Written Answers Nos. 671-687
671. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media what funding is available for a proposed project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16500/23]
View answerUnder the Irish Film Board Acts 1980-2018, Screen Ireland is a statutorily independent agency with a Board that is a body corporate. The functions of the Board are set out under Section 4 of the Act and the powers of the Board to make grants in respect of those functions set out in the Act. As Minister, I have no role in Screen Ireland's funding decisions. I have however referred your question to Screen Ireland, the statutory agency for the development of the Irish audiovisual industry, for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
672. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of staff within her Department who are based in and working with the European Union in Brussels; their present roles and responsibilities; the posts and responsibilities presently vacant; the corresponding figures on 23 June 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16569/23]
View answerI am advised that there is one full time staff member employed by my Department assigned as the Permanent Representative in the EU. The role of this Attaché is to ensure that there is a full-time resource in Brussels to service the diverse Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media briefs. The Attaché participates in, monitors and reports on developments and liaises with the European Commission, the Council Secretariat and the European Parliament and other state representatives primarily Member State representatives, while keeping close contact with relevant Government Departments and Agencies in Ireland. In that regard the Attaché helps shape Ireland’s approach to EU developments in relation to this Departments functions.
There is one staff member on Special Leave to work with the EU. This role is in DG Brussels translation services.
My Department also administers an Internship Scheme in European Union Institutions. It is administered in co-operation with the European Commission, the European Parliament, the European Council, the Committee of the Regions and the Publications Office.
The scheme is focused on the provision of opportunities for graduates to acquire work placements in the special subject fields of translation, proof-reading and of conference interpreting.
The scheme contributes to the Government’s objective to provide every assistance and support to the European Union in implementing the decision to make Irish a working and official language in the EU, as set out in the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030, which is the policy of the State for the Irish Language. This Department is responsible for co-ordinating its implementation.
Under the scheme, 13 Internships were funded by the Department in 2022/23. Each work placement lasts for a period of between six to ten months and are based in the EU.
- Council of Europe, Brussels – 2 Translators
- European Commission, Brussels – 2 Translators
- European Parliament, Luxembourg – 2 Translators
- Committee of the Regions Brussles, - 2 Translators
- Publications Office Luxembourg – 1 Proof-reader
- European Parliament, Luxembourg – 1 Proof-reader
- European Commission, Brussles – 3 Interpreters
My Department does not at have any vacancies in the EU at present.
My Department was formed in September 2020 following a transfer of functions and therefore I am unable to provide corresponding data for 23 June 2016.
673. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will meet with representatives from a group (details supplied) regarding insurance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16605/23]
View answerI am due to meet representatives of this group later this week to hear at first hand its particular experiences regarding insurance.
As I have previously indicated, in answer to a question on 21 March 2023, members 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 sporting events and activities.
674. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update on the development of online safety codes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16624/23]
View answerCoimisiún na Meán was formally established on commencement of the Online Safety and Media Regulation (OSMR) Act on 15 March 2023. Under the Act, it is Coimisiún na Meán which is responsible for the development and application of online safety codes. These codes will seek to protect users of certain designated online services from exposure to some of the most serious forms of harmful online content.
Under section 5 of the OSMR Act, Coimisiún na Meán is independent in the performance of its functions and the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media has no function in this regard. Given its functions however under the OSMR Act, the development of online safety codes is a priority for Coimisiún na Meán.
675. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will respond to significant concerns raised by a club (details supplied) in respect of its energy bill, which has increased four-fold; the supports in place to assist such a voluntary body; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16868/23]
View answerWhile the Government has introduced a range of cost of living support measures, I am keenly aware that energy continues to drive costs right across the economy, impacting on almost all householders, businesses and organisations.
As part of Budget 2023, a funding package of €35 million was made available to help alleviate the impact of increased energy costs for sports clubs and organisations with a view to ensuring that everyone could continue to enjoy the benefits of sport and physical activity over the winter months.
In doing so, the Government acknowledged that increased energy costs are a major concern for sporting organisations and sporting facilities, particularly during the winter months when there is increased demand for indoor facilities with the associated heating and lighting costs, as well as floodlit outdoor facilities such as playing areas, hurling walls, walking tracks, etc.
Notwithstanding that all sporting activity has fully resumed, post-Covid-19, many sporting clubs and organisations continue to feel the impact of the pandemic, not just in financial terms, but also with reduced membership and volunteer numbers. Reduced rates of participation in sport and physical activity will impact the physical and mental well-being of the nation, both in the short and long term, and this is something we wish to avoid.
