Thursday, 19 Oct 2023

Written Answers Nos. 16-31

Tourism Policy

Questions (16)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

16. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she continues to promote Ireland as an attractive holiday location through the arts, sports and culture given the particular market that exists in these areas at the present time; the extent to which it is expected for this to be of benefit to the hotel and catering sectors, on and off season; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45648/23]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

I am committed to the ongoing development of a vibrant and competitive tourism sector that makes a significant contribution across the country, is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable, helps promote a positive image of Ireland overseas, and enables local communities to prosper.

Tourism Ireland is the organisation responsible for marketing the island of Ireland overseas as a compelling holiday destination. In Budget 2024, I maintained additional funding of €10 million for overseas marketing of Ireland. Sustaining investment in marketing campaigns is important to ensure Ireland’s share of voice is retained for longer-term success in an increasingly competitive marketplace.   

Tourism Ireland’s work overseas supports, and is supported by, other areas within the remit of my Department. For example, the portrayal of culture and sport in Tourism Ireland marketing communications overseas can play an important role in helping potential visitors to envisage and appreciate some of the unique aspects of a holiday on the island of Ireland and recognise the island as a top location for sporting events. 

Sport-related tourism has emerged as a very significant element of world tourism, with a multi-million-euro market and a huge potential for countries who position themselves correctly. High profile sporting events such as the UEFA Europa League Final in May 2024 at the Aviva Stadium, the return of The Open to Royal Portrush in 2025, the Ryder Cup at Adare Manor in 2027 and the American college football series provide a unique opportunity to highlight the island of Ireland as a wonderful holiday destination, as well as a top location for sporting events.

There is great co-operation between Screen Ireland and Tourism Ireland. Screen storytelling provides new perspectives on Ireland and Irish values for audiences around the world – including potential tourists – and projects an image of the country as a rich and creative place with a unique identity. Seeing Ireland’s beautiful landscapes on screen helps Tourism Ireland to market the country and they often create a ‘behind-the-scenes’ film describing and praising the filming locations.

Screen and Sport Tourism opportunities continue to be leveraged by Tourism Ireland to shine a spotlight on Ireland as a great holiday destination. My Department and the tourism agencies will continue to work to identify and exploit the opportunities for convergence between tourism and other sectors for the overall benefit of the entire tourism ecosystem.

Coláistí Samhraidh

Questions (17)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

17. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Mairéad Farrell den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil aon mhaoiniú breise ar fáil i mBuiséad 2024 do mhná tí na gColáistí Samhraidh Gaeltachta chun dul i ngleic leis an ngéarchéim ina bhfuil 30% díobh éirithe as ó 2018; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [45644/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Cuirfear chúig chead míle euro (€500,000) breise ar fáil i 2024 chun tuilleadh deiseanna a chur ar fáil do dhaoine óga ó chúlraí faoi mhíbhuntáiste freastal ar Choláistí Samhraidh sa Ghaeltacht. Is anuas ar an suim de cheithre chéad míle euro (€400,000) in aghaidh na bliana atá ar fáil cheana féin don scéim scoláireachta DEIS Gaeltachta a bheidh an maoiniú breise seo á chur ar fáil agam. Ciallóidh sé seo uile go mbeidh níos mó scoláirí ná riamh ó chúlraí éagsúla in ann freastal ar chúrsa samhraidh.

Cuireann mo Roinn cúnamh suntasach ar fáil ar bhonn leanúnach faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge chun tacú le hearnáil na gcoláistí Gaeilge.  Ní mór a lua go bhfuil suim léirithe ag tuilleadh teaghlaigh sa scéim go mór mhór le ardú 20% tagtha ar an deontas laethúil a íoctar le lucht lóistín na gcoláistí Gaeilge le bliain anuas. 

Faoin scéim seo, cuirtear cúnamh ar fiú dó dhéag euro (€12) in aghaidh an lae ar fáil in aghaidh gach scoláire a thagann chuig an nGaeltacht chun Gaeilge a fhoghlaim. De thoradh an deontais seo, laghdaíonn sé go hindíreach an táille a ghearreann coláistí ar an lucht freastail.

