Written Answers Nos. 551-566
551. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated cost of establishing the national theatre, the Abbey Theatre, as a national cultural institution. [40504/22]
View answerThe Abbey Theatre is a member of the Council of National Cultural Institutions (CNCI) which is a statutory body established under the Heritage Fund Act 2001.
The full membership of the Council comprises the following: (1) Director, National Archives, (2) Director, National Library of Ireland (3) Director, National Museum of Ireland (4) Director, National Gallery of Ireland (5) Director, Arts Council (6) Chief Executive, Heritage Council (7) Director, Irish Museum of Modern Art (8) Director, National Concert Hall (9) Director, Chester Beatty Library (10) Artistic Director, Abbey Theatre and (11) Director, Crawford Art Gallery
The purpose of the CNCI is to:
- facilitate the pooling together of talent, experience and vision of the Directors of the National Cultural Institutions in furtherance of the national cultural interest
- make recommendations to the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media on proposed acquisitions using the Heritage Fund in respect of five eligible institutions, provided for under section 2 (1) of the Heritage Fund Act, 2001.
552. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated cost of increasing funding to the national theatre, the Abbey Theatre, by 12.5%, by 16%, by 20% and by 25%. [40505/22]
View answerAs Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, I allocate capital funding to the Abbey Theatre while the Arts Council provides current funding. The allocation from my Department to the Abbey Theatre is a capital grant of €400,000 in 2022. The increases as set out by the Deputy would have the following impact: 12.5% of €400,000 is €50,000, 16% is €64,000, 20% is €80,000 and 25% is €100,000.
Any increased funding in 2023 will be determined in the forthcoming Estimates process.
553. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated cost of establishing the National Irish Language Theatre, An Taibhdhearc, as a national cultural institution. [40518/22]
View answerThe establishment of An Taibhdhearc, the National Irish Language Theatre, as a national cultural institution would require the preparation of a comprehensive business case, considering the long-term capital and current costs, demand and other factors, in line with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. In the circumstances I do not have estimated costs.
554. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated cost of increasing funding to the National Irish Language Theatre, An Taibhdhearc, by 25%, by 50%, by 100% and by 200%. [40519/22]
View answerThe estimated cost of increasing funding to the National Irish Language Theatre, An Taibhdhearc, by 25%, by 50%, by 100%, and by 200% is outlined in the table.
|
Allocation 2022 |
€320,000 (current) |
€16,400 (capital) |
|
25% increase |
€400,000 |
€20,500 |
|
50% increase |
€480,000 |
€24,600 |
|
100% increase |
€640,000 |
€32,800 |
|
200% increase |
€960,000 |
€49,200 |
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.
555. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated cost of increasing overall funding to local and regional museums and galleries by 12.5%, by 20%, by 25% and by 50%. [40521/22]
View answerThere are currently 9 Local and Regional Museums that receive annual funding from my Department, alongside 3 bodies that work within this area (The Irish Manuscripts Commission, The Irish Museums Association and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann). The total funding allocated to these organisations in 2022 is €3,940,000. An increase of 12.5% would bring the total to €4,432,500, an increase of 20% would be €4,728,000, with 25% at €4,925,000 and a 50% increase would give a total of €5,910,000. A detailed breakdown is provided in the table.
My Department also runs a number of schemes that are available to local and regional museums around the country, including the Regional Museum Exhibition Scheme which provides funding support for local, regional and specialised museums. The total funding allocated in 2022 to the Regional Museum Exhibition Scheme was €300,000. An increase of 12.5% would bring the total to €337,500, 20% would be €360,000, 25% would increase the total to €375,000, and 50% would bring the total to €450,000.
