Written Answers Nos. 622-640
622. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir le plean teanga Bhéal an Mhuirthead; cén uair a bheidh an plean críochnaithe agus foilsithe; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [27106/23]
View answerD’fhógair mé le déanaí, ar an 9ú lá den mhí seo, go bhfuil sé beartaithe plean teanga cuimsitheach a ullmhú agus a fheidhmiú do Bhéal an Mhuirthead. Mar thoradh ar an bhfógra sin, tá Údarás na Gaeltachta ag glacadh le hiarratais ó eagraíochtaí áitiúla gur mian leo ról a ghlacadh mar cheanneagraíocht phleanála teanga sa bhaile sin. Tá go dtí an 30ú Meitheamh 2023 ag eagraíochtaí iarratas a dhéanamh agus roghnófar ceanneagraíocht don bhaile i ndiaidh sin.
Is tréimhse suas le dhá bhliain a thugtar do Cheanneagraíochtaí pleananna teanga a ullmhú de ghnáth, rud a chiallaíonn go mbeifí ag súil go gcuirfí an plean teanga faoi bhráid mo Roinne i samhradh 2025. Beidh maoiniú suas le €20,000 ar fáil d’ullmhú an phlean. Uair amháin go gceadaítear an plean, cuirfear maoiniú suas le €100,000 in aghaidh na bliana ar fáil thar thréimhse 7 mbliana chun é a chur i bhfeidhm.
623. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the preparation of language plans in respect of all towns identified as possible Gaeltacht service towns following the consultation process in 2014, including a breakdown of the language plans completed to date, the language plans approved to date, the towns in respect of which language plans are currently in preparation, and the towns in respect of which the preparation for language plans is yet to begin; the timeline for the completion of all language plans in respect of Gaeltacht service towns; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27107/23]
View answerOn foot of the consultation process conducted in 2014, 16 towns were identified as possible Gaeltacht Service Towns contingent on language plans being agreed with the local communities in accordance with the prescribed language planning criteria under Acht na Gaeltachta 2012.
The towns in question as well as the current status of their respective language plans are laid out in the table below:
|
Gaeltacht Service Town |
Current Status |
Date Approved |
|
Daingean Uí Chúis |
Plan Approved |
04/08/2020 |
|
Leitir Ceanainn |
Plan Approved |
04/08/2020 |
|
Cathair na Gaillimhe |
Plan Approved |
13/05/2021 |
|
Cathair Chorcaí |
Plan being prepared |
|
|
An Clochán Liath |
Plan Approved |
01/06/2021 |
|
Trá Lí |
Plan Approved |
07/02/2022 |
|
Dún Garbhán |
Plan Approved |
14/07/2022 |
|
Baile Dhún na nGall |
Preparation of plan yet to begin |
|
|
Béal an Mhuirthead |
Applications for Lead Organisation being sought |
|
|
Caisleán an Bharraigh |
Plan Approved |
21/07/2022 |
|
Baile an Róba |
Plan being prepared |
|
|
An Clochán |
Plan being prepared |
|
|
Cathair Saidhbhín |
Plan Approved |
31/03/2023 |
|
Maigh Chromtha |
Preparation of plan yet to begin |
|
|
Baile Átha Buí |
Preparation of plan yet to begin |
|
|
An Uaimh |
Preparation of plan yet to begin |
It is anticipated that the language plan for An Clochán will be received by my Department by the end of the year and that for Baile an Róba in 2024. Work has also commenced in relation to the plan for Cathair Chorcaí.
Following appointment, each lead organisation is given a two year period in which to prepare a plan for submission to the Minister for approval.
624. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the details of the Irish-language networks approved and recognised to date, following the announcement in 2018; the timeline for the approval and recognition of the remaining identified areas as Irish-language networks; the status of the development of language plans in the remaining identified areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27108/23]
View answerAll 3 of the Irish Language Networks designated under the Gaeltacht Act 2012 in Loughrea, Clondalkin and Ennis had their language plans approved in January of 2020 and are currently implementing same. Annual funding of up to €80,000 over a 7 year period is being made available to each of those Irish Language Networks to implement their plans.
