Holly Cairns
Question:567. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to detail any ongoing or previous use of artificial intelligence within her Department. [47345/23]
View answerArtificial Intelligence
Questions (567)
Written answers
My Department is guided by the National Cyber Security Centre in relation to the use or operation of artificial intelligence which is not currently utilised to assist with Departmental functions. All applications and platforms used or operated by my Department must be in line with relevant policies and be consistent with advice provided by the National Cyber Security Centre.
Departmental Functions
Questions (568)
Carol Nolan
Question:568. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 4 of 19 October 2023, if her Department does not have responsibility for the general hospitality sector or the food services sector, the Department and Minister that has responsibility for the protection and promotion of Ireland's food-led businesses including restaurants, cafés and gastropubs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47406/23]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister for Tourism my statutory functions relate to the tourism sector and tourism-specific businesses operating therein, primarily providers of activities, attractions and accommodation.
While elements of the hospitality and food services sectors are also important parts of the wider tourism ecosystem, those sectors are at core enterprise sectors.
In this context, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and I co-chair the Hospitality and Tourism Forum which brings together on a regular basis these two important and inter-related sectors.
Sports Facilities
Questions (569)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:569. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an update on the status of the Munster football centre of excellence in Glanmire; the interaction her Department has had with the FAI and (details supplied) in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47515/23]
View answerWritten answers
The National Sports Policy, which was published in 2018, provided for the establishment of a Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The first call for proposals under the LSSIF closed in 2019 with applications confined to local authorities and national governing bodies 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 an allocation of €2,025,699 for the Munster Centre of Excellence project. Details of all allocations are on the Department's website.
The FAI wrote to my Department earlier this year stating that the FAI Board and Executive had made the decision not to proceed with the Glanmire project. In this regard the FAI stated that the original proposal no longer represented the greatest return on investment for all parties involved. It should be noted however, that the FAI has also stated that it remains committed to supporting the development of a Munster Centre of Excellence facility in the Cork region. In this regard, the Association advised that it will continue to work with Cork City FC and other stakeholders to seek a new location for the Munster Centre of Excellence facility and will inform my Department once a site is identified. My Department awaits a new proposal from the FAI and will review it in accordance with the LSSIF guidelines.
I will engage again with the FAI, as it is in the best interests of sport and football that the investment is made.
If any proposal emerges from the FAI which again seeks to develop the original site at Glanmire, I will of course be keen to see progress.
My Department and I will continue to engage with the FAI in relation to the development of a Munster Centre of Excellence, including any proposal which seeks to develop the original site at Glanmire, as it is in the best interests of sport and football to see this investment made.
Ministerial Staff
Questions (570)
Catherine Murphy
Question:570. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the date on which she was notified by her special advisor (details supplied) that she had applied for a position at the Media Commission; and her views on whether the role change represents a conflict of interest, or a perceived conflict of interest. [47625/23]
View answerWritten answers
I was notified by the Special Adviser in question on 29th August that she had competed successfully in an open competition for the role of Director of Policy in Coimisiún na Meán, and that it was her intention to take up that position. I am satisfied that this appointment does not constitute a conflict of interest.
Ministerial Staff
Questions (571)
Catherine Murphy
Question:571. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will clarify whether a declaration of interest and or a statement of interests for the purposes of Section 19 was filed by a special advisor (details supplied) during their recruitment to her Department and their new role in the Media Commission [47639/23]
View answerWritten answers
The special adviser in question is responsible to the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) in relation to filing of Section 19 Statements of Interests. Where a Statement of Interest is furnished, it is to be laid before the Oireachtas. There is no obligation on a special adviser to furnish a nil statement where no interests exist. Accountable issues in relation to Special Advisers are defined in declarations to be made under the Ethics in Public Office Act.
Ministerial Staff
Questions (572)
Catherine Murphy
Question:572. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of statements of interests for the purposes of Section 19 that have been filed by her special advisors in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if she will provide a schedule of same. [47656/23]
View answerWritten answers
Special advisers are responsible to the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) in relation to filing of Section 19 Statements of Interests. Where a Statement of Interest is furnished, it is to be laid before the Oireachtas. There is no obligation on a special adviser to furnish a nil statement where no interests exist. Accountable issues in relation to Special Advisers are defined in declarations to be made under the Ethics in Public Office Act.
