Written Answers Nos. 516-534
516. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the dividends paid by State-owned enterprises under the remit of his Department in each of the past five years; the projected dividends to be received in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41656/22]
View answerDue to the nature of its role, my Department has no State owned enterprises under its aegis and the bodies under its aegis do not pay dividends to it. The Deputy may wish to note that a number of the bodies in question are funded through their own Votes and the remainder are either grant funded or self-funded.
517. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to improve the customer service experience for members of the public making contact with Government Departments and State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41696/22]
View answerThank you Deputy for the question. My Department has been responsible for a number of recent reform initiatives, including Civil Service Renewal 2030 and ‘Making Innovation Real’, the Public Service Innovation Strategy. These frameworks place a very strong emphasis on engaging with the public to consult on the design and delivery of public services.
In line our ambition, the Quality Customer Service Initiative (QCSI), which my Department coordinates, aims to continuously improve how we engage with our customers through supports we have developed, such as:
- Best practice guidelines for the preparation of customer action plans and charters for public service bodies;
- Excellence in customer service case studies;
- a customer communications toolkit
- a plain English style guide for public service bodies
My Department also manages the Quality Customer Service Network, which develops, promotes and implements the activities of the QCSI. The Network, which comprises of membership from circa 130 public service organisations, meets quarterly and provides opportunities for collaboration across the wider Public Service on customer service issues, as well as a platform to share experience, in order to improve service delivery for the public.
My Department also recently established a cross-sectoral working group, which consists of membership from public sector, private sector and academia to develop an overarching set of principles and actions that will support public sector bodies to adopt service design approaches to the delivery of public services.
In addition to improving service delivery by driving the digitalisation of public services and encouraging greater uptake of new and emerging technologies, such as robotic process automation and artificial intelligence, my Department engages in customer sentiment analysis of Departments and major offices by conducting a number of surveys of both businesses and public customers. Furthermore, I am pleased to inform you that the evidence collected from the recently-launched Public Consultation on Digital Public Services will be used to gather views from individual users on digital public services and this will assist my Department in planning how we prioritise and deliver public services online in the future.
Finally, it is my intention to ensure that a strong emphasis will be placed on user-centred service design and delivery in the next phase of public service transformation, which is currently being developed.
518. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of public servants at all levels, currently working from home; if adequate technical provision has been made to ensure the continued provision of service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41853/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department does not hold the requested information for every public body. A separate question would need to be submitted to each Minister to answer for their respective Departments and the bodies under their aegis.
In terms of my own Department, all staff in the Department, including the Office of Government Procurement (OGP), have been provided with the necessary equipment to enable them to work from home. There are 457 staff in the Department and a further 236 staff in the OGP. As part of the Department’s approach to blended working, all staff are required to attend the office at least three days per week. In addition to the provision of end user devices and the appropriate peripherals, my Department has built out a scalable, resilient remote access infrastructure that has provided, and continues to provide, reliable remote access services to users.
The position regarding the bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out below.
Office of Public Works (OPW)
At present, all office-based staff are currently required to attend the official workplace for at least two days a week. Approximately 750 staff connect to the office remotely on a daily basis. Staff whose roles are not office-based (e.g. drivers, guides, general operatives etc.) are largely working the same work patterns prior to the pandemic. All OPW staff whose roles involve the use of computer technology have been provided with equipment (e.g. notebook computer, mobile devices, headsets etc.) and services (such as video conferencing and telephony) to allow them work from home as and when required.
Public Appointments Service (PAS)
PAS currently has 272 staff and are operating a hybrid working model. At present, 269 PAS staff have access to working from home. However, there is a requirement for staff to attend the office on designated days each week. All staff working from home have been provided with laptops and, where necessary, any additional technical equipment required to fulfil the duties of their role from home, ensuring the continued provision of all services.
National Shares Services Office (NSSO)
The NSSO follows best practice in the design and operation of their Technology Solutions. These Solutions are designed and operated to be Secure, Highly Available and Recoverable in the Event of an Incident. 93% of the NSSO’s 795 staff are working remotely.
Office of the Ombudsman
The Office of the Ombudsman currently has 148 staff who work on a blended basis between the office and home. The Office’s ICT Unit has put a technical system in place with adequate supports which allows staff to continue to provide a satisfactory service from home if and when required.
State Laboratory
The State Laboratory currently has 108 staff, of which 87 have access to remote working on a blended basis. A technical system in place with adequate supports which allows staff to continue to provide a satisfactory service from home if and when required.
Office of the National Lottery Regulator (ORNL)
The Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery is currently operating a temporary hybrid working arrangement. All 10 staff currently operate on a basis of a combination of office-based working and remote working. These arrangements are subject to regular review by the Regulator. The Regulator is satisfied that adequate technical provision has been made to ensure the provision of service.
519. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 440 of 14 June 2022, if she will provide a list of the agencies and bodies under the aegis of her Department, with email contact details for each. [39601/22]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy in respect of the dedicated email addresses for the State Bodies under my Department’s aegis is set out in the table below.
|
State Body |
Contact Email |
|
Arts Council |
pqs@artscouncil.ie |
|
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland |
info@bai.ie |
|
Chester Beatty Library |
docarroll@cbl.ie cdukes@cbl.ie |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
director@crawfordartgallery.ie normacuddihy@crawfordartgallery.ie |
|
Fáilte Ireland |
oireachtas@failteireland.ie |
|
Foras Teanga (Foras na Gaeilge) |
socoinn@forasnagaeilge.ie |
|
Foras Teanga (Ulster-Scots Agency) |
Icrozier@ulsterscotsagency.org.uk |
|
Fís Éireann | Screen Ireland |
info@screenireland.ie |
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
fintan.mcdonald@imma.ie |
|
National Concert Hall |
robert.read@nch.ie Barry.Walsh@nch.ie |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
directorsoffice@ngi.ie |
|
National Library of Ireland |
oireachtasqueries@nli.ie |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
directorsoffice@museum.ie pq@museum.ie |
|
RTÉ |
companysecretary@rte.ie |
|
Sport Ireland |
oireachtas@sportireland.ie |
|
TG4 |
Noramaire.ui.mhochain@tg4.ie |
|
Tourism Ireland |
FNugent@tourismireland.com |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
bridie@udaras.ie |
520. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount expended under the large-scale sport infrastructure 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. [39797/22]
View answerThe Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) was launched in 2018 to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects, including swimming pools.
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 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 or to provide successful applicants with the full amount that they had sought. Details of all applications made and grants awarded are published on the Government's website and can be accessed at www.gov.ie/en/service/4113b3-large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif/
Four grantees have commenced the implementation of their projects and to date a total of €898,666 has been paid to projects as set out in the table below.
|
Project |
Amount Paid to Date |
|
Newcastlewest Regional Athletics Hub |
€813,437 |
|
Redevelopment of Dalymount Park |
€85,229 |
The remaining projects are at various stages of assessment with many at a stage where funding agreements are being finalised.
While the priority in the short term is to advance all of the successful projects, 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 terms of completing 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 will be considered.
521. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there are any supports or funding streams available to support a person who is a full-time rugby player with a provincial side at under 19-level (details supplied). [39927/22]
View answerSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding across its various programmes. Sport Ireland does not provide direct funding for individuals but channels the funding through its network of Local Sports Partnerships, recognised National Governing Bodies for Sport (NGBs), and other relevant sporting organisations. In the case of rugby, funding is provided to the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) and it is to that NGB that any queries regarding supports should be directed.
522. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount spent on traditional and online advertising by her Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [39964/22]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. It is being compiled and will issue directly to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
523. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has spent money or sought external assistance with Departmental, Ministerial public relations; and if so, the cost; and the name of the agencies, consultants and companies involved in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [39982/22]
View answerI have been advised that the total spend on external assistance with Departmental public relations in the past ten years and to date in 2022 is €155,499.39.
As the Deputy will be aware my Department in its current configuration was formed in June 2020, following the formation of the Government. The Deputy will be further aware that the range of responsibilities coming within the remit of the Department were subject to change during the period covered by his question.
The purpose of these contracts covered a range of activities, including campaigns for Irish language employment opportunities in the European institutions, Irish language career opportunities, Culture Ireland’s communication strategy for its GB 18 programme and the National Archives The Treaty 1921 exhibition.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below. There was no spend between 2012 and 2015. The figures provided below concern the current sectors in the Department, and not any past sectors which have transferred out of the Department. Please note the below expenditure is inclusive of VAT.
At all times value for money is a critical consideration.
|
Year |
Agency/consultant/company name and cost of service |
|
2022 |
The Communications Clinic - €14,290.56 |
|
2021 |
The Communications Clinic - €27,448.83 |
|
2020 |
*D’Arcy Marketing was engaged in 2018, paid €17,466 in 2020. |
|
2019 |
Nil |
|
2018 |
*D’Arcy Marketing & PR Nicholas Quaife - €51,400 BigO - €6,125 |
|
2017 |
Careers Portal - €16,101 Nicholas Quaife - €2,988 |
|
2016 |
Q4PR - €19,680 |
|
Total |
€155,499.39 |
524. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of legal cases brought against her Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40000/22]
View answerFurther to the response provided to Dáil Question No. 312 of July 13th 2021 I am advised that no legal cases have been brought against my Department during the specified period.
525. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount spent by her Department on legal costs or legal services in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [40018/22]
View answerAs previously advised to the Deputy in response to Dáil question No. 271 of 5th May 2021, details of legal costs for my Department are published in the Annual Appropriation Account and subject to audit by the Comptroller & Auditor General. The Annual Appropriation Accounts up to 2020 have been published on the Comptroller & Auditor General Website and are available using the following link:
Appropriation Accounts - Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Details of any 2021/2022 legal costs for my Department will be published in the 2021 and 2022 Annual Appropriation Accounts upon completion of the audit by the Comptroller & Auditor General. I am advised that there has been no expenditure of this type in 2021 or to date in 2022.
526. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount spent by her Department on the procurement of office space and furniture and office IT equipment in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022. [40036/22]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy as to the amount spent by my Department on the procurement of office space and furniture and office IT equipment in relation to the years 2012 to 2020 is set out in my reply to Parliamentary Question Number 429 of 19 October 2021.
The corresponding information for 2021 and 2022 to date is set out in the tables below.
Table 1: Furniture and office IT equipment Expenditure 2021 and 2022
|
Year |
Expenditure |
|
2021 |
€239,967 |
|
2022 to date |
€106,941 |
|
Total |
€346,908 |
As the Deputy will be aware, in general matters relating to the procurement of property for my Department are the responsibility of the Office of Public Works. However, I am advised that my Department also leases office accommodation for Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga from Údarás na Gaeltachta. This lease which commenced in 2014 was taken over by the Department from the OPW in June 2016. For details of expenditure in this regard in relation to the years 2012 to 2020 I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question number 429 of 19 October 2021. The information for 2021 and 2022 to date is set out in the table below.
Table 2: Procurement of office space - expenditure 2021 and 2022
|
Year |
Expenditure |
|
2021 |
€47,824 |
|
2022 to date |
€24,010 |
|
Total |
€71,834 |
527. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of times that she embarked on visits to foreign countries on behalf of the State since the formation of the Government; the geographical location of each visit; the number of days that she spent abroad on such trips; the dates upon which each trip took place; and the associated travel and accommodation costs which were incurred by her Department in relation to each trip in tabular form. [40054/22]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below.
My diary, including details of my schedule when visiting foreign countries is published on my Department's website and can be found at www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/6e364-ministers-diaries/#2022
Details of my expenses are also published on my Department's website www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/e9c55-ministerial-expenses/#:~:text=The%20Department%20of%20Tourism%2C%20Culture,Reform%20guidance%20on%20such%20matters.
These include travel and subsistence costs in respect of domestic and foreign travel. Personal expenses incurred by accompanying officials are claimed by the individual officers in accordance with applicable Civil Service procedures. Where accommodation costs were charged directly to the Department these are set out in the table below.
All flights were booked in accordance with Government Guidelines. My Department makes an annual payment to the Climate Action Fund scheme, administered by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications to offset emissions for travel on commercial flights, in accordance with Circular 01/2020 (D/PER).
|
Dates of Travel |
Destination |
Transport Costs |
Accommodation Costs paid by D/TCAGSM |
Total in Travelling Party |
|
2022 |
||||
|
13/05/2022-19/05/2022 |
USA-West Coast |
€25,581 |
€3,590 |
4 |
|
03/04/2022-04/04/2022 |
Luxembourg |
€590 |
- |
2 |
|
14/03/2022-20/03/2022 |
Buenos Aires |
€18,735 |
€3,327 |
3 |
|
13/02/2022-17/02/2022 |
UAE |
€21,033 |
€2,605 |
4 |
|
2021 |
||||
|
01/11/2021-02/11/2021 |
London |
€1,194 |
- |
3 |
|
11/10/2021 |
London |
€480 |
- |
3 |
|
22/09/2021-28/09/2021 |
USA |
€13,652 |
€5,680 |
4 |
|
09/09/2021-10/09/2021 |
London |
€858 |
- |
4 |
|
03/09/2021-06/09/2021 |
Venice |
€633 |
- |
2 |
528. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the next round of sports capital funding will open. [40145/22]
View answerThe 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 priority in the short term is to advance the 2,895 successful applications under the 2020 round to "formal approval" and grant drawdown stage which requires detailed engagement with all grantees. Now that the appeals process is complete, my Department has also begun a full review of all aspects of the 2020 round of the SCEP and any recommendations arising will be reflected in the terms and conditions of the next round. Following the completion of the review my department intends to open a new round of the programme in the period after this is completed.
529. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way that Fáilte Ireland will spend its capital funding of €39.55 million for 2022. [40266/22]
View answerFáilte Ireland's 2022 capital funding allocation of €39.55 million from my Department is provided under two subheads of the Tourism Services programme in the annual Revised Estimates Volume (REV) for Public Services.