My Department has recently had discussions with Foras na Gaeilge about the feasibility of designating additional Irish Language Networks in a small number of areas. Work in this regard will be progressed by Foras na Gaeilge over the coming months.
The Deputy should be aware that, in tandem with the statutory language planning process administered by my Department in the south, Foras na Gaeilge administers a similar non-statutory process in Northern Ireland. To date, two networks have been approved under this initiative, in West Belfast and Carn Tóchair.
625. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cé mhéad iarratasóir a chuir isteach ar mhaoiniú faoi Scéim Forbartha na Líonraí Gaeilge gach bliain ó cuireadh tús léi; cé mhéad acu sin nár éirigh leo; agus cé mhéad maoiniú bliantúil a bheadh ag teastáil chun gach iarratas a mhaoiniú. [27376/23]
View answerIs scéim de chuid Fhoras na Gaeilge í Scéim Forbartha Líonraí Gaeilge ar cuireadh tús léi in Eanáir 2022. Níl aon ról ag mo Roinn maidir le feidhmiú na scéime.
Tá curtha in iúl ag Foras na Gaeilge go bhfuarthas 39 iarratas ar fad nuair a fógraíodh an scéim ar dtús agus luach iomlán de €4,446,479 á éileamh thar shaolré trí bliana na Scéime.
Cháilligh 36 iarratas ar fad do mhaoiniú agus cheadaigh Foras na Gaeilge ciste deontas de €4,301,379 don 36 deontaí.
Tá curtha in iúl dom go raibh luach €145,100 i gceist leis an 3 iarratas nár éirigh leo. Dícháilíodh péire acu siúd agus theip ar iarratas amháin an marc tairsí incháilitheachta a bhaint amach.
Ba é seo an chéad uair ag Foras na Gaeilge an Scéim Forbartha Líonraí Gaeilge a reáchtáil - scéim a tháinig in áit Scéim Pobal Gaeilge, faoina raibh 22 deontaí maoinithe go bliantúil. Tá Foras na Gaeilge ag súil an scéim a fhógairt an athuair in 2024.
626. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated cost of introducing a culture card voucher system worth €200 each to all 18-24-year-olds in Ireland in 2024, in order to promote engagement with culture, arts and media, based on schemes in place in Germany, Spain, France and Italy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27443/23]
View answer627. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated cost of introducing a culture card voucher system worth €200 each to all young people in Ireland when they turn 18, in order to promote engagement with culture, arts and media, based on schemes in place in Germany, Spain, France and Italy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27444/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 626 and 627 together.
My Department actively supports a range of institutions, programmes and initiatives which create opportunities for young people around the country to engage with the arts and culture. The National Cultural Institutions which house the national collections, in particular, are free to access by the public. They also have a range of programmes, events and resources for young people including both in-person and online events and resources.
In addition, through the all-of-Government Creative Ireland Programme based in my Department, the Creative Youth Plan 2023-2027 provides access to children and young people, from birth to 24 years, to creative, cultural and artistic engagement across all aspects of their lives. Prioritising those that are seldom heard, the Plan supports engagement in activities such as creative writing, youth theatre and creative technology. Programmes such as Creative Schools put arts and creativity at the heart of school life, strengthening links between schools and the broader cultural and community infrastructure. Funding is allocated to all 31 local authorities to deliver Cruinniú na nÓg annually, the national day of free creative and cultural activities for children and young people. Held on the 10th June this year, over 750 free events took place nationwide.
This group are also considered a key demographic for our work to stimulate the night-time economy and my Department held dedicated workshops with young people in partnership with the Department of Children, Equality, Diversity, Integration and Youth last year and are currently working through their recommendations with a view to developing new initiatives.
More generally, I have supported significant investment in the Arts Council to record levels of €130 million which has a mandate to stimulate public interest in the arts and to promote knowledge and appreciation of the arts. I have also initiated a new policy on the Night Time Economy, as well as investing ambitiously in the audio visual sector, all with a view to growing these sectors and providing new opportunities for younger people to participate in arts, culture and media activities.