Details of this and similar Schemes may be found on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/f2ed0-culture-grants-and-funding/
From time to time my Department also runs capital funding grant schemes provided under a competitive process to a maximum of €300,000 grants for the upgrading of the existing stock of arts and culture facilities throughout the country.
|
Institution |
Current Allocation |
12.50% |
20% |
25% |
50% |
|
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann |
2,000,000.00 |
2,250,000.00 |
2,400,000.00 |
2,500,000.00 |
3,000,000.00 |
|
Hunt Museum |
510,000.00 |
573,750.00 |
612,000.00 |
637,500.00 |
765,000.00 |
|
Archbishop Marsh's Library |
410,000.00 |
461,250.00 |
492,000.00 |
512,500.00 |
615,000.00 |
|
Irish Manuscript Commission |
270,000.00 |
303,750.00 |
324,000.00 |
337,500.00 |
405,000.00 |
|
James Joyce Centre |
185,000.00 |
208,125.00 |
222,000.00 |
231,250.00 |
277,500.00 |
|
National Print Museum |
155,000.00 |
174,375.00 |
186,000.00 |
193,750.00 |
232,500.00 |
|
Foynes Flying Boat Museum |
190,000.00 |
213,750.00 |
228,000.00 |
237,500.00 |
285,000.00 |
|
Little Museum of Dublin |
70,000.00 |
78,750.00 |
84,000.00 |
87,500.00 |
105,000.00 |
|
Cork Butter Museum |
55,000.00 |
61,875.00 |
66,000.00 |
68,750.00 |
82,500.00 |
|
Irish Museum Association |
60,000.00 |
67,500.00 |
72,000.00 |
75,000.00 |
90,000.00 |
|
National Maritime Museum |
15,000.00 |
16,875.00 |
18,000.00 |
18,750.00 |
22,500.00 |
|
National Transport Museum |
20,000.00 |
22,500.00 |
24,000.00 |
25,000.00 |
30,000.00 |
|
Total |
3,940,000.00 |
4,432,500.00 |
4,728,000.00 |
4,925,000.00 |
5,910,000.00 |
|
Regional Museum Exhibition Scheme |
300,000.00 |
337,500.00 |
360,000.00 |
375,000.00 |
450,000.00 |
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.
556. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated cost of increasing funding to Screen Ireland by 12.5%, by 20%, by 25% and by 50%. [40522/22]
View answerAs Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, I allocate funding to Screen Ireland, the development agency for the Irish film, television and animation industry.
The 2022 allocation to Screen Ireland is €36.743m. 12.5% of €36.743m is €4.593m, 20% is €7.349m, 25% is €9.196m and 50% is €18.372m.
Any increased funding in 2023 will be determined in the forthcoming Estimates process.
557. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated total expenditure on Traveller culture and heritage in 2022. [40524/22]
View answerThe Travelling Community has a rich culture, with unique traditions and crafts which are an integral part of the heritage of this island. My Department is represented on the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) Committee, which is chaired by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and provide regular updates to the committee.
I am advised that the estimated total expenditure from the Creative Ireland Programme on Traveller culture and heritage in 2022 is €155,200. A new pilot initiative - Traveller Wellbeing through Creativity - commenced in 2022 supported by my Department in partnership with the Department of Health, the HSE National Social Inclusion Office, and the Arts Council. My Department has allocated €137,484 to the successful projects and additional funding is being provided from other partners. Five Traveller-led creative projects are being supported that will have a positive impact on the health and well-being of the Traveller community. Creative Ireland Programme funding will also be utilised in support of Traveller culture and heritage in 2022 by local authorities (under the Creative Communities initiative) and Education and Training Boards (under Local Creative Youth Partnership pilots), and an estimate of that expenditure is included in the overall figure provided.
My Department has also provided funding of €20,000 to support the Irish Travellers/Mincéirs and the State, 1922-2022 Conference, which will take place in September. The 2 day conference is being organised and led by NUIG with support from my Department as part of the Decade of Centenaries Programme (2012-2023).
558. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated cost of continuing funding at existing levels for the Decade of Centenaries to fund commemorations each year for the following ten years. [40526/22]
View answerThe Department's allocation to the Decade of Centenaries Programme 2012-2023 in 2021 and 2022 was €5m in each year.
