Written Answers Nos. 372-392
372. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform if he can clarify in relation to retired OPW workers, if these retired workers will receive a due pension increase; when this increase will be paid and the categories of retired workers affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13901/23]
View answerI refer to the Deputy’s question regarding pension increases in relation to retired OPW workers outstanding under the Building Momentum Agreement. As the Deputy may be aware, the National Shared Services Office (NSSO) operate the pension payroll for retired OPW workers. The NSSO is working closely with the OPW to deliver the pension increases for its customers. Once the NSSO is notified of outstanding increase payments for these pensioners it will endeavour to deliver the pay increases as soon as possible to their customers.
As of the March 16th pay date, the majority of OPW employees and pensioners have received their increases. However, this task is complex due to the period of retrospection applying and the broad range of categories where arrears are due. Certain elements of the work process have been completed. However, prior to making any payments the NSSO is carrying out a comprehensive validation of the arrears values to ensure that the arrears paid to individuals are correct. Unfortunately, this means that the timeline for making these payments will be beyond end of quarter one, 2023. While it is not feasible to provide specific dates at this point, we can assure you that every effort is being made to process these payments as soon as possible. A further update will issue when the dates for payment can be confirmed.
373. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform the Garda stations within the Dublin region that are scheduled to be refurbished by the OPW for the remainder of 2023; the nature of these works; and when each works projects will commence, in tabular form. [14030/23]
View answerI can confirm that the Office of Public Works has scheduled refurbishment works to Garda Stations within the Dublin Region to be carried out in 2023.
The Garda Stations and the nature of the works to be carried out are outlined in the table below and include only works valued in excess of €50,000.The Commencement dates for the scheduled works are subject to the final sign off of operational and design requirements by An Garda Síochána and where necessary, successful tendering process.
|
Garda Station |
Nature of the works |
Commencement date of works |
|
Crumlin GS |
Roof Works |
Q3 2023 |
|
Donnybrook GS |
Car Park Resurfacing |
Q3 2023 |
|
Cabinteely GS |
Showers Refurbishment |
Q2 2023 |
|
Cabra GS |
Refurbishment/ reconfiguration of portacabins to rear. |
Q4 02023 |
|
Cabra GS |
Fire safety works |
Q3 2023 |
|
Swords GS |
Refurbishment of canteen |
Q3 2023 |
|
Bridewell GS |
Essential maintenance to roof light and stairwells |
Q3 2023 |
|
Clontarf GS |
Repair and painting to high level rear soffit/ fascias. |
Q3 2023 |
|
Finglas GS |
Works to glass façade of tower |
Q4 2023 |
|
Malahide GS |
Maintenance works to attics, roofs, and valleys |
Q3 2023 |
|
Raheny GS |
Repair works to brickwork, and resurfacing of car park |
Q2 2023 |
|
Store St GS |
Maintenance works to roof |
Q3 2023 |
374. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps she is taking to address rates of online abuse targeted at LGBTQ+ people; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13715/23]
View answer392. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps she is taking to the online trolling and other online abuse targeted at LGBTQ+ young people. [13691/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 374 and 392 together.
The Online Safety and Media Regulation Act was commenced on 15 March 2023 and marks the formal establishment of a new regulator, Coimisiún na Meán. The Act provides for a regulatory framework for online safety and an Coimisiún will enforce that framework, primarily through the making of binding online safety codes by an Online Safety Commissioner within An Coimisiún. While it will remain the role of An Garda Síochána to investigate suspected criminal activities by individuals, the online safety codes will require designated online services to take measures to tackle the availability of defined categories of harmful online content. This includes online content linked to 42 listed offences, such as offences in relation to harassment and abusive messaging under Coco’s Law (the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020) and incitement to hatred under the Incitement to Hatred Act, 1989.
In light of the impact that certain kinds of harmful online content has on LGBTI+ people, particularly young people, this legislation and the establishment of An Coimisiún are important steps forward in safeguarding these communities.
My Department is engaging with the Department of Justice to ensure that any forthcoming changes in criminal law in relation to incitement to hatred are reflected in the regulatory framework for online safety. Coimisiún na Meán has a suite of enforcement powers available to it, including the power to seek the imposition of financial sanctions of up to €20 million or 10% of turnover for contraventions of online safety codes.
375. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of times funding was moved across budget lines within her Department in a process known as virement; the name and purpose of the fund the money was taken from; the name and purpose of the fund the money was transferred to; the dates upon which she approved of such transfers, since she took office; if the Department of Public Expenditure was consulted prior to the transfer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12278/23]
View answerI am providing below, the Deputy with a list of virements in relation to my Department since I took office.
In all cases, sanction was provided for by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform prior to the movement of monies, pursuant to Section C.2 (9) of Public Financial Procedures.
2020
-€2.9m from subhead D7 (LARGE SCALE SPORT INFRASTRUCTURE FUND) as €1m to subhead C4 (IRISH LANGUAGE SUPPORT SCHEMES) and €1.9m to subhead E5 (DEONTAS I LEITH THEILIFÍS NA GAEILGE). This transfer was to enhance the provision of 3rd level courses through Irish and support public service broadcasting through the medium of Irish (30th November 2020).
- €1.2m from subhead D8 (MAJOR SPORTS EVENTS) to subhead D5 (SPORT IRELAND) to meet pressures arising due to the pandemic (17 December 2020).
- €1.5m from various administrative subheads and subhead C9 (CROSS BORDER CO-OPERATION) to subhead C6 (ÚDARÁS NA GAELTACHTA - ADMINISTRATION) to meet pressures arising due to the pandemic (17 December 2020).
- €700k from subhead C10 (LANGUAGE PLANNING PROCESS) to subhead C3 (GAELTACHT SUPPORT SCHEMES)to meet pressures arising due to the pandemic (17 December 2020).
- €5.5m from various administrative subheads, cultural programme and Gaeltacht programme to subhead E6 (BROADCASTING & MEDIA FUND) to meet pressures arising due to the pandemic (17 December 2020).
2021
- €33.4m from various administrative and programme subheads to subhead D5 (SPORT IRELAND) with savings arising from the slowdown in capital projects arising from the pandemic and vired to meet the additional COVID funding package provided to Sport Ireland in 2021 (13th December 2021).
- €8.05m from various cultural subheads to subhead E6 (BROADCASTING & MEDIA FUND) for Sound and Vision Scheme with specific reference to live music broadcasting projects on foot of COVID challenges (13th December 2021).
- €1.215m between Gaeltacht subheads, but within the Gaeltacht programme area, to meet pressures arising due to the pandemic (13th December 2021).
2022
- €5.5m from subhead D7 (LARGE SCALE SPORT INFRASTRUCTURE FUND) to subhead D5 (SPORT IRELAND) to provide for matters in relation to the National Sports Campus (28th July 2022).
- €500k from subhead B16 (CULTURAL SUPPORTS) to the Creative Ireland Programme for a number of local authority projects arising from the pandemic (23rd September 2022).
- €1m from subhead B17 (LIVE PERFORMANCE SUPPORTS) to various Gaeltacht subheads in respect of a package of energy supports for the Gaeltacht (25th October 2022).
- €116k from subhead E6 (BROADCASTING & MEDIA FUND) to subhead E5 (DEONTAS I LEITH THEILIFÍS NA GAEILGE) to facilitate the transmission of TG4 in High Definition (25th October 2022).
- €551k from subhead B17 (LIVE PERFORMANCE SUPPORTS) to subhead B10 (GENERAL EXPENSES OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF IRELAND) in relation to ongoing operational costs.
- €600k from subhead B17 (LIVE PERFORMANCE SUPPORTS) to subhead B8 (CULTURE IRELAND) to meet increased international demand following lifting of COVID restrictions (12th December 2022).
- €1m from subhead D8 (MAJOR SPORTS EVENTS) to subhead D5 (SPORT IRELAND) for a number of initiatives with sporting National Governing Bodies (14th December 2022).
- In addition, €15.54m was moved between various cultural subheads as part of a Technical Supplementary Estimate, which was approved by Cabinet in November 2022 and subject to Select Committee review on 23rd November 2022.
376. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the funding streams available for a local group (details supplied) to meet the excessive increase in costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12502/23]
View answerThe organisation in question may be eligible for support under the Community Support Fund, operated by the Department of Rural and Community Development. This fund has been established to help community groups and facilities deal with increases in energy prices and other costs. The scheme provides small grants to a diverse range of local community groups to assist with energy bills and running costs.
The scheme remains open for applications until March 24th 2023. Pobal are administering this scheme on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development. Details on eligibility and on how to apply are available on the Pobal wesbite at www.pobal.ie.
377. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if Government grants are currently in place for the provision of a community defibrillator; when the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme will open again for new applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12504/23]
View answerIn relation to my Department's responsibilities, the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Grants are available for a wide variety of capital works and non-personal sports equipment including first aid kits and defibrillators.
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.
The final set of allocations were announced on Tuesday 31 May last year and the total allocation of €166.6 million for the 2020 round represents the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP.
The priority in the short term is to advance the successful applications, which number almost 2,900, under the 2020 round to "formal approval" and grant drawdown stage. This requires detailed, ongoing engagement with all grantees.
Following completion of the appeals process, my Department commenced a full review of all aspects of the 2020 round of the SCEP. A draft of the Review is complete and I expect to be in a position to publish the Review shortly. Any recommendations arising from the finalised Review will be reflected in the next round. Furthermore, my officials are engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the next round of the SCEP. Once this process is concluded, I will announce the exact dates from which new applications will be accepted.
Defibrillators situated at sports clubs are generally also for community use and I am aware that funding is also available through the HSE’s national lottery grants schemes and other community grants schemes.
A number of national governing bodies of sport also have schemes in place to support their club networks in cardiac care, screening and defibrillator training. The GAA’s community heart programme, the FAI’s heart care programme and the IRFU’s safe rugby programme are excellent examples of proactive supports to assist clubs and members to participate safely in sport.
378. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when one year's minimum notice for the commemoration day for An Gorta Mór, both at home and abroad, will be inaugurated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12555/23]
View answerAs recently announced this year's National Famine Commemoration will take place on Sunday 21 May 2023 in Milford, Co. Donegal. The Deputy will be aware, each year the National Famine Commemoration provides an opportunity for the host community to honour the memory of those who perished or suffered loss during the famine.
In 2018, the Government approved the designation of the third Sunday of May each year as the National Famine Commemoration Day, with the arrangements for the holding of the State commemoration on this day or the preceding Saturday, to be decided each year following consultation with the relevant local authority and host community.
While the National Famine Commemoration Committee, established in 2008, is charged with considering arrangements for the National Famine Commemoration Day, the Deputy will appreciate that in recent years public health considerations have had a major influence on the arrangements for the Commemoration, including the suspension of the international commemoration which was last held in Phoenix , USA in 2019.
I commend the continued work of the Committee and look forward to receiving their proposals in relation to future commemorations both at home and abroad in due course.
379. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update on the joint Ireland and UK bid to host the UEFA EURO 2028 competition; the level of support the Government has guaranteed if the bid is successful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12562/23]
View answerThe football associations in the UK and Ireland announced in February 2022 their intent to bid to jointly-host the UEFA European Championships in 2028.
On 22 March 2022, the Government decided to support an Expression of Interest from the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) in jointly hosting the EURO 2028 tournament. To that end, my Department has been engaging closely with the FAI, Dublin City Council, other Government Departments and agencies and UK partners in order to better evaluate the case for bidding for Euro 2028.
Following an extensive examination of the costs and benefits to Ireland of hosting the tournament, the Government decided on Tuesday 15 November 2022 to support the FAI’s submission of a joint preliminary bid with UK partners to host EURO 2028. Preliminary bid dossiers were submitted to UEFA on 16 November 2022.
UEFA requires Government support across a number of areas, and my officials are co-ordinating on this with key partners. The Department is currently working with the FAI, Dublin City Council, other Government Departments and agencies together with our UK partners to prepare as strong as possible a bid that will underpin the hosting of a fantastic tournament in 2028.
UEFA has set a deadline of 12 April 2023 for the submission of Final Bid Dossiers and it is our intention to bring the outcome of the Department’s further examination of all aspects of the project to Government for a decision before that deadline.
380. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has any plans to block access to pornography on computer devices, and in particular, smart phones registered to children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12592/23]
View answerThe formal establishment of Coimisiún na Meán on 15 March 2023 marks a significant step toward greater protection from some of the most serious forms of harmful online content, in particular, for children. The Online Safety Commissioner, who is part of An Coimisiún, is tasked with overseeing a new regulatory framework for online safety as provided for in the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022.
As part of the framework, the Online Safety Commissioner will devise binding online safety codes and apply them, as appropriate, to certain designated online services established in the State, including certain social media platforms, which make available user-generated content. The codes will ensure appropriate systemic measures are put in place by such services in order to protect users from defined categories of harmful online content, encompassing, among other types of content, that which is linked to relevant existing offences in Irish law.
