Written Answers Nos. 384-402
384. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will continue to pursue pro-enterprise and pro-competitive policies to ensure the survival of the tourism SMEs in the tourism budget. [39528/23]
View answerResponsibility for the tourism budget lies with the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media.
My Department continues to pursue pro-enterprise and pro-competitive policies for all Irish enterprise. Published in December 2022, the White Paper on Enterprise 2022-2030 sets out Ireland`s industrial policy for the medium- to long-term, building on Ireland`s economic strengths of an open economy with strong trade and foreign direct investment, a vibrant innovation hub, and a resilient labour market. The White Paper sets out Ireland`s industrial policy to realise the vision of a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable enterprise growth model for Ireland into the future, while remaining true to what works well for enterprise at present.
Ireland’s current competitiveness position is quite strong, with the Institute for Management Development ranking Ireland as the 11th most competitive economy in the world (out of 63 economies) in 2022. However, the economy has faced a series of recent challenges arising from disruptions such as COVID-19 and the economic impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, including rising energy prices. The Government has been proactive in providing assistance to firms. In September 2022, a package to help businesses with escalating energy costs was announced as part of Budget 2023. The €1.25 billion Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme, which supports qualifying businesses with up to 40% of the increase in electricity or gas bills - when compared to last year - up to a maximum of €10,000 per month.
The Growth and Sustainability Loan Scheme will make up to €500 million in low-cost investment loans of up to 10 years available to SMEs, with no collateral required for loans up to €500,000. A minimum of 30% of the lending volume will be targeted towards Environmental Sustainability purposes. The reduced rate of VAT on gas and electricity from 13.5% to 9% has also been extended until 31 October 2023.
A key pillar of the White Paper is enabling locally trading sectors to thrive. This will see an expanded role for Local Enterprise Offices which will continue to enhance their advisory services for locally trading firms, helping them to improve productivity through digitalisation and reducing energy and carbon emissions. Training, consultancy, and mentoring services will be made available to more locally trading business with over 10 and up to 50 employees.
During 2023, my Department undertook the development of the first of consecutive two-year Implementation Plans of cross-Government activity to progress the White Paper commitments. This first Implementation Plan was published in May of 2023 and identifies a portfolio of 40 key initiatives and projects across the seven priority objectives. The initiatives and projects listed have been selected as reflective of the efforts underway to align enterprise policy interventions with the vision and ambition set out in the White Paper.
Regarding locally traded enterprise it will seek to:
• Facilitate our Locally Trading Sectors to Navigate the Twin Transition
• Support Small Firms in Energy Cost Reduction and Decarbonisation Investments
• Assist Locally Traded Sectors in Increasing Digital Intensity
• Enable Locally Traded Sectors to Capture e-Commerce opportunities through Digitalisation
• Boost Social Enterprise Contributions to the Irish Economy and Society.
385. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an ndéanfaidh sí punann réadmhaoine iomlán Údarás na Gaeltachta a chur ar fáil, lena n-áirítear talamh, suíomhanna, foirgnimh, eastáit tionsclaíochta agus ghnó, aonaid in eastáit agus tithe atá ina sheilbh ar fud na tíre; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [39569/23]
View answerMar go bhfuil eolas cuimsitheach iarrtha ag an Teachta, tuigfidh sí nach bhfuil sé indéanta an t-eolas seo a chur le chéile laistigh den am atá ar fáil. Tá iarrtha ar Údarás na Gaeltachta an t-eolas ábhartha a chur ar fáil taobh istigh den amscála atá leagtha síos i mBuanordaithe an Oireachtais.
386. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to detail the preparations being undertaken by her Department in advance of the European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882); the guidance that is being issued by her Department to organisations and businesses in advance of the enactment of the directive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39677/23]
View answerMy colleague, Minister Roderic O’ Gorman, T.D., Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), is leading on the transposition of the European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882).
