gaeltacht regions in the current year. 

A budget allocation of €5.8m is being made available in 2022 to support the Language Planning Process.  This will enable my Department to fund both Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge who are tasked under the Gaeltacht Act 2012 with supporting the process.  It will also enable my Department to support, at a central level, organisations which operate in the domains of early years; family; and the traditional arts sectors as an additional support to the language planning process.  

As of April 2022, language plans in respect of all of the 26 Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas have now been approved.

To date, language plans for five Gaeltacht Service Towns have been approved, namely, Leitir Ceanainn, Daingean Uí Chúis, Cathair na Gaillimhe, An Clochán Liath and Trá Lí. Plans for Castlebar and Dungarvan are currently being examined by the Department while the preparation of plans is being advanced in the case of Cahersiveen and Cork City. Preparatory work is also in hand in the case of Clifden, Co. Galway and Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo.

3 Irish Language Networks have been approved under the process - Ennis, Loughrea and Clondalkin - as well as two others in the north - Carn Tóchar and Iarthar Bhéal Feirste - which have been approved by Foras na Gaeilge under a non-statutory process being overseen by the organisation. 

26 Language Planning Officers (20 in Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, 4 in Gaeltacht Service Towns and 2 in Irish Language Networks) and 4 Assistant Language Planning Officers are currently engaged in implementing approved plans.

Finally, as the Deputy may be aware, the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 has recently been signed into law.  The primary purpose of the Act is to amend the Official Languages Act 2003 with a view to increasing and improving the provision of public services through the Irish language. The systematic implementation of the Act will serve to further indirectly benefit the language in Gaeltacht regions.

I am confident that these key measures will continue to support and develop greater use of the Irish language both within Gaeltacht regions and nationally.

Question No. 14 answered orally.

Sports Events

Questions (15)

Thomas Gould

Question:

15. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he has met with a sporting organisation (details supplied) to discuss barriers to attendance at games due to scarcity of hotel accommodation and increasing prices. [32193/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (Deputy Jack Chambers)

While I have not had any direct engagement to date on this matter with the organisation mentioned by the Deputy, I am aware that the current levels of hotel accommodation availability and pricing could potentially impact on attendance at sporting events particularly in Dublin.

As Minister Martin has already outlined, there is additional pressure on hotel capacity and pricing as we enter the peak summer months and the tourism industry recovers.

Hotel supply in Dublin has been challenged and affected by a range of factors, some of them short-term. These include deferred business from the last two years and increased demand. Businesses are facing significant cost pressures due to inflation and other economic factors but it is important that Ireland maintains its reputation as a value for money destination. The Government provided strong support to the tourism and hospitality sector over the two years of the Covid pandemic, in the form of direct business continuity payments, wage subsidy schemes and, most recently, the extension of the reduced 9% VAT rate until the end of February 2023. Those supports have helped to sustain this vital economic sector. Significant funding support was also provided to sporting organisations in 2020 and 2021 to assist them in meeting the challenges of Covid. This funding was particularly important for those National Governing Bodies that depend on revenue from gate receipts and spectator attendance.    Since the restrictions on spectator attendance were lifted, spectators have returned to sporting events in great numbers. I hope that this will continue to be the case for upcoming events.

We are entering into a period in which large numbers of people will be travelling to games across the country, it is important for the promotion of participation in sport that those who need to be able to access accommodation at a price point which provides them with value. Tourism officials within the Department will continue to monitor the situation over the coming weeks.

Artists' Remuneration

Questions (16)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

16. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when successful applicants for the basic income for artists will be informed of their selection and start to receive funding; the supports that will be provided to assist the recovery of applicants not selected; when they will be issued; and the resolution that has been reached between her Department and the Department of Social Protection to ensure artists with disabilities can participate fully in the scheme without losing essential social protection payments and supports. [32283/22]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Demand for the basic income for the arts pilot research scheme has been very strong with just over 9,000 applications received by the closing date of May 12th. 

I am very encouraged by the level of interest from artists and creative arts workers interested in participating in the pilot scheme.  Assessment of the applications has begun and this process will take at least 6-8 weeks given the high volume of applications.  Once assessed for eligibility, all eligible applicants will be entered into an anonymised random sampling process to choose the 2,000 scheme participants.  I expect payments to commence during Q3 depending on the length of time it takes to complete the eligibility checks, selection process and return of grant documentation from successful applicants. 

I am very pleased with the huge level of enthusiasm for the basic income for the arts pilot scheme and am delighted that over 9,000 artists and creative arts workers were willing to participate in this innovative research project. This heralds a new approach to the way the State funds and recognises  artists and I look forward to seeing the data and findings of the research during the pilot.