If funding levels were to be maintained at the same level over the next 10 years, funding would amount to €50m in total. However, the Deputy will appreciate that the current Programme is due to conclude in 2023. Any potential extension of the Programme will be considered in consultation with relevant stakeholders at the appropriate time.
559. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cad iad na háiseanna nó na deiseanna atá aici chun maoiniú breise, ar bhonn aonuaire nó eile, a thabhairt d’Fhoras na Gaeilge nuair nach bhfuil an Feidhmeannas i gCnoc an Anfa, chun a chinntiú go leanfaidh na scéimeanna pobail Gaeilge agus na ceanneagraíochtaí ag fás agus ag forbairt gan bac airgeadais; cén t-iniúchadh atá déanta aici ar na féidearthachtaí seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [40548/22]
View answer560. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén dul chun cinn atá déanta aici i dtreo na sprice stáisiún raidió lán-Ghaeilge do dhaoine óga a bhunú, an costas a bhainfeadh lena leithéid; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [40548/22]
View answerIs é Raidió Rí-Rá an phríomhsheirbhís raidió Gaeilge don óige agus é ag craoladh ar an idirlíon 24 uair sa lá, 7 lá na seachtaine. Tá Raidió Rí-Rá á mhaoiniú ag mo Roinnse ó bunaíodh é in 2008; cuireadh maoiniú reatha €759,882 san iomlán ar fáil don stáisiún go dtí seo agus tá maoiniú €109,000 ceadaithe cheana féin do 2023.
Cuireadh maoiniú caipitil €47,772 ar fáil freisin in 2020, lena n-áirítear maoiniú chun stiúideonna Raidió Rí-Rá a fhorbairt i nGaillimh agus i mBaile Átha Cliath, chomh maith le trealamh a cheannach don stáisiún. Cuireadh bailchríoch le deireanas ar na hoibreacha athchóirithe sa stiúideo i mBaile Átha Cliath agus ar na hoibreacha sa stiúideo nua i nGaillimh. Bíonn deiseanna oiliúna le fáil ag oibrithe deonacha i stiúideonna Raidió Rí-Rá, agus tá méadú tagtha ar líon na n-oibrithe deonacha sa stáisiún le blianta beaga anuas.
I gcomhar le mo Roinnse agus ag teacht le ceann de chuspóirí Straitéis 20 Bliain an Rialtais don Ghaeilge, tá Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann i mbun taighde faoi láthair ar na féidearthachtaí i dtaobh tuilleadh forbartha a dhéanamh sa réimse seo. Tá craoladh sheirbhís raidió don aos óg ar FM, mar aon le samhail hibrideach, i measc na roghanna atá á scrúdú acu.
Tá bailchríoch le cur ar an measúnú atá ar siúl ag Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann sa bhfómhar agus meastar go mbeidh na costais a bhaineann leis an tsamhail chraolacháin atá beartaithe níos soiléire an tráth sin.
561. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an ndearnadh aon teagmháil idir a hoifig agus an Roinn Comhshaoil, Aeráide agus Cumarsáide chun tabhairt faoi shárú na Roinne sin ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003, atá aitheanta ag Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga, a chur ina cheart maidir le hÉirchód; agus an bhfuil aon obair déanta aici chun a mheas cén maoiniú breise nó cén t-amchlár a bheadh ag teastáil ón gCoiste Logainmneacha chun tabhairt faoi logainmneacha Gaeilge a shonrú don 30% de logainmneacha an Stáit nach bhfuil logainm Gaeilge deimhnithe dóibh go fóill de réir Logeolaire an Phoist Teoranta a bhí os comhair Chomhchoiste Oireachtais na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta, agus Phobal Labhartha na Gaeilge le déanaí; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [40549/22]
View answerTá sé luaite go sonrach in Alt 9 d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021 go bhfuil dualgas ar chomhlachtaí poiblí maidir le hainmneacha agus teidil i nGaeilge, agus le seoltaí fosta. Caithfear a chinntiú go mbíonn seoladh duine i nGaeilge taifeadta agus úsáidte mar is gceart.