I am advised that Minister O'Gorman's Department intends to consult at interdepartmental and inter-agency level and that implementation and oversight of the Directive will be led by organisations already engaged in the oversight of products and services, who have expertise to lead on sectoral preparations and guidance.
I welcome this consultation and will support the outcomes of the proposed arrangements for sectoral preparation and guidance once they have been finalised and when the transposition process has concluded by DCEDIY.
387. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of an application by a club (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39720/23]
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 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 2023 round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (2023) closed for applications on Friday 8th September. A preliminary examination of the submitted applications is now underway but it is clear that the Programme has again generated a very large number of applications, including one from the club referenced by the Deputy.
Work is now underway on drafting the "Scoring Assessment and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round and I hope to have this finalised in the coming weeks. Once this is published, the detailed assessment work can commence. In this regard, it is planned to assess the "Equipment-only" applications first with a view to announcing these grants in the coming months. Work will then commence on the assessment of the capital applications with the allocations likely to be announced later in 2024.
388. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if consideration has been given to using the Shared Island Initiative to fund cross-Border arts initiatives. [39791/23]
View answerAs provided for in the Programme for Government, the Shared Island initiative aims to harness the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement to enhance cooperation, connection and mutual understanding on the island and engage with all communities and traditions to build consensus around a shared future. This involves:
• unprecedented cooperative all-island investment through the €1billion Shared Island Fund;
• engaging with all communities on how practically we can better share the island into the future, through the Shared Island dialogue series; and,
• providing a stronger evidence base and analysis of the whole island, through a programme of published research.
This initiative is implemented on a whole of Government basis, with coordination through the Department of the Taoiseach.
Through the Shared Island dialogue series the Government is engaging with people across the island in order to hear their views on a range of common concerns, on how best to work across communities and borders for a shared future, in practical, meaningful ways. Arts and Culture on a Shared Island was the twelfth dialogue in the series. Over 200 people attended the hybrid event which took place on 13th October 2022 in Mandela Hall, Queen’s University, Belfast. I, along with the then Northern Ireland Minister for Communities Deirdre Hargey MLA provided the opening addresses in advance of two panel discussions;
• Panel 1: Arts & culture on a shared island - challenges & opportunities
• Panel 2: Building Cultural and Creative Communities
This dialogue provided a platform for artists, musicians, writers, members of cultural and creative community organisations, and government agencies North and South to discuss shared challenges and opportunities facing the arts and cultural sector across the island. The full report of the dialogue can be found at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/217a3-shared-island-dialogue/#arts-culture-on-a-shared-island
As part of the overall investment programme, the Taoiseach announced a Shared Island dimension to the Creative Ireland Programme 2023-2027 in December 2022. In this regard, a number of cross-border arts and culture projects are currently ongoing across Creative Youth, Creative Communities and Creative Climate Action and Sustainability.
These include;
• Cruinniú na nÓg , the national day of creativity for children and young people, included a number of projects on an all island basis with cross community events connecting children and young people from both sides of the border;
• Creative Communities on a Shared Island will enable local authorities to undertake collaborative projects that connect people to people and communities to communities using creativity as a tool for transformation. The successful projects will be announced before the end of the year;
• Under Creative Youth, a one-year creative writing initiative led by Fighting Words has been established in the border region;
• Creative Climate Action Fund II : Agents of Change is supporting 3 shared Island initiatives that support creative and cultural projects that build awareness around climate change;
• The Creative Brain Week programme included one day exploring the role of creativity as a response to the impacts of conflict on mental health and wellbeing, drawing on experience from the Island of Ireland and internationally.
The Arts Council and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland are also co-operating through the Shared Island Arts Investment. The objective of the initiative is to complement and enable programme funding by the two Arts Councils with capital investment in projects including residential and studio spaces for cross-border writer artistic and traditional music collaborations; and digitisation and curation of film, music and architectural archives on an island-wide basis.
I will continue to consider opportunities for further co-operation in arts and culture under Shared Island as the initiative develops.
389. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will sanction the annual 2% increase for pensioners in the RTÉ superannuation scheme; the role of NewERA in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40183/23]
View answerI previously considered and approved a 2% increase to pensions in payment for RTÉ in May 2022, which was implemented in August 2022.
The Trustees of the RTÉ Pension scheme subsequently made an application for a 2.5% increase to pensions in payment, backdated to 1st January 2022. This request has been evaluated by NewEra and I am currently considering it.
My recommendation will then need to be reviewed and approved by the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
390. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide details on the measures her Department has taken to implement specific action points (details supplied) of the action plan to support the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021. [40241/23]
View answerMy Department implements a broad range of measures to support the LGBTI+ Community across various Sectors under my remit. My Department collaborates with other Departments that have a lead responsibility for actions under the Action Plan of the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021. Also, officials of my Department attend the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Steering Committee, which is chaired by my colleague Roderic O’Gorman, T.D., at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth (DCEDIY).
In that context, the measures implemented by my Department directly, or in collaboration with other lead Departments, on the specific actions outlined by the Deputy, are detailed as follows:
Department’s HR Strategy and LGBT+ Employee and Ally Network.
As a civil service employer, my Department is committed and continues to operate within a legislative framework that recognises the importance of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in the organisation and work environment. In strengthening a culture of dignity and respect, diversity and inclusion for all, my Department established it’s LGBTI+ Network “Le Chéile” in September 2022 with the goal of ensuring and facilitating a workplace that is open inclusive and accepting of all colleagues. A key purpose of the LGBTI+ Network is to educate and raise awareness around LBGTI+ issues with participation encouraged from both LGBTI+ colleagues and allies. The Steering Committee organise regular Network Meetings and initiatives for all staff, including presentations/talks to educate and inform on LGBTI+ issues. The establishment of the network delivered on Action 7 of the Department’s Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan.
My Department’s LGBTI+ Network, Le Chéile, collaborated with cross Government Department LGBTI+ Networks in the lead-up to the Dublin Pride Parade in June 2023 and participated in the event under the “Proud to Work for Ireland” banner. My Department also delivered a special event ‘The Journey of Pride’ opened by the Secretary General, organised in collaboration with Dublin Pride to mark the beginning of Pride 2023.
Sectors of the Department involved in Events to promote LGBTI+ visibility and support around Pride and festivals Nationwide.
National Cultural Institutions (NCIs); are very active in offering various tours for the LGBTI+ community as well as providing opportunities for the general public to engage with LGBTI+-related Arts and Culture. For example, the Chester Beatty Library is currently planning a school-related event for November this year as part of ‘Stand up Awareness Week’. The National Concert Hall supports female, transgender, queer and non-binary people in music. In addition, various National Cultural Institutions contributed to the Arts and Culture programming part of Pride this year by hosting a range of tours and exhibitions.
Fáilte Ireland ; has developed a revised Festival and Events Strategy and supported Festivals such as “The Outing” with €20K financial support. Fáilte Ireland also provides funding of Dublin Pride to feature in St Patrick's Day Parade Dublin. Tourism Ireland has developed a new LGBTI+ Action Plan which will be rolled out in our overseas markets.
Media ; LGBTI+ identities are represented across all RTÉ platforms (TV, Radio, Online) and in a variety of ways, such as online articles, dedicated features and documentaries. The dedicated website (rte.ie/pride) brings all this content together in one place. Coimisiún na Meán came into existence on March 15th of this year and are continuing work to develop a Gender, Equality, Inclusion and Diversity Strategy.
Sport Ireland ; continues to deliver on its project to develop guidance for the sport sector in the area of transgender and non-binary inclusion in sport and physical activity. Sport Ireland and Sporting Pride teamed up in support of the #LetsGetVisible campaign.
Some details on these events may be obtained from my Department’s website at (www.gov.ie). However, for more detailed information, the Deputy may also wish to refer to the websites of the respective Agencies/Bodies under my Department’s remit.
