Written Answers Nos. 530-549
530. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of an application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35635/23]
View answerThe applicant referred to by the deputy was awarded a provisional allocation in 2022 of €300,000 under the 2020 Round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP). In line with the standard terms and conditions of the SCEP, it was necessary for the club to provide certain documentation before formal approval could issue. This included quotations for the work in question, tax clearance certificates. I am pleased to say that all of the outstanding documentation was recently provided by the applicant and formal approval issued from my Department on 21 July 2023.
531. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an mbeadh sí sásta obair lena chinntiú, go háirithe i gcomhthéacs na n-athbhreithnithe atá beartaithe don chraoltóir seirbhíse poiblí, go ndéanfar an céatadán de bhuiséad iomlán RTÉ a chaitear ar chraolachán Gaeilge a dhúbailt ó 7.5% go 15% chun na dualgais reachtúla atá orthu faoin Acht Craolacháin, 2009 a chomhlíonadh; breis soláthair a dhéanamh ar chláracha Gaeilge teilifíse agus raidió agus tacú le cothromaíocht pá agus forbairt caipitil do RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [35683/23]
View answerDéantar foráil maidir le cuspóirí seirbhíse poiblí RTÉ i gCuid 7 den Acht Craolacháin 2009, a fhorálann freisin go mbeidh RTÉ neamhspleách i dtaca leis na cuspóirí sin a bhaint amach. Mar sin, níl baint dhíreach ar bith agam le gníomhaíochtaí airgeadais nó oibriúcháin laethúla na heagraíochta.
Mhol an Coimisiún um Thodhchaí na Meán go ndéanfaí athbhreithniú cuimsitheach ar sholáthar seirbhísí Gaeilge sna meáin seirbhíse poiblí. Mhol an Coimisiún gur cheart go n-áireodh an t-athbhreithniú seo breithmheas ar róil TG4 agus RTÉ, le béim ar leith ar Raidió na Gaeltachta, chomh maith le soláthraithe ábhar seirbhíse poiblí. Is é Coimisiún na Meán a dhéanfaidh an t-athbhreithniú agus tá sé le tosú san Fhómhar agus tuairisc a thabhairt air faoi dheireadh 2024, agus cuirfear aon mholtaí a dhéanfar de bhun an athbhreithnithe le polasaí amach anseo maidir le craolachán Gaeilge.
532. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the continuing steps she is taking to protect individuals against social media platforms being used for cyberbullying; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35694/23]
View answerThe Online Safety and Media Regulation (OSMR) Act 2022 provided for the establishment of a multi-person media commission, known as Coimisiún na Meán, including the appointment of an Online Safety Commissioner, on 15 March 2023.
An Coimisiún will oversee a new regulatory framework for online safety. As part of the framework, Coimisiún na Meán will devise binding online safety codes that will set out how designated online services, which will include certain social media services, are expected to deal with certain defined categories of harmful online content on their platforms. The defined categories of harmful online content include online content linked to existing criminal offences, serious cyberbullying material and material promoting self-harm, suicide and eating disorders.
Importantly, those categories which are not linked to criminal material, e.g. serious cyber-bullying material, are subject to a risk of harm test, meaning that the online content must give rise to a risk of significant harm to a person’s physical or mental health, where the harm is reasonably foreseeable.
As set out in the OSMR Act 2022, in the event of a failure to comply with a relevant online safety code, and subject to Court approval, Coimisiún na Meán will have the power to pursue sanctions of non-compliant online services, including through financial sanctions of up to €20m or 10% of turnover.
As set out in An Coimisiún's work plan, published on 20 June, it is the intention to adopt the first online safety code before the end of this year. Further details can be found on Coimisiún na Meán's website www.cnam.ie/coimisiun-na-mean-seeks-views-for-developing-irelands-first-binding-online-safety-code/.
533. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of an application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35707/23]
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. Under the 2020 round of the programme, a record number of 3,106 applications were submitted seeking over €200m in funding. Upon completion of the assessment process, the club referenced by the Deputy was provisionally allocated a grant of €33,659.
