Written Answers Nos. 1-15
10. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she is reviewing the performance of the RTÉ board in the context of any future further financial aid to RTÉ from the State; if she has considered the evidence and discussion at Oireachtas Committees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45797/23]
View answerThe role and responsibilities of the Board of RTÉ, and the relationship of the Board to me as Minister, are set out in the Broadcasting Act 2009 and Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. Under the Code of Practice, the Chair of RTÉ is required to provide an annual comprehensive report to me as Minister setting out the system of internal controls in place.
Despite the systems of control described in the comprehensive reports previously submitted to me, it is clear that there have been serious governance failings in RTÉ that must be addressed.
It is for this reason that I established an independent Review of Governance and Culture in RTÉ, overseen by an Expert Advisory Committee led by Professor Niamh Brennan. This Review will focus in particular the compliance, or otherwise, by RTÉ with the Code of Practice and whether the corporate governance framework applying to RTÉ includes a robust system of internal governance.
The direction and oversight of the RTÉ Board is a critical part of the system of internal governance and I expect that the Expert Advisory Committee will address the role of the Board, including identifying areas where the role of the Board needs to be improved and changed. In this context, I also expect that the Expert Advisory Committee will be considering the evidence provided by RTÉ Board members to Oireachtas Committees as regards the oversight that the Board previously exercised.
Given the timing of the review and the associated Review on Contractor Fees, HR and Other Matters, compliance with their recommendations will form part of any requirements for a long-term funding settlement for RTÉ as part of future funding reforms.
In terms of interim funding, as recommended by the Future of Media Commission and underpinned by the more recent NewERA analysis, €16 million is required for RTÉ for 2024. In light of the decline in TV licence fee revenue, NewERA made a further funding recommendation of up to €40 million for RTÉ for 2024. This will be considered later in the year following submission of a strategic vision with costings by RTÉ.
12. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media what plans her Department will undertake with regard to Ireland’s co-hosting of Euro 2028; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45082/23]
View answerUEFA announced on Tuesday 10 October that Ireland will jointly host the UEFA EURO 2028 Championship with the UK. The announcement presents a wonderful opportunity to showcase Ireland and our world-class tourism and sport offerings to Europe and the wider world. The award of the tournament to Ireland and the UK rewards the intensive North-South and East West co-operation in the preparation, planning and presentation of the bid.
It will be the largest sporting event Ireland and the UK has ever jointly staged and the largest single international sporting event held in Ireland.
An economic impact study was conducted on the value of the tournament. Taking into account that Ireland may host six games, in Dublin, it is estimated that the tournament should realise a discounted Gross Value Added (GVA) for Ireland of €189 million in 2022 prices. When benefits that accrue in subsequent years are taken into account the benefit is estimated to rise to a value of €241 million. Allowing for costs of approximately €65.6 million in 2022 prices this will yield a significant return on investment to the State.
The budget, which includes items such as security, local authority, transport and some stadia costs, will be kept under review, and all costs will be monitored, controlled and appropriately scrutinised throughout delivery to ensure value for money.
The State's investment in the Championship will be spread across a number of Departments and Agencies, with the bulk of the funding requirement falling due in 2027 and 2028. The key partners in this regard will be the Department of Justice (with regard to policing and security costs), Dublin City Council (fanzone sites, dressing and other infrastructure), the Department of Transport and my own Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
All costs arising will be addressed as part of the normal Estimates processes in the years leading up to the event.
The close and positive co-operation between all five jurisdictions was crucial in allowing all the bid partners to jointly support the submission of the bid. Now that the Championships have been awarded to Ireland and the UK there will be continuing and ongoing engagement between the jurisdictions between now and 2028. Discussions have already commenced among the partnership on the planning and structures required for the hosting of a successful Championship.
My Department will continue to work closely with the Football Association of Ireland, Dublin City Council and other Government Departments and agencies as well as with our UK partners as plans continue to be developed.
13. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if additional funding will be provided towards the development of sports facilities in view of the increasing financial costs incurred by clubs of all sporting disciplines in providing much needed new and upgraded facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45523/23]
View answer20. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on how the sports capital programme will support sports clubs to invest in projects that will reduce their emissions and lead on climate action within their communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45594/23]
View answer46. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way the Sports Capital Programme will help clubs and National Governing Bodies lead and respond to the climate crisis and drive climate action within communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45546/23]
View answer52. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media how the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme can assist sports clubs and national governing bodies to champion localised measures and adaption to the ongoing climate crisis and drive the adoption of positive climate action across the wider community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45549/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 20, 46 and 52 together.
The 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.
In terms of funding available for the development of sporting facilities, I fully recognise the increasing pressures that our sporting organisations are under. Under Budget 2024, this Government has announced an overall budget allocation of €183.3 million for sport. That is an increase of €8 million (4.6%) compared to this year. The 2024 budget for sport will allow Sport Ireland to continue to support the sport sector as it recovers from Covid-19 and other challenges around rising energy costs and cost of living increases. Recognition of the increasing pressures sports clubs face was also reflected in the significant additional grants allocated under the last round of the SCEP. Under that round alone, €166.6 million was allocated – the highest level of funding for any single round of the Programme. Over €34.5 million has been provided next year for the SCEP to cover existing commitments under the Programme.