Departmental Advertising
Questions (573)
Robert Troy
Question:573. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide a breakdown of the advertising spend of her Department and agencies under the remit of her Department, by national media outlet and local newspaper outlet, for each of the years 2020 to 2022, in tabular form. [47741/23]
View answerWritten answers
Please see below details in tabular form of advertising expenditure each year since my Department was constituted in its current configuration in September 2020. I am advised that it is not possible to tabulate the expenditure between local newspapers and national media outlets, as my Departmental expenditure is on a per-campaign basis, and is allocated via media buying agencies. The figures provided below represent advertising in local and national media, and online.
Various forms of communication, including advertising, media engagement, and social media postings, have become increasingly important in informing and updating the public of the work of my Department. At all times value for money is a critical consideration.
Regarding bodies and agencies under my Department’s remit, these are operational matters for the agencies themselves, and the Department does not have this information.
Total advertising budget allocated by the Department in each year since September 2020 to date:
|
Advertising totals inc. VAT |
|
|
September 2020-December 31st 2020 |
€8,298.92 |
|
2021 |
€321,454.21 |
|
2022 |
€325,336.01 |
|
2023 to date |
€354,001.27 |
Official Engagements
Questions (574, 575)
Matt Carthy
Question:574. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the engagements her Department, or any agency or body under her direction, has had with the government of Israel, any state body of the government of Israel, or any engagement within or with Israel, in 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47816/23]
View answerMatt Carthy
Question:575. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the engagements her Department, or any agency or body under her direction, has had with the Palestinian Authority, any organ of the Palestinian Authority, or any engagement within, or with organisations in, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, in the years 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47834/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 574 and 575 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the details sought in relation to these matters is set out in the table below.
Regarding bodies and agencies under my Department’s remit, these are operational matters for the agencies themselves, and my Department does not have this information.
|
Year |
Details of engagement with the Israeli government or state body of the Israeli government, or within Israel. |
Details of engagement with the Palestinian Authority or within the Occupied Palestinian Territory |
|
2021 |
No engagement. |
No engagement. |
|
2022 |
A Culture Ireland grant of €750 was awarded to Composer Dorone Paris to attend a performance of her work by Karem Ensemble at the Ein Dor’s Archaeology Museum on 09 June 2022, and at the Art Gallery and Jerusalem's SEDEK, Israel, on 16 June 2022. |
No engagement. |
|
2023 |
No engagement. |
A Culture Ireland grant of €5,000 was awarded to Kate Dunne for the presentation of 'Sorcas Sirk’ in Gaza, Palestine, on 22 - 26 October 2023. However Grantee has notified Culture Ireland that this activity has not proceeded due to current events. |
Question No. 575 answered with Question No. 574.
Sports Funding
Questions (576)
Sorca Clarke
Question:576. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an update on the large-scale sports infrastructure fund; the number of projects that were allocated funding in Longford and Westmeath under the previous round; to provide an update on progress from these projects. [47886/23]
View answerWritten answers
The National Sports Policy, which was published in 2018, provided for the establishment of a Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The first call for proposals under the LSSIF closed in 2019 with applications confined to local authorities and national governing bodies 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. There are currently no LSSIF approved projects located in County Longford or County Westmeath. Details of all allocations are on the Department's website.
The first LSSIF allocations were announced just prior to the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic obviously gave rise to financial challenges for all grantees with many of them having to reprioritise their own expenditure plans due to reductions in their income streams. In more recent times, the high level of construction inflation has also presented considerable challenges for grantees.
In light of these issues, it was considered timely to review progress on all projects allocated grants and meetings with all grantees have taken place. It is encouraging that, based on these discussions, a majority of the 33 projects should be in a position to draw down funding in the next 12 months. While this progress is very welcome, these discussions also confirmed that some projects in receipt of LSSIF grants may not proceed in the short to medium term.
Following engagement with the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform and in recognition of the challenges mentioned above, officials in my Department wrote to all LSSIF grantees inviting them to apply for additional support by 4 August. To be considered for additional funding, grantees were advised that the key elements of the project should remain as set out in the original application and that priority would be given to those who provide evidence-based documentation to support their application. I hope to be in a position to announce further allocations to grantees in due course to ensure that all existing LSSIF projects are advanced.
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 across the country. Accordingly, I will continue to engage with the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform on the funding required to underpin any new round.