The position regarding this grant is unchanged since related correspondence issued to the Deputy on 11 July 2023. Registration of the lease must be resolved before the club can apply for formal approval. The club was made aware of the full terms and conditions of the 2020 SCEP via the email of provisional allocation which issued to the club on 20 June 2022. As is the norm for all grants under the SCEP, no drawdown of the grant can commence until formal approval issues.
534. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has received the 2022 annual report from Irish Museum Modern Art; and if so, when the report will be published. [35779/23]
View answerI expect to receive the completed Annual Report of the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA) in the coming weeks. Following examination by the Department, I intend to bring the Annual Reports and Accounts of the Museum to Government and to lay them before both Houses of the Oireachtas. In accordance with standard practice, after that process has been completed, IMMA will then publish their annual report and financial statement.
535. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the terms of reference of the review of external RTÉ contracts will include an investigation of the continued use of irregular contracts, identified as part of the independent review (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35819/23]
View answerThe review referred by the Deputy in the details supplied was commissioned by RTÉ and examined whether the contracts of persons engaged as contractors by RTÉ had attributes akin to employment and/or self-employment. It is not the intention that the Review of Contractor Fees, HR and other matters I announced on 4 July 2023 would make findings as regards individual situations, particularly in light of the ongoing Department of Social Protection examination of the status of individual contractors engaged by RTÉ.
However, the terms of reference of the Review of Contractor Fees, Human Resources (HR) and other matters provides that it shall "examine issues arising from the use of short term employment contracts at all levels". Accordingly, it is intended that the review will take a more systemic view of the issues involved in such contracts.
536. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the action her Department has taken to honour the programme for Government pledge to ensure that Government Departments and public bodies take positive steps, including the use of correct pronouns and, where possible, making improvements on official forms, to assist non-binary people. [35838/23]
View answerAs per the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty (‘the Duty’), public service organisations have a statutory obligation to eliminate discrimination, promote equality of opportunity, and protect the human rights of staff and those to whom they provide services and my Department remains committed to meeting its obligations.
My Department is fully committed to promoting equality, diversity and social inclusion across the sectors, tourism, culture, arts, sports, media and the Irish language.
The Programme for Government charges Departments to deliver across a range of commitments on gender equality, including the use of correct pronouns, and the Civil Service Renewal Strategy 2030 commits to nurturing a workforce for the future by bringing equality and inclusivity to the fore of our organisational design.
My Department promotes the use and acceptance of gender-related language and is committed to recognising and supporting all employees’ gender identity and gender expression in our approach to further develop a positive, accepting and supportive work environment where every employee is treated with dignity and respect.
My Department is also committed to serving our customers properly, fairly, impartially and with courtesy. This includes ensuring accommodating diversity and ensuring that rights to equal treatment established by equality legislation are upheld in the delivery of our services.
Officials from my Department are committed to working with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Inclusion and Youth as new polices and legislative measures on Equality are brought forward.
537. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the timeframe for the opening of the next round of the Sports Capital Fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36072/23]
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 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.
Following completion of the appeal process, my Department commenced a full review of all aspects of the 2020 round of the SCEP. This Review has now been published and is available on the Department’s website. Once the Review was finalised, I asked my officials to draft the "Guide to Making an Application" for the 2023 round to reflect the recommendations in the Review. This work is now complete and on 12 July, Minister Martin and I published the new "Guide to Making an Application" for the 2023 round. We also announced that the Programme itself will be open for applications from 17 July until 8 September. The 2023 round of the SCEP has been open since 17 July and I look forward to seeing a high level of applications for worthwhile sports projects from right across the country.
538. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount of funding approved to a group (details supplied) from 2012 to date; what terms and conditions were attached to each funding approval, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36157/23]
View answerDetails of the funding received by this club under the Sports Capital Programme since 2012 are included below:
|
Scheme |
Details |
€ |
Status |
|
2012 Track Initiative |
Special allocations to 4 regional athletics tracks |
€400,000 |
Closed - Fully drawn down |
|
2017 Sports Capital Programme |
Heating/boiler, Refurbishment of dressing rooms/showers/toilets |
€29,000 |
Closed - Fully drawn down |
|
2020 Sports Capital & Equipment Programme |
Non-personal sports equipment |
€3,919 |
Grant Provisionally Allocated |
|
|
|
€432,919 |
|
Both the 2012 and 2017 grants have been fully drawn down and are now closed. The 2012 grant predates the existing electronic record management system and so the terms and conditions are not readily available. The terms and conditions for the 2017 and 2020 grants were included in correspondence which issued to the grantee at the time of provisional allocation, as per the existing electronic record management system, and are set out below.
2017 Requirements for Approval of Grant and Payment:
The grant provisionally allocated will not receive formal written approval, nor will any payments be made, until compliance with all relevant requirements and conditions as set out below.
All documentation necessary to receive formal approval must be uploaded via the Sports Capital Programme Portal www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie and found to be order.
The following requirements must be fully complied with.
Tenders/Quotations:
Grantees must show the Department that they are getting value for money. No contract should be signed nor any order placed nor any works begun for which a grantee will be claiming funding until the grantee receives approval from the Department.
To obtain approval the grantee must supply the Department with at least three comparable quotations for each aspect of the works being funded. To be comparable, quotations must be for identical works or equipment.
If the grantee wishes to choose a contractor/supplier other than the lowest price contractor/supplier the grantee’s technical supervisor must supply the Department with good reasons for choosing a more expensive contractor/supplier. Reasons such as the chosen contractor/supplier sponsoring the club or the contractor/supplier having supported the club in the past are not acceptable.
Gyms and Gym Equipment:
All gym and fitness centres must be developed to allow full access to people with disabilities. Further information regarding gym accessibility and inclusion can be obtained from CARA at www.caracentre.ie and additional information regarding dual use gym equipment can be found at www.efds.co.uk/how-we-help/programmes/ifi-fitness-equipment.
Tax Requirements:
A Tax Registration Number must be submitted to the Department for each supplier supplying goods worth €10,000 or more. The supplier must have current Tax Clearance at the date of any invoice submitted. The Department may check the current tax clearance status for suppliers at any time during the drawdown of the grant.
In relation to the grantee’s own organisation's tax requirements, the grantee must ensure that it has current Tax Clearance when applying for Formal Approval and at all points during the drawdown process.
Deeds of Covenant and Charge:
If the total value of sports capital grants made to the grantee exceeds €300,000, the grantee must execute a Deed of Covenant and Charge.
This Deed creates a charge over the property in favour of the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport up to the value of the total of sports capital grants allocated to the grantee (including any Clár or RAPID top-ups under previous rounds of the Programme). The charge comes into effect in the event that, within 15 years, the property ceases to be used for the purposes for which the grant was awarded.
The grantee should immediately forward to the Department a letter from its solicitors confirming they are acting for the grantee in this matter and enclosing details of title on the property concerned. The Deed must be in place before payment of any part of the grant can be made.
Note that if the grantee has previously been allocated grants under the Sports Capital Programme since 2002 and a Deed of Covenant and Charge has already been executed, it will not be necessary to draw up a new Deed. Instead the CSSO, in consultation with the grantee’s solicitor, will add the value of this year's grant to the charge created for the previous grant(s). However, the grantee should ensure that its solicitor has registered any previous Deeds for sports capital grants with the Property Registration Authority (previously the Land Registry). Otherwise payment of the new allocation will be delayed until the registration of such Deeds has been completed.
The Department’s legal advisers, the Chief State Solicitor's Office (CSSO), prepare the Deed in consultation with the grantee’s solicitor, and a fee of €400 is payable by the grantee’s organisation as a contribution toward their services.
To avoid delays, the grantee must ensure that its title to the property where the facility is located is in order. If the property is held by trustees, it is essential that it is legally vested in the current trustees so the Deed can be put into effect and grant payments made to the grantee.