Against that background, there is no proposal currently under review within my Department to develop a culture voucher along the lines of the Deputy's proposal. If such were to be considered, it would need to be subject to the usual appraisal and regulatory impact analyses, and within the context of the Annual Estimates process. In broad terms, census 2022 identified some 438,500 people in the 18-24 years cohort, which would see a minimum cost of €87.7 million for the provision of a once-off voucher of €200 for this group alone. This does not include the cost of establishing and administering such a scheme, which would likely be considerable, and would not take into account the expectation of younger groups that a similar scheme would be in place when they reach 18 years.
628. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the research surveys involving participants in the basic income for the arts scheme include, or will include, specific questions to ascertain the impact of the scheme on social protection recipients, the interaction between the scheme and social protection payments and the impact on artists with disabilities. [27499/23]
View answerImplementing the Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) pilot was a key priority for me, and I look forward to seeing the data that arises out of the pilot in due course.
The 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 BIA pilot has been implemented as a randomised control trial which consists of two groups of randomly selected people. 2,000 recipients were selected to receive a payment of €325 per week, while a further 1,000 Control Group members were also selected to participate in the research. Analysis of the results will involve a comparison of averages between the two groups, across a very broad range of possible impact areas.
Evaluation will be continuous and ongoing, with the main element of the programme comprising a longitudinal study which is seeing participants surveyed every six months. An initial pre-intervention baseline survey was opened to participants in October 2022 for responses, and the first post-intervention survey was open for responses from participants until 31 May. These surveys will continue every six months for the duration of the pilot.
The associated research programme captures a wide breadth of data in relation to participants and their experiences, including whether they are in receipt of any social protection payments. Participants are also provided the opportunity to disclose whether they have a disability as part of the research programme.
Once the data from this survey has been analysed, a comprehensive report assessing the impact of the scheme will be produced by the Basic Income for the Arts Research Team. This team is comprised of a group of economists and policy analysts who are all members of IGEES (the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service).
It is important to note that matters which relate primarily to the manner in which social welfare schemes assess income from other sources are a matter for the Minister for Social Protection under various chapters of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 as amended.
629. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the person or body that sat on the Disability Consultative Committee of her Department during its existence; and if she will provide a list of the dates and times of its meetings. [27500/23]
View answerThe National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017 - 2022 (NDIS) was conducted under the remit of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY). DCEDIY administered the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group (NDISSG) which oversaw and reported on the progress of Departmental Strategy actions. The Strategy Steering Group composed of representatives of all Government Departments and also representatives of the Disability Stakeholders Group (DSG). The DSG is managed and coordinated by the National Disability Authority (NDA) and is composed of representatives of a number of Disability groups.
Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS), it was recommended that all Government Departments establish a Disability Consultative Committee (DCC), to which the Deputy refers, within their own governance structure. The purpose of the DCCs was to collaborate with Government Departments on the implementation of the Strategy. In accordance with that recommendation, I can confirm that my Department had a well-established DCC in place during the course of the Strategy until its conclusion at the end of 2022. The DCC meetings were conducted under my Department's Corporate Governance & Co-ordination Unit and officials from my Department’s various Sectors attended those meetings.
My Department in its current formation was established in 2020, and while the disruptive impact of COVID resulted in no meetings of the DCC taking place in 2021, I can confirm that the following meetings took place in 2022:
|
Date |
Time |
|
18 July 2022 |
11am |
|
29 August 2022 |
11am |
|
14 November 2022 |
11am |
In addition to the DCC, I understand that representatives of the Disability Stakeholder Group (DSG), attended meetings of the Strategy Steering group. Officials of my Department also attended those meetings and reported on my Department’s progress on the actions set out in the Strategy. The final meeting of the Strategy Steering Group took place in December 2022 as the Strategy came to its conclusion. I am pleased to advise that my Department’s reports to the Strategy Steering Group, which included DSG representatives, showed good progress on all actions.
My Department awaits and will support any future development of any revised or new National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) and any consequential recommendations. In the meantime, my Department continues to action measures to support disability matters across the various Sectors under my remit and will continue to engage with Stakeholders accordingly.
630. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in light of recent statements by the Football Association of Ireland regarding the lack of funding for League of Ireland clubs, the number of applications received from League of Ireland clubs (male and female) in the past three rounds of the sports capital and equipment grants, and the large-scale sports infrastructure fund, in tabular form; the number of successful applications; which clubs received funding; the number of unsuccessful applicants; the names of the unsuccessful applicants; the reason the applications were unsuccessful; if there is a common reason for such unsuccessful applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27515/23]
View answerIn relation to the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP), 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.
