Written Answers Nos. 281-299
281. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 37 of 19 October 2023, the details of the performance delivery agreement between her Department and Galway Culture Company, which was signed in June 2023; if the agreement it publicly available; if not, her plans to publish it; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53627/23]
View answer282. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 37 of 19 October 2023, and the performance delivery agreement, the dates of all bilateral meetings on progress against milestones under the PDA that have taken place to-date between her Department and Galway Culture Company; her plans to publish the minutes of the meetings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53628/23]
View answer283. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 37 of 19 October 2023, and the Performance Delivery Agreement, the dates of all quarterly reporting meetings that have taken place to-date between Galway Culture Company and the public funders; the details of the public funders included in these quarterly meetings; the plans to publish the minutes of the meetings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53629/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 281 to 283, inclusive, together.
The Performance Delivery Agreement (PDA) between the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and Galway Cultural Company is available on the website of Galway Culture Company. The PDA outlines the delivery agreement for the drawdown, management and monitoring of the €1 million funding for the programme under the legacy framework.
As is standard practice, the minutes of meetings between the Department and Galway Culture Company are officially recorded by the Department. Since the signing of the PDA, Department officials have met with Galway Culture Company on the 3rd and 22nd of August and continue to be in regular contact in relation to the progression of the legacy programme.
The first official quarterly meeting took place on the 29th November between the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, the Galway Culture Company and the Chair of the Board of Galway Culture Company. At this meeting, Galway Culture Company provided an update to the Department on programming and expenditure. These minutes are not currently published. The next quarterly meeting is expected to be in the first quarter of 2024.
284. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Cheist Pharlaiminte Uimh. 9 an 19 Deireadh Fómhair 2023, cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir leis an obair athbhreithniúcháin ar na chéad 10 bplean teanga a ceadaíodh faoi Acht na Gaeltachta, 2012; cathain a thosófar an obair athbhreithniúcháin ar na bpleananna eile; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [53630/23]
View answerAr 28 Meitheamh 2023, d'fhógair mé go raibh conradh bronnta ar an gcomhlacht, Barr Feabhais Teo., chun athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar an gcéad 10 bplean teanga a ceadaíodh faoi réir Acht na Gaeltachta 2012.
Cinnteoidh an tionscnamh seo, a bhfuil buiséad suas le €92,500 á chur ar fáil ina leith, go ndéanfar athbhreithniú neamhspleách ar fheidhmiú na bpleananna teanga seo. Cuirfear aiseolas maidir le feidhmiú na bpleananna ar fáil agus, bunaithe ar an méid a aithnítear san athbhreithniú, beifear in ann céimeanna a ghlacadh chun cur i bhfeidhm an phróisis phleanála teanga a fheabhsú.
Is iad seo a leanas an 10 Limistéir Pleanála Teanga atá i gceist:
• Cloich Chionnaola, Gort an Choirce, An Fál Carrach & Machaire Rabhartaigh;
• Ná Déise;
• Ciarraí Theas;
• Gaoth Dobhair, Rann na Feirste, Anagaire & Loch an Iúir;
• Ciarraí Thiar;
• Conamara Láir;
• An Cheathrú Rua;
• Maigh Eo Thuaidh;
• Ráth Chairn & Baile Ghib; agus,
• Árainn Mhór.
Tá curtha in iúl ag Barr Feabhais Teo. go bhfuil teagmháil ghníomhach déanta ag an gcomhlacht le páirtithe leasmhara éagsúla i leith an athbhreithnithe ó cuireadh tús leis. Tá comhairliúchán déanta ag Barr Feabhais le ceanneagraíochtaí agus le coistí stiúrtha pleanála teanga i naoi gcinn de na limistéir go dtí seo. Tá sraith chruinnithe reáchtáilte ag an gcomhlacht le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta agus tionóladh cruinniú idir mo Roinn fhéin, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Foras na Gaeilge agus Barr Feabhais le déanaí freisin. Anuas air sin tá comhairliúcháin déanta le roinnt eagrais Gaeltachta ó shin chomh maith.
Níl aon cheist faoi ach go bhfuil dul chun cinn á dhéanamh ag Barr Feabhas agus iad ag obair i dtreo athbhreithniú a dhéanamh ar na pleananna teanga ábhartha. Tá deimhnithe arís ag Barr Feabhas le hoifigigh mo Roinne go leanfaidh siad ar aghaidh go dícheallach lena gcuid oibre chun a chinntiú go gcuirfí tuarascáil chuimsitheach ar fáil de réir na dtéarmaí tagartha agus na spriocdhátaí a aontaíodh.