Departmental Technical Advisor Monitoring Role:
The Department's technical advisors have a monitoring role in relation to projects allocated grants of more than €300,000.
As the grantee’s grant allocation is €300,000 or less, the technical advisors will not normally have a role in relation to your project. However, if the grantee has previously been allocated funding of over €300,000 for this same project, and the technical advisors already have a monitoring role in relation to it, the Dept. will notify them of the grantee’s 2017 allocation.
If the grantee’s project involves construction work costing more than €300,000, the building contractors the grantee intends to use will have to secure a contract guarantee bond before the grantee can award them the contract.
Other Required Documents
To enable the Dept. to formally approve the grantee’s grant allocation, the grantee must have submitted the following documentation and the necessary procedures must be followed:
1) A copy of the final grant of planning permission if not supplied at application stage;
2) A copy of the drawings, specification or schedule of works prepared for tendering purposes.
Payment of Grants:
Grantees must pay for work prior to seeking reimbursement from the Department. Please note that the grantee must first incur expenses sufficient to draw down at least 20% of the total value of the grant or €2,000, whichever is the greater amount, on each occasion before requesting payment from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
NB: Only work carried out and invoices or payment certificates dated after the date of this letter will be considered for payment purposes.
The Department will pay grants in stages as projects proceed by reimbursing your costs when you upload to us via the Portal valid, paid invoices. If available, the grantee may also upload certificates of payment which have been certified by its technical supervisor (normally an architect or engineer). The Dept. can request invoices, in addition to certificates of payment, if deemed necessary.
Valid invoices must include the following information:
• Name and address of the trader issuing the invoice
• The trader’s VAT registration number
• The name and address of the customer
• The date of issue of the invoice
• The date of the supply of the goods or services
• A full description of the goods or services (it must be clear that the works are those for which the grant was allocated)
• The amount exclusive of VAT expressed in euro
• The rate (including zero rate) and amount of VAT at each rate
Proforma invoices are not acceptable. If the grantee is submitting certificates of payments these must be in the format set out by the grantee’s technical supervisor’s professional body and the grantee’s technical supervisor must be a member of a professional body (Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, Engineers Ireland etc.) The Department reserves the right to seek hard copy original invoices and bank statements.
All invoices and certificates of payment must be accompanied by a bank statement that clearly shows the money being paid to the contractor. The Department will reimburse the cost of the valid paid invoices/certificates of payment the grantee has paid at a rate of 95%.
So, for example, if the Department approves valid invoices submitted by a grantee to the value of €100,000, then this would result in a payment to the grantee of €95,000 (95%).
Retention:
An amount of 5% of the grant will be retained until the Dept. receives the following:
• Confirmation from the grantee’s technical supervisor that the project has been satisfactorily completed in all respects (this does not apply to grants allocated for sports equipment only or for capital allocations of €25,000 or less). If applicable, the Dept. must also have confirmation from the grantee’s technical supervisor that the Defects Liability Period for the project has ended.
• A photograph of the completed facility and of the prominently displayed sign stating that the project has been funded by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and
• Confirmation from the grantee’s solicitor that the Deed of Covenant and Charge has been registered with the Property Registration Authority (if Deed of Covenant and Charge is required).
The timing of grant payments will be determined by the Department in the context of the funds available for expenditure under the Sports Capital Programme.
Sign Recognising Government Support:
The grantee should also note that all grant-assisted projects must display an acknowledgement sign showing that they are being assisted by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
How the Department monitors projects
• the grantee must retain all documentation relating to its project for a period of six years after the project is completed and
• representatives from the Department may also inspect the grantee’s facility at any time while it is being built and/or when it is finished.
Other Specifications
The grantee must make sure that the completed facility is managed and maintained properly. From time to time, the Dept. may ask the grantee to provide details of the facility and how it is being used.
If the grantee’s project involves construction, it must comply with the current Building Regulations and Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations.