The Sports Energy Support Scheme (SESS) was launched by Sport Ireland in November 2022 to support sporting organisations with the rising energy costs associated with the provision of sport. The funding is in the main being distributed through the National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of Sport in like manner to the suite of COVID supports that have been provided to the sports sector throughout the past 2 years.
To date, €21 million of the SESS fund has been allocated and Sport Ireland continues to liaise with NGBs to ensure the allocation of the remaining funding as soon as possible. Sports clubs should continue to engage with their NGB to ensure they avail of their full entitlement under the scheme.
I am engaging with Sport Ireland to ensure the SESS fund is drawn down to the greatest extent possible.
It should also be noted that the Department strives to improve environmental performance through energy efficiency supports in its capital funding schemes. Currently the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme funds a range of green measures including modifications to sports facilities to reduce energy consumption and restricts funding for floodlighting to LED floodlights. Under the most recent round, opened in 2022, €15.4 million was allocated to 166 applications which featured green measures such as LED floodlighting, solar and PV panels.
676. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of applicants for the previous three rounds of the sports capital programme that were granted funding but did not draw down the grants; the number of grants that were partially drawn down and the number of grants that were fully drawn down; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16942/23]
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.
Under the three most recent rounds of the programme, in 2017, 2018 and 2020, a total of 6,372 grants were allocated. The final grants under the 2020 round 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 to "formal approval" and grant drawdown stage. In this regard, it can take some grantees a number of years to fully draw down their grants due to the need to fully comply with the terms and conditions of the Programme. These requirements include the need to obtain a number of quotations for the work, complying with the legal requirements of the Programme and ensuring that all tax clearance requirements are adhered to.
A list of all allocations under all recent rounds of the SCEP is published on my Department's website at: - www.gov.ie/en/collection/471ed5-sports-capital-allocations/.
A full list of all payments made can also be viewed on my Department's website at: www.gov.ie/en/collection/efc6c4-sports-capital-programmes-payments/.
677. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide a breakdown by each county of the number of successful and unsuccessful eligible applicants for the basic income for the arts by pilot scheme, a breakdown by county of the numbers selected for the control group and the methods used by her Department to promote and publicise the scheme throughout the entire country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16954/23]
View answerMy Department ran an extensive media campaign ahead of the deadline for applications for the Basic Income for the Arts Pilot Scheme. The scheme was advertised targeting local media across the country and the media package used was selected on this broad-reach basis. The launch was also covered on the Six One News on RTÉ 1 and included national coverage by newspapers and radio.
My Department also ran a strong social media campaign leading up to the launch of the scheme and during its application window. The launch was also shared broadly on social media by The Arts Council and Irish arts resource organisations and interested parties including Visual Artists Ireland, First Music Contact, Musicians Union of Ireland, The Journal of Music etc. and was picked up and shared internationally (e.g. BBC News) ahead of opening for applications. The Department’s own March/April 2022 Basic Income for the Arts social media posts were viewed 82,535 times
There was also extensive stakeholder and public engagement prior to the launch of the scheme: A stakeholder forum, held on 15 December 2021, hosted discussions with over 150 participants from 50 artists and arts workers resource and representative bodies to feed into the policy development. In addition, in January 2022, the Department opened an online public consultation, to which anyone could contribute. This allowed the general public, artists and those working in the arts and culture sector the opportunity to contribute on key issues. Over 1,200 members of the public and the sector who were interested made submissions to the public consultation, reflecting the high level of interest in the scheme in the months ahead of its launch.
The following table provides details of the geographic location of all applicants and those who were selected and those who were unsuccessful.