Tá tréimhse 9 mí ó thús an chonartha luaite chun leagan críochnúil an athbhreithnithe a chur faoi bhráid mo Roinne - rud a chiallaíonn go mbeadh toradh na hoibre ar fáil faoi dheireadh Márta 2024.
Nuair a bheidh deis ag mo Roinn leagan críochnúil an athbhreithnithe a bhreithniú, beifear in ann breathnú chun cinn ar an gcéad bhaisc eile de phleananna a mbeidh athbhreithniú le déanamh orthu.
285. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media what funding is available from her Department for the establishment of local museums and for the collection and collation of local historical artefacts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53644/23]
View answerMy Department does not operate a scheme to support the establishment of local museums. Such needs are usually addressed in the first instance by local authorities, most often in association with community groups. My Department does however operate two schemes that could be relevant to the collection and collation of local historical artefacts.
The Regional Museum Exhibition Scheme is a scheme of funding support for local, regional and specialised museums, with their own permanent premises, to promote and enhance these institutions through the provision of funding for capital exhibition costs. The scheme provides grants for capital works which enhance the exhibition/display facilities within the museum or which promote access to the museum. The objective is to create a fund to assist museums in contributing to the national and local culture through exhibition programmes for both locals and visitors alike.
The Scheme operates on a matched funding basis (75:25), where 25% of the proposed costs must be provided by the applicant.
Full details of the scheme including eligibility requirements are available on my Departments website www.gov.ie/en/service/676e1-regional-museum-exhibitions-scheme/. Funding available under this scheme is capped at €15,000. It is currently envisaged that this funding scheme will run again in 2024 and will launch in the first quarter of this year.
My Department also runs a Mobility of Collections scheme for the dissemination of the National Collections to regional museums and to support greater regional and local access to material held in the National Collections. The Scheme is designed to fund the transport, cost of insurance and exhibiting costs for pieces from the National Collections to appropriate institutions around the country. Details of the 2023 Scheme may be found at www.gov.ie/en/service/6a6bd-mobility-of-collections-scheme/ . This scheme is demand driven and has a 2023 allocation of €25,000.
It may also be beneficial for museums to contact their Local Authority or the Heritage Council for possible funding opportunities.
I appreciate the importance of the network of local museums which, with their specialist interests or local significance, contribute to the conservation and promotion of our heritage. In that context my Department provides support to the Irish Museums Association which fosters mutual support and best practice in museum management.
286. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department operates an X account (formerly Twitter) or any other social media account, and if such accounts are verified through a subscription fee; the policy in place that guides when any of these accounts can ‘like’, endorse or support a posting on X or other social media platforms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53664/23]
View answerMy Department is committed to providing accurate and timely information on behalf of Ministers and the Department. The Department’s Communications Unit delivers citizen-focused communications through press, broadcast and digital channels, and places the public at the centre of its work. It provides an opportunity to build understanding and trust with the public through transparency, by showing how funding is spent, and enables the Department to engage directly with citizens in an open, honest and efficient manner.
Social media is one of these channels of communication, and the Department’s official social media presence allows it to share publicly details of the work ongoing in individual units and its relevant agencies, and directs the public to the Department website as an official and trusted information source, where often, more information can be found. The Department’s messaging is carried on a number of its official accounts, including X, formerly Twitter, as well as LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. No subscription fees are paid in respect of any social media platform. The Department’s social media accounts are managed by Communications Unit staff following training in social media management. Likes or shares, on any platform, primarily amplify the work of our agencies and programmes. The Department has social media guidelines in place outlining best practice for all social media work.
287. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media how much her Department has spent on advertising on a website (details supplied) for each of the years 2019 to 2022 and to date 2023, in tabular form; and whether her Department will still run advertisements on the platform going forward due to issues. [53809/23]
View answerPlease see below, in tabular form, digital advertising spend on the platform to which the Deputy refers since my Department was constituted in September 2020.
My Department uses online advertising as one of the many tools at its disposal to inform citizens of its programmes of work, including public consultations and major events. Social media has become increasingly important in recent years, and many citizens rely on online platforms for their news and to keep apprised of current events.
I am advised that no decision has been taken on advertising with any particular platform, and that all advertising spend is considered on a per-campaign basis. The Department will take into consideration the factors to which the Deputy refers when deciding the allocation of advertising spend for future campaigns.