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/.
Details of applications under the SCEP can also be found at www.gov.ie/en/service/d13385-sports-capital-programme/
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. It is important to note that every valid capital application under the 2020 round, including all of those from soccer clubs, received a grant offer.
All SCEP applications under most recent rounds of the SCEP were assessed in accordance with the published scoring criteria and the grants awarded were based on the score obtained at assessment stage. After each recent round of the SCEP, a Review was published which sets out in detail how the grants were assessed and allocations decided. These most recent Reviews can be found on the www.gov.ie website.
With regard to the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF), the first call for proposals 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. The scores were awarded based on factors such as the priority given to the project by the relevant NGB and/or local authority, the level of funding being provided by the project sponsor and how the project was likely to increase participation. The total funding applied for under the scheme significantly exceeded the amount available to allocate and it was not possible to award grants to all applicants. 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/
Full details of all applications are available at www.gov.ie/en/service/4113b3-large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif/#applications-and-priorities
631. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an indicative costing for her Department to offer a practical programme of first-aid and CPR life-saving skills to all amateur sports referees, across all sports, as specified, in 2024 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27538/23]
View answerAs neither my Department nor Sport Ireland maintain a central register of all amateur referees for all of the different sports, neither is in a position to provide costings of the type indicated by the Deputy. The appointment of referees is, in any event, entirely a matter for the different sports concerned, which are all independent, autonomous entities.
I would agree with the Deputy that there is an importance attached to the provision of practical first-aid and CPR life-saving skills in sport. The Deputy will be interested to note that the network of local sports partnerships throughout the country already delivers education and training opportunities across a broad range of areas to local sports clubs and community groups. This includes first aid workshops, which typically cover CPR and/ or defibrillator training as part of the content.
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.
632. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the percentage of social media videos posted on each of her Departmental social media accounts, or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit, that included closed captioning/subtitling between 1 May 2022 and 30 April 2023, inclusive; and the percentage of same that feature translations into Irish or another language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27665/23]
View answerMy Department covers a broad remit which includes the Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media sectors. The Department posted social media messaging relevant to activities and programmes across all of these sectors during the period 1 May 2022 to 30 April 2023.
The Department strives to support accessibility, with closed captioning and subtitling in the majority of the Department’s social media video output, the majority of which is produced by the Department itself.
Regarding bodies and agencies under the Department’s remit, these matters are operational matters for the agencies themselves. Nonetheless, in March, I wrote to the Chairpersons and CEOs of each of the state bodies and agencies under the aegis of my Department, to encourage their incorporation of accessibility measures as standard practice in their social media videos.
The Department strives to promotes the Irish language throughout social media messaging, by regularly sharing content relating to, and posted by, bodies and agencies under our remit whose work relates to the development of the Irish language and Gaeltacht regions.
Departmental posts relating to the Gaeltacht or the Irish language are posted in the Irish language and news of particular national significance, for example, major funding schemes, or state commemorations, are generally posted bilingually.
Between May 1, 2022 and the April 30, 2023, the percentage of video posts with closed captioning/subtitling and translated into Irish or another language is set out in the table below:
|
- |
Total number of social media videos during this period |
Percentage of social media videos with closed captioning/subtitling |
Percentage of the videos that are in Irish/ another language |
|
Department’s core account |
1091 |
82% |
33.5% |
|
Culture Ireland programme |
13 |
0% |
23% |
|
Creative Ireland programme |
314 |
48% |
74.5% |
|
Total number of social media videos during this period |
Percentage of social media videos with closed captioning/subtitling |
Percentage of the videos that are in Irish/ another language |
|
1425 |
73.8% |
39.7% |
633. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide detailed feedback to Kildare County Council in respect of the unsuccessful application for funding in 2019 for a LSSIF-funded swimming pool in north Kildare (details supplied). [27955/23]
View answer635. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the date on which the LSSIF will open for new applications. [27980/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 633 and 635 together.
The National Sports Policy, which was published in 2018, 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. Eight of the 33 projects are swimming pool projects.
