Written Answers Nos. 41-60
42. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media with regards to the Centre of Excellence in Glanmire, if she can outline the position in relation to entitlements and conditions of the grant funding; if she will provide an update on future plans for a centre of excellence in Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23287/23]
View answerThe Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) was launched in 2018 to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects with at least €100 million being made available over the period to 2027.
The Football Association of Ireland (FAI), with the support of Cork County Council, submitted an application under the LSSIF for construction funding for Phase 1 of the Munster Football Centre of Excellence in Glanmire. The first allocations under the LSSIF were announced in January 2020 and included an allocation of €2,025,699 for the Glanmire project. Details of all the LSSIF allocations can be found on my Department's website.
The grant for the Glanmire project was provisionally awarded to cover, inter alia, the development of grass pitches, floodlighting, an artificial pitch and dressing rooms. The FAI recently wrote to my Department stating that the FAI Board and Executive had made the decision not to proceed with the Glanmire project. In this regard the FAI stated that the original proposal no longer represented the greatest return on investment for all parties involved.
It should be noted however, that the FAI has also stated that it remains committed to supporting the development of a Munster Centre of Excellence facility in the Cork region. In this regard, the Association advised that it will continue to work with Cork City FC and other stakeholders to seek a new location for the Munster Centre of Excellence facility and will inform my Department once a site is identified.
My Department urgently awaits a new proposal and will review it in accordance with the LSSIF guidelines.
43. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she continues to liaise with cultural and artistic groups in County Kildare and throughout the country at large with a view to encouraging interest in the arts, sports, Gaeltacht affairs and cultural activity, given the importance of these issues by way of recovery after Covid; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23525/23]
View answerMy Department's priorities are set out in its published Statement of Strategy 2021—2023. The overarching goal is to ensure the “sectors recover and grow in a manner that underpins social cohesion and supports strong, sustainable economic growth, with a focus on a number of cross cutting goals of equality, diversity, social inclusion, the Irish language and environmental sustainability”. The Strategy sets out the actions that my Department will take over the coming period, both nationally and regionally, to enrich the quality of life in Ireland through supporting the development of tourism, culture, arts, sports, media and Irish language. In addition to their immense inherent value, these are valued by all of our communities as important resources for social cohesion, individual and community wellbeing and for the presentation of Ireland as an attractive destination for tourism and sustainable inward investment.
In the context of culture, the goal is to “support and develop engagement with, and in arts, culture and creativity by individuals and communities thereby enriching lives through cultural activity; and to promote Ireland’s arts, culture and creativity globally while also coordinating the Decade of Centenaries 2012–2023 commemorations programme.
The Creative Ireland Programme is a culture-based initiative within my Department designed to promote individual, community and national wellbeing. Last year the local authority Culture and Creativity teams developed a new Culture and Creativity Strategy 2023-2027. Emphasis in Kildare will be placed on building creative responses to climate and biodiversity crises, increasing wellbeing, and enhancing and supporting the Kildare cultural and creative communities by providing a tailored series of programming, networking and mentoring opportunities.
Over €1 million has been allocated to Kildare County Council since 2018 through the Creative Ireland Programme. Programmes and events such as St. Brigid’s Day, Cruinniú na nÓg, Culture Night, Kildare Readers Festival, the Library Service annual programme and Play Day punctuate the cultural calendar, alongside a vibrant year-round festival programme. Initiatives such as the ‘Kildare Short Grass Films’ commission support creatives and highlight the county’s offerings.
My Department has been the primary funder of Cill Dara le Gaeilge since 2021. Cill Dara le Gaeilge is an Irish language organisation based in Sallins, Co Kildare that seeks to promote the use of the Irish language across the county by providing a range of opportunities for people to learn, use and engage with the language as well as by raising awareness and appreciation of the language and its cultural heritage.
The organisation is very active throughout County Kildare offering Irish language courses, workshops, talks and cultural events such as concerts, conversation circles and other social events to provide opportunities for people of all ages in the county to engage with the language at all levels.
The current 3 year grant agreement provides funding of €220,738 through the Scéimeanna Tacaíochta Gaeilge programme to the organisation to assist it in achieving its aims. The current 3 year agreement is due to expire at the end of 2024 and the Department is currently engaging with the organisation regarding support for the next 3 year period to enable it to continue with and expand on the work accomplished so far.
I recognise the importance of sport and physical activity for the health and well-being of our society and the need to ensure that opportunities are in place to allow all members of society to participate in sport. Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport and allocates its funding primarily through the National Governing Bodies of Sport and the Local Sports Partnerships around the country, including Kildare Local Sports Partnership.
Sport Ireland has allocated €311,000 to Kildare Local Sports Partnership for 2023.