É sin ráite, maidir leis an gceist atá ardaithe ag an Teachta faoin Éirchód, is ceist í sin don Aire Comhshaoil, Aeráide agus Cumarsáide. Tuigtear dom go raibh Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga ag plé leis an ábhar seo agus gur cuireadh tuarascáil ina leith faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais i mí Mheán Fómhair 2021.
I gcás ainmneacha na mbailte fearainn nach bhfuil taighde déanta orthu go fóill, is gnáthobair í seo a déantar ar bhonn leanúnach i mo Roinn. Cuirfear dlús leis an obair sin anois agus Príomhoifigeach Logainmneacha agus Ardoifigeach Logainmneacha nua ceaptha do mo Roinn le fíor-dhéanaí.
562. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil aon obair déanta ag a Roinn, i gcomhpháirtíocht leis an Roinn Leanaí, Comhionannais, Míchumais, Lánpháirtíochta agus Óige agus an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna chun beartas ar leith a fhorbairt don oideachas luathbhlianta trí mheán na Gaeilge agus sa Ghaeltacht, go háirithe chun tacaíocht a thabhairt do naíolanna agus naíonraí seirbhísí cúraim leanaí agus réamhscolaíochta a sholáthar trí Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [40553/22]
View answerAr an gcéad dul síos tuigfidh an Teachta gur cúram don Roinn Leanaí, Comhionannais, Míchumais, Lánpháirtíochta agus Óige é cúrsaí luathbhlianta go príomha. É sin ráite, tá dhá ghrúpa oibre faoi stiúir na Roinne Leanaí Comhionannais, Míchumais, Lánpháirtíochta agus Óige a dhíríonn isteach ar réimse na luathbhlianta agus cur chun cinn na Gaeilge. Tá ballraíocht ag an mo Roinn mar aon leis an Roinn Oideachais agus geallsealbhóirí ábhartha eile ar an dá ghrúpa sin.
Déanann an Grúpa Maoirseachta Náisiúnta na Luathbhlianta monatóireacht ar chur i bhfeidhm na ngníomhaíochtaí a thagann faoi mhír 3 den Phlean Gníomhaíochta 2018 - 2022 don Ghaeilge.
Ina theannta sin, bhunaigh an Roinn sin Grúpa Oibre maidir le Seirbhísí lán-Ghaeilge a Mhapáil chun na seirbhísí lán-Ghaeilge a mhapáil, chun leibhéal agus suíomh na tacaíochta a theastaíonn d’fhorbairt agus do chur chun cinn na Gaeilge sna luathbhlianta a aithint, mar bhunchloch do phlean cuimsitheach do sholáthar Gaeilge don earnáil a chur i dtoll a chéile.
Anuas ar sin tá straitéis uile-Rialtais “An Chéad 5” a bhainistiú ag an An Roinn Leanaí Comhionannais, Míchumais, Lánpháirtíochta agus Óige chun saol na leanaí, leanaí óga agus a dteaghlach a fheabhsú. Is plean deich mbliana ó 2019 - 2028 é chun a chinntiú go mbíonn eispéiris dhearfacha luatha ag gach leanbh agus go bhfaigheann siad tús iontach sa saol.
Is fiú a lua chomh maith go gcuireann mo Roinn fhéin tacaíocht shuntasach ar fáil don réimse seo. Cheadaigh mo Roinn plean oibre don tréimhse 2021 - 2022 ar fiú €498,350 é don eagraíocht Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta. Cuireann Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta seirbhísí ar fáil san earnáil luathbhlianta sa Ghaeltacht. Tháinig an allúntas seo mar chomharba ar chlár trí bliana 2018 - 2021 a ceadaíodh i 2018 agus arbh fhiú €1,260,000 é in iomlán.
563. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the funding options that are available to local authorities for the implementation of new community swimming pools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40639/22]
View answerIn relation to my Department's capital funding for new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools, previously this support was provided through the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP). A total of 52 pools has been completed under the LASPP and three swimming pool projects (Lucan, Buncrana and Edenderry) remain in the programme with the Lucan project currently under construction.