|
County |
Total Eligible Applications |
Successful Applications |
Unsuccessful Applications |
|
CO CARLOW / CO. CHEATHARLACH |
82 |
16 |
66 |
|
CO CAVAN / CO. AN CHABHÁIN |
83 |
21 |
62 |
|
CO CLARE / CO. AN CHLÁIR |
246 |
54 |
192 |
|
CO CORK / CO. CHORCAÍ |
886 |
211 |
675 |
|
CO DONEGAL / CO. DHÚN NA NGALL |
239 |
55 |
184 |
|
CO DUBLIN / CO. BHAILE ÁTHA CLIATH |
662 |
181 |
481 |
|
CO GALWAY / CO. NA GAILLIMHE |
612 |
149 |
463 |
|
CO KERRY / CO. CHIARRAÍ |
217 |
53 |
164 |
|
CO KERRY / CO. CHIARRAÍ |
286 |
83 |
203 |
|
CO KILKENNY / CO. CHILL CHAINNIGH |
162 |
28 |
134 |
|
CO LAOIS / CO. LAOISE |
87 |
25 |
62 |
|
CO LEITRIM / CO. LIATROMA |
98 |
23 |
75 |
|
CO LIMERICK / CO. LUIMNIGH |
225 |
59 |
166 |
|
CO LONGFORD / CO. LONGFOIRT |
29 |
9 |
20 |
|
CO LOUTH / CO. LÚ |
138 |
32 |
106 |
|
CO MAYO / CO. MHAIGH EO |
174 |
47 |
127 |
|
CO MEATH / CO. NA MÍ |
221 |
59 |
162 |
|
CO MONAGHAN / CO. MHUINEACHÁIN |
58 |
14 |
44 |
|
CO OFFALY / CO. UÍBH FHAILÍ |
72 |
16 |
56 |
|
CO ROSCOMMON / CO. ROS COMÁIN |
73 |
17 |
56 |
|
CO SLIGO / CO. SHLIGIGH |
171 |
30 |
141 |
|
CO TIPPERARY / CO. THIOBRAID ÁRANN |
136 |
32 |
104 |
|
CO WATERFORD / CO. PHORT LÁIRGE |
174 |
33 |
141 |
|
CO WESTMEATH / CO. NA HIARMHÍ |
106 |
22 |
84 |
|
CO WEXFORD / CO. LOCH GARMAN |
223 |
56 |
167 |
|
CO WICKLOW / CO. CHILL MHANTÁIN |
340 |
87 |
253 |
|
DUBLIN 1 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH 1 |
91 |
20 |
71 |
|
DUBLIN 2 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH 2 |
61 |
12 |
49 |
|
DUBLIN 3 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH 3 |
174 |
41 |
133 |
|
DUBLIN 4 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH 4 |
118 |
21 |
97 |
|
DUBLIN 5 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH 5 |
75 |
25 |
50 |
|
DUBLIN 6 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH 6 |
189 |
48 |
141 |
|
DUBLIN 6W / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH 6W |
96 |
25 |
71 |
|
DUBLIN 7 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH 7 |
263 |
54 |
209 |
|
DUBLIN 8 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH 8 |
341 |
80 |
261 |
|
DUBLIN 9 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH 9 |
119 |
33 |
86 |
|
DUBLIN 10 /BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH |
19 |
4 |
15 |
|
DUBLIN 11 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH 11 |
55 |
18 |
37 |
|
DUBLIN 12 /BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH 12 |
162 |
52 |
110 |
|
DUBLIN 13 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH |
85 |
16 |
69 |
|
DUBLIN 14 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH |
85 |
21 |
64 |
|
DUBLIN 15 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH |
112 |
22 |
90 |
|
DUBLIN 16 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH |
86 |
16 |
70 |
|
DUBLIN 17 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH 17 |
16 |
3 |
13 |
|
DUBLIN 18 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH |
133 |
38 |
95 |
|
DUBLIN 20 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH |
24 |
6 |
18 |
|
DUBLIN 22 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH |
38 |
8 |
30 |
|
DUBLIN 24 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH |
62 |
20 |
42 |
|
Not Classified (chose not to say) |
5 |
3 |
2 |
The following table shows the geographic location of the Control Group Members.
|
DUBLIN 9 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH9 |
12 |
|
DUBLIN 10 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH |
1 |
|
DUBLIN 11 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH |
2 |
|
DUBLIN 12 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH |
18 |
|
DUBLIN 13 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH |
14 |
|
DUBLIN 14 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH 14 |
11 |
|
DUBLIN 15 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH |
12 |
|
DUBLIN 16 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH |
9 |
|
DUBLIN 17 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH17 |
1 |
|
DUBLIN 18 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH |
13 |
|
DUBLIN 20 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH20 |
5 |
|
DUBLIN 22 /BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH |
5 |
|
DUBLIN 24 / BAILE ÁTHA CLIATH |
3 |
678. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the current status of applications submitted under the large-scale sport infrastructure fund; when the next allocation will be made under this fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16988/23]
View answerThe National Sports Policy was published in 2018 and provided for the establishment of a 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.