Sport Ireland engages with sporting organisations on an ongoing basis and is continuing to support the sector in its recovery and development post-pandemic. Significant Government funding of over €162 million has been provided since 2020 in Covid-19 funding support to help sports organisations to recover and grow post-pandemic, to support our grassroots networks of clubs and local sports partnerships, and to ensure that people of all ages and abilities return to sport and physical activity.
As part of Budget 2023, €35 million was made available to help alleviate the impact of increased energy costs for sports clubs and organisations.
44. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the proposals, if any, there are to intensify marketing of the tourism potential of the Hidden Heartlands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23676/23]
View answerMy role and that of my Department officials in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy development and in securing resources to assist the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, in implementing that policy.
Fáilte Ireland's role as the National Tourism Development Authority is to support the long-term sustainable growth in the economic, social, cultural and environmental contribution of tourism to Ireland. Domestic holiday marketing is led by Fáilte Ireland across the four regional experience brands: Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Dublin.
Since the launch of the Hidden Heartlands brand in 2018, Fáilte Ireland has worked closely with the Local Authorities, other State agencies such as Tourism Ireland, and the tourism industry, to raise awareness of the brand and to grow the visitor economy in the region. Tourism Ireland continues to promote Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands around the world – across a range of platforms including on Ireland.com and through social media; at major international consumer and trade fairs; through familiarisation visits for influential travel agents, tour operators, as well as international travel and lifestyle journalists, influencers and bloggers; and through Tourism Ireland’s promotional material including market guides and brochures.
Fáilte Ireland's Regional Tourism Strategy for Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands 2023-2027 is available on the Fáilte Ireland website here. This five-year strategy sets out an exciting 10-year vision for the sustainable development of tourism in the region. The strategy will focus on regenerative tourism and sustainability, ensuring that tourism works to create sustainable jobs in local communities and protects our environment.
As the matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, I have referred the matter to the respective agencies to supply further details on the activities they are carrying out to promote the Hidden Heartlands brand. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
45. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she or her Department have tried to quantify the number of Irish speakers in the State; if she has identified any increase or decrease in the figures since she took office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22659/23]
View answerThe Central Statistics Office (CSO) is Ireland's national statistical office whose purpose is to impartially collect, analyse and make available statistics about Ireland’s people, society and economy, including the collation of statistics in relation to Irish Speakers.
The most up to date published census data in regard to the Irish Language was compiled as part of the 2016 Census. Data collected during Census 2022 is scheduled for release later this year.
Census 2016 data for Irish speakers is available on the CSO website at the following link: www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-cp10esil/p10esil/ilg/ . Tables from the CSO website have been reproduced below for the Deputy's convenience.
Table EA039 Percentage of Irish Speakers and Non-Irish Speakers Aged 3 Years and Over, 2011 - 2016
|
Census Year |
Irish Speakers (Number) |
Non-Irish Speakers (Number) |
Irish speakers as a percentage of total (%) |
|
2011 |
1774437 |
2596194 |
40.6 |
|
2016 |
1761420 |
2807841 |
38.5 |
Further detail available on this table at the following link: https://data.cso.ie/table/EA039
Table EA055 Irish Speakers Aged 3 Years and Over 2011 to 2016
|
Frequency of Speaking Irish |
2011 |
2016 |
|
All Irish speakers |
1774437 |
1761420 |
|
Speaks Irish daily within the education system only |
519181 |
555754 |
|
Speaks Irish daily within and daily outside the education system |
21631 |
20641 |
|
Speaks Irish daily within and weekly outside the education system |
7510 |
6665 |
|
Speaks Irish daily within and less often outside the education system |
5776 |
4626 |
|
Speaks Irish daily within and never outside the education system |
3563 |
2854 |
|
Speaks Irish daily (outside education system only) |
55554 |
53162 |
|
Speaks Irish weekly (outside education system only) |
103132 |
104808 |
|
Speaks Irish less often (outside education system only) |
607460 |
581909 |
|
Never speaks Irish outside the education system only |
435219 |
418420 |
|
Not stated |
15411 |
12581 |
Further detail available on this table at the following link: https://data.cso.ie/table/EA055
46. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil sí tar éis breathnú ar cén sainmhíniú a bhaineann le ‘cláir Ghaeilge’ i gcás maoiniú closamhairc, mar a gheall sí ag cruinniú an 20 Aibreán 2023 de Chomhchoiste Oireachtais na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus Phobal Labhartha na Gaeilge, agus an dtabharfaidh sí an sainmhíniú atá i bhfeidhm faoi láthair. [23712/23]
View answerAgus mé i m’Aire atá freagrach as na meáin agus as an nGaeilge araon, tuigim go maith an ról tábhachtach atá ag earnáil na meán, agus ag ár gcraoltóirí seirbhíse poiblí go háirithe, maidir le tacú le húsáid na Gaeilge sa saol laethúil agus í a chur chun cinn.