As the Deputy will be aware the pilot scheme is a three-year research programme to examine the impact a basic income style payment could have on artists and creative arts workers and their creative practice. It will not be possible to provide funding to all eligible applicants under the scheme as it is a pilot programme.  The data and research gathered as part of the pilot will form the evidence base for any future basic income for the arts policy.

I must reiterate that eligibility for social welfare supports is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection. However, 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. That means that the basic income for the arts will be treated like any other income a person on social welfare earns from employment.  

The actual impact of the Basic Income on a person’s welfare entitlements will depend on each individual’s circumstances, successful applicants will need to engage with the Department of Social Protection on the matter before accepting the Basic Income payment.

Tourism Policy

Questions (17)

Colm Burke

Question:

17. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of a successor to the Tourism Action Plan 2019-2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32485/22]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Following the publication in 2015 of the policy statement, "People, Place and Policy, Growing Tourism to 2025", the then-Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport established a Tourism Leadership Group (TLG). The TLG was tasked with overseeing the formulation of an Action Plan to implement the policy goals set out in this document. Once formed, the TLG developed two action plans over the period 2016-2021 to deliver the objectives in the policy statement.

In 2020, during the timeframe of the second Tourism Action Plan (2019-2021), the tourism landscape changed drastically. COVID-19 had a devastating impact on our tourism industry.   

During this time, the Government provided supports for the sectors worst affected by the crisis, including tourism. A Tourism Recovery Taskforce was established in May 2020 and delivered a Tourism Recovery Plan with recommendations on how best the Irish tourism sector could adapt and recover in the changed tourism environment. Later that year, I appointed a Recovery Oversight Group to oversee the implementation of this plan. The Recovery Oversight Group is continuing its work and will continue to report with updates on implementation of the recovery plan and recovery in the sector more generally.

In 2019, a Sustainable Tourism Working Group under the aegis of my Department set out an ambition for sustainable tourism in Ireland as well as a number of guiding principles for sustainable tourism development. Late last year I brought a report to Government, developed by this Group, which identifies a suite of actions that will promote sustainable tourism practices out to 2023. 

My Department has initiated the development of a new national tourism policy that will seek to mainstream sustainability. Officials in the Department are currently preparing to undertake an initial consultation with key stakeholders. Following the completion of this initial informal consultation and a review of the previous policy (People Place and Policy 2025), a formal public consultation will take place with a view to publishing a new Sustainable Tourism Policy in 2023.  

This policy commitment will seek to deliver on Ireland’s ambition to be among the world-leaders in sustainable tourism practices, from not only an environmental but also a social and economic perspective.  

Tourism Policy

Questions (18)

James O'Connor

Question:

18. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her Department’s strategy to attract an increased number of tourists in view of the increased number of direct sailings from Ireland to mainland Europe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32423/22]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

As an island economy, it is essential that tourism is enabled by the supply of convenient, direct and competitive access. Tourism Ireland has a vital role to play in building the demand needed to restore access and connectivity to pre-pandemic levels, by working closely with air and sea carriers, airports and ferry ports, as well as other partners, to drive demand for new and existing air and sea services. Tourism Ireland consistently makes the case for the introduction of strategically important inbound services and welcomes proposals from air and sea carriers for the introduction of routes with inbound tourism potential. 

Tourism Ireland promotes regional air and sea access to Ireland in overseas tourism markets through initiatives like the Regional Cooperative Marketing Fund. This initiative seeks to encourage new access opportunities and to maximise the potential of existing services to the regions, with matched funding from airlines, sea carriers, airports, ports and regional tourism stakeholders including Local Authorities.  

The Regional Cooperative Marketing Fund has been very important in enabling tactical partnerships that have helped drive increases in visitors to the regions, amplifying the tourism marketing message overseas and supporting direct access. This scheme will continue to form a very important part of Tourism Ireland's plans in supporting the recovery of our tourism sector in a post-pandemic environment.  

The allocation to Tourism Ireland in respect of the Regional Cooperative Marketing Fund for 2022 is €3 million.  

This Spring, Tourism Ireland in France undertook a co-operative campaign with Brittany Ferries, to help drive demand among French holidaymakers for its Roscoff to Cork and its Cherbourg to Rosslare services and bookings for sailings for July 2022 are up 44% on July 2019.  

Tourism Ireland will run campaigns in France this Autumn with Irish Ferries to promote its Cherbourg to Dublin service, with Stena Line to promote its Cherbourg to Rosslare service and with DFDS to promote its Dunkirk to Rosslare service. 