With regard to future allocations, the latest round of the SCEP (2023) closed for applications on Friday 8 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 and it is likely that the total number will exceed the previous record 3,106 applications submitted under the last (2020) round. It was open to sports clubs to apply for additional funding for a project already in receipt of an earlier SCEP allocation provided work had not already commenced.
Under this latest round a number of changes have been introduced to reflect recommendations contained in the published Review of the last round including an increased focus on sustainability issues. In this regard, the Guide to Making an Application contains comprehensive details of resources to assist sporting organisations in tackling sustainability issues. Furthermore, the Guide states that additional marks will likely be awarded to applicants who demonstrate their commitment to climate adaptation and protecting and restoring biodiversity.
Amongst the items which will be eligible for SCEP funding, as referenced in the published Guide, are bicycle shelters/storage facilities to promote active travel and sustainable drainage systems and rainwater harvesting. Modifications to sports facilities to reduce energy consumption and LED floodlighting were previously covered by the SCEP and these items continue to be eligible for funding under the 2023 round. From a community perspective, I believe that all of these measures are important in signalling the role that we all need to play in driving positive climate action.
Work is now underway on finalising the "Scoring Assessment and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round and I hope to have it published in the coming weeks. Simultaneously, I also plan to publish the full list of all applications received by county including the relevant sport type for each application received. Once these documents are 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. Due to the nature of the SCEP, it usually takes several months after allocation before successful applicants are actually in a position to draw down funds. Accordingly the main spend for successful applicants under this current round will be in 2025 and beyond and I will be engaging with Government colleagues in the months ahead to ensure the required funding is provided for as many worthwhile projects as possible.
14. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has conducted any analysis of the potential impacts of the construction of the Boyne Greenway on tourism in County Meath. [44818/23]
View answerThe development of the Boyne Greenway comes under the remit of my colleague Minister Eamon Ryan, Minister for Transport. I am informed that €100,000 has been allocated this year to the development of this route via Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII). The planning, design and construction of this Greenway is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland, in conjunction with Meath County Council, and I would like to acknowledge your support for the development of this key project.
I have been advised by Fáilte Ireland that while they have not yet conducted any analysis of the potential impact of the Boyne Valley Greenway on tourism in County Meath, given the success of other greenways they are of the view that it is an exciting prospect for the Boyne Valley in the coming years. Fáilte Ireland will continue to work with the implementation partners to ensure an immersive compelling experience is implemented. There is potential to work with Meath County Council on an Interpretation Plan for the Boyne Valley Greenway once a route is selected and has passed through the consenting phase .
As the Deputy may be aware, from a general tourism perspective, the ‘Ancient’ Destination Experience Development Plan (DEDP) was launched in May 2021 and has already made progress on several key projects called out in the plan. It has brought together the public and private sector in a collaborative and progressive framework, with the aim of spreading visitors right across counties Meath and Louth.
It is designed to be a roadmap for enhancing the existing 'Ancient' visitor proposition to achieve the objectives of addressing seasonality, increasing visitor numbers, improving dwell time and visitor dispersion across the destination.
Fáilte Ireland will continue to work closely with all strategic partners such as Meath and Louth County Councils, the Office of Public Works, and hospitality and tourism industry to achieve its objectives of increasing visitor numbers and revenue to the Boyne Valley region.
I am fully aware of the importance of the tourism sector to communities in every part of the country and that is something that I know is shared by Fáilte Ireland.
With that in mind, my Department is working on the development of a new national tourism policy that will seek to mainstream sustainability, whether environmental, societal or economic. This new tourism policy will seek to support sustainable development in communities throughout the country, whilst protecting our environment and natural resources, and with a greater spread of demand across the year. This will be of particular importance for the regions.
15. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the Irish bid for co-hosting the 2028 European Football Championships includes a back-up stadium in the event that Casement Park, Belfast is unavailable [45070/23]
View answerUEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, announced on Tuesday 10 October that Ireland will jointly host the UEFA EURO 2028 Championship with the UK and this presents a wonderful opportunity to showcase Ireland and our world-class tourism and sports offering to Europe and the wider world. The award of the Championship to Ireland and the UK rewards the intensive North-South and East West co-operation in the preparation and presentation of the bid.
Each of the bid partners will see matches happening in their jurisdictions and, from a whole of island perspective, it will be great for football fans to see matches happening in both Belfast and Dublin. Casement Park, Belfast and Northern Ireland are integral to the successful UEFA EURO 2028 bid. Ireland's component of the bid is centred on the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
The inclusion of Casement Park as part of the winning bid has the firm support of the five football associations and all partners, including both Governments. While redevelopment of Casement Park is a matter for the Northern Ireland authorities and the British Government, the Taoiseach has confirmed that the Government will seek to work with the British Government and the GAA on the development of the stadium with a view to it hosting games at Euro 2028.
The bid partnership is focussed on developing and delivering an outstanding venue at Casement Park that will inspire and serve local communities for generations to come. Indeed, the positive collaboration between the Irish Football Association and the GAA in Northern Ireland demonstrates the power of sport to bring people together, an approach that has given us this historic opportunity that will deliver profound social, cultural and political legacies beyond football.