Cé nach sainmhínítear cad atá i gceist le cláir Ghaeilge san Acht Craolacháin ná nach bhfuil cuótaí socraithe ann don leibhéal Gaeilge ba chóir a bheith i gcláir, tá dualgais ar TG4 agus ar RTÉ araon tacú leis an nGaeilge. Léirítear iad sin sna gealltanais feidhmíochta bhliantúla a cheanglaítear ar an dá chraoltóir a fhoilsiú go bliantúil, agus san athbhreithniú ar fheidhmíocht a dhéanann Coimisiún na Meán ina ról mar rialtóir.
Ní mór an dualgas atá ar TG4 cláir a chur ar fáil i nGaeilge den chuid is mó a chur san áireamh freisin i gcomhthéacs an riachtanais freastal ar an bpobal ar fad, ar a phríomhlucht féachana de chainteoirí Gaeilge agus ar an lucht féachana náisiúnta i gcoitinne. Leanann RTÉ air ag soláthar agus ag méadú líon na gclár Gaeilge, rud a dúradh sa tuarascáil is déanaí ón gCoimisinéir Teanga.
Maidir le maoiniú ábhair teilifíse agus raidió, tá tábhacht ar leith ag baint leis an Scéim Fuaim agus Fís. Tríd an scéim, tá gealltanas ann a chinntiú go leithdháiltear idir 20% agus 25% den airgead ar chláir Ghaeilge nó dhátheangacha. Cé gur faoi Choimisiún na Meán atá na rialacha agus na critéir faoi seo, faoi láthair, ionas go mbeidh clár dátheangach nó ilteangach, ní mór ar a laghad 30% den chraoladh deiridh a bheith i nGaeilge.
D'fhéadfadh sé go mbeadh fadhbanna ann sainmhíniú nó sraith de chritéir a leagan síos sa reachtaíocht maidir le cad is clár Gaeilge nó dátheangach ann. Caithfidh lucht déanta clár agus craoltóirí a bheith in ann cothromaíocht a bhaint amach idir riachtanais chainteoirí líofa Gaeilge agus iad siúd nach bhfuil líofa ach atá fós ag iarraidh teacht ar chláir a bhfuil Gaeilge iontu.
Moladh i dTuarascáil an Choimisiúin um Thodhchaí na Meán go ndéanfaí athbhreithniú cuimsitheach ar sheirbhísí Gaeilge agus ar sholáthar ábhair. Tá sé mar thosaíocht ag Coimisiún na Meán tús a chur leis an athbhreithniú i mbliana. Cé go bhfuil sonraí an athbhreithnithe fós le tabhairt chun críche, is ceist í seo a d'fhéadfaí a fhiosrú a thuilleadh agus scrúdú agus tuiscint againn ar an tírdhreach reatha agus moltaí a dhéanamh maidir le conas is féidir feabhas a chur ar sheirbhísí agus ar ábhar Gaeilge.
47. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she is going to request a further increase in the proportion of GDP that is spent on arts and culture in the forthcoming budget to progress towards the EU average of 0.6%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23583/23]
View answerEurostat as the statistical office of the European Union, collects data on general government expenditure by economic function using an international Classification of the Functions of Government (CoFoG). Eurostat ensures the standardisation of methodologies across Member States as well as validating and disseminating the data.
Under the system, public functions are divided into ten classes, which are further broken down into subclasses. The 8th class is Recreation, culture and religion.
While Class 8 as a whole is too broad to give any useful comparisons, the second and third sub-classes - 08.2 Cultural Services and 08.3 Broadcasting and publishing services - are of interest when comparing expenditure on the arts. New COFOG figures are published once a year in Spring for the penultimate complete calendar year. Eurostat published figures for 2021 in February 2023. In each Sub-class, three sets of data are provided for each Member state and the EU average; amount of public expenditure, its percentage of total public expenditure and its percentage of GDP.
In 2021, Ireland's expenditure on cultural services totalled 0.8% of total public expenditure compared with the EU average of 1%, while expenditure on broadcasting and publishing services at 0.7% exceeded the EU average of 0.4%. As a % GDP, the figures are 0.2% and 0.5% for cultural services while they are equal at 0.2% for broadcasting and publishing services.
As part of the Budgetary process, I will continue to make the case for increases in all of the areas within my portfolio of responsibilities.
48. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if Government have received the National Swimming Strategy, and when it will be published; whether it is envisaged that this strategy will lead to the opening of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund, or a similar fund, that would allow for local authorities to develop public swimming pools in towns such as Carrickmacross. [23065/23]
View answerWork on the first National Swimming Strategy continues apace, with the working group tasked with its development scheduled to hold its eighth meeting on 23 May. The working group is chaired by my Department and comprises representatives from relevant National Governing Bodies for sport and stakeholders, specifically Swim Ireland, Sport Ireland, Active Disability Ireland (formerly CARA), Ireland Active and the Local Authorities.