The Online Safety Commissioner may also devise online safety guidance materials to protect children from age-inappropriate online content, including pornography.
While I have no role in blocking individual devices or identifying or registering devices to which children have access, I have asked An Coimisiún to examine the issue of age verification. It is complex and raises significant data protection and privacy matters and will require engagement with other relevant digital regulators.
At European level, in May 2022, the European Commission launched a new European Strategy for a Better Internet for Kids. This Strategy places a strong focus on providing age-appropriate online experiences, including through age verification and age-appropriate design. In order to facilitate age verification, the European Commission has committed to work with Member States and promote EU standardisation in order to strengthen effective age-verification methods. In particular, the Commission has committed to facilitating a comprehensive code of conduct on age-appropriate design by 2024 and indicated that the code could provide for age verification for accessing certain online content.
381. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if any projects under her remit are on hold due to Capital Funding pressures; if she will indicate the projects, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12635/23]
View answerCapital projects are considered as part of the overall budgetary management of my Department, and in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, as appropriate. My Department is managing a pipeline of major capital projects under the NDP which are being assessed via the required stages of the Public Spending Code and having regard to expenditure ceilings. My Department also provides grant support for capital projects undertaken by other organisations and I can advise that all previously allocated capital grants remain in place.
382. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the progress made by her Department in respect of targets and goals set out in sustainable development goals of the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development under the policy remit of her Department; and if these targets and goals will be met by their respective deadlines. [12912/23]
View answerThe 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) thereunder is an ambitious framework for which a whole-of-Government implementation approach has been taken in Ireland.
Ireland’s Second National Implementation Plan for the Sustainable Development Goals 2022 – 2024 was published in October 2022. The Plan was developed by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications in collaboration with all Government Departments, key stakeholders, and based on input from two public consultation processes. A key objective of the Plan is to achieve greater policy coherence for Sustainable Development (PCSD) with the aim of accelerating achievement of the SDGs at all levels of Government.
The Plan is supplemented by two supporting documents: an SDG policy map which identifies the lead Departments and relevant national policies for each of the 169 SDG targets, and a Policy Update document which provides policy updates for each of the SDG targets. These documents are available at www.gov.ie/sdgs
The Central Statistics Office, in collaboration with all Government Departments, has prepared a series of statistical publications which monitor and report on how Ireland is progressing towards meeting its targets under the 17 SDGs. Reports are available for SDGs 1 – 16 and can be found on the Central Statistics Office website.
My Department has responsibility for leading implementation of the following specific targets under SDGs 8, 11 and 12:
Target 8.9 - By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.
As we look to rebuild the tourism sector in a post-pandemic world, my Department has initiated the development of a new national tourism policy that will seek to mainstream sustainability. The development of this new policy will involve extensive consultation with the tourism industry and our communities to help set out a path for the coming years which will support a sustainable recovery and subsequent growth in the sector.
This new policy will build upon the work undertaken by the Sustainable Tourism Working Group, under the aegis of my Department, which has developed Guiding Principles for Sustainable Tourism Development in Ireland. Initial consultations with key stakeholders have taken place prior to a more wide spread public consultation in the coming months.
This new tourism policy will seek to support sustainable economic development in communities throughout the country, whilst protecting our environment and natural resources, and with a greater spread of demand across the year.
Target 11.4 - Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage
Together with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage which has primary responsibility for the protection and safeguarding of Ireland’s natural heritage, my Department has responsibility for safeguarding elements of Ireland’s rich cultural heritage including our arts and culture, our sports and Gaeltacht communities. In that regard, in 2015 Ireland ratified the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Since 2017, our unique practices of Uilleann Piping, Hurling and Irish Harping have been recognised by UNESCO and inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In December 2021, Falconry in Ireland joined 23 other countries as part of a multinational inscription to the UNESCO Representative List. Ireland is currently coordinating a multinational application for drystone construction in Ireland, (along with Andorra, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg) to join the existing multinational inscription on the UNESCO Representative List.
My Department has also developed a National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage where 38 practices have been inscribed. This work by my Department, in close cooperation with the communities concerned and with international partners, strengthens awareness raising and supports the safeguarding of our rich and diverse cultural heritage. More information on the National Inventory and practices can be found here nationalinventoryich.chg.gov.ie/.
Target 12.b - Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism which creates jobs, promotes local culture and products.