Research on the Practice of Conversion Therapy in Ireland.
I understand that a research report was launched by Minister O’Gorman in February of this year on a Study of the Practice of Conversion Therapy in Ireland. My Department will support Minister O’Gorman’s Department in delivering on the outcomes of this research and this action.
Equality and Human Rights Public Sector Duty to take account of LGBTI+ considerations in the development or review of public sector policy .
In developing or reviewing policy under my Department’s remit, officials in my Department consistently seek to ensure that all policies are developed and delivered in the context of EDI and my Department is committed to its Public Sector Duty obligations across all Sectors.
I understand my colleague, Minister O’Gorman, is in the process of commissioning a review of the National LGBTI+ Strategy to inform the development of the successor Strategy. I am also advised that the next meeting of National LGBTI+ Inclusion Steering Committee is scheduled for mid October this year. I welcome the development of the successor Strategy and officials in my Department will have further opportunity, at the Steering Committee in October, to liaise with lead Departments on the current Action Plan.
Table of Actions under the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021
|
1.2 Identify key large-scale events each year to promote LGBTI+ visibility. DJE (All Depts.) |
Q4 |
|
1.4 Coordinate a series of events and communications to support positive messaging around Pride and festivals nationwide and more broadly to promote LGBTI+ visibility, awareness and expertise. DJE/DCYA/RTE (All Depts.) |
Q2 |
|
2.2 Ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is a core feature of organisational and HR strategy and subject to ongoing review. DPER (All Depts.) |
Q1 |
|
2.4 Develop a Civil and Public Service wide LGBT+ Employee and Ally Network. DJE/DPER (All Depts.) |
Q4 |
|
3.2 Coordinate the roll out of a public recognition marker denoting LGBTI+ friendly service provision, particularly in rural and other hard to reach communities. DCYA/DJE (All Depts.) |
Q3 |
|
5.1 Utilise the Equality and Human Rights Public Sector Duty to take account of LGBTI+ considerations in the development or review of public sector policy, to be informed by targeted consultation where necessary. All Depts. |
Q1 |
|
12.2 Ensure that each relevant Department/Government body examines how, once a Gender Recognition Certificate is obtained, administrative processes can be streamlined, improving interconnection between Departments, and reducing costs for replacement of official documents, while maintaining a person’s privacy. DJE/DEASP (All Relevant Departments/ State Agencies) |
Q1 |
|
(24.1 In the context of the commitment in the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy regarding the promotion or practice of conversion therapy, continue research to establish the extent to which the practice is occurring in Ireland and review international best practice in responding which will also include legislative responses in other countries. DJE ) 24.2 Informed by the findings of the above research, develop an appropriate package of measures for implementation in response. DJE (all Depts) |
Q3 Q4 |
391. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide a list of all studies, research and reports commissioned by her Department that were outsourced, in each year since the formation of this Government, in tabular form; the names of the companies to which each study, research and report was outsourced; the total cost for each; the number of reports finalised and presented to her that have yet to be released by her Department; the dates on which any such reports yet to be released were first provided to her; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40380/23]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the information sought in respect of my Department is specified in the table below.