Whilst it is difficult to be precise about the exact time-frame for the delivery of the Strategy, I hope to be in a position to publish it by the middle of 2023.
My Department's capital support for any new swimming pools is now being provided through the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF), a review of which is currently underway.
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 that were allocated grants and meetings with all grantees have taken place. It is encouraging that, based on these discussions with grantees, it is estimated that more than half of the 33 projects should be in a position to draw down funding this year. While this progress is very welcome, these discussions also confirm that some projects in receipt of LSSIF grants may not proceed in the short to medium term.
In view of this, Minister Martin and I are currently considering whether additional resources could be provided to projects in need of further assistance and whether a new round of the LSSIF could be opened in due course. There is ongoing engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in this regard and in the context of budgetary and National Development Plan discussions. Once these discussions are concluded, I will provide an update in respect of any new round of the LSSIF including any changes to the terms and conditions of the scheme.
49. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media what provisions her Department is taking to introduce financial supports to the tourism sector for the development of sustainable policies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23706/23]
View answerIreland is committed, through the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development Act 2021, to achieving a climate-neutral economy no later than 2050. My Department and Fáilte Ireland have been undertaking important work to ensure that tourism plays its part in achieving our climate targets.
In 2023 I secured additional funding of €3 million for Fáilte Ireland to continue its work in supporting tourism businesses to embrace sustainability. Fáilte Ireland has undertaken a collaborative approach with the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), Uisce Éireann and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure that tourism businesses are fully briefed and aware of the initiatives and practical supports that are available from different sources.
I have met with the SEAI and emphasised the willingness of the tourism sector to play its part in reducing emissions and achieving our climate action goals. The SEAI has a range of funding measures that are of relevance to the tourism sector and these include, inter alia, a support scheme for energy audits, financial supports towards the installation of heat pumps or biomass/biogas boilers and CHP units, and grant supports towards the purchase of new N1 (light commercial vehicle) category electric vehicles
Fáilte Ireland is actively working with the tourism sector to ensure that its businesses are fully briefed on climate action and on the benefits of sustainability actions to their businesses, including reducing their carbon footprint and operational costs. In this context I was particularly pleased to launch, in November 2022, Fáilte Ireland 's Climate Action roadmap which includes a set of eight guides on climate action tailored for tourism businesses. The guides introduce key areas defining the climate impact and carbon footprint of businesses.
The work that Fáilte Ireland has advanced supports evidenced-based decision-making for effective reduction of the tourism carbon footprint. Targeted at small and micro businesses, their easy-to-use ‘Climate Toolkit 4 Business’ helps businesses to understand their carbon fooprint and to generate a tailored climate action plan to achieve lower emissions.
In support of this work, Fáilte Ireland’s is dedicating, as part of its marketing plans for 2023, €500,000 to showcase best-in-class sustainable attractions, activity providers and tourism experiences.
I also want to highlight a number of sustainability initiatives across several of Fáilte Ireland’s strategic pillars including:
• an All-island partnership with Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland to develop a Sustainability Certification Scheme for businesses;
• integration of tourism sustainability indicators in all new Destination Development Plans, and integration of sustainability learning into destination-based networks.
• publication of sustainable festival guidelines.
My Department and I will continue to engage with SEAI and other key partners to ensure that appropriate financial supports that target sustainability are available to tourism businesses.
50. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her Departments strategy to deal with concerns about artificial intelligence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23668/23]
View answerThe operation and use of all applications and platforms by my Department must be in line with relevant policies and consistent with advice provided by the National Cyber Security Centre.
My Department will be guided by the National Cyber Security Centre in relation to any concerns about artificial intelligence.
51. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceist Pharlaiminte 3701/23, cén dul chun cinn atá déanta ar an athbhreithniú ar chás na gcoláistí samhraidh; an bhfuil grúpa oibre bunaithe ag a Roinn; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [23452/23]
View answerTá an athbhreithniú ar earnáil na gColáistí Gaeilge á bhreithniú ag mo Roinn an t-am ar fad, i gcomhar le scáthghrúpa na gcoláistí, CONCOS, lena bhuaileann oifigigh mo Roinne ar bhonn rialta. Ceadaíodh roinnt beartas anuraidh agus tá breis beartais ceadaithe i mbliana chun tacú tuilleadh leis an earnáil, ina n-áirítear
• Ardú de fiche fán gcéad (20%) ar an deontas a íoctar le lucht lóistín faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge de chuid na Roinne;
• Ardú ar an deontas tosaithe do theaghlaigh nua a chláraíonn faoin scéim ó €2,000 go dtí €6,000. Beidh an deontas méadaithe seo ar fáil chomh maith do theaghlaigh atá imithe as an gcóras le tréimhse chúig bhliana nó níos mó agus atá ag iarradh athchlárú faoin scéim arís;
• Cuireadh breis scoláireachtaí ar fáil chun go mbeidh deiseanna breise ag daltaí iar-bhunscoileanna DEIS na tíre freastal ar chúrsa Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht;
• Ardú ar uaslíon na scoláirí a bhíonn ar íostas le teaghlaigh cáilithe ó 12 go 16.
