Written Answers Nos. 50-75
53. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has had discussions with RTÉ in relation to their new strategic vision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53576/23]
View answerWhile it is a requirement for RTÉ to prepare periodic Statements of Strategy as part of their statutory obligations, owing to the events of the summer and the erosion of trust in the broadcaster, it was vital that RTÉ set out how it would work towards re-building trust and confidence in the short and medium term.
Government had acknowledged that interim funding for RTÉ would be required, taking account of the recommendation of the Future of Media Commission and NewEra assessment, but also recognised the importance of RTÉ setting out a clear vision for its future before final decisions on funding could be made.
On 9th November I met with the DG and Chair of RTÉ who briefed me on the contents of the Strategic Vision, prior to it being discussed at a townhall meeting with staff in RTÉ and then published on 14th November.
The Strategic Vision demonstrates a renewed commitment to public service broadcasting, and addresses key areas such as governance reforms and cost efficiencies. This is vital as RTÉ seeks to rebuild the trust of the Irish public and has enabled the decision to grant interim funding.
A vital part of this will be providing value for money as well as financial, oversight and governance reforms. RTÉ have already implemented a number of these reforms and will continue to do so while being informed by the findings and recommendations of the independent expert advisory committees, which Government established in July.
The Strategic Vision also sets out a New Vision for Public Service, including a focus on enhanced news and current affairs programming, a Disinformation Correspondent role and increased levels of Irish language programming. They will also increase nationwide production with investment in their regional operations, as well as increasing the commissioning of content from the independent sector.
Public service media and the content it provides is a vital pillar of our society and our democracy. The awful events in Dublin two weeks ago demonstrated again that access to impartial, trustworthy and independent media is more important than ever, particularly as we witness the growth of disinformation and misinformation.
The Strategic Vision will inform the development of a more detailed Statement of Strategy to show how RTÉ will meet its public service aims. The process which is ongoing, will involve wide ranging consultation by RTÉ, including with its staff, and the detailed Strategy will then be examined by Coimisiún na Meán.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Deputy, in her capacity as Chair of the Media Committee, for the ongoing and constructive engagement of the Committee on these matters.
55. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide details of the discussions held at the EU Sports Council meeting in Brussels on 24 November 2023. [53577/23]
View answerAt last week's EU Sports Council, Ministers approved conclusions on women and equality in the field of sport. The conclusions emphasise the importance of access to a safe, inclusive and equal playing field, free from any form of inequality, discrimination or violence. These conclusions emphasise the particular need to increase the share of women participation in coaching and leadership positions in sports organisations and in sports clubs. This emphasis is most welcome and aligns closely with the priority which Minister Martin and I have attached to this area. We were particularly pleased to welcome the publication on Friday last of the latest Sport Ireland snapshot of female representation on the boards of funded National Governing Bodies of Sport and Local Sports Partnerships and other funded bodies. This shows that, for the first time, there is female representation on the board of every funded sporting organisation in the country and that the overall percentage of women on boards in the sports sector in Ireland has broken the 40% barrier, now standing at 42%. The Council also held an important and wide-ranging policy discussion on the challenges associated with ensuring safe environments in sport. This discussion, which included participation by the acting Ukrainian Minister of Youth and Sport via a video message, enabled Ministers to exchange best practices at national level and the measures being taken to promote safe environments in sport. I took the opportunity to inform my colleagues of the work we are doing in Ireland in relation to the new template for a code of conduct for sport in Ireland, which I launched earlier this year. As the Deputy will be aware, the new template code of conduct was developed in response to several high-profile incidents and the code was developed in partnership with representatives from the Irish sports sector, including referees and officials.The Council also received updates from France and Germany of their plans to ensure a European dimension to the significant sporting events taking place in their countries next summer, namely the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the European Football Championships.
63. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an update on discussions with RTÉ. [53643/23]
View answerMy primary relationship is with the Chair of the Board of RTÉ, and since the crisis arose in June, I have held face to face meeting with her on six occasions, most recently on 9th November, as well as a number of phone conversations. The Director General has attended all but the first of these meetings.