Tourism Ireland in Spain will also partner with Brittany Ferries this autumn, to highlight its Bilbao to Rosslare service to potential holidaymakers in northern Spain. Earlier this year, Brittany Ferries confirmed the introduction of a more tourism-oriented ship, the Galicia, on its Bilbao to Rosslare route, from November 2022. Currently this route is serviced by the Connemara, a predominantly freight vessel with limited facilities for holidaymakers. The new ship offers potential to grow visitor numbers from northern Spain and Tourism Ireland will work with Brittany Ferries to leverage that opportunity. 

Coláistí Samhraidh

Questions (19)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

19. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an mbunóidh sí gasra oibre chun straitéis a chur chun cinn maidir le todhchaí na gcoláistí samhraidh [32226/22]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

I dtús báire, níor miste dom a rá go bhfuil áthas mór orm go bhfuil córas na gcoláistí Gaeilge faoi lán-seol arís an samhradh seo. Is ardú croí é scoláirí dara agus triú leibhéal ó fud fad na tíre ag freastal ar chúrsaí Gaeilge ó cheann ceann na Gaeltachta le cabhair shuntasach mo Roinne faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge.

Mar is eol don Teachta, tá Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge (SFG) á riar ag mo Roinn ar mhaithe le tacú le deiseanna breise sealbhaithe agus saibhrithe teanga a chur ar fáil sa Ghaeltacht do lucht freastail iar-bhunscoileanna agus triú leibhéal na tíre. Tagann an scéim le cuspóirí foriomlána an Rialtais i leith na Gaeilge mar atá leagtha amach sa Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010–2030.

I dteannta leis an gcistíocht shuntasach in iomlán arbh fhiú €8m é a chuir mo Roinn ar fáil leas an chórais anuraidh agus arú anuraidh beidh a fhios ag an Teachta gur cheadaigh mé trí bheart faoi leith eile 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 ag suas le ceithre céad scoláire (400) ó iar-bhunscoileanna 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 fiú c. €800,000 na bearta seo ionann le maoiniú ós cionn €5m ar fad agus ardú c. 20% ar an gcistíocht a cheapfar a chaithfear i mbliana ar leas na gcoláistí - ceann de na harduithe is suntasaí a ceadaíodh in aon bhliain amháin ó bunaíodh scéim na Roinne caoga bliain ó shin, mura bhfuil sé ar an méadú is airde. Níl aon fhianaise ann nach bhfuil ag éirí go maith leis na tacaíochtaí seo go nuige seo.

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 an deis san fhómhar, nuair atá cúrsaí an tsamhraidh thart, cíoradh a dhéanamh, de réir mar is gá ar an scéal trí chéile i gcomhar le páirtithe leasmhara de réir mar is gá.

Culture Policy

Questions (20)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

20. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 45 of 5 May 2022 and 75 of 24 February 2022, the status of the legacy framework arising from Galway 2020; when the legacy framework will be published; if she will provide a breakdown of the way the remaining €1 million will be spent under the legacy framework; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32230/22]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

My Department has received and is examining the proposed legacy framework arising from the designation of Galway as Ireland’s 2020 European Capital of Culture. While the details for the implementation of the legacy framework remain under consideration, the overall framework focusses on a number of key strategic areas, including:

- Sustaining and strengthening existing partnerships, networks and opportunities in Europe and internationally, as well as forging new opportunities for Galway based artists and cultural organisations

- Drawing on the successful delivery of projects under the Galway 2020 programme to support new place based cultural programming including through the Irish language

- Supporting the Galway cultural and creative sector to build capacity through training, advice and networking opportunities.

The European dimension will remain central and to that end, legacy implementation will include a focus on relationships built during the delivery of the programme, ensuring these relationships and networks are drawn on support a strong presence for Galway based artists and cultural organisations in Europe. This is one of the most important legacies for a Capital of Culture.

In addition, the Board to the Company, which retains the Chief Executives of Galway City and County Councils, is making a number of new appointments from senior representatives from local education, business, broadcast, regional and development authorities to drive the delivery of actions under the framework.

The make-up of the board brings together these key agencies with responsibility for cultural delivery in the region who will work towards a more collective creative vision and provide comprehensive guidance and support to the sector taking into consideration the existing arts plans and cultural strategy.

It is expected that the legacy framework will be published in the coming weeks, once all details for implementation have been finalised and agreed.

The remaining €1 million from my Department's commitment to Galway 2020 will be spent on supporting the overall implementation of the legacy framework, with a particular focus on place based cultural programming and continued capacity building for the cultural sector in Galway including a focus on EU engagement. A breakdown of allocations from the Department commitment under the three strategic areas will be included in the publication of the legacy framework.