|
Year Commissioned |
Title of study / research / report |
Company |
Was the study / research / report published? |
Total cost of contract (incl. VAT) |
|
2015 (Published in 2022) |
An Plean Digiteach don Ghaeilge, 2023-2027 |
Dublin City University Trinity College Dublin |
Yes |
€47,534 |
|
2019 (Published in 2021) |
Report of a national survey of children, their parents and adults regarding online safety |
IPSOS MRBI (to complete research element). Paul Martin Communications (for design of the report). |
Yes |
IPSOS MRBI: €2,770.90 Paul Martin Communications: €2,902.80 |
|
2020 |
‘Tourism Recovery Plan 2020 – 2023’Research and analysis services to assist the Tourism Recovery Taskforce in the preparation of a Tourism Recovery Plan |
Indecon Economic Consultants |
Yes |
€92,543 |
|
2020 |
Participation in social and creative activities in Ireland among adults aged 50 and over and the effects of this on health and wellbeing |
The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) at TCD |
Yes |
€60,389 |
|
2020 |
Report on the impact on the staff and the National Concert Hall of staff transferring from the RTÉ Pension Schemes to the Single Public Service Pension Scheme |
Trident Consulting |
No, this is a technical report relating to pension entitlements and was not intended to be published as it was carried out to inform internal Departmental considerations and procedures. As it was not commissioned to be submitted to the Minister, the report was not submitted. |
€12,100 |
|
2021 |
Review of Tourism Marketing Fund & working relationships between Tourism Agencies |
John McCarthy |
No. Following an internal review of the delivery of overseas tourism marketing activity it was proposed that a third party review of the delivery of overseas marketing activity by the agencies be carried out. It is not expected that the third party report will be published. As it was not commissioned to be submitted to the Minister, the review was not submitted. |
€1,885 |
|
2021 |
Review and Analysis of ICT at National Archives |
Unity Solutions |
No, this review was technical and supported the National Archives in terms of IT infrastructure and productions and returns system as well as broader elements of how the National Archives engage with readers. As it was not commissioned to be submitted to the Minister, the report was not submitted. |
€24,104.52 |
|
2021 |
Public Services Review |
McKenzie Rogers Consulting Ltd |
No, this review was technical and supported the National Archives in terms of IT infrastructure and productions and returns system as well as broader elements of how the National Archives engage with readers. As it was not commissioned to be submitted to the Minister, the report was not submitted. |
€24,984 |
|
2021 |
Creative Youth analysis of the delivery of creative opportunities for children and young people |
Trinity College Dublin |
The report is due to be published shortly and will be submitted to the Minister in the first instance, when finalised. |
€114,561.83 |
|
2021 |
Creative Climate Action |
MaREI, the SFI Research Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine, University College Cork |
Yes |
€110,134.21 |
|
2021 |
Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) report to: (a) determine participation in social, arts, creative and cultural activities among adults aged 50 and over and the effects on health and well-being, using data from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) collected during Wave 6 (2021); and (b) undertake an economic evaluation for the assessment of arts, creative and cultural activities for improving health and well-being |
Study on Ageing (TILDA) at TCD |
Yes |
€82,478 |
|
2022 |
Observation of selection process for Basic Income for the Arts Pilot Scheme |
Ernst & Young Business Advisory Services |
No, report was received by Department in June 2023 |
€8,462.40 |
|
2022 |
External Assurance Process for National Concert Hall Redevelopment Projects |
PricewaterhouseCoopers |
No, report ongoing. |
€60,885 |
|
2022 |
Overview Report Night Time Economy Activation Workshop |
Irish Business Intelligence |
No, report is not intended to be published. As it was not commissioned to be submitted to the Minister, the report was not submitted. |
€4,151.25 |
|
2022 |
Overview Report Night Time Economy Taskforce Youth Focus Groups |
Irish Business Intelligence |
No, report is not intended to be published. Provided to Minister in March 2023. |
€4,741.65 |
|
2022 |
Provision of research, which will form the basis of the National Plan for Irish Language Services, pursuant to Section 18C. 1(c) of the Official Languages (Amendment) Act, 2021 |
University of Galway |
No, this report is not intended to be published. The research will form the basis of the statutory National Plan for the provision of public services through the medium of the Irish language, pursuant to section 18C. (1)(a) of the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021. In accordance with section 18D. (1) of the Act, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media shall, within 3 months of receiving the National Plan, inter alia, approve it, and as soon as may be thereafter, lay copies of it before each House of the Oireachtas, and publish it on the Department’s website. |