The grantee must insure the completed facility against fire and all other insurable risks. The insurance should provide cover for the full reinstatement value of the facility and for professional fees. The grantee will also have to take out and maintain satisfactory public liability insurance to cover users and the general public.
The grantee must get planning permission, a fire safety certificate and commencement notice, if required. The grantee will need to pay any costs associated with these.
If the project will be assisted by Government-funded work schemes, the grantee must provide certificates to state that only labour is provided. The grantee must buy all materials from registered retailers and suppliers if the grantee wishes to receive funding under the Sports Capital Programme.
Voluntary labour can be used on local projects costing up to €50,000 where the grantee can demonstrate that this will result in a cost saving. In such cases, the Dept. will only pay out for the vouched cost of the materials used when we receive certification from the grantee’s architect or engineer that: those materials have been used on the project; the work has been satisfactorily completed; and the work was undertaken on a voluntary basis for no payment.
The Dept. may contribute towards professional fees (excluding the fee for the cost of the Deed of Covenant and Charge, if applicable) where a grant of more than €300,000 has been allocated.
If the grantee’s facility includes any type of fixed outdoor equipment or standardised installation, such as goalposts and 3G Pitches, the grantee should ensure that they comply with relevant national safety standards and where appropriate other applicable European standards.
2020 Requirements for Approval of Grant and Payment: Claremorris Athletics & Sports Club Ltd
The grant provisionally allocated will not receive formal written approval, nor will any payments be made, until compliance with all relevant requirements and conditions as set out below.
All documentation necessary to receive formal approval must be uploaded via the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme Portal www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie and found to be in order.
The following requirements must be fully complied with.
Tenders/Quotations:
Grantees must show the Department that they are getting value for money. No contract should be signed, nor any order placed, nor any works begun for which the grantee will be claiming funding until the grantee first receives approval from the Department.
To obtain approval the grantee must supply the Department with at least three comparable quotations for each aspect of the works being funded. To be comparable, quotations must be for identical equipment.
If the grantee wishes to choose a supplier other than the lowest price supplier, the grantee must supply the Department with good reasons for choosing a more expensive supplier. Reasons such as the chosen supplier sponsoring the club or the supplier having supported the club in the past are not acceptable.
Gyms and Gym Equipment:
All gyms and gym equipment must be accessible to people with disabilities. The Department has written a guide to accessible gym equipment - Guide to Accessible Gym Equipment . For more information, Cara - Sport Inclusion Ireland have created resource Factsheets (link is external) on how to make your sports facilities, equipment and activities more accessible to people with disabilities (this link is to an external website and the information and views are not those of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media).
Tax Requirements:
A Tax Registration Number must be submitted to the Department for each supplier supplying goods worth €10,000 or more. The supplier must have current Tax Clearance at the date of any invoice submitted. The Dept. may check the current tax clearance status for suppliers at any time during the drawdown of the grant.
In relation to the grantee’s tax requirements, the grantee must ensure that its organisation has current Tax Clearance when applying for Formal Approval and at all points during the drawdown process.
Declaration/Grant Agreement Form:
The grantee must complete and return to the Dept. a Declaration/Grant Agreement recognising and safeguarding the Department's financial interest in the grant-aided equipment. The Declaration must be witnessed and signed by a solicitor or commissioner for oaths, who will advise the grantee of the other required signatories. A copy of the Declaration/Grant Agreement forms to be completed may be downloaded from the Portal.
Payment of Grants:
Grantees must pay for equipment prior to seeking reimbursement from the Department. The grantee must first incur expenses sufficient to draw down at least 20% of the total value of the grant or €2,000, whichever is the greater amount, on each occasion before requesting payment from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. For grants of less than €2,000, payment should only be sought when expenses sufficient to draw down the full value of the grant have been incurred.
NB: Only equipment purchased and invoices dated after the date of this letter will be considered for payment purposes.