Ar ndóigh, coinneoimid orainn ag faire amach mar is gnáth ar aon deis chun tuilleadh fós a dhéanamh ar leas na hearnála i mbliana.
52. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will outline her Department's plans to ensure that as many GAA games as possible are free to air; if she will outline her Department's engagement with the GAA and RTÉ in relation to GAAGO; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23463/23]
View answerThe designation of events as free to air is an important statutory process which allows for certain events to be designated following a defined process. Designated events must meet specific criteria set out in the Audiovisual Media Services Directive, 2010 and be approved by the European Commission. The process is designed to provide for free to air broadcast of certain events which hold a special significance or cultural resonance for the public, particularly events in which our national teams participate. It is not intended to ensure free to air coverage of entire competitions or all of one particular sport’s events.
In the initial stages of designation, a public consultation is undertaken to ascertain potential new events for designation. Subsequently, events that proposed for designation are subject to another consultation and my Department also consults with stakeholders and the sporting bodies. In addition, an independent evaluation is undertaken that considers the financial implications of designation and the extent to which the proposed events meet the European criteria. Following engagement with the EU Commission to seek approval for the proposed events, a draft Order listing those events must be laid before both houses of the Oireachtas.
The Hurling and Football Senior Championships have a special place in the hearts of GAA fans. However, as the structure of the championship evolves and more games are scheduled for a shorter season, it is inevitable that there will be occasions when high profile games will clash and it will not be possible for certain games to be broadcast. In addition, the viewing needs of the public as a whole needs to be taken into account. The public consultation which forms part of the review process provides the opportunity for sports fans to put forward their views and have a say in which events are designated.
The issue of sports rights for GAA matches is a commercial matter for the GAA as an independent body. Likewise, RTÉ is an independent body which makes its own commercial, scheduling and editorial decisions. As such it is not appropriate for me to intervene directly in these matters.
53. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will intervene in the matter of GAA matches not being broadcast on a free-to-air basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23197/23]
View answerOther than those events which are designated for broadcast as free to air, the question of which sporting events are broadcast, and how they are broadcast, is primarily a matter for the sports body concerned together with their broadcast partner.
The GAA have commercial agreements in place to provide for extensive coverage of Gaelic Games, and the provincial and All Ireland championships in particular. The revenue generated from these agreements is re-invested by the GAA at all levels from grassroots to elite.
The structure of the GAA Championship has changed this year, and a greater number of matches will be played over a shorter timeframe that governs the season. As the Taoiseach commented, it would simply not be practical to broadcast all GAA matches. However, I understand that RTÉ are committed to broadcasting the same number of GAA matches free to air this year as were available last year.
It must also be borne in mind that RTÉ, as a public service broadcaster, has an obligation to provide a broad range of programmes for the benefit and enjoyment of the entire community. Ultimately, given RTÉ’s statutory independence, editorial decisions are a matter for RTÉ and is not an area where I can intervene.
The designation of major events as free to air, including sports events, is a statutory process which is not intended to designate an entire competition or all of one particular sport’s events. It is intended to ensure free to air coverage of major events and events involving national teams. The criteria which must be fulfilled in order to designate an event are set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009 and are informed by Ireland’s obligations under EU Law. The list must be approved by the European Commission.
I am reviewing the results of an initial public consultation on events which may potentially be considered for designation. The process provides for further consultation with members of the public, broadcasters and sports bodies. I intend to progress the review process shortly, and this will allow all interested parties to make their views known. An independent assessment of the economic impact of potential designation will also take place, and all of this will inform any decisions on the future designation of events.
54. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the arts funding for Carlow in 2023; and what funding is for the visual arts centre in Carlow. [23670/23]
View answerCreative Ireland Programme funding in 2022 supported the delivery of 28 creative projects throughout the County of Carlow. In 2022, I allocated €142,809 (includes a contribution from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage - €32,258) to Carlow County Council under Creative Communities to support their programming and delivery of creative initiatives as part of their implementation of their Culture and Creativity Strategy. A further €29,939 was provided to Carlow County Council to support the delivery of Cruinniú na nÓg on 11th June 2022 – the national day of free creative activities for children and young people under 18 years, at local level.