€313,392 |
|
2022 |
To carry out a review of the election/selection process of the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta |
BDO |
Yes |
€47,970 |
|
2022 |
Sectoral Impact Analysis of TG4’s proposal for a new Children’s Channel |
An Coimisiún na Meán |
Yes |
N/A |
|
2022 |
Report of the Expert Group on an Individual Complaints Mechanism |
YCD Limited Yellowstone (for design of the report) |
Yes |
€1,906.50 |
|
2023 |
Workshop summary prepared as part of ongoing cultural policy development |
Noeleen Hartigan |
No. Report was provided to the Minister in June 2023. |
€6,273 |
|
2023 |
Comparator Analysis of International Archival Legislation |
Archives Ireland |
No, report was received in September 2023 and will be considered by management in the first instance. |
€15,375 |
|
2023 |
Commissioning of a survey to identify a baseline for the running of a national awareness campaign for the Irish language |
B&A |
No, this report is not intended to be published. It was received by the Department in June 2023. |
€11,070 |
|
2023 |
Cur chuige d’Athbhreithniú a ullmhú do Phleananna Teanga agus Athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar 10 Limistéir Pleanála Teanga |
Barr Feabhais teo. |
No, report not expected to be finalised before March 2024. |
€92,500 |
|
2023 |
Independent Review of Governance and Culture in RTÉ |
Independent Expert Advisory Committee appointed by the Minister supported by Crowe Advisory Ireland Ltd |
No, review in progress. |
Daily rate (pursuant to Multi Supplier Framework Agreement for the Provision of Business, Management and ICT Consultancy Services from which company was procured) |
|
2023 |
Independent Review of Contractor Fees, HR and other matters in RTÉ |
Independent Expert Advisory Committee appointed by the Minister supported by Crowe Advisory Ireland Ltd |
No, review in progress. |
Daily rate (pursuant to Multi Supplier Framework Agreement for the Provision of Business, Management and ICT Consultancy Services from which company was procured) |
|
2023 |
Examine the books or other records of account of RTÉ as provided for under Section 109 (7)(a) of the Broadcasting Act 2009 |
Mazars |
Interim Report published August 2023. Final Report not concluded. |
Daily rate (pursuant to Multi Supplier Framework Agreement For the provision of Accounting, Audit and Financial Services from which the company was procured) |
392. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extra steps that Tourism Ireland will take to promote tourism advertisement campaign in the UK to come to Ireland during the winter period. [40405/23]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of developing national tourism policy and the tourism agencies, Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland, deal with the implementation of this policy. Tourism Ireland is the agency responsible for promoting the island of Ireland overseas as a tourism destination.
The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Tourism Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Tourism Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
393. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which ongoing discussions are taking place with the relevant authorities, with a view to advancing the Maynooth swimming pool project, having regard to the existence of a large and expanding population and a university; the extent to which a reply has been made available to Kildare County Council regarding negotiations following a previous appeal to her Department; if cognisance is taken of the substantial local offers previously on the table; if these are being followed up; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40409/23]
View answerMy Department's capital support for any new swimming pools is now being provided through the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The National Development Plan provided a capital allocation of at least €100 million for the Fund over the period to 2027.
The first call for proposals under the LSSIF closed in 2019 with applications confined to local authorities and National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of Sport. The first LSSIF allocations were announced in January 2020 and, to date, approximately €86.4 million has been allocated to 33 projects including 8 swimming pool projects. Full details of all allocations are available at: www.gov.ie/en/service/4113b3-large-scale-sport-infrastructure-fund-lssif/
An application was received from Kildare County Council for design funding towards a new swimming pool at the Maynooth campus with €1 million sought. The total funding applied for under the scheme significantly exceeded the amount available to allocate and the swimming pool project in Maynooth did not score sufficiently highly to be awarded a grant.
All unsuccessful applicants were given the opportunity to appeal the Department’s decision if it was felt than an error was made in the assessment process and an appeal was received from Kildare County Council. All appeals have now been assessed by officials who were not involved in the initial assessment process and no errors were found which warranted an automatic grant.