The breakdown under each subhead in 2022 is:
- Subhead A.3 - €3.05 million;
- Subhead A.6 - €36.5 million.
My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy and implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, as well as certain other bodies.
The details and decisions regarding expenditure from these Exchequer funding allocations are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland, as the National Tourism Development Authority. I have accordingly asked Fáilte Ireland to provide the Deputy with further details of their plans for capital expenditure in 2022. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
530. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated cost of increasing current funding for Údarás na Gaeltachta by 1%, 55%, 63% and by 69%, respectively. [40446/22]
View answer531. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated cost of increasing capital funding for Údarás na Gaeltachta by 1%, 55%, 63%, and by 69%, respectively. [40447/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 530 and 531 together.
The following table sets out the estimated costs requested by the Deputy:
Existing Capital Budget: €14,454,000 (C8)
1% increase = €14,454,000 + €144,540 = €14,598,540
55% increase = €14,454,000 + €7,949,700 = €22,403,700
63% increase = €14,454,000 + €9,106,020 = €23,560,020
69% increase = €14,454,000 + €9,973,260 = €24,427,260
Existing Current Funding for Údarás na Gaeltachta: €13,080,000 + €5,750,000 (C6 + C7 respectively)
C6 : 1% increase = €13,080,000 + €130,800 = €13,210,800
C7: 1% increase = €5,750,000 + €57,500 = €5,807,500
_______________________________________________________________________________
C6 : 55% increase = €13,080,000 + €7,194,000 = €20,274,000
C7: 55% increase = €5,750,000 + €3,162,500 = €8,912,500
________________________________________________________________________________
C6: 63% increase = €13,080,000 + €8,240,400 = €21,320,400
C7: 63% increase = €5,750,000 +€3,622,500 = €9,372,500
________________________________________________________________________________
C6: 69% increase = €13,080,000 + €9,025,200 = €22,105,200
C7: 69% increase = €5,750,000 + €3,967,500 = €9717,500
As the Deputy is aware, increases in provision are dependent on the resources available to the Department. Any increased funding in 2023 will be determined in the forthcoming Estimates process.
532. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated cost of re-establishing Scéim Labhairt na Gaeilge for the same number of recipients as in 2012, and for each Irish-speaking child resident in Gaeltacht areas from the age of 3 to the age of 18, years at the same per-child rate as issued in 2012 increased to match inflation since 2012, and at a rate increased by 25%, 50%, 90% and by 100% per child [40448/22]
View answerScéim Labhairt na Gaeilge was suspended by my Department in 2011 and replaced with a range of support measures being administered by the Department. Accordingly, I am not in a position to provide the details requested by the Deputy.
533. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated cost of increasing the Irish learners’ scheme by €1 per student, €2 per student, €5 per student and in line with inflation since the scheme was introduced [40451/22]
View answerEarlier this year, I approved an increase of 10% in the daily grant payable under my Department's Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge. This was the first increase since 2017. I also initiated a number of other measures to support the Irish summer colleges sector bringing the total additional investment in overall support of Irish summer colleges to c. €800,000.
The scheme has been in operation since 1972 when a daily rate of 50p was payable at that time, the equivalent of 63c in June 2022.
Given that the scheme is demand-led, it is estimated that the increase of 10% or €1 for 2022 (bringing the daily fee to €11) will cost up to €460,000 per year based on the number of students/households in 2019.
Based on the number of students recognised under the Department's scheme in 2019, the approximate cost of further increases would be as follows:
€1 per student = €460,000
€2 per student = €920,000
€5 per student = €2,300,000
As the Deputy is aware, increases in provision are dependent on the resources available to the Department. Any increased funding in 2023 will be determined in the forthcoming Estimates process.
534. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated cost of increasing the per-student support for Gaeltacht hostels and residential colleges to €10 per head, €12.50 per head, to €15 per head and in line with inflation since the grant was discontinued. [40452/22]
View answerAt the outset. I wish to point out that the grant scheme referred to by the Deputy has not been discontinued. Indeed it should be noted that, earlier this year, I approved an increase in the daily grant paid under the scheme - the first increase in ten years.
The four residential Gaeltacht colleges recognised under Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge and which currently run courses catered for a total of 2,477 students in 2019, the last year for which figures are available due to COVID. On that basis the estimated cost of increasing the rate payable under the scheme would be as follows:
|
Proposed increase |
Estimated Cost |
|
€10 @ head |
€24,770 |
|
€12.50 @ head |
€30,962 |
|
€15@ head |
€37,155 |
As the Deputy is aware, increases in provision are dependent on the resources available to the Department. Any increased funding in 2023 will be determined in the forthcoming Estimates process.