My Department's capital support for any new swimming pools is now being provided through the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The National Development Plan provided a capital allocation of at least €100m for the Fund over the period to 2027.
The first call for proposals under the LSSIF closed in 2019 with applications confined to local authorities and National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of Sport. All applications were assessed in accordance with the published Evaluation Procedures and Guidelines and the first allocations were announced in January 2020. Thus far, approximately €86.4 million has been awarded to 33 different proposals. These initial allocations include funding for 8 swimming pool projects as follows:
1. Laois: Portarlington Leisure Centre Swimming Pool [Allocation €300,000]
2. Sligo: Waterpoint Aqua Park [Allocation €300,000]
3. Kilkenny: The Watershed Development, [Allocation €1,443,750]
4. Limerick: Askeaton Pool and Leisure [Allocation €646,659]
5. Wicklow: Wicklow Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre [Allocation €864,177]
6. Louth: Dundalk Leisure Centre [Allocation €300,000]
7. Galway: Galway Regional Aquatic & Fitness Centre [Allocation €8,003,415]
8. Dublin: Samuel Beckett Civic Campus Phase 2 [Allocation €5,000,000]
The priority in the short term is to advance all LSSIF projects, including these swimming pools, to construction stage.
In relation to future swimming pool funding, my Department is currently undertaking a review of progress on all existing LSSIF grants. As part of this review, my Department is also considering the timing of any new call for proposals. The review work is at an advanced stage and is expected to be finalised shortly.
Furthermore, the National Sports Policy commits to the development of a National Swimming Strategy. As part of this, there will be a review of swimming pool provision to identify where gaps exist and how these can be met. A working group has been established to assist in the development of this strategy and it met for the first time on 19 July 2022. It is hoped to have a strategy drafted later this year.
The outcome of the LSSIF Review and the National Swimming Strategy will be important considerations when deciding how funding might be provided for any new swimming pool proposals.
564. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the basic income for the arts scheme has been fully subscribed for the 2,000 places allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40708/22]
View answerDemand 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 12 May.
I am very encouraged by the level of interest from artists and creative arts workers in participating in the pilot scheme. Once assessed for eligibility, all eligible applicants will be entered into an anonymised random process to choose the 2,000 scheme participants.
There has been a very high volume of applications for the pilot scheme, which is a three year research programme to evaluate the impact of a basic income style payment on the arts sector. The pilot will also have a control group of up to 1,000 eligible applicants to provide for comparative analysis between the treatment and control group.
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 collected during the pilot.
565. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the basic income for the arts scheme has not been fully subscribed with less than the 2,000 places allocated, if the application process will be reopened; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40709/22]
View answerDemand 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 12 May.
I am very encouraged by the level of interest from artists and creative arts workers in participating in the pilot scheme. Once assessed for eligibility, all eligible applicants will be entered into an anonymised random sampling process to choose the 2,000 scheme participants.
There has been a very high volume of applications for the pilot scheme, which is a three year research programme to evaluate the impact of a basic income style payment on the arts sector. The pilot will also have a control group of up to 1,000 eligible applicants to provide for comparative analysis between the treatment and control group.
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 collected during the pilot.
566. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when applicants will be informed of the decisions concerning the small-scale local festivals and summer schools scheme; when the allocated funding will be distributed to successful applicants; and if there is an appeals mechanism for unsuccessful applications. [40796/22]
View answerMy Department's annual Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools Scheme is reserved for appropriate not-for-profit festivals, summer schools and other such similar events. Funding available under this scheme is typically capped at €5,000.
The Scheme is intended to support local cultural festivals and summer schools which are not in receipt of other central Government monies and which may not be eligible under funding criteria for larger scale events supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council and similar bodies. Events which are funded by the Arts Council and Fáilte Ireland are not eligible.
The closing date for applications for the 2022 scheme was the 23rd April. Applications have now been assessed and grants awarded. All applicants have been notified of decisions.
If any applicant wishes to obtain further information on the outcome of their assessment they can contact the Cultural Schemes Unit in my Department.