Regarding bodies and agencies under my Department’s remit, these matters are operational matters for the agencies themselves.
|
Year |
Advertising Spend (€) on platform |
|
2020 |
Nil |
|
2021 |
€167 |
|
2022 |
€1,367.35 |
|
2023 |
€352.69 |
288. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which her Department continues to monitor the tourism sector in order to identify trends with particular reference to targeted assistance to the most needed areas of the industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53862/23]
View answerThe tourism sector continues to play a significant role in supporting the State’s humanitarian effort in response to the Russian war against Ukraine. However, I recognise that this very necessary humanitarian support has had downstream impacts on tourism businesses in particular parts of the country.
In June 2023, Fáilte Ireland carried out a detailed analysis of data provided by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) concerning the bed stock under contract to accommodate Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) and International Protection applicants (IPs). This established that 13% to 14% of all Fáilte Ireland registered tourism bed stock is currently under contract to the State. An additional quantum of non-registered tourism-type accommodation stock is also contracted.
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.
The overall programme of supports will include investment in sustainable tourism development and promotion, industry digitalisation, promotion of domestic tourism and festivals and recruitment and retention initiatives. The programme will focus on those key tourism businesses, such as visitor attractions and activities that are a critical building block underpinning the tourism sector.
I have asked Fáilte Ireland to engage with impacted businesses to consider the scope for a specific business support scheme that could help the most affected tourism activities and attractions. My officials and Fáilte Ireland are engaging intensively on this and I hope to see the details of this scheme finalised and published soon.
Fáilte Ireland is also in the process of conducting an analysis of current data provided by DCEDIY concerning tourism accommodation under State contract. This data in addition to evidence from impacted downstream businesses will be critical to fully understanding how tourism accommodation stock displacement has impacted the tourism sector.
The Government has strongly supported the tourism and hospitality sectors through a range of fiscal supports, particularly during the period of the Covid pandemic, and more recently in dealing with the challenges facing the sector. These supports included the retention of the lower VAT rate since November 2021 until 1 September 2023 as well as horizontal supports such as the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme and the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme.
When we look at the wider economy and the particular set of challenges facing the tourism industry, it is clear that a collective and concerted multi-stakeholder approach to tackling these challenges is required and that is the approach that my Department and the Government will continue to pursue.
289. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the degree to which she continues to engage with cultural groups of local and national importance throughout the country and County Kildare with a view to maximisation of culture as a means of promoting business and boosting the economy at local and national level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53863/23]
View answer290. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she and her office continue to encourage cultural projects at local and national level with a view to ensuring maximisation of economic benefit through the medium of culture and tourism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53864/23]
View answer291. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she and her Department continue to encourage all forms of the arts including the stage and film industry, local voluntary groups and those interested in the promotion of the arts at amateur and local level; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53865/23]
View answer292. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which opportunities continue to exist for philanthropists to engage in and support the arts nationally and locally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53866/23]
View answer297. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the measures she continues to take to encourage the growth of and further development of the film industry here, both indigenous and international; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53871/23]
View answer298. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which this country remains an attractive base for film location; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53872/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 289 to 292, inclusive, 297 and 298 together.
In Budget 2024, I secured a total of €367.406m for Arts and Culture an increase of €10.424m from €356.982m in 2023. The Arts Council received an increase of €4m, with increases of €1.5m and €1m to Screen Ireland and Culture Ireland respectively. There has been sustained investment in arts and culture in recent years and I was very pleased to secure this level funding in 2024, which will support new and existing initiatives.
The Creative Ireland Programme is a culture-based initiative within my Department designed to promote individual, community and national wellbeing. Under its Creative Communities initiative, in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, it has allocated over €29 million from 2018 to 2022 to the 31 local authorities to empower and support community-led participation. Creative Communities delivers investment directly into local creative economies through their local authorities, and this includes an allocation to Kildare County Council for 2023.
Under the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council has primary responsibility for the development of the arts in Ireland. The Council works under its 10-year Strategy to address its statutory remit through a policy-driven focus on investment, advice, advocacy and partnership. The Council continues to invest in the development of the arts and artists countrywide including Co Kildare.
The Department for Rural and Community Development is currently developing a National Philanthropy Policy. The policy aims to set out specific actions to enable philanthropy to grow and thrive in Ireland for social good. Once finalised, it will identify the supports required for the sector to thrive and maximise its potential. One of the key objectives of the new strategy will be around strengthening Government and Sectoral partnerships.
The Arts Council operates the RAISE programme, which seeks to enhance fund-raising skills in arts organisations with a view to diversifying the sector's sources of funding. It is designed to assist the sector in securing philanthropic contributions to the arts in Ireland. My Department provides supports to Business to Arts in relation to advancing philanthropy and sustainability of cultural organisations.