Go dáta i mbliana, tá timpeall daichead teaghlach nua cláraithe faoin scéim.  Os rud é go mbíonn an Roinn ag glacadh le hiarratais ar bhonn leanúnach, tá seans ann go mbeidh tuilleadh iarratas fós ag teacht i mbliana.  Is tríocha ceathair (34) teaghlach a chláraigh faoin scéim in 2019 agus tríocha naoi (39) anuraidh – rud a léiríonn go bhfuil méadú ag teach ar líon na teaghlach nua a bhfuil suim acu clárú faoin scéim.  

Ar ndóigh bíonn feidhmeannaigh mo Roinne i dteagmháil go rialta le scáthghrúpa na gcoláistí samhraidh, CONCOS, chun deis plé a bheith ann maidir le bealaí a bhféadfaí cabhrú tuilleadh leis an earnáil. 

Táim sásta go mbeidh tionchar dearfach ag na beartas ar fad atá ceadaithe faoin scéim ar an earnáil sa bhliain amach romhainn.

Question No. 18 answered with Question No. 8.

Question No. 19 answered with Question No. 6.

Question No. 20 answered with Question No. 13.

Departmental Funding

Questions (21)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

21. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she expects to allocate funds under the major or minor grants/schemes administered by her Department; the extent to which she can assist communities where cost overruns due to Covid are affecting projects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45649/23]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

My Department has operated a number of support schemes and initiatives by way of special provision in response to the challenges arising from the COVID pandemic.  While there is no framework for revision of support levels on approved projects to assist with increased costs arising from COVID, recipients of funding from my Department are encouraged to liaise closely with my officials in relation to their progress or any difficulty on their projects.

Across the broad remit of responsibilities in relation to Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, my Department directly administers a range of capital and current funding schemes. These are in addition to funding provided by bodies under the aegis of the Department in all of the sectoral areas. 

While the timing of the allocation of these funds varies, I wish to highlight the following for the Deputy in relation to schemes administered directly by the Department:

Culture

Among the schemes relating to the Arts and Culture functions of the Department, the following four will be open for applications in early 2024: 

• the Regional Museum Exhibition Scheme,

• the Co-operation with Northern Ireland Scheme,

• the Small Scale Festivals and Summer School Scheme and

• the Mobility of Collections Scheme.

Culture Ireland

Culture Ireland runs a regular grant scheme up to five times a year. The dates of the rounds are advertised through the Culture Ireland website in advance of the deadlines. The dates for 2024 have not yet been finalised and will be published before the end of 2023.

Basic Income for the Arts Pilot Scheme

The Basic Income for the Arts (BIA) pilot scheme which provides 2,000 recipients with a payment of €325 per week. Payment to BIA recipients has been ongoing since October 2022 and will continue in 2024.

Cultural Capital Scheme

Applications are also now open for a further stream of funding under the Cultural Capital Scheme. This scheme will provide funding for projects that reduce an organisation’s carbon footprint and will include funding for organisational energy audits.

Creative Ireland

In relation to the Creative Ireland Programme, the majority of its 2024 spend has been allocated through grants awarded in 2023 and commitments made through Creative Communities and the Creative Youth Plan. The decision on the remaining allocations will be made in early 2024.

Gaeltacht

Irish Language Support Schemes

Grant funds for current spending under Irish Language Support Schemes are allocated by my Department on an ongoing basis. The majority of current funding for 2024 has already been allocated to fulfil ongoing commitments.

Community based organisations that operate through Irish outside the Gaeltacht may make an application for capital assistance under the Department’s Irish Language Schemes. There is no deadline as applications are welcome throughout the year. The existing budget of has been increased by an additional allocation of €0.5m in Budget 2024.

Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge

Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge supports language acquisition and enrichment opportunities in Gaeltacht regions for second and third-level students nationwide. Under this scheme, a daily subsidy of €12 per day is payable to eligible Gaeltacht families who provide certified accommodation for those who attend one of the c.42 recognised Gaeltacht Irish language colleges.

Sport

Sports Capital Programmes

With regard to capital support for sports projects, my Department provides capital support through the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).

The latest round of the SCEP closed for applications on Friday, 8th September. Detailed assessment work is expected to commence on these shortly, with grants for the "Equipment-only" applications intended to be announced in the coming months and the capital allocations likely to be announced later in 2024.

The first LSSIF allocations were announced just prior to the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic. In light of pandemic and inflation related difficulties, LSSIF grantees were invited to apply for additional support by 4 August 2023. The outcome of these are intended to be announced in the coming weeks.

Television Licence Fee

Questions (22)

James O'Connor

Question:

22. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of licence fees paid to date in 2023; how does that compare year on year with 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45802/23]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

TV Licence sales from 1st January to 16th October 2023, were 642,860. In the corresponding period in 2022, a total of 731,772 were sold. There is a reduction of 88,912 between both periods.  While this is a decline of 12% on a year to date basis, it represents a decline of 31% from 1st July to 16th October. 

This represents an estimated decline of €14.2 million in revenues which support not only RTÉ but also the Broadcasting Fund which in turn supports the Sound and Vision Scheme, and is very important to the independent production sector. 

As RTÉ receives 93% of net revenue from TV Licence sales, its income from this source is estimated to have declined by €12.6 million to date.  It is further estimated that the loss of income to RTÉ to year end will be up to €21m.

The restoration of sustainable and secure funding for public service broadcasting is a priority for Government.

Appendix 1 – TV Licence Sales and Revenue Jan-Sept 2023//22

	2023 (Jan-16th Oct)	2022 (Jan-16th Oct)	Difference
Sales	642,860	731,772	-€88,912
Gross Revenue (licences*€160)	€102,857,600	€117,083,520	-€14,225,920
An Post Commission	€6,638,245	€7,302,704	-€664,459
Net Revenue	€96,219,355	€109,780,816	-€13,561,461
RTÉ (93%)	€89,484,000	€102,096,159	-€12,612,159
Broadcasting Fund (7%)	€6,735,355	€7,684,657	-€949,302

Appendix 2 - YOY Monthly TV Licence Sales 2023/22

MONTH	2023	2022
Jan	78,389	78,050
Feb	71,891	70,648
March	79,210	74,098
April	68,795	73,942
May	73,598	73,624
June	73,421	75,067
July	53,882	76,769
Aug	54,664	77,736
Sept	66,000	93,365
Oct (16th)	23,010	38,473
TOTAL	619,850	693,299

Sports Funding

Questions (23)

Emer Higgins

Question:

23. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to increase support for grassroots clubs in the League of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45607/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

We are fortunate to have many dynamic and vibrant football leagues in Ireland, for females and males, within the pyramidal structure that culminates for adults in the League of Ireland. Participation is a key principle that must underpin grassroots sport and is one of the key tenets of the National Sports Policy. Investment in, and supports to, both grassroots clubs and national level clubs in the League of Ireland is important and our capital funding programmes, as set out below, are providing significant support on both fronts. 

Specific Government funding for football is primarily aimed at supporting the delivery of programmes at local level, including programmes such as Football for All, Summer Soccer Schools and Late Night Leagues. Sport Ireland channels this funding through the Football Association of Ireland (FAI).  

Considerable additional financial support is provided by the State for the development of football in Ireland, particularly via the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and the FAI for the period 2020-2023. This provides for a package of funding of €5.8 million per annum to the FAI for the 2020-2023 period for football development.  From that amount, €0.8 million is to be dedicated each year to programmes that underpin the development of the League of Ireland and the Women’s National League.  

In total, almost €62 million has been provided to the FAI by Sport Ireland between 2019 and 2022 under a range of funding programmes, including specific responses to the recent Covid and energy costs crises.