These engagements have taken place in the context of the various completed and ongoing reviews and enquiries, such as the reports from Grant Thornton, any new issues or details which have come to light including through hearings at Oireachtas Committees, and measures being taken by the Board to address the issues.
In particular, my discussions have centred on progress being made on:
• the two Grant Thornton reports, commissioned by RTÉ, which have been published to date, revealing significant failings in governance and culture in RTÉ and providing an important basis to understand what happened in RTÉ;
• progress on the completion of, the third Grant Thornton Report, commissioned by RTÉ, which will shed light on the process used to govern and approve Toy Show The Musical and on the report in respect of voluntary redundancies being conducted by McCann Fitzgerald;
• Mazars' interim report, which I published on 25 August 2023, examining the barter and other-off balance sheet accounts of RTÉ, and the expansion of Mazars’ terms of reference which I announced in October; and
• updates on other actions and measures taken by RTÉ to address the failings in oversight and governance which have come to light.
My officials also continue to engage with the Director General and other members of the Senior Leadership team on these and related matters.
As outlined in my reply to Deputy Smyth earlier, I also met the Director General and Chair on 9th November last to be briefed on RTÉ’s recently published Strategic Vision. I welcome the Strategic Vision and believe it demonstrates a renewed commitment to public service broadcasting, and addresses key areas such as governance reforms and cost efficiencies. This is vital as RTÉ seeks to rebuild the trust and confidence of the Government, the Houses of the Oireachtas, the Irish public and its own employees.
65. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an update on the sports capital grants and to state how many clubs in Cork have applied. [53642/23]
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.
Similar lists for previous rounds of the SCEP, outlining applications received and payments made, are available on my Department's website.
66. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide a progress update in language area planning in the Gaeltacht in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53474/23]
View answerComharchumann Ráth Chairn is the lead organisation which has responsibility for the implementation of the language plan approved for the Gaeltacht Language Planning Area of Ráth Chairn and Baile Ghib. A Language Planning Officer was appointed by Comharchumann Forbartha Ráth Chairn in 2019 to assist the organisation in implementing the plan of the Meath Gaeltacht. This post became vacant earlier this year and the recruitment process has been ongoing. It is expected that a new Language Planning Officer will be in place in the coming weeks.
Since work on the implementation of the language plan began, many Irish language-based initiatives and activities have been organised as part of the language planning process in the area. These include the provision of Irish language classes, the Gaelchara scheme which helps to mentor new speakers, activities for young people and families such as Comórtas Reatha na Gaeltachta, An Mhí faoi Bhláth, An Ghaeltacht faoi Bhláth, arts activities and festivals with a strong Irish language and cultural theme. With the appointment of a new Language Planning Officer imminent, it is expected that new activities will be coming on stream shortly.
Following an increase in funding announced recently for the implementation of language plans, Ráth Chairn and Baile Ghib will receive an annual allocation of €120,000 to fund the implementation of the language plan.
In addition to the above, both my Department and Údarás na Gaeltachta administer a wide range of schemes, initiatives and programmes, through which financial support is provided to assist in the implementation, at community level, of practical actions, interventions, initiatives and projects which have as their core objective the maintenance and development of Irish as the community language of the Gaeltacht as well as promoting enterprise and employment opportunities within Gaeltacht regions. Included in these initiatives are the services provided by Comhar Naíonraí na Gaelachta, Ealaín na Gaeltachta and Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta in the early years, arts and family sectors respectively.
67. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cé na hiarrachtaí arna ndéanamh ar na ceantair Ghaeltachta a chur in aithne do dhaoine atá ag gabháil timpeall na tíre; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [53595/23]
View answerMar an tÚdarás Náisiúnta Forbartha Turasóireachta, is é ról Fáilte Éireann/Fáilte Ireland tacú le fás inbhuanaithe fadtéarmach i rannchuidiú eacnamaíoch, sóisialta, cultúrtha agus comhshaoil na turasóireachta d’Éirinn.