Sports Funding
Questions (577)
Sorca Clarke
Question:577. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of applications received under the most recent sports capital grant scheme in Longford and Westmeath; and the value of the approved applications. [47901/23]
View answerWritten answers
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 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 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 this published shortly. 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 and announce 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.
Sports Facilities
Questions (578)
Patrick Costello
Question:578. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an update in relation to the investigation by an organisation (details supplied) into the use of the National Stadium by a group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47958/23]
View answerWritten answers
This is a matter for the National Governing Body concerned, which is an independent, autonomous organisation. Neither I nor my Department has any role in decisions made by the body in question regarding use of any of their facilities including, in this case, the National Stadium. There is no legislative basis for me or my Department to intervene in this matter.
Departmental Contracts
Questions (579)
Réada Cronin
Question:579. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department engages a company (details supplied); if so, the duration and nature of the work; the cost of same to the Exchequer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48021/23]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised that my Department has not entered into any contracts with the company to which the Deputy refers.
Arts Centres
Questions (580)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:580. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media how a community should go about trying to secure support from Government to establish a local arts centre; if she is aware of the demand in Athenry, County Galway, in particular; what support she can provide to their efforts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48039/23]
View answerWritten answers
Much of the nationwide infrastructure of venues and arts centres nationwide used by the professional arts were initiated and funded by local authorities. Recent decades have seen the development of a nationwide infrastructure of venues and arts centres, many of which were initiated and funded by local authorities and then by the Arts Council for ongoing current funding. My Department focuses on providing capital grant funding for arts and cultural facilities. The primary focus of these schemes is towards securing and enhancement of existing arts and culture facilities rather than the development of major new centres.
Any proposal to develop of a local arts centre would be primarily be a matter in the first instance for the local authority. In this case, that would be Galway County Council. County and city development plans are drawn up by local authorities in accordance with their functions under the Planning and Development Acts. In this context I understand that the Galway County Development Plan 2022 - 2028 sets out policy objectives for development in the county up to 2028. If there is a community element, the Department of Community and Local Development may have supports that would be relevant.
Corporate Governance
Questions (581)
Catherine Murphy
Question:581. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of complaints she has filed to the Corporate Enforcement Agency (CEA) since the establishment of the CEA and/or An Garda Síochána in the past ten years to date in respect of grants and or funds her Department provided that in her view were misappropriated. [48075/23]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised that my Department, since it was established in its current configuration in September 2020, has filed no complaints to the Corporate Enforcement Agency (CEA). On 27 January 2021, my Department reported one case in respect of a grant my Department provided, to An Garda Síochána.
Commemorative Plaques
Questions (582)
Seán Crowe
Question:582. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an update of any plans or proposals in relation to the proposed plaque outside the Customs House commemorating the community commemorative event of 25 May 2008 in remembrance of An Gorta Mór. [48115/23]
View answerWritten answers
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that my officials along with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the OPW agreed to the placement of the commemorative plaque in the Custom House Visitors Centre for the public to view. The commemorative plaque was installed in June 2023.
Business Supports
Questions (583)
Marian Harkin
Question:583. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if downstream businesses such as restaurants, cafés and gastropubs, that have suffered an equally devastating impact as a result of reduced footfall/tourism caused by contracting of beds by the Government for humanitarian purposes, will be included in any specific business support scheme for tourism activities and attractions, which is currently being examined by Fáilte Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48197/23]
View answerWritten answers
The war in Ukraine, combined with the high number of international protection applicants, continues to put pressure on the Government's ability to offer humanitarian accommodation and has resulted in the largest humanitarian effort in the State's history.
The tourism sector continues to play a significant role in supporting this effort. Contracting of tourism accommodation for Ukrainian refugees has inevitably impacted on downstream tourism businesses.
As Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media my remit relates to the tourism sector and businesses operating therein, primarily providers of tourism activities, attractions and accommodation. While elements of the hospitality sector are important parts of the wider tourism ecosystem, the food services sector itself is at its core an enterprise sector.
As part of the Budget settlement that I have secured for tourism in 2024, up to €10 million has been identified for a comprehensive programme of supports targeted at downstream tourism businesses experiencing particular trading challenges linked to the reduction in footfall to activities and attractions in regions most impacted by tourism bed stock displacement.