An additional €100,000 was provided to Carlow County Council to deliver initiatives under the Creativity in Older Age Scheme. The funding was provided to the Borris Lace Exchange and The Long and Short of It. Borris Lace Exchange was a creative exchange project collaborating with Borris Lodge Nursing home, Borris Lacemakers Group, Borris Men’s Shed and shared with older persons care settings in EU Craft Hub partner country organization MaterHub, Matera, Italy, as a way of engaging with creativity, collaborating, making new connections, sharing crafts and traditions. The Long and Short of It was a community engagement project produced by Carlow Arts Festival. This creative project engaged the older communities (65+) of three rural parishes, Rathvilly, Hacketstown, and Myshall and one suburban parish, Graiguecullen. Older people from the local community devised, created and vocally acted out four animated stories that drew on the community’s personal stories and memories of joyfully coming together.
More information of these and other events is available on the Creative Ireland website www.creativeireland.gov.ie/en/carlow/
In 2022, I allocated €10m to the Local Live Performance Programming scheme (LLPPS Phase 3 &4) to facilitate programming of live performances from January to Halloween, animating town centres for local communities. This allowed for the procurement by local authorities of performances by local performers. Carlow County Council participated in both phases of this scheme in 2022 and received funding of €230,300. towards programming costs.
Under the Outdoor Public Space Scheme 2021, Carlow County Council was awarded €250,000 towards a project to provide an Outdoor Public Space at the Carlow Exchange in Carlow town. I understand that this project was completed and officially opened in 2022 and will be a centre for a range of social, cultural and educational events in Carlow.
Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council has primary responsibility for the development of the arts in Ireland with record €130m annual funding for the Arts Council now in place for the third year running. The Arts Council decisions database gives a listing of 2008-2022 funding decisions. This can be interrogated by location and is available at the following link https://www.artscouncil.ie/funding-decisions/. Funding decisions are also routinely published in the Arts Council newsletter, and historical decisions are recorded in the Arts Council's annual reports which are also available online.
Much of the nationwide infrastructure of venues and arts centres used by the artistic communities was initiated and funded by local authorities. My Department focuses on providing capital grant funding to assist and maintain these arts and cultural facilities including those located in County Carlow. Funding is administered through applications received for specific Grant Schemes. Also supported annually under this subhead are smaller capital schemes. The Music Capital Scheme is managed by Music Network and funds the purchase of musical instruments by professional and amateur individuals and groups.
Recent decades have seen the development of a nationwide infrastructure of venues and arts centres, many of which were initiated and funded by local authorities and the Arts Council. These centres are also supported through capital schemes largely operated by my Department. Capital funding schemes such as Cultural Development Incentives Scheme (CDIS), and the Arts and Culture Capital Enhancement Support Schemes (ACCESS & ACCESS II) were developed by the Department in the past in order to construct and upgrade existing arts and culture facilities. The CDIS allocated almost €30m to 38 arts and culture organisations throughout the country from 1994 – 1999. Funding of over €88.4m was allocated to 121 arts and culture organisations throughout the country under these schemes (ACCESS - €45.7m; ACCESS II €42.7m).The first and second Arts and Culture Capital Enhancement Support Scheme – ACCESS and ACCESS 11 – were administered by the Department from 2000 and 2006 respectively. They were designed to assist the provision of high standard arts and culture infrastructure and enhanced access to the arts throughout the country. The schemes prioritised the enhancement and maintenance of existing facilities, and accordingly 70% of the funds available were directed towards the enhancement and/or refurbishment of existing facilities. Projects supported included the provision of new integrated art centres, theatres and studio space and the refurbishment of existing performance spaces. It has been widely acknowledged as a significant intervention in the provision of quality cultural space throughout the regions. Carlow Arts Centre Ltd (VISUAL) were awarded over €3.2m under the ACCESS (Arts and Culture Capital Enhancement Support Scheme)
In 2017 Carlow Arts Centre were successful under the ACCS 2016-2018 Stream 3 and were awarded a grant of up to a maximum of €20,000 or 50% maximum funding rate for lighting, repairs and replacement to air conditioning units, sound equipment, emergency lighting, addressing Health and Safety, security and efficiency issues. They drew down the full grant in December 2018. They also received €10k under Small Capital Grant Scheme 2015 and drew it down in full in Nov 2016. Carlow Arts Centre - Visual received €4,100 last year, €10,000 in 2016 and €20,000 under the Regional Museum Exhibition Scheme and the Small Capital Grants Scheme respectively.
Details of all capital funding is provided on my Department's website showing the grantee and the annual amounts paid by county each year. www.gov.ie/en/publication/b1eab-creative-arts-grants-and-funding-previous-schemes/#cultural-development-expenditure.
My Department also operates a number of annual schemes for local and regional museums and festivals around the country which include
- The Co-operation with Northern Ireland Funding Scheme.