Officials from my Department and Kildare County Council held a meeting on the 7th December 2022 to discuss the LSSIF programme while also answering any queries the Council had in relation to their previously submitted proposal.
While the priority in the short term is to advance the projects that were already allocated funding, a review of the LSSIF Programme is nearing finalisation. As part of that review, the Department is examining, inter alia, progress on all projects awarded funding to date, whether there is any scope to award additional grants and whether there should be a new call for proposals.
With regard to a possible new round of the LSSIF, Minister Martin and I will continue to engage with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, in relation to the additional funding required and the timing and terms and conditions of any new round of the LSSIF will be announced in due course.
Finally, both the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 and the Sports Action Plan 2021-2023 commit to the development of a National Swimming Strategy. A public consultation on its development closed in October 2022 and work on the analysis of the very large number of responses is now complete. Work on developing the National Swimming Strategy is nearing completion and I hope to be in a position to publish it before the end of 2023. A report detailing the findings of the public consultation process will be made available in tandem with the publication of the Strategy. Future policy on the funding of swimming pools will, of course, reflect the recommendations contained in the Swimming Strategy.
394. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cé mhéad teaghlach atá fós ag fanacht ar íocaíochtaí faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge do chúrsa a ritheadh i rith an tsamhraidh: an méid airgid atá i gceist san iomlán, an spriocdháta faoina n-íocfar le gach duine íoctha; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [40432/23]
View answer395. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén uair a thabharfar íocaíocht do theaghlaigh a choinnigh scoláirí ar chúrsa Gaeilge faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge i rith an tsamhraidh (sonraí tugtha); agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [40433/23]
View answer396. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén uair a thabharfar íocaíocht do theaghlaigh a choinnigh scoláirí ar chúrsaí Gaeilge faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge i rith an tsamhraidh (sonraí tugtha); agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [40434/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 394, 395 and 396 together.
Táthar ag tógáil an trí cheist 40432, 40433 agus 40434 le chéile.
Tá measúnú déanta ar 60% de na héilimh íocaíochtaí atá faighte ag Rannóg na gColáistí Gaeilge i mo Roinn ó na Coláistí Gaeilge i leith na cúrsaí samhradh agus tá siad seolta ar aghaidh chuig Rannóg Airgeadais de chuid na Roinne le híoc. Tá íocaíochtaí i leith roinnt mhaith de na héilimh sin déanta cheana féin agus tá an rannóg ag obair ar an 30% eile de na héilimh íocaíochtaí atá faighte faoi láthair.
Ar mhaithe le moill a sheachaint, tá breis acmhainní foirne curtha isteach i Rannóg na gColáistí Gaeilge faoi láthair chun cúnamh a thabhairt leis an próiséas seo. Táthar ag súil go mbeidh fuíolleach na n-éileamh próiseáilte go luath.
Níl figiúirí i leith líon na dteaghlach ná an tsuim airgid atá fós le híoc ar fáil don Roinn ag an tráth seo. Ba chóir dom an Teachta a chur ar an eolas go bhfuil an ráta ag a n-íoctar na teaghlaigh ag brath ar nithe éagsúla ar a n-áirítear éilimh bailí a bheith faighte go pras ó na coláistí féin.
397. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will consider amending the sports capital programme guidelines to enable golf clubs that are not owned by their members, to make applications for significant improvements to their facilities to the benefit of members; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40545/23]
View answerThe latest round (2023) of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) closed for applications on Friday 8th September. A preliminary examination of the submitted applications is now underway but it is clear that the Programme has again generated a very large number of applications.
Work has begun on drafting the "Scoring Assessment and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round and I hope to have this finalised in the coming weeks. Once this is published, the detailed assessment work can commence.
In general, the SCEP has always been confined to "not-for-profit" organisations. You will appreciate that the Programme is generally oversubscribed in terms of the amount requested and the actual funding available. To provide funding for commercial organisations is not considered the best use of the limited public funding available. After each round of the Programme however, a review is undertaken to identify any changes required to further improve the scheme. When undertaking the next review, consideration will be given to all aspects of the Programme including the eligibility of applicants.
398. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the pension increases for retired RTÉ employees will be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40631/23]
View answerI previously considered and approved a 2% increase to pensions in payment for RTÉ in May 2022, which was implemented in August 2022.
The Trustees of the RTÉ Pension scheme subsequently made an application for a 2.5% increase to pensions in payment, backdated to 1st January 2022. This request has been evaluated by NewEra and I am currently considering it.
My recommendation will then need to be reviewed and approved by the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
399. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if his Department has engaged in discussions with relevant persons with regard to the potential purchase of the Conor Pass; to detail his plans to expand the size of National Parks in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39491/23]
View answerThe National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of my Department occasionally purchases land for strategic and conservation purposes. Such acquisitions are considered on a case by case basis. In light of the commercial sensitivity of such considerations and the strategic implications of bringing these considerations into the public domain, I am not in a position to comment on any individual site that is offered for sale.
400. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of private rented accommodation inspections that were carried out by all local authorities in each of the years 2018 to 2022 and to date in 2023; the number of inspections in which further enforcement action was taken, in tabular form; the procedure for deeming that a property is unfit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39499/23]
View answerThe minimum standards for rental accommodation are prescribed in the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 and specify requirements in relation to a range of matters, such as structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, fire safety and the safety of gas, oil and electrical supplies. These Regulations apply to all properties let or available for let. All landlords have a legal obligation to ensure that their rented properties comply with the standards set down in the Regulations.
Responsibility for the enforcement of the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2019 in the private rental sector rests with the relevant local authority.
If a property has been found to be non-compliant with the Regulations, it is a matter for the local authority to determine what action is necessary and appropriate. Under sections 18A and 18B of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992, a housing authority may serve an Improvement Notice or Prohibition Notice, respectively, where a property is found to be non-compliant.
Under Section 34 of that Act, any person who by act or omission contravenes the Regulations, fails to comply with an improvement notice, or re-lets a house in breach of a prohibition notice, will be guilty of an offence and will be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding €5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both. If the contravention, failure to comply or re-letting is continued after conviction, the person will be guilty of a further offence on every day on which the contravention, failure to comply or re-letting continues and for each such offence will be liable, on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding €400 per day.
The Government is committed to ensuring that a stock of high quality accommodation is available for those who live in the private rented sector. Housing for All sets a target of 25% for the inspection of all private residential tenancies from 2021. A total of €9 million in Exchequer funding is being made available by my Department to local authorities this year to help them meet their private rental inspection targets.
Annual data in respect of the level of inspections and enforcement carried out by each local authority is available on my Department's website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/da3fe-private-housing-market-statistics/.
Last year local authorities conducted an all-time high of over 49,000 inspections of private rented dwellings, up from circa 25,000 in 2020 and 20,000 in 2021, when pandemic restrictions had impacted on inspections. Figures for the the first half of 2023 show that 32,247 inspections have been conducted. Further enforcement details for 2023 are set out in the table below:
|
Year |
Total Private Rental Inspections Carried Out |
Total Improvement Letters issued |
Total Improvement Notices Served |
Total Prohibition Notices Served |
Legal Action Initiated |
|
Q1 & Q2 2023 |
32,247 |
22,468 |
994 |
82 |
2 |
401. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide details, in tabular form, of the number of An Bord Pleanála planning appeals have been waiting more than a year, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39512/23]
View answer402. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide details, in tabular form, of the number of planning appeals submitted to An Bord Pleanála in the past five years, and their current status, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39513/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 401 and 402 together.
Arrangements have been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies. The contact email address for An Bord Pleanála in this regard is Oireachtasqueries@pleanala.ie.
In order to be of assistance, my Department obtained the information requested from the Board who have provided the information in tabular form in the attached document.