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. As part of the Review, my Department is also considering the timing and funding requirements for any new call for proposals. The review work is at an advanced stage and is expected to be finalised shortly.
679. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the Sports Capital Programme will be reopened for applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16989/23]
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 final grants under the latest round were announced 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 to "formal approval" and grant drawdown stage and my Department continues to support and guide grantees from past rounds as they manage their grants.
With regard to the timing of the next round, following completion of the appeal process, my Department commenced a full review of all aspects of the 2020 round of the SCEP. The Review is nearing completion and I hope to publish it 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 launch of the next cycle of the SCEP. Once this engagement is concluded, I will announce the exact dates from which new applications will be accepted.
680. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceisteanna Pharlaiminte Uimhir 84 den 20 Meitheamh 2017 agus Uimhir 77 den 14 Samhain 2017 cé mhéad foirgneamh de chuid Údarás na Gaeltachta atá folamh; cé chomh fada agus atá siad folamh; cén áit ina bhfuil siad; cad iad na pleananna atá ag an Údarás maidir leo; cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir leis na foirgnimh fholmha agus go háirithe foirgnimh atá fós folamh; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [17005/23]
View answerMar go bhfuil eolas cuimsitheach iarrtha ag an Teachta, tuigfidh sí nach féidir an t-eolas seo a chur le chéile laistigh den amscála atá ar fáil. Cuirfear freagra cuimsitheach díreach chuig an Teachta chomh luath agus is féidir agus i gcomhréir leis na mBuan-Orduithe Dála.
681. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the details of all undeveloped lands in the ownership of Údarás na Gaeltachta, by county, in tabular form; the length of time the lands have been in the ownership of Údarás na Gaeltachta; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17006/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, given that the details being sought are extensive and could not be provided in the time available, the information being sought will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with Standing Orders.
682. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 146 of 30 March 2023, if she will outline the issues the EU Commission set out in its response to the submission of the proposed short-term tourist letting Bill which triggered an extended standstill period until 22 December 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17183/23]
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.
As I informed the Deputy previously, on 21 December the proposed STTL Bill was submitted to the EU Commission pursuant to Technical Regulations Information System (TRIS) EU Directive 2015/1535. Such a notification triggers a standstill period of 3 months during which the proposed Bill cannot be enacted. On 22 March 2023, the Department received a communication from the EU Commission which extends that standstill period until 22 December 2023.
The EU Commission has extended the standstill period as it considers the STTL Bill concerns a matter covered in part by the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on data collection and sharing relating to short-term accommodation rental services and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1724 of 7 November 2022 . This Proposal is currently in the early stages of negotiation by the Union co-legislators. The full communication from the EU Commission is available online at the following web address: ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/tris/en/search/?trisaction=search.detail&year=2022&num=871
The Department is examining the communication and will engage with the EU Commission and stakeholders on next steps. Analysis of the communication from the Commission will inform the timeline for the commencement of the legislative process and the subsequent establishment of the register.
Parliamentary Question No. 146 of 30 March 2023
Question
To ask the Minister for Tourism; Culture; Arts; Gaeltacht; Sport and Media when hosts (details supplied) can expect to receive full details of the short-term letting register; when this register will become active; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Answer
On 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 subsequently wrote 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. I look forward to the report of the Committee which is anticipated in the week beginning 17 April.
On 21 December the proposed STTL Bill was submitted to the EU Commission pursuant to Technical Regulations Information System (TRIS) EU Directive 2015/1535. Such a notification triggers a standstill period of 3 months during which the proposed Bill cannot be enacted.
On 22 March 2023, the Department received a communication from the EU Commission which extends that standstill period until 22 December 2023. The Department is now examining the communication from the EU Commission and will engage with it and stakeholders on next steps. The analysis of the communication from the Commission will inform the timeline for the commencement of the legislative process and the subsequent establishment of the register.
683. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide further details on the basic income for the arts scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17382/23]
View answerOver 9,000 people applied for the Basic Income for the Arts Pilot Scheme (BIA) last year, of which, just over 8,200 were deemed eligible. As the scheme is a pilot it is operating with funding for a maximum of 2,000 recipients of BIA and, 1,000 Control Group members who will receive a payment of €325 per year to participate in the research.