Cuimsítear i Straitéisí Turasóireachta Réigiúnacha Fáilte Éireann pleananna chun an tairiscint uathúil turasóireachta sna réigiúin Ghaeltachta a fhorbairt agus fócas faoi leith ar bharántúlacht chultúrtha na gceantar Gaeltachta a chosaint.
Tá comhpháirtíocht straitéiseach bunaithe ag Fáilte Ireland agus Údarás na Gaeltachta ó 2022 tráth ar shínigh siad Meabhrán Tuisceana ina sonraítear a dtiomantas go mbeadh eispéireas na Gaeltachta ábhartha agus tarraingteach agus go meallfaí turasóirí dá réir. Beidh an-tábhacht ag baint leis seo d’fhorbairt na turasóireachta sa Ghaeltacht agus díreoidh an dá eagraíocht ar an leas atá le baint as an tairiscint chultúrtha atá ag na ceantair seo ar mhaithe leis na pobail iontu.
Tríd an gcomhaontú foirmiúil seo, beidh na heagraíochtaí ag obair as lámha a chéile ar roinnt réimsí tosaíochta maidir le forbairt turasóireachta lena n-áirítear tionscadail chaipitil, ag cur le hacmhainn laistigh de thionscal na turasóireachta agus tacú le táirgí turasóireachta a fhorbairt chun ardán a thabhairt don ábhar cultúir atá ar fáil i réigiúin Ghaeltachta na hÉireann, ábhar nach bhfuil le fáil in aon áit eile.
Le blianta beaga anuas tá cláir phíolótacha seolta chun deiseanna turasóireachta Gaeilge a fhorbairt sna ceantair Ghaeltachta ina measc tacaíochtaí chun cabhrú le margaíocht baile agus idirnáisiúnta a bhí dírithe ar an oidhreacht uathúil ceoil agus rince ar fud Chonamara agus na n-oileáin. Tá scéim chun daoine fásta a mhealladh ar ais ag na coláistí Gaeltachta chomh maith trí saoire a chur ar fáil atá dírithe ar fhoghlaimeoirí fásta.
Tá bainisteoir lánaimseartha fostaithe ag Fáilte Éireann le déanaí do Shlí an Atlantaigh Fhiáin atá freagrach as na ceantair Ghaeltachta agus as na hoileáin chomh maith.
An bhliain seo chugainn beidh Slí an Atlantaigh Fhiáin ag ceiliúradh 10 mbliana ar an bhfód. Tá pleananna ar bun faoi láthair chun clár tionscnamh a ullmhú chun an bealach a cheiliúradh agus níos tábhachtaí fós, chun ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar na pobail a thacaigh leis an togra thar an tréimhse sin.
68. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Cheist Pharlaiminte 45678/23, cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir leis an obair athbhreithniúcháin atá déanta ag Údarás na Gaeltachta i ndáil leis na córais agus an cur chuige atá i ngníomh ag an Údarás chun tacú le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge sna cliantchuideachtaí agus i ndáil leis na bealaí ina ndéantar an t-ábhar a bhaineann leo a riar; chun a iarraidh uirthi soiléiriú a thabhairt ar na moltaí atá tagtha as an obair athbhreithniúcháin; chun a fhiafraí di cén dul chun cinn atá déanta maidir leis an scéim nua tacaíochta forbartha; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [53611/23]
View answerAg éirí as an athbhreithniú a bhí á dhéanamh ag Údarás na Gaeltachta ar an ábhar seo, tá scéim nua tacaíochta forbartha aige dá chliaint le tacú leo an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn sa ghnó. Díríonn an scéim nua tacaíochta ar struchtúr agus gníomhaíochtaí tacaíochta leanúnach a thairiscint dá chliaint ina bhfuil líon ard fostaithe.
Tuigim ón Údarás go bhfuil múnla, maoiniú agus cruth na scéime seo pléite le Bord an Údaráis mar chéad chéim agus tráth go mbeidh cead an Bhoird agus maoiniú ina áit, táthar ag súil le scéim phíolótach a fhógairt agus a thairiscint go luath sa bhliain nua.
69. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media how women's sport will be advanced and supported at all levels; the plans that are underway to ensure more women and girls participate in all sports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53606/23]
View answerAddressing women’s participation at all levels in sport is an important element of the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 and Minister Martin and I are committed to ensuring that we continue to provide increased opportunities for female participation at all levels.
In the recent Budget announcement, we announced an increase of €8 million or 5% in the sport budget for 2024. This includes an increase of €2 million for the Women in Sport programme which represents a doubling of Sport Ireland’s budget for this key Programme next year.
This is a very important funding programme for sporting bodies and it will continue to support those bodies in putting programmes in place to increase women’s participation in their sports and to progress their strategic objectives for women in sport across all areas including active participation, coaching, officiating and leadership.
The increased budget will also facilitate Sport Ireland to continue to lead out on programmes and initiatives that support the implementation of the Sport Ireland Policy on Women in Sport.
The funding will be administered by Sport Ireland, who will set out the terms and conditions of funding. It is hoped that the 2024 scheme will open for applications in the Quarter 1 of next year.
Sport Ireland’s funding guidelines for the Women in Sport programme continue to encourage organisations to develop Women in Sport programmes and initiatives focused on the key areas outlined in Sport Ireland's policy on women in sport, namely, Coaching and Officiating, Active Participation, Leadership and Governance and Visibility.
Investment in the Programme to date has enhanced all aspects of female involvement across these target areas.
We have set a target that every NGB will have a 40% gender balance on their board by the end of this year. This is a key priority for me and I have been clear that failure to achieve the 40% target will have serious funding implications for organisations. I was pleased to announce on Friday last, that the overall percentage of women on boards in the Irish sports sector now stands at 42%. For those organisations that are yet to meet the target, there is still time to do so before the end of the year and I would encourage them all to do so
The Women in Sport funding programme is in place since 2005 and since then, over €22 million has been invested through the National Governing Bodies of Sport and the Local Sports Partnerships.
70. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if funding is to be provided by her Department for the Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools Scheme for 2024, in view that the scheme supports local cultural festivals and summer schools that are not eligible under funding criteria for larger scale events supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council and similar bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53519/23]
View answerFestivals make and important contribution to the artistic and cultural life of local communities and how they make destinations more attractive to domestic and international tourists. I recognise the challenges involved in arranging festivals, often involving significant financial outlay and commitments and a great deal of voluntary activity. Accordingly, my Department and the relevant agencies under its aegis support the staging of festivals.
In that regard, my Department runs a Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools Scheme annually. The Scheme is designed to support local cultural festivals and summer schools which are not in receipt of funding support from the Government and other State Agencies. The 2023 Festivals and Summer School scheme was open for applications on the Department’s website until 9 June. Under this scheme in 2023 I allocated over €131,036 to 30 festivals across the country (2022 €122,045 to 34 events festivals and summer schools). The successful applications are now in final stage of payment.
Applications are marked on the following criteria:• Extent to which the projects meets the objectives of the scheme• Realistic in terms of scale, costs, assistance sought and timeframe for delivery• Demonstrate capacity to deliver project• Level of own or supporting contribution (non-state) towards the project
Terms and conditions of the scheme are available on my Departments website.
The Arts Council also provides financial support to a range of festivals, large and small, both single art form and multidisciplinary arts festivals. Strategic Funding supports organisations which are critical to the national arts infrastructure while the Festivals Investment Scheme is specifically designed to offer support to local/voluntary organisations to develop arts festivals.
As part of their Strategically Funded Festivals, Fáilte Ireland supports a diverse selection of larger festivals and events throughout the country. The Regional Festival Scheme, which they also support, is available to local community festivals and is administered by the Local Authorities. Each Local Authority manages their own application and grant process.
It is currently envisaged that the scheme will run again in 2024 and will launch in the first quarter of the year. It may be useful to monitor my Departments website and apply upon announcement of the scheme. This scheme is subject to a competitive assessment process.
71. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the measures that are in place to ensure proper training and education against racism in sport;; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53594/23]
View answerIn May 2022 Sport Ireland published its Diversity and Inclusion Policy and developed an action plan to support the implementation of that policy. Included in that action plan is detailed support for building capacity in the sport sector, including training and education.
Sport Ireland is committed to developing a strong and diverse sport sector that delivers for the sporting community in Ireland.
The delivery of a suite of education resources in the area of diversity and inclusion is one of 12 high-level objectives identified in the Sport Ireland Policy on Diversity and Inclusion in Sport. The successful delivery of this particular objective will require a wide-ranging and multi-faceted approach. It incorporates developing subject-specific training, guidance, supports, supporting partners to deliver education and awareness training, and providing funding directly to the sport sector to meet organisations' individual needs.
In the first quarter of 2024, Sport Ireland will coordinate and support the provision of training for the sport sector. This will incorporate both general Diversity and Inclusion awareness training, and specific anti-racism training. This training will be made available to all Sport Ireland funded bodies and partners.
72. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén líon scoláirí a d’fhreastail ar chúrsaí faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge in 2019, 2022 agus 2023; cén líon teaghlach a choinnigh scoláirí a bhí cláraithe leis an scéim do na blianta sin; cé mhéad airgead a d’íoc an Roinn amach leo sin gach bliain acu sin, leagus 2023 go dtí seo san áireamh; cén deontas in aghaidh na hoíche a bhí i gceist i ngach cás; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [53491/23]
View answerTugann an tábla thíos léargas ar statisticí Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge ó 2019 go 2023, ina n-áirítear an líon scoláire a d'fhreastail ar gach cúrsa agus an líon teaghlach atá cláraithe faoin scéim agus a chuir lóistín ar fáil sna blianta sin.
|
Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge |
2019 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Líon scoláirí |
27,032 |
25416 |
26,835 |
|
Líon Teaghlaigh a choinnigh scoláirí |
648 |
495 |
511 |
|
Caiteachas na Roinne |
€4,487,770 |
€3,892,955 |
€4,623,549* |
*caiteachas go dáta (2023) le teaghlaigh cláraithe agus a choinnigh scoláire ar íostas faoin scéim.
Tacaíonn mo Roinn le hearnáil na gcoláistí Gaeilge, earnáil a bhíonn ag feidhmiú ar bhonn tráchtála go príomha, trí dheontais laethúla a chur ar fáil do theaghlaigh cáilithe Ghaeltachta a chuireann lóistín ar fáil do scoláirí a bhíonn ag freastal ar na coláistí. Is ioncam é seo atá saor ó cháin-ioncaim agus atá sa bhreis ar an ioncam a fhaigheann na teaghlaigh ó na coláistí féin.
Go ginearálta, is é an cóimheas oibre don íocaíocht seo ná do gach euro a íocann mo Roinn le teaghlaigh atá aitheanta faoin scéim, íocann na coláistí timpeall €1.20. Is iad na coláistí féin a shocraíonn na rátaí seo agus níl aon ról ag mo Roinn ann.
Tháinig méadú de 20% ó €10 go €12 ar an deontas laethúil atá iníoctha ag mo Roinn le teaghlaigh aitheanta na scéime a chuireann lóistín ar fáil ó thús na bliana 2022.
Anuas air seo, ardaíodh an deontas tosaithe aonuaire do theaghlaigh nua atá ag lorg aitheantais faoin scéim faoi 300% in 2022 ó €2,000 go €6,000. Leathnaíodh scóip an deontais freisin chun costais tosaithe riachtanacha breise a chlúdach ann. Méadaíodh chomh maith i mbliana ó 12 go 16 an t-uasmhéid scoláirí a bhfuil cead ag aon teaghlaigh a choinneáil.
Is údar sásaimh don Roinn go raibh, de bharr na mbeartas éagsúla atá curtha i bhfeidhm aici le dhá bhliain anuas, an líon scoláirí a thug cuairt ar an nGaeltacht i mbliana nach mór ar chomhchéim le figiúr 2019.