In October 2021, the Sustainable Tourism Working Group under the aegis of my Department published a suite of actions to promote sustainable tourism practices in Ireland. The actions identified in the report aimed to establish new research methods, which would increase the level of evidence available, and form a clear narrative for communicating about the sustainability agenda, to build a better understanding and awareness among tourism stakeholders and the general public. The report also aimed to ensure that sustainability is taken into account in policy development, business planning by the agencies and industry as well as in destination management and promotional activity.
In this regard, Fáilte Ireland has ensured that the guiding principles for Sustainable Tourism Development are embedded in their Destination Experience Development Plans. They are currently preparing tourism sector Regional Tourism Strategies 2023-2027 for the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, Ireland’s Ancient East, and Dublin. All four plans have a dedicated sustainability strategy based on the guiding principles for sustainable tourism development.
In addition, under the ‘National Implementation Plan for the Sustainable Development Goals 2022-2024’, Action 43 , Sport Ireland is currently undertaking a research project to map the Irish National Sports Policy (2018-2027) to the United Nations Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, in order to capture and highlight the contribution of the National Sports Policy towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Feedback on the first draft of the report and frameworks have been submitted to the consultants to incorporate. The Research and Innovation team in Sport Ireland will work with the Department for the launch and dissemination of this report, expected to take place in Q2 2023.
383. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will outline the engagement she has had with an organisation (details supplied) in connection with prohibitive insurance costs, and how this might be addressed to enable the organisation to proceed with its calendar of events for the current year; the support available from her Department in this specific regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13031/23]
View answerMembers of the organisation concerned have been in contact with me in relation to the impact on their sport of rising insurance prices. I fully recognise the pressure that rising insurance costs are placing on a variety of sports, especially those with an inherently higher risk profile such as motorsports. This issue has been raised at official level by my Department with the Department of Finance which has responsibility for the regulation of the insurance sector in Ireland.
The Sports Action Plan 2021-2023 contains more than 40 distinct actions to assist the ongoing development of the sports sector over the period to end-2023. My Department is progressing work on the implementation of this plan, which includes a specific action on the holding of regular stakeholder forums with the sport sector to facilitate the collation of insurance pricing data. A report is currently being compiled in this regard and it is planned to present it to the Cabinet Committee on Insurance Reform for its consideration. I would like to assure the Deputy that the particular issues and challenges confronting the sports sector in this context will be emphasised and brought to the fore.
I will continue to engage with my colleague, the Minister for Finance, in relation to this matter. I believe that the reform process currently underway for the insurance sector will deliver an improved situation for those seeking cover for their calendar of sporting events and activities.
384. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir lena polasaí i leith fhorbairt Chalafort Ros a’ Mhíl ar fad agus an cheantair timpeall air chun deiseanna fostaíochta a chruthú sa cheantar láidir Gaeltachta sin; ar thug sí treoir d’Údarás na Gaeltachta maidir le plean forbartha cuimsitheach a réiteach don talamh atá ag an Údarás ansin; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [13072/23]
View answerIs í an Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara atá freagrach mar Roinn Stáit as gnóthaí mara agus as forbairt fhoriomlán chalafort Ros an Mhíl dá réir.I gcomhthéacs na freagrachta atá ar Údarás na Gaeltachta maidir le gnóthaí fiontraíochta agus fostaíochta a chur chun cinn sa Ghaeltacht, tuigtear don Roinn go ndearna an tÚdarás, as a stuaim féin, tuarascáil dar teideal: Ros a Mhíl, Zón Straitéiseach Fiontraíochta a sheoladh le gairid.
Luaitear inti go bhféadfadh ról an-tábhachtach a bheith ag Ros an Mhíl i bhforbairt fuinneamh gaoithe amach ó chósta na hÉireann agus go bhféadfadh sé a bheith ar cheann de na calafoirt is tábhachtaí mar a bhaineann sé leis an réimse sin.
385. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an ndearna duine (sonraí tugtha) iarratas chuig Údarás na Gaeltachta ar cheart slí trí thalamh an Údaráis le haghaidh gnó, bunaithe ar acmhainn nádúrtha a fhorbairt; an bhfuil sé i gceist ag an Údarás an ceart slí a ghéilleadh agus, i gcás nach bhfuil, cén fáth; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [13073/23]
View answerIs í an Roinn Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara atá freagrach mar Roinn Stáit as gnóthaí mara agus as forbairt fhoriomlán chalafort Ros an Mhíl dá réir. É sin ráite, is in úinéireacht Údarás na Gaeltachta atá roinnt den talamh gar don chalafort sa cheantar.