With regard to capital support, 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. Under the last round of the Programme alone, over €25 million was provided to soccer clubs right around the country. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.  

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. 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. 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. 

Funding is also available from my Department under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The first call for proposals under the LSSIF closed in 2019 with applications confined to local authorities and National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of Sport. All applications were assessed in accordance with the published Evaluation Procedures and Guidelines and the first allocations were announced in January 2020. Thus far, approximately €86.4 million has been awarded to 33 different proposals including to a number of soccer related projects. Details of all allocations under the LSSIF are available on my Department's website.

With regard to a possible new round of the LSSIF, I am determined to see continued investment in sports facilities in order to ensure we achieve our ambitious targets for sports participation. Accordingly, I will continue to engage with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, in relation to the funding required to underpin any new round.

Scéimeanna Teanga

Questions (24)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

24. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil sé i gceist aici Scéim Labhairt na Gaeilge a thabhairt ar ais an bliain seo chugainn; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [45591/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Níl i gceist ag mo Roinn Scéim Labhairt na Gaeilge a thabhairt ar ais mar a bhí sé i 2011 nuair a chuireadh deireadh leis. Ó cuireadh deireadh leis an scéim seo, tá raon leathan de bhearta curtha i bhfeidhm ag mo Roinn agus faoi scáth an phróisis pleanála teanga - a tháinig i bhfeidhm ó shin - chun cabhrú le teaghlaigh atá ag tógáil clainne le Gaeilge nó ar mhian leo é sin a dhéanamh.

I bhfianaise an tábhacht faoi leith a bhaineann le tacú tuilleadh fós le cur chun cinn na teanga ar bhonn teaghlaigh sa Ghaeltacht agus go deimhin sna Bailte Seirbhíse Gaeltachta agus Líonraí Gaeilge atá aitheanta faoin bpróiseas pleanála teanga, bhuail feidhmeannaigh mo Roinne le páirtithe leasmhara chun breathnú ar bhearta breise thairis an méid atá ar bun cheana a d’fhéadfaí a chur sa tsiúil chun tacú tuilleadh le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge ag leibhéal an teaghlaigh. Tionóladh an mheitheal smaointeoireachta seo ar an 9ú Feabhra 2023 agus bhí an-rath air. Ó shin i leith, tá an t-ábhar pléite le roinnt páirtithe leasmhara le smaointe agus tuairimí maidir le scéim nua a bhailiú.

Bhí cruinniú ag an Roinn le Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta an 21 Meán Fómhair chun na féidearthachtaí maidir le scéim nua a chíoradh agus tá beartaithe ag an Roinn bualadh le grúpa ionadaíoch ar na hOifigigh Pleanála Teanga sna seachtainí amach romhainn chun a gcuid smaointe a bhailiú freisin.

Sa bhreis ar an bplé seo uile, cuireann mo Roinn raon leathann de tacaíochtaí eile ar fáil don Ghaeilge sa Ghaeltacht. I measc na tacaíochtaí seo, tá na nithe seo a leanas:

• Ceadaíodh cistíocht shuntasach ar fiú breis agus €1.6m é thar tréimhse trí bliana don eagraíocht Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta ó 2021 go 2023. Cuireann an maoiniú seo le cumas Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta tacú le tuismitheoir atá ag tógáil clainne le Gaeilge nó ar mhian leo é sin a dhéanamh. Tá plé ar siúil leis an eagraíocht faoi láthair maidir le cistíocht do 2024 agus na blianta ina dhiaidh sin. 

• Cuireann mo Roinn ciste faoi leith ar fáil don eagraíocht Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta freisin mar thacaíocht d'earnáil na luathbhlianta sa Ghaeltacht. Is maoiniú é seo ar fiú €601,100 é i leith na scoilbliana 2022/23. Cuireann Údarás na Gaeltachta ciste ar leith eile ar fáil do Chomhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta agus tá maoiniú ar fiú €619,500 ceadaithe ag an eagraíocht sin i leith 2023.