Recipients were chosen through an anonymised random selection process in which all eligible applications were included. This process was overseen by EY acting as an independent verifier.
Of those selected to receive the payment as part of the pilot 2.8% stated that they work through the medium of Irish. Of those 1.2% chose to correspond with the Department through Irish. The geographic data collected provided information on the county applicants lived in and if they were living in rural or urban areas. That data did not provide a breakdown of those living in Gaeltacht areas. However, this is a question the research team can ask in future surveys. No quota for those living in Gaeltacht areas was applied as part of the process. There were no quotas of any kind as the participants needed to be representative of the arts sector so that the research gives accurate data about the impact of the BIA on those working in the arts. The selection process was designed in a way which resulted in a cohort of participants that is representative of those who applied, including geographic location. Any artificially determined quotas could lead to distortions among the selected participants for other unseen variables, which could jeopardise the research.
This pilot is a three-year research programme with the intention of providing an evidence base to assess whether or not this type of support works for the arts. The research will be looking at many different types of impact data from participants including the effect the payment has on their creativity, the amount of time they devote to the arts, their well-being, and their ability to earn additional income from the arts.
684. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update on the recent proposals submitted by a political party (details supplied) in respect of including Down and Armagh in Ireland's Ancient East Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17473/23]
View answerMy 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 Department and both tourism agencies will continue to foster north-south co-operation to enhance an all-island tourism offering and grow international visitor numbers to the entire island.
With regard to marketing the specific areas to which the Deputy refers, Fáilte Ireland will continue to develop, support and promote tourism across all of its brands, including Ireland’s Ancient East Experience Brand. Because Fáilte Ireland's remit does not extend outside the State, it is not possible to include any part of Northern Ireland in the Ireland’s Ancient East experience brand.
However, there is a great opportunity to further develop on-island cross border tourism. Shared Island funding of €7.6 million has recently been allocated for a new all-island tourism brand collaboration and marketing initiative, connecting the Causeway Coastal Route and the Wild Atlantic Way in the North West. This project will be developed and implemented over the next three years and will build on the international reputations of these two magnificent tourist routes.
685. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide details on any discussions which have taken place to date within her Department in respect of the proposed large-scale municipal stadium for north Drogheda, further to the recent commencement of phase 1 of the Port Access Northern Cross Route; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17523/23]
View answerMy Department's capital support for any significant new stadium projects 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. Full details of all allocations are available at: www.gov.ie/en/service/4113b3-large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif/
In relation to a new soccer stadium in Drogheda, an application was received in the 2019 round from the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) for design funding towards a state of the art football stadium and training facility with €600,000 sought. The application was unsuccessful at that time.
All unsuccessful applicants were given the opportunity to appeal the Department’s decision if it was felt that an error was made in the assessment process and an appeal was submitted in this instance by the FAI. All appeals have now been assessed by officials who were not involved in the initial assessment process and no errors were found which would warrant an automatic grant.
While the priority in the short term is to advance the projects that were already allocated funding, a review of the LSSIF Programme is underway. My Department has now met with all successful grantees and work is at an advanced stage in drafting the review. I expect this work to be finalised shortly. As part of that review, the Department is examining, inter alia, progress on all projects awarded funding to date, whether there is any scope to award additional grants and whether there should be a new call for proposals.
686. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if he will seek details on any strategic plans to increase tennis participation in Ireland's largest town, Drogheda; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17532/23]
View answerThe development of strategic plans for individual sports is a matter for the relevant National Governing Bodies of Sport. Strategic plans relating to participation in tennis is a matter for Tennis Ireland.
I will ask Sport Ireland to bring the Deputy's question to the attention of Tennis Ireland and request that they communicate directly with the Deputy regarding their plans for increasing participation in Drogheda.
687. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has made representations to ticket sales and distribution companies on fees charged to customers for sporting, music and other cultural events; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17635/23]
View answerWhile I have no statutory function in relation to the matter raised by the Deputy, I would encourage the companies concerned to ensure that the costs incurred by those attending sporting, music or other cultural events are minimised to the greatest extent possible in the context of its commercial event pricing strategies. These events invariably provide memorable experiences that are much enjoyed and appreciated by those in attendance. Large and enthusiastic crowds add so much to such occasions, a reality that was amply demonstrated by the absence of such crowds during the Covid-19 pandemic, and I would expect that event promoters are fully conscious of this factor.