Tuigtear don Roinn go bhfuil dhá cheadúnas eisithe ag Údarás na Gaeltachta i leith úsáid bóthair de chuid na heagraíochta i Ros an Mhíl agus go bhfuil aontú in áit leis an Roinn Talamhaíochta, Bia agus Mara maidir le ceann de na ceadúnais. Tá an tÚdarás ag fanacht ar aontú maidir leis an gceann eile.
Tá curtha in iúl ag an Údarás dom go ndéantar nithe éagsúla a mheas agus iarratais ar cheadúnais mar seo á mbreithniú ag an eagraíocht agus go mbeidh cead Bhord an Údaráis ag teastáil sa chás seo.
386. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update on the planned legislation in relation to the establishment of a register for short-term rental properties (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13255/23]
View answerOn 7 December 2022 the Government approved the priority drafting of the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill and publication of the General Scheme of the Bill which provides for the registration of short-term tourist lettings with Fáilte Ireland in line with the commitment under Housing for All, the Government's housing policy.
I have since written to the Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media regarding the Bill in line with agreed protocols for pre-legislative scrutiny. Officials from my Department, along with officials from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and from Fáilte Ireland attended a meeting of the Committee in public session for pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme on 25 January and engagement in that regard is ongoing.
My Department is also engaging with the European Commission on the draft legislation under the notification requirements of the Technical Regulations Information System (TRIS) Directive and met with Commission officials in February. I look forward to engaging further with Oireachtas colleagues with a view to passing the legislation in the coming months.
387. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update on the work of the night-time economy taskforce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13256/23]
View answerI published the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce in September 2021. It is a Cross-Government Report containing 36 actions across a broad range of issues associated with the Night-Time Economy, all with the aim of increasing the diversity of events, increasing cultural opportunities and encouraging innovation and creativity in the Night-Time Economy. The report is monitored by an Implementation Group which meets regularly to review progress and to ensure that the report remains current.
Last year we saw many positive interventions in the Night-Time Economy with new pilot initiatives kick-started and progress made across a number of actions in the Report. Examples of progress include the roll out of the Night-Time Economy Support Scheme to encourage footfall in our cities and towns in off-peak hours and provide opportunities for local artists and also the roll-out of pilots in our National Cultural Institutions who held a series of late night events and openings to encourage more diversity in our night-time economy.
I have allocated €6m this year towards the implementation of a range of new measures to support the Night-Time Economy, which includes €2 million in capital funding to support the development of a soundproofing grant scheme for late night venues. Details of this will be announced in the coming weeks.
This year I am also providing funding to recruit pilot Night-Time Advisors in 9 cities and towns to enhance and drive a more sustainable, vibrant night-time economy. The recruitment process for these positions is currently underway and I expect the positions to be advertised shortly. The Night-Time Advisors will work with businesses, communities, venues, residents and artists to create a more vibrant night-life for all and bring vitality back to our city and town centres in a safe and sustainable way. This is a pilot initiative and if it proves successful, it is hoped to roll out the learnings to other local authorities.
It should also be noted that the Minister for Justice published the General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill last October which was a key recommendation of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce and a major step in the right direction for all those making a living in the Night-Time Economy.
388. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update on the night-time economy forum which took place on 17 January 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13257/23]
View answerThe Night-Time Economy Forum which took place on the 17th January in the National Gallery of Ireland was hosted and led by the Arts Council and supported by my Department as part of the overall effort to drive a more diverse and sustainable Night-Time Economy. The forum was in direct response to Action 3 in the Night-Time Economy Taskforce Report which I launched in September 2021.
Since I launched the Taskforce Report, we have seen some concrete results and progress across the 36 actions in that report but what is just as important for me is regular engagement with artists, promoters and venue owners so we can talk about the issues impacting them, endeavour to find solutions together and discuss the many opportunities in the Night-Time Economy.
The night-time economy forum, brought together a range of international, national and local perspectives on emerging trends and initiatives in relation to the development of the arts and the Night-Time economy. The Forum aimed to encourage new initiatives and partnerships and new thinking to support the role of the arts in creating a vibrant night-time economy.
Some of the topics discussed at the forum included insights and learning from other international cities and towns and how culture and the Night-Time Economy connect in innovative ways and the benefits to artists, venues and cultural organisations of a more diverse and inclusive Night-Time Economy.