• Cheadaigh mé allúntas ar fiú €3.72m don eagraíocht d’Ealaín na Gaeltachta i mbliana chun clár 3 bliana a fheidhmiú - méadú 200% ar an allúntas deiridh atá i gceist leis seo. Is tréimhse 3 bliana, 2023 go 2025 atá i gceist leis an maoiniú seo. Cuimsíonn an t-ardú seo d'Ealaín na Gaeltachta clár oibre a fheidhmiú fud fad na Gaeltachta a dhíreoidh ar deiseanna breise sealbhaithe agus saibhrithe teanga a spreagadh i measc óige na Gaeltachta.

Is féidir liom a dheimhniú don Teachta go mbeidh mo Roinn i gcónaí ag breathnú ar bhealaí chun cabhrú le teaghlaigh atá ag tógáil clainne le Gaeilge nó ar mhian leo é sin a dhéanamh.

Sports Events

Questions (25)

Chris Andrews

Question:

25. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated expenditure relating to the hosting a major sporting event (details supplied) for each year in advance of the event and including the year of the event; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45738/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

UEFA, 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 sport offerings to Europe and the wider world.  

This will be the largest sporting event we have ever jointly staged.  It will also be the largest single international sporting event held in Ireland. 

I can confirm that all costs have been scrutinised in great detail and a cost/benefit analysis has been carried out and all funding contributors understand the scale of costs arising. A business case has also been undertaken in keeping with the requirements of the public spending code.

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 includes items such as security, local authority, transport and some stadia costs. It 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. 

I am satisfied that there will be a strong return on investment with this project and that it will deliver both good economic and social value for many years ahead.

Question No. 26 answered with Question No. 11.

Departmental Funding

Questions (27)

David Stanton

Question:

27. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to outline the way she is supporting community radio stations across the country; the community radio stations that she has supported in the past; the amount of support each has received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45047/23]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Community radio is an important element of the overall media landscape in Ireland, playing a vital role in community engagement and cohesion, and in the promotion of social inclusion.

Support is made available to community radio stations through the Sound and Vision Scheme, which is administered by Coimisiún na Meán, and which provides dedicated funding rounds for the sector. A major innovation in the current scheme has been the establishment of Social Benefit rounds for community broadcasters.  This funding supports not only the creation of a diverse range of programming, but also supports training and outreach activities.

With regard to the level of funding provided to the community radio, in 2020 €670k was awarded to 22 community radio projects focused on social benefit in Round 36 of the Sound and Vision Scheme, which was only accessible to Community Radio projects. Similarly, in 2021, Round 41 of the Sound and Vision Scheme provided awards of between €5,000 and €40,000 to 19 community radio station projects, and total funding awarded amounted to €516,300.

In addition to the funding provided to Community Radio in the ring-fenced funding rounds which I have outlined, community radio stations are also encouraged to apply for open rounds of Sound and Vision, i.e. those also open to commercial radio and to television stations.  Community radio projects received a further €1.14m under general Sound and Vision funding rounds in the period from 2020 to 2022.

This year, under Rounds 48 and 49 of the Scheme, funding of €710k was granted to 20 community broadcast projects across the country, including community television projects. Next year, Round 52 will open in January, when up to €750k in funding will be available for community broadcasters.

As Coimisiún na Meán are responsible for the administration of the Sound and Vision Scheme, details of the awards made to community radio projects are available directly from An Coimisiún, who also provide details of the forthcoming funding rounds.

The Future of Media Commission recommended that a new Community Media Scheme be established as part of the wider Media Fund.  The Media Fund has been established on an administrative basis, and I have secured €6m for roll-out next year of the first two Schemes under the Media Fund, namely the Local Democracy and Courts Reporting Schemes.  Community radio stations will be eligible to apply for these Schemes.

Finally, I assure the Deputy that both An Coimisiún and I are fully committed to the continuing development and support of the wider media sector, and in particular regional, local and community media outlets.