- The Regional Museum Exhibition Scheme
- The Mobility of Collections Scheme
- The Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools Scheme
Details of these funding initiatives including the 2022 allocations can be viewed at the following link www.gov.ie/en/publication/f2ed0-culture-grants-and-funding/
My Department also provides funding to support Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann which is the largest group involved in the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music both at community and national level. Annual funding is provided to CCÉ for its work in the protection and promotion of Irish traditional music and culture.
As Minister with responsibility for leading the co-ordination of the Decade of Centenaries Programme, I allocated funding in 2022 to support the commemorative programme to deliver rich and diverse national and local programmes marking the significant centenaries arising in 2022. Many of these investment programmes are delivered through the local authorities including Carlow and further details can be viewed at this link www.decadeofcentenaries.com/local-authorities/
56. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 92 and 105 of 21 February 2023, to provide an update on the development of a National Swimming Strategy; when she expects to be in a position to publish the strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22635/23]
View answerWork on the first National Swimming Strategy continues apace, with the working group tasked with its development scheduled to hold its eighth meeting on 23 May. The working group is chaired by my Department and comprises representatives from relevant National Governing Bodies for sport and stakeholders, specifically Swim Ireland, Sport Ireland, Active Disability Ireland (formerly CARA), Ireland Active and the Local Authorities.
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 it by the middle of 2023.
57. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the work that is being undertaken by her Department to promote the Boyne Valley as a tourism destination; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22658/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Ancient Destination Experience Development Plan (DEDP), a five-year destination development plan primarily focused on the area known as the Boyne Valley extending across counties Meath and South Louth, was launched in May 2021.
My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy. The responsibility for implementation of that policy lies with the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland.
Fáilte Ireland's role as the National Tourism Development Authority is to support the long-term sustainable growth in the economic, social, cultural and environmental contribution of tourism to Ireland and this includes responsibility for domestic holiday marketing across the four regional experience brands: Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Dublin.
Tourism Ireland promotes the island of Ireland in more than 21 markets overseas as a compelling holiday destination, using the Ireland brand to position the island as strongly as possible against the more than 200 other destinations with which Ireland competes.
As the matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the tourism agencies, I have referred the matter to Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland to supply further details on the activities they are carrying out to promote the Boyne Valley as a tourism destination. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
58. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cad é an ráta íocaíochta a íocadh le teaghlaigh faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge ó 1996 ar aghaidh; cad é an ráta íocaíochta atá ann i mbliana; líon na dteaghlach a choinnigh scoláirí sna blianta sin; an bhfuil tuarascáil faighte ag an Roinn go bhfuil laghdú tagtha ar líon na dteaghlach a bheidh a coinneáil scoláirí i mbliana; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [23196/23]
View answerTá an t-eolas atá iarrtha ag an Teachta tugtha i bhfoirm tábla thíos. Léiríonn an tábla thíos ráta Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge ó 1996 i leith agus líon na dteaghlaigh a chuir lóistín ar fáil do lucht freastal na gColáistí Gaeilge sna blianta sin.
Tá eolas faighte ag an Roinn maidir leis an líon teaghlach sa chóras de réir taighde a déanadh i 2022, a thug le fios go raibh laghdú ar líon iomlán na dteaghlach sa chóras. Ní thugtar le fios cén údar leis an laghdú, áfach.
Tá iarratais ar aitheantas faighte ó 32 teaghlach Gaeltachta go dáta i 2023 chun lóistín a chur ar fáil faoin scéim. Os rud é go mbíonn iarratais á ndéanamh ar bhonn leanúnach, táthar ag súil le tuilleadh iarratas fós i mbliana. Chláraigh 39 teaghlach faoin scéim in 2022 rud a thugann le fios go bhfuil suim á léiriú sa scéim i gcónaí.
Chun tacú le tuilleadh teaghlaigh a mhealladh chuig an scéim, cheadaigh mo Roinn ardú 20% anuraidh ar an deontas laethúil a íoctar le teaghlaigh a chuireann lóistín ar fáil. Anuas ar sin ardaíodh an deontas tosaithe do theaghlaigh nua ó €2,000 go €6,000 agus, níos túisce i mbliana, d'fhógair mé go mbeadh an deontas seo ar fáil do theaghlaigh atá éirithe as an gcóras ar feadh tréimhse chúig bhliana nó níos mó agus atá ag iarraidh athchlárú faoin scéim. Chomh maith leis sin, mhéadaigh mé le déanaí an líon scoláirí gur féidir a choinneáil in aon teach ó 12 go 16. Idir na bearta seo uilig, meastar go mbeidh suas go 400 leaba breise ar fáil sa chóras i mbliana le hais 2022.