Is mar seo a leanas an ráta íocaíochta a rinneadh leis na teaghlaigh a chuir lóistín ar fáil faoin scéim idir 2019 - 2023:-
|
Deontas laethúil |
Ráta 2019 |
Ardú tugtha [10 Márta 2022] |
Ardú tugtha [D. Fómhair 2022] |
Ráta 2023 |
|
Gnáthchúrsaí |
€10 |
€11 |
€12 |
€12 |
|
Brú/lóistín coláiste |
€5 |
€6 |
€7 |
€7 |
|
Erasmus |
€17 |
€19 |
€21 |
€21 |
|
Árainn Gaeltacht |
€27 |
€30 |
€33 |
€33 |
Ní gá a lua go leanfar ag breathnú ar bhealaí breise le cabhrú tuilleadh leis an earnáil amach anseo.
73. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Cheist Pharlaiminte 45680/23, cé mhéad limistéar pleanála teanga nach bhfuil oifigeach pleanála teanga fostaithe iontu faoi láthair; chun a iarraidh uirthi soiléiriú a thabhairt ar an anailís atá faoi chaibidil ag an Roinn maidir leis an ábhar seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [53610/23]
View answerMar a cuireadh in iúl roimhe seo, is iad na heagrais forbartha pobail atá aitheanta mar cheanneagraíochtaí pleanála teanga atá freagrach as na pleananna teanga a fheidhmiú sna 26 Limistéar Pleanála Teanga Gaeltachta (LPT).
Tuigtear ó Údarás na Gaeltachta go bhfuil dhá Limistéar Pleanála Teanga as an 26 LPT ina bhfuil próiseas earcaíochta ar siúl iontu faoi láthair do phost Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga. Is iad sin Limistéar Pleanála Teanga Dún na nGall Thuaidh, áit a mbeidh folúntas ag teacht chun cinn i mí na Nollag, agus Limistéar Pleanála Teanga Ráth Chairn agus Baile Ghib, áit a bhfuil próiseas earcaíochta ar siúl ag an cheanneagraíocht pleanála teanga Comharchumann Forbartha Ráth Chairn le roinnt míonna anuas.
Cé go gcothaítear dúshláin faoi leith de thoradh athruithe foirne isteach agus amach as an gcóras pleanála teanga ó thráth go chéile ní foláir a aithint go mbíonn réimse leathan scileanna agus taithí le sonrú sa ghréasán oifigeach atá fostaithe faoi scáth an phróisis – scileanna agus taithí go deimhin a bhíonn forbartha acu trí bheith ag obair i réimsí eile agus atá siad in ann a chur chun fónaimh ar leas fhoriomlán an phróisis go ginearálta.
Le deiseanna breise ag teacht chun cinn in earnáil na Gaeilge is gá a aithint go mbeidh daoine de shíor ag fágáil an phróisis ar lámh amháin, agus ag teacht isteach ann ar lámh eile – fearacht na dtreochtaí atá le sonrú sa bhfórsa saothair trí chéile.
Bíonn teagmháil leanúnach idir feidhmeannaigh an Údaráis agus na hOifigigh Phleanála Teanga atá fostaithe ag na ceanneagraíochtaí pleanála teanga atá freagrach as feidhmiú na bpleananna sna Limistéar Pleanála Teanga/Bailte Seirbhíse Gaeltachta go háitiúil. Cuirtear tacaíocht, cabhair agus comhairle ar fáil ar bhonn leanúnach ar mhaithe le tacú le feidhmiú rathúil an phróisis.
Mar chuid den chur chuige sin bíonn plé rialta idir na hOifigigh Phleanála Teanga agus foireann pleanála teanga an Údaráis; eagraítear ceardlanna oiliúna, seisiúin eolais, agus seisiúin mheantóireachta ar bhonn leanúnach le cúnamh airgeadais na Roinne; scaiptear eolas ábhartha maidir le samplaí dea-chleachtais agus scéimeanna agus beartais éagsúla a bheadh ábhartha don chúram agus eagraítear imeachtaí/ócáidí ábhartha de réir mar is gá agus a fheileann mar chuid den chur chuige.