Film Industry

Questions (28, 30, 54)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

28. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will outline the progress being made on the implementation of the recommendations of the report on section 481 Film Tax Credit, produced by the Oireachtas Budget Scrutiny Committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45369/23]

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

30. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will outline the engagements her Department has had with the Department of Finance and other Government Departments to progress the establishment of the stakeholders’ forum, one of the recommendations of the recent report on section 481 Film Tax Credit produced by the Oireachtas Budget Scrutiny Committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45368/23]

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

54. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the progress she has made in convening the film industry stakeholder forum as recommended in the recent report by the budget oversight and scrutiny committee on section 481 film tax credit and the Irish film industry. [45790/23]

Written answers

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

I propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 30 and 54 together.

The Report of the Budgetary Oversight Committee contained 14 Recommendations relating to the Section 481 Film Tax Relief.  In addition to those recommendations that fall under my remit, responsibility for the analysis and consideration of the majority of recommendations falls on the Minister for Finance, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment as well as on the Committee itself.  To date Recommendation number 13 has been implemented with the announcement of an increase of the Section 481 cap up from €70m to €125m in Budget 2024.

Officials from my Department have engaged with officials from both the Department of Finance and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in relation to many of the recommendations.   

Consideration is being given to Recommendation 14 as part of overall considerations of the Committee’s Report and further engagement between my Department and the Department of Finance is ongoing on a suitable format for a forum.  My Department is expected to lead with the involvement of Minister McGrath's Department and Minister Coveney's Department. Further details will be announced in due course.  

Earlier this year, Screen Ireland, the State Body with responsibility for the development of the Irish audiovisual industry, retained an independent facilitator to meet with stakeholders to understand and discuss issues that have arisen since the transposition into Irish law of the EU Copyright Directive. 

During the first phase of the process, individual stakeholder meetings were held and subsequently moderated group discussions took place with screen writers, directors, composers, actors, animation and live-action producers, with a view to finding common understandings and potential clarifications that might be required around the legislation. As a collective, the industry representative group has proposed next steps that Screen Ireland is currently reviewing with a view to supporting progress.  It is important to allow that process the opportunity to address some of these concerns in the first instance.  As Minister, I would encourage all representative groups to continue to engage in this process and in negotiating fair agreements to ensure the continued success and growth of the industry.

Sports Events

Questions (29)

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

29. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an update on her Department’s work to ensure that Dublin is prepared to host the UEFA Euros 2028 tournament, particularly in relation to sufficient tourist accommodation. [45219/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

I was delighted when UEFA confirmed last Tuesday, 10 October, that Ireland will jointly host the UEFA EURO 2028 Championships with the UK and this presents a wonderful opportunity to showcase Ireland and our world-class tourism offering 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 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 business case for the event, undertaken under the public spending code, found that while there are current pressures on the tourism industry in Ireland generally which arise largely from the war in Ukraine, It is not possible to predict what challenges the world’s economy will face between now and 2028 nor is it possible to predict how these might affect the tourism accommodation sector in Dublin and its environs.

While this is an aspect of the requirements of the tournament that will require careful monitoring, Dublin, as a European capital city, offers the capacity, type and range of hotels required for any major international sporting event. Coupled with first class training facilities, Ireland can provide players, officials, sponsors, VIPs and fans alike with the best facilities possible.

Fáilte Ireland is currently working on Accommodation Audits to establish a baseline on existing capacity across the country and to provide gap analysis in each destination and region. As part of the roll-out of all Destination Experience Development Plans, Fáilte Ireland will audit and map out current accommodation stock.   This will include a quality and gap analysis (if any) for additional accommodation development on a county-by-county basis.

Fáilte Ireland will use these audits to inform Local Authorities as they shape their own tourism accommodation strategies. Officials from my Department are also developing policy in regard to determining future accommodation needs in the Tourism sector.

Question No. 30 answered with Question No. 28.

Question No. 31 answered with Question No. 8.