The Audio-visual Action Plan was launched in June 2018. This is an industry-wide, long-term plan, under the Creative Ireland Programme, developed to support the Government’s ambition to enable Ireland to become a global hub for the production of film, TV drama and animation.
The tax incentive for the screen industries, Section 481, has been a cornerstone of the Irish screen industry in the creative and cultural value it has generated, both in terms of discovering and supporting new Irish voices, as well as showcasing Ireland’s power as an international partner, a cultural force across film, television and animation, not to mention a breath-taking location offering historic and natural beauty making it an attractive base for film locations.
Screen Ireland is the national development agency for Irish filmmaking and the Irish film, television and animation industry, investing in talent, creativity and enterprise. The agency supports writers, directors and production companies across these sectors by providing investment loans for the development, production and distribution of film, television and animation projects.
I would like to advise the Deputy of my Department's Statement of Strategy 2023 - 2025,. The mission of my Department is to lead the sustainable development of Tourism, Media and the Gaeltacht and promote participation in the Culture, Arts, and Sports sectors and the Irish language, supporting social progress, and enhancing cultural and economic growth across Irish society. The arts and cultural goal here is to support and develop engagement with, and in arts, culture and creativity by individuals and communities thereby enriching lives through cultural and creative activity; to promote Ireland’s arts, culture and creativity globally; and to drive a more vibrant and diverse Night-Time Economy. This covers a number of relevant policy areas:
- Cultivate Irish artistic and creative talent and enhance Ireland’s reputation as a hub of artistic excellence. This is being achieved through sustained levels of funding made available for Arts Council, Culture Ireland, Creative Ireland and our NCIs as well as completing the Basic Income for the Arts initiative.
- Securing and upgrading a viable and sustainable network of arts and cultural infrastructure through continued investment.
- Have updated policy and legislative framework in place to support the development of the arts and culture sector. This will be achieved through reviewing the policy and legislative contexts for culture.
- Oversee the conclusion of the Decade of Centenaries commemorative programme and address ongoing and future commemorative activities.
- Aim to have more sustainable and low carbon cultural and creative sector with the enhanced engagement of the public.
- Under the Shared Island programme, support initiatives by civil society, the community sector, and the arts and cultural sector, aimed at promoting constructive and inclusive dialogue around all island issues.
I am looking forward to working to advance this important work for the benefit of people and communities across Ireland through the coming years, with the help of our partners and stakeholders.
293. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she can facilitate those who have previously been awarded capital sports grants and have not been in a position to complete the projects due to various reasons; if arrangements can be made to ensure they be given an extension of time to meet their requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53867/23]
View answerThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998 bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.
The last series of grants were awarded under the 2020 round of the SCEP which closed for applications on Monday 1 March 2021. By the deadline a record 3,106 applications were submitted. The final grants were announced on Tuesday 31 May 2022 and the total allocation of €166.6 million represents the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP.
While the priority following the award of those allocations was to advance the successful applications, which number almost 2,900, under the 2020 round to "formal approval" and grant drawdown stage, my Department continues to support and guide grantees from past rounds as they manage their grants. This requires detailed engagement with all grantees and, where necessary, requests for extensions and changes of purpose of grants can usually be accommodated.
294. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she expects to be in a position to offer capital sports grants in the forthcoming year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53868/23]
View answerThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998 bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.
The latest round of the SCEP (2023) closed for applications on Friday 8 September. A preliminary examination of the submitted applications demonstrates that the Programme has again generated a large number of applications and it is evident that the total number will exceed the previous record of 3,106 applications submitted under the last (2020) round.
Work is now underway on finalising the "Scoring System 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 assessing the capital applications with the allocations likely to be announced later in 2024. In the meantime, there has been ongoing engagement with current grantees to advance existing grants.
296. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which business tourism continues to be encouraged with the obvious necessity of having to compete internationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53870/23]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy and the implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, as well as certain other bodies.
With regards to the particular matter of how Ireland competes internationally for business tourism, the Deputy will be aware that this is primarily an operational matter for both Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland through the “Meet in Ireland” business tourism brand for the island of Ireland.
I have referred the Deputy's question to both Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland and asked them to reply directly to the Deputy with a coordinated response on this matter. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
299. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the degree to which she continues to ensure the continued growth and viability of all portfolios under her aegis with obvious benefit for tourism, culture, arts, sport and media; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53873/23]
View answerI would refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question 221 of Thursday, 19 October 2023, in which I set out the measures being undertaken to ensure the continued growth and viability of each sector under my Department's remit. The current position remains as outlined in that reply.