|
Bliain |
Líon Teaghlaigh |
Ráta |
|
1996 |
718 |
£4.00 |
|
1997 |
697 |
£4.00 |
|
1998 |
694 |
£4.40 |
|
1999 |
650 |
£4.40 |
|
2000 |
673 |
£5.00 |
|
2001 |
675 |
£5.50 |
|
2002 |
660 |
€7.00 |
|
2003 |
602 |
€8.00 |
|
2004 |
605 |
€8.00 |
|
2005 |
585 |
€9.00 |
|
2006 |
615 |
€9.50 |
|
2007 |
602 |
€10.50 |
|
2008 |
663 |
€10.50 |
|
2009 |
664 |
€10.50 |
|
2010 |
657 |
€10.00 |
|
2011 |
665 |
€9.50 |
|
2012 |
649 |
€9.50 |
|
2013 |
644 |
€9.50 |
|
2014 |
613 |
€9.50 |
|
2015 |
624 |
€9.50 |
|
2016 |
659 |
€9.50 |
|
2017 |
685 |
€10.00 |
|
2018 |
712 |
€10.00 |
|
2019 |
601 |
€10.00 |
|
2022* |
495 |
€11.00 / €12.00 |
* Ardú €1 mí Márta 2022 & ardú €1 breise mí Deireadh Fómhair 2022.
59. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to report on the progress of the universal basic income for artists pilot scheme; if she intends to expand it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23582/23]
View answerThe Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) pilot was a key priority for me. I see this scheme as an important intervention to support the arts sector recover after the devastation wreaked by the Covid pandemic. Covid highlighted both the precarious nature of working in the arts and the importance of the arts for us all.
The pilot was also the number one recommendation of the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce which I established in 2020 to examine ways in which to help the arts recover post pandemic. I was very pleased to have been able to deliver on this recommendation.
Payments on the scheme began at the end of October 2022.
The 2,000 recipients were selected to receive payment of €325 per week. A further 1,000 Control Group members were also selected to participate in the research. As analysis of the results of participant surveys will involve a comparison of averages between the two groups, it is intended that participants selected in 2022 remain on the scheme for the full three years. It is not intended to invite new applications.
The pilot scheme includes a research programme which will examine, over a three-year period, the impact of a basic income style payment on artists and creative arts workers. As such, evaluation will be continuous, including a longitudinal study which will see participants surveyed every six months. The data gathered as part of the research will provide an evidence base around the impact of the policy.
The scheme is a randomised control trial which consists of two groups of randomly selected people. One will receive the basic income – the treatment group, while the other, – the control group, will not. Analysis of the results will involve a comparison of averages between the two groups. As the groups have the same characteristics at baseline and are large enough to be a statistically representative sample, any difference arising during the trial can be assumed to have been caused by the policy.
The main research will be a longitudinal study with six monthly surveys. Survey data will be compared against a baseline survey which took place before payments began. As the information collection has only begun, the Department does not yet have data on the Pilot Research Scheme to share. Data collected will be made available to independent researchers should they want to do their own research on related topics of interest.
The research project is being undertaken by a group of economists and policy analysts who are all members of IGEES (the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service). In addition, the ESRI and IGESS will provide peer review support around methodology and research papers being produced as part of the project.
60. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media how will she ensure that social welfare recipients are not faced with disadvantage and hardship, such as with unpayable debts and threats of legal consequences, as a result of participation in the basic income scheme. [23710/23]
View answere Basic Income for Artists pilot scheme has been introduced following extensive consultation with the arts sector to assess how such a scheme can best support professional arts practice in Ireland. The associated research programme will capture data on all aspects of the scheme to inform future policy responses to the needs of the sector. This will include the interaction of the €325 per week payment with social welfare supports, which are a matter for the Department of Social Protection. Feedback on the scheme from recipients to date is overwhelmingly positive and I have sympathy of course with any recipients who may be experiencing difficulty in relation to social welfare issues.
The issues raised by the Deputy relate primarily to the manner in which social welfare schemes assess income from other sources. These are matters for the Minister for Social Protection under various chapters of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 as amended. Any changes to the social welfare code would require amendments to the Social Welfare Act, for which I have no statutory responsibility and would be a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection.
Social Welfare legislation obliges every claimant or beneficiary to notify the Department of Social Protection (DSP) of any change in circumstances, this includes the acquisition of any new income such as the BIA. My Department highlighted this obligation in the Guidelines and FAQ's for the scheme. When accepting a place on the scheme, applicants were strongly advised to investigate what their own particular tax and social welfare situation would be should they receive payment.
The overarching objective of the BIA scheme is to address the earnings instability that can be associated with the intermittent, periodic, and often project-based nature of work in the arts. It aims to ensure that participants retain a steady and predictable income during the pilot and help artists develop self-sustaining creative practices. The scheme is also an opportunity to conduct in-depth research into the pay and living conditions of Ireland's artists.
The BIA pilot was a key priority for me as Minister with responsibility for arts and culture. I look forward to seeing the results of the research programme underpinning the pilot which will assess the effectiveness of the BIA as an intervention. Publication of the research should commence during the summer.