An application was received from Kildare County Council in respect of the project referred to by the Deputy. All applications under the LSSIF were assessed in accordance with the published scoring criteria. The scores were awarded based on factors such as the priority given to the project by the relevant NGB and/or local authority, the level of funding being provided by the project sponsor and how the project was likely to increase participation. The total funding applied for under the scheme significantly exceeded the amount available to allocate and the project referred to by the Deputy did not score sufficiently highly to be awarded a grant under this first set of allocations.
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. Six appeals were received including one in respect of the application referred to by the Deputy. The appeal was assessed by officials who were not involved in the initial assessment process. No significant errors were discovered in the scoring to warrant a grant award in this case.
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, over 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. Minister Martin and I will confirm the opening of the LSSIF for new applications in due course.
With regard to swimming pool provision generally, work on the first National Swimming Strategy continues apace, with the working group tasked with its development continuing to hold regular meetings. I hope to be in a position to publish the Strategy in the coming months.
634. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the total spend on consulting services and on ‘business-as-usual’ outsourcing, as differentiated under the Code of ‘Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016’ for each non-commercial public body under the aegis of her Department for the year 2022. [27972/23]
View answerOperational costs incurred by bodies under my Department’s aegis, such as consulting services and ‘business-as-usual’ outsourcing, are matters for the bodies concerned and are not something for which I have direct, day-to-day responsibility. It is a matter for each body to ensure compliance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
636. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will clarify the reason the ladies' League of Ireland was not successful in securing funding through her Department; if she is aware that all clubs in the ladies' League of Ireland are dependant on their own resources to fund teams; and if, given that ladies' soccer is classed as an elite sport, she will address the imbalance and ensure that ladies' soccer is funded to the same degree as other elite ladies' sports. [27998/23]
View answerSport Ireland is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding under its various programmes. I understand that the FAI made a submission to Sport Ireland in relation to funding for women’s soccer, specifically for its Women's National League, in late 2022 and that submission is still under consideration by Sport Ireland.
It should be noted that the Government and Sport Ireland are continuing to support the FAI in growing the game amongst women and girls. In accordance with the Government’s Memorandum of Understanding with the FAI, funding of €5.8 million is being allocated to the FAI for soccer development each year between 2020 and 2023.
In addition, specific Women in Sport funding is allocated to the FAI through Sport Ireland’s Women in Sport funding programme to increase women’s participation and to progress the FAI’s strategic objectives for women in sport. Funding of €64,000 was provided under this programme for the two years 2021 and 2022. In December 2022, my Department provided an additional funding allocation to Sport Ireland to support a number of initiatives aimed at improving the profile and visibility of female athletes across all sports in 2023, and this included specific supports for women in soccer.
Addressing the participation of women and girls in sport and physical activity is an important element of national sports policy and is a core priority for Minister Martin and I. Along with Sport Ireland, we will continue to promote and encourage greater participation in sport by women and girls.
The Government has provided a current budget allocation of €89.7 million for Sport Ireland for 2023 that will enable the agency to continue to support the sport sector this year, including support for increased participation by women and girls.
The Women in Sport funding programme is an important support for sporting bodies in putting programmes in place to increase women's participation in their sports and to progress their strategic objectives for women in sport. Sport Ireland allocated €4 million under the programme for the 2021-22 with 45 national governing bodies ( NGBs), receiving funding under this investment. A further €265,000 was invested in the local sports partnerships under the programme.
Sport Ireland is currently assessing applications for Women in Sport funding for 2023, and these allocations will be announced shortly. The funding guidelines for the scheme continue to encourage NGBs to develop Women in Sport programmes and initiatives focused on the key areas outlined in Sport Ireland's policy on women in sport.
Sport Ireland launched its women in sport policy in 2019 and will continue to implement the actions and objectives in the policy over the coming years. The Women in Sport policy is aligned to the national sports policy and its aims in terms of active participation are to significantly reduce the active sport participation gradient between men and women and to reduce the dropout by young girls from physical activity and sport.