The Department will pay grants in stages as projects proceed by reimbursing the grantee’s costs when the grantee uploads to the Dept., via the Portal, valid, paid invoices. If available, the grantee may also upload certificates of payment which have been certified by its technical supervisor (normally an architect or engineer). The Dept. can request invoices, in addition to certificates of payment, if deemed necessary.
Valid invoices must include the following information:
• Name and address of the trader issuing the invoice
• The trader’s VAT registration number
• The name and address of the customer
• The date of issue of the invoice
• The date of the supply of the goods or services
• A full description of the goods or services (it must be clear that the works are those for which the grant was allocated)
• The amount exclusive of VAT expressed in euro
• The rate (including zero rate) and amount of VAT at each rate
Proforma invoices are not acceptable. The Department reserves the right to seek hard copy original invoices and bank statements.
All invoices and certificates of payment must be accompanied by a bank statement that clearly shows the money being paid to the contractor. The Department will reimburse the cost of the valid paid invoices/certificates of payment the grantee has paid at a rate of 95%. So, for example, if the Department approves valid invoices submitted by a grantee to the value of €100,000, then this would result in a payment to the grantee of €95,000 (95%). The rate of payment for Local Authority grants is 70%.
Sign Recognising Government Support:
The grantee should also note that all grant-assisted projects must display an acknowledgement sign showing that they are being assisted by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
How the Department monitors projects
• the grantee must retain all documentation relating to your project for a period of six years after the project is completed and
• representatives from the Department may also inspect the equipment at any time.
539. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated amount it would cost to introduce a pilot culture and media card scheme to the value of €200 for 18-24 year olds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36195/23]
View answerMy 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.
My Department is also 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. This group is also considered a key demographic for our work to stimulate the night-time economy.
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 for all age groups in the arts and to promote knowledge and appreciation of the arts.
Any consideration of a culture card would need to be subject to a full appraisal and regulatory impact analysis and within the context of the Annual Estimates process. In terms of outline costs, Census 2022 identified some 438,491 people in the 18-24 years cohort, which would see a minimum cost of €87.7 million for the provision of a pilot culture and media card scheme to the value of €200 for this group. This does not include the cost of establishing and administering such a scheme.
540. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 414 of 13 July 2023, if she will seek a response on the original question as to whether "the appointed person will work with local businesses and voluntary groups on the Purple Flag award for the town"; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36235/23]
View answerAs previously advised to the Deputy in response to Dáil Question No. 414 answered on 13 July 2023, once the Night-Time Advisor has been appointed in Drogheda, they will work with local businesses and purple flag. Creating a safe and thriving night-life for all users will be a key priority for all the appointed Night-Time Advisors, which may also include securing purple flag accreditation for their area.
Another key element of the Night-Time Economy Pilot towns initiative is an extensive consultation process which will led by the Advisor, this will lead to the development of a cohesive action plan for their specific area. The action plan will set out a range of interventions, with the aim of supporting a co-ordinated development of the area’s Night-Time Economy.
Once all of the Night-Time Economy Advisors are appointed, my Department and the CCMA will meet with them to ensure a coordinated approach is adopted in each of the pilot areas.
541. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of TV licences renewed; the number of new TV licences issued for week two of July 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; if she can account for any variations in the numbers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36313/23]
View answer542. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of TV licences renewed, in tabular form; the number of new TV licences issued with a weekly breakdown for June 2022 and June 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36314/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 541 and 542 together.
The table below sets out the change in the number of television licences issued in June 2022 against those licences issued in June 2023 and the first three full weeks in July, as the most up to date figures available to my Department.
The figures are likely to reflect public sentiment at the height of the RTÉ controversy. It is too early to say if this is indicative of a longer term trend but it does demonstrate the need to rebuild trust in RTÉ, the first steps in which have been taken both by RTÉ and in the independent examinations which I have established.