I would like to thank the Arts Council for providing this opportunity and bringing such a diverse range of people together and also to the attendees and speakers who provided important insights on their own experiences of the Night-Time Economy.
The Forum also heard from a number of artists with a disability and how they navigate the Night-Time Economy which provided an insight into some of the challenges facing practitioners, audiences, venues and businesses operating in the Night-Time Economy.
I understand that the Arts Council will be engaging further on the issues raised at the forum and I intend to work with the Arts Council and others to support and assist where necessary to ensure that opportunities in the NTE are maximised. The Taskforce Report Implementation Group, which my Department chairs, will also ensure that all of the actions in the Report are progressed and that our Night-Time Economy can grow and thrive.
389. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 59 of 29 September 2022, if her Department's review of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund has been completed; if a report of the review will be completed; if she intends to reopen the fund to provide for the development of public swimming pools in towns such as Carrickmacross; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13265/23]
View answerPreviously, Government support for new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools was provided through the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP). A total of 52 pools have 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 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 and the priority in the short term is to advance all LSSIF projects, including the swimming pools, to construction stage.
It should be noted that the first LSSIF allocations were announced just prior to the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic obviously gave rise to significant financial challenges for all grantees with many of them having to reprioritise their own expenditure plans due to reductions in their income streams. In more recent times, the high level of construction inflation has also presented considerable challenges for grantees. In view of these issues, it was considered timely to review progress on all projects allocated grants and meetings with all grantees have taken place. It is encouraging that, based on these discussions with grantees, 22 of the 33 projects should be in a position to draw down funding this year. Accordingly, I expect to see significant progress on many of the LSSIF projects in the short term.
In the medium term, I will continue to explore all options to assist those LSSIF projects that have not progressed to date. In this regard, I am continuing to engage with my Government colleagues and my officials have also been liaising with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to future funding for the LSSIF.
Dealing specifically with new swimming pool projects, work has commenced on the development of the first National Swimming Strategy based on a vision to ‘provide everyone in Ireland with an opportunity to swim’. The Working Group tasked with the detailed work of preparing the strategy is chaired by my Department and comprises representatives from relevant NGBs and stakeholders. An extensive consultation process has been undertaken across both stakeholders and the public and work is ongoing on the analysis of the very large number of responses received to ensure that the Strategy encompasses all of the issues raised to the greatest extent possible. It is hoped to finalise the new Strategy shortly and it will further guide future swimming pool investment policy.
390. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 308 of 31 January 2023, if there is an updated timeframe for the completion of the national swimming strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13266/23]
View answerThe working group tasked with the detailed work of preparing the swimming strategy is chaired by my Department and comprises representatives from relevant National Governing Bodies for sport and stakeholders, specifically Swim Ireland, Sport Ireland, CARA, Ireland Active and the Local Authorities.
The Working Group held its sixth meeting on 31 January. Extensive work has now been done on the Strategy content, though it is worth noting that contributions and feedback to the Strategy content are still being received. The Working Group will be meeting again shortly and, whilst it is difficult to be precise about the exact timeframe for the delivery of the Strategy, I hope to be in a position to publish the Strategy by the middle of 2023.
391. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a grant is available under her Department that a local community organisation could apply for (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13590/23]
View answerIt is not clear from the details supplied if the group concerned is a museum, however, in the event that it is, the most relevant scheme that my Department operates under which support may be available is the Regional Museum Exhibition Scheme. This is a scheme of funding support for local, regional and specialised museums, with their own permanent premises, to promote and enhance these institutions through the provision of funding for capital exhibition costs. The scheme provides grants for capital works which enhance the exhibition/display facilities within the museum or which promote access to the museum. The objective is to create a fund to assist museums in contributing to the national and local culture through exhibition programmes for both locals and visitors alike.
The Scheme operates on a matched funding basis (75:25), where 25% of the proposed costs must be provided by the applicant.
Full details of the scheme including eligibility requirements are available on my Departments website www.gov.ie/en/service/676e1-regional-museum-exhibitions-scheme/. Funding available under this scheme is capped at €15,000. It is currently envisaged that this funding scheme will run again in 2023 and will launch in the second quarter of this year.
It may also be beneficial for museums to contact their Local Authority or the Heritage Council for possible funding opportunities.
Question No. 392 taken with No. 374.