I have asked Fáilte Ireland to consider the scope for a specific business support scheme that could help the most affected tourism activities and attractions and I expect to receive a report with options and recommendations from the Authority shortly.
The wider programme of support will also include investment in sustainable tourism development and promotion, industry digitalisation, promotion of domestic tourism and festivals and recruitment and retention initiatives.
As part of Budget 2024, the Increased Costs of Business Scheme was introduced by the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to assist small and medium sized businesses with the increases in a range of business costs. This scheme is administered by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and provides for a once-off grant to benefit up to 130,000 small and medium rate-paying businesses and €250 million has been allocated towards this scheme. I would expect that this should be of significant help to cafés and restaurants.
Ceisteanna Craolacháin
Questions (584)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:584. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil i gceist aici liúntas breise maoine caipitil a chur ar fáil go TG4 as seo go deireadh na bliana le ligean dóibh cur leis an obair iontach atá ar bun acu, ag tógáil san áireamh an €16.5 m breise reatha atá le cur ar fáil do RTÉ sa bhliain reatha; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [48250/23]
View answerWritten answers
Rinne an Coimisiún um Thodhchaí na Meán, ar foilsíodh a dtuarascáil i mí Iúil 2022, moltaí maidir le leibhéil mhaoinithe poiblí do TG4 agus RTÉ araon. Ghlac an Rialtas i bprionsabal le 49 as 50 moladh a rinneadh, agus tá siad ag leanúint ar aghaidh ag tabhairt éifeachta dóibh lena n-áirítear iad siúd a bhaineann le leibhéil mhaoinithe poiblí.
Maidir le TG4, mhol an Coimisiún leibhéal maoinithe iomlán €48.7m do 2023. Tar éis an leithdháileadh méadaithe a daingníodh i mBuiséad 2023, sáraíodh an maoiniú seo agus leithdháileadh €52m ar TG4 i mbliana. Ina theannta sin, i mBuiséad 2024, fuair mé ardú breise 9% ar mhaoiniú TG4 a thabharfaidh leithdháileadh na bliana seo chugainn don chraoltóir suas go €57m. Is ionann é sin agus méadú €19.8m sa tréimhse ó ceapadh mé i m’Aire.
Tá sé tábhachtach a thabhairt faoi deara go bhfuil straitéis nua TG4 fós le hathbhreithniú ag Coimisiún na Meán a dhéanfaidh moltaí, de réir mar a cheanglaítear faoin reachtaíocht, maidir le leibhéil mhaoinithe amach anseo.
Maidir le maoiniú eatramhach do RTÉ, tá sé seo bunaithe ar mholtaí an Choimisiúin um Thodhchaí na Meán agus ar mheasúnú breise NewERA ag cur san áireamh an laghdú ar ioncam ó cheadúnais teilifíse i mbliana. Tá TG4, trí chonradh, maoinithe go díreach ag an Státchiste.
Maidir le maoiniú breise féideartha do TG4 sa bhliain reatha, tá an cheist seo á meas agam faoi láthair, ag cur san áireamh na cistí atá ar fáil.
Departmental Contracts
Questions (585, 587, 588, 589)
Thomas Pringle
Question:585. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number and details of contracts currently held by her Government Department with a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48309/23]
View answerThomas Pringle
Question:587. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number and details of contracts currently held by her Department with a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48665/23]
View answerThomas Pringle
Question:588. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number and details of contracts currently held by her Department with a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48697/23]
View answerThomas Pringle
Question:589. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number and details of contracts currently held by her Department with a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48713/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 585 and 587 to 589, inclusive, together.
I wish to inform the Deputy that the details sought in respect of contracts currently held by my Department with the Companies in question are specified in the table below.
|
Company Name |
Duration of work |
Date Contract Awarded |
Nature of service/reason for contract |
Total value invoiced (excl. VAT) |
|
Ernst and Young |
August 2022 - June 2023 |
23 August 2022 |
Observation of selection process for BIA Pilot Scheme |
€6,880 |
|
Price Waterhouse Coopers |
November 2022 - October 2023 |
17 November 2022 |
External Assurance Process for National Concert Hall capital redevelopment project |
€60,885 |
|
Price Waterhouse Coopers |
October 2023 –October 2024 |
16 October 2023 |
External Assurance Process for Abbey Theatre capital redevelopment project |
€51,800 |