Public service content is vital for us all. The licence fee supports a broad range of content including sport, culture, current affairs, music, entertainment and more, across many broadcasters and independent producers, not just RTÉ. As such, it is important therefore, that people continue to purchase or renew their TV licence.
|
June |
2023 |
2022 |
||||||
|
First Time Licences |
Renewals |
Total |
First Time Licences |
Renewals |
Total |
|||
|
Week 1 |
2 sales days |
925 |
7,293 |
8,218 |
3 sales days |
1,213 |
9,088 |
10,301 |
|
Week 2 |
5 sales days |
1,398 |
11,923 |
13,321 |
5 sales days |
1,466 |
10,816 |
12,282 |
|
Week 3 |
5 sales days |
2,398 |
11,057 |
13,455 |
5 sales days |
2,310 |
11,580 |
13,890 |
|
Week 4 |
5 sales days |
1,493 |
11,619 |
13,112 |
5 sales days |
1,833 |
11,558 |
13,391 |
|
Week 5 |
5 sales days |
1,381 |
9,231 |
10,612 |
4 sales days |
1,894 |
8,675 |
10,569 |
|
Direct Debits |
1,407 |
13,296 |
14,703 |
1,016 |
13,618 |
14,634 |
||
|
Total |
73,421 |
75,067 |
||||||
|
July |
||||||||
|
Week 1 |
5 sales days |
1,165 |
10,176 |
11,241 |
5 sales days |
1,928 |
13,504 |
15,432 |
|
Week 2 |
5 sales days |
1,245 |
7,677 |
8,922 |
5 sales days |
2,198 |
10,783 |
12,981 |
|
Week 3 |
5 sales days |
1,378 |
7,901 |
9,279 |
5 sales days |
2,003 |
12,833 |
14,836 |
543. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount of funding provided by Screen Ireland to the Irish Film and Television Academy in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [36317/23]
View answerScreen Ireland publishes it grants to organisations and individuals in its Annual Report available at this link www.screenireland.ie/images/uploads/general/Annual_Report_2021_3.pdf. These are laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas.
I am advised that Screen Ireland provided the following levels of funding to the Irish Film and Television Academy in the period requested by the Deputy:
|
Screen Ireland's allocation to the Irish Film and Television Academy |
|||
|
|
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Core Funding |
100,000 |
100,000 |
100,000 |
|
Rising Star and Award Ceremony Funding |
70,000 |
70,000 |
130,000* |
|
Stakeholder Funding (Skills in Focus Series & Through the Lens - series of structured panel events, webinars and masterclasses) |
18,300 |
25,000 |
24,800 |
|
Total |
188,300 |
195,000 |
254,800 |
* The increased funding for the award ceremony in 2023 includes an additional €50k in respect of the 20th anniversary of the awards
544. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the next appointments to the Board of Arts Council are due to take place; the procedures for the appointment process; and the criteria employed as part of such appointments. [36318/23]
View answerUnder Section 11 of the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council consists of a Chair and 12 ordinary members, each of whom have a special interest or knowledge in relation to the arts or matters connected with the functions of the Minister or the Council under the Act.
The Public Appointments Service (PAS) has responsibility for managing an open, accessible and transparent system to support Ministers in making appointments to State boards. My Department operates in accordance with these guidelines in filling vacancies on State Boards under our remit including the Arts Council. In collaboration with the PAS, it is hoped to publish a call for expressions of interest for membership of the Arts Council shortly. Details of the process is set out on the stateboards website at the following link www.stateboards.ie/en/process
The Arts Council publishes details of its board along with the terms of appointment of each of its members at this link www.artscouncil.ie/About/Who-we-are/
545. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if an organisation (details supplied) is eligible for the Sports Capital Grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36352/23]
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.
Due to its status as a for profit enterprise, the Centre to which the Deputy refers is ineligible for funding under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme. However, the Riding Club, which operates out of Centre, is eligible and is in receipt of a provisional grant under the most recent, 2020, round of the SCEP.
546. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will separate TG4 fully from RTÉ, including its news output and create a new stand-alone Irish language broadcast media service made up of TG4, Radio na Gaeltachta and Radio Rí Rá (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36353/23]
View answerBoth RTÉ and TG4 are standalone public service broadcasters as provided for in the Broadcasting Act, 2009. Section 98 provides that both organisations are independent in the pursuance of their objects which are set out in Sections 114 and 118 of the Act, respectively.
With regard to Irish language services, the Future of Media Commission recommended a comprehensive review of the provision of Irish languages in public service media including the roles of TG4 and RTÉ, as well as public service content providers. This review will be undertaken by Coimisiún na Meán, and will also consider collaboration opportunities, youth engagement and digital media. This review is scheduled to commence in the autumn and report by the end of 2024.
The Commission also recommended that TG4 should have editorial control over its news services. In considering the Commission's recommendation, Government has agreed that while this may have potential benefits for both TG4 and RTÉ , it is necessary to consider the financial and practical implications of the recommendation in consultation with both broadcasters. It is appropriate that detailed consideration of this recommendation forms part of the comprehensive review of Irish language services which Coimisiún na Meán will commence later this year.
It would not be appropriate for my Department to pre-empt this process.
547. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she is aware of the threat to the future of the Celtic Routes Project, a unique tourism initiative linking counties in south east Ireland with counterparts in Wales; if she will ensure that sufficient funding is provided to continue this important project; if she has had any contact with her Welsh government colleague to discuss this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36354/23]
View answerCeltic Routes is an initiative, under the Ireland Wales Interreg Programme 2014-2020, to encourage visitors to explore areas of Wales and Ireland beyond the usual destinations, to discover their Celtic spirit and boost the economies of the areas visited.
I understand that owing to the UK’s exit from the EU there is currently no successor to the 2014-2020 Ireland Wales European Territorial Co-operation Programme. I am advised that the programme for 2014-2020 is moving into its final stage of implementation with the majority of joint projects now closed and the others including Celtic Routes preparing for closure in the coming months.
In the absence of a successor programme, I have asked my officials to keep under review the potential for future collaborative tourism initiatives with Wales.
548. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will increase funding for disability football teams; if her attention has been brought to two cases (details supplied); the steps she is taking to put these teams on a sustainable financial footing to compete; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36481/23]
View answerSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding across its various programmes. Sport Ireland does not provide direct funding for clubs or individuals but channels the funding through the relevant National Governing Body of Sport. The Association of Irish Powerchair Football are an affiliate of the FAI, and Deaf futsal team are associated with Deaf Sport Ireland.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
549. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the total funding provided under the current sports capital funding; the focus of this year's applications by Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36599/23]
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.
Following completion of the appeal process for the last, 2020, round of the SCEP, my Department commenced a full review of all aspects of that round. This Review is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/84105-review-of-sports-capital-and-equipment-programme-2020/.
Among the recommendations contained in the published Review is a continued prioritisation of projects that share facilities with other sports and further enhanced investment in areas of disadvantage. The Review also identifies new areas for focus including:
• an increase in thresholds for capital grants at both local and regional level
• rewarding projects which include adaptations for persons with disabilities through ring-fenced scores at assessment stage
• rewarding projects which incorporate climate action measures
• expanding the SCEP remit to include applications for upgrades to swimming pools, and
• prioritising applications from areas witnessing significant population growth.
Once the Review was finalised, I asked my officials to draft the "Guide to Making an Application" for the 2023 round to reflect the recommendations in the Review. This work is now complete and on 12 July Minister Martin and I published the new "Guide to Making an Application" for the 2023 round. We also announced that the Programme itself will be open for applications from 17 July until 8 September. The 2023 round opened for applications on 17 July and I look forward to seeing a high level of applications for worthwhile sports projects from right across the country.
In relation to the funding available to allocate, the total allocation of €166.6 million for the 2020 round represents the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP. I will continue to engage with my Government colleagues to maximise the total funding envelope available for the Programme in the years ahead. Clearly, the level of demand will be a key determinant but every effort will be made to fund as many worthwhile projects as possible while providing a sufficient level of grant to ensure the projects are viable.