Sport Ireland is continuing to promote women's and girls' participation in sport through various campaigns, such as the recent "It's My Time" campaign and "HER Outdoors" week. Last March, I was delighted to launch a new campaign established to support, motivate and encourage more teenage girls to be active. The "HER Moves" campaign continues to run nationwide, with a tour throughout the summer featuring six Pop-Up events with opportunities for girls to try a host of activities alongside vibrant music, arts, fashion, and food placing the social aspect at the centre of each event. The Pop-Up tour will bring Her Moves communities and groups together in an inclusive, accessible and fun way and I would encourage people to look at the website hermoves.ie and see how they can get involved.
With regard to capital support, my Department provides grant assistance for sporting facilities through the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
The 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.
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 allocations under the 2020 round were announced on 31 May last year and the total allocation of €166.6 million represents the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP. Details of all allocations can be found on the Department's website. Many successful applications will benefit women's soccer and it is important to note that every valid capital application received a grant offer. Furthermore, under the 2020 round, significant extra weighting was given to projects that will benefit female participation
The LSSIF is designed to provide financial support to sports projects where the grant sought is greater than the maximum available under the SCEP. The first allocations under the LSSIF were announced in January 2020 and to date approximately €86.4m has been provisionally awarded to 33 different proposals.
A key consideration in the assessment of any application under the SCEP and the LSSIF is the likelihood of increasing participation including female participation and the government is committed to continued investment in our sport infrastructure in the years ahead. Any future application for funding for projects to benefit women's soccer under either the SCEP or LSSIF will be considered on its own merits in line with the relevant assessment criteria. In this regard, my officials and I continue to engage with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform in relation to the next cycles of the SCEP and LSSIF. Once these discussions are concluded, I will provide an update in respect of any new round of the schemes.
637. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will confirm that sports capital funding secured by a club (details supplied) can be re-purposed towards another project which also fits within the criteria of sports capital. [28000/23]
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 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 grants were announced on Tuesday 31 May 2022 and included a grant to the club referred to by the Deputy. The total allocation of €166.6 million represents the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP.
The priority in recent months has been to advance the successful applications, which number almost 2,900, under the 2020 round to "formal approval" and grant drawdown stage and my Department continues to support and guide grantees as they manage their grants. This requires detailed engagement with all grantees and, where necessary, requests for extensions and changes of purpose of grants can usually be accommodated provided the proposed new project complies with the terms and conditions of the Programme. Accordingly, the club in question should correspond directly with officials in the Sports Capital Division of my Department in the first instance who will be happy to assist.
638. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the engagement that has taken place between her Department and those granted allocations under the large-scale sport infrastructure fund (LSSIF) in the past 12 months; the number of LSSIF allocations that have begun being drawn down; and the number which intend to begin drawing down by the end of 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28064/23]
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. Full details of all allocations are available at:- www.gov.ie/en/service/4113b3-large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif/
The total amount paid out by the Department to date is €3,151,397. The amounts drawn down and the respective projects are as follows:-
· Dalymount Park Redevelopment - €180,410
· Linear Walkways & Playing Pitches, Dunboyne - €1,253,920
· Waterford GAA, Walsh Park Redevelopment - €523,605
· Newcastle West Athletics Hub - €1,193,462
It should be noted that the first LSSIF allocations were announced just prior to the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic gave rise to significant financial challenges for all grantees with many having to reprioritise expenditure plans due to reductions in 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. Outside of this review process, there is also ongoing engagement between my Department and grantees to advance projects to completion stage. It is encouraging that, based on these discussions with grantees, over half of the 33 projects should be in a position to draw down funding this year.
639. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of staff seconded to her Department from a company (details supplied) in the past ten years to date; the title and/or role they filled; and the duration of same. [28187/23]
View answerI am advised that no staff have been seconded to my Department from PWC since the establishment of my Department in September 2020
640. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of instances in which her Department availed of services and or consultancy and or advices from a company (details supplied) in the past ten years to date; the costs of same; the number of contracts between the company and her Department; and the duration and costs of same. [28206/23]
View answerMy Department in its current configuration was established in September 2020.
I wish to advise the Deputy that in 2022, following a competitive process, the specified company was awarded a contract of three months duration to undertake an external assurance process and review of the Preliminary Business Case, as required under the Public Spending Code, for the redevelopment of the National Concert Hall as part of the National Cultural Institution Investment Programme. The value of the contract is €49,500 (excl. VAT).