Táthar sásta trí chéile go bhfuil an struchtúr pá agus pinsin atá i bhfeidhm i leith an phróisis ar chomhchéim le macasamhail de phostanna eile den chineál céanna i réimsí eile.
74. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén t-ardú atá tagtha ar an méid airgid atá ar fáil do na míreanna Gaeltachta agus Gaeilge sna meastacháin do 2024, le hais 2023, a fógraíodh le gairid; an leor é sin le hobair na Gaeltachta agus na Gaeilge a chur i gcrích an bhliain seo chugainn; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [53490/23]
View answerIs soláthar iomlán de €100.098 (€78.027m in airgead reatha agus €22.071 in airgead caipitil) atá curtha fáil i gClár C de Vóta mo Roinne do 2024 le hais €95.893m (€74.322m in airgead reatha agus €21.571m in airgead caipitil) don bhliain reatha.
Foilseofar briseadh síos iomlán ar an gcaiteachas atá beartaithe faoi Chlár C de chuid Vóta mo Roinne i 2024 sna Meastacháin Athbhreithnithe roimh dheireadh na bliana.
Ó bhliain go bliain, leanann mo Roinn ag cabhrú mar is cuí le cúnamh reatha agus caipitil a chur ar fáil faoi na cláir Ghaeilge agus Ghaeltachta ar leas foriomlán na teanga agus an phobail. Chuige sin, tá infheistíocht shuntasach déanta ag an Rialtas seo sa Ghaeilge agus sa Ghaeltacht le cúpla bliain anuas.
D'éirigh linn méadú 4% a fháil ar mhaoiniú d’earnáil na Gaeltachta don bhliain seo chugainn, arb ionann le €4.2m de mhaoiniú breise agus leithdháileadh iomlán d'ós cionn €100m don bhliain 2024.
San ardú seo, tá €500,000 curtha ar fáil le tacú le cur i bhfeidhm Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2021, mar aon le €500,000 eile atá curtha ar fáil mar thacaíocht do scéimeanna um chuimsiú sóisialta a chuirfidh leis an gcuimsiú, leis an éagsúlacht agus leis an inrochtaineacht ó thaobh na gcoláistí samhraidh de do 2024.
Tá maoiniú freisin i mbliana i mBuiséad mo Roinne a thacóidh le tús a chur le spriocanna de chuid na Straitéise do na hEalaíona Teangabhunaithe a bhaint amach le linn 2024.
Chomh maith leis an infheistíocht seo, beifear ag súil scéim nua a fhógairt le linn 2024 a thacóidh le múinteoirí agus oideachasóirí luathbhlianta barr feabhais a chur ar a gcuid Gaeilge.
Is mian liom tagairt freisin a dhéanamh den infheistíocht shuntasach atá déanta ag an Rialtas seo in TG4 le cúpla bliain anuas. San áireamh anseo, tá €4m cuireadh ar fáil don eagraíocht le déanaí mar Mheastachán Foirlíontach do 2023 agus €4.8m breise arís don bhliain seo chugainn atá curtha ar fáil i mBuiséad 2024.
I bhfianaise seo uile, sílim go bhfuil, bonnchloch maith ag mo Roinn agus muid ag tabhairt faoi chur chun cinn, faoi fhorbairt agus faoi bhuanú na Gaeilge ar fud an oileáin an bhliain seo chugainn.
75. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 37 of 19 October 2023, for a status update on the drawdown of the €1 million in Galway 2020 legacy funding; the amount drawn down to-date; for a breakdown of where any funds drawn down to-date have been allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53607/23]
View answerAs part of the legacy funding for Galway 2020, the Galway Culture Company has to date drawdown €686,267. A further drawdown request has recently been received and is currently being reviewed by my officials prior to processing it for payment.
As outlined previously the allocated funding supports the three strategic objectives of the legacy programme which are set out below:
- Facilitate International and EU Relationships and Funding - €111,920
- Support to Place based Cultural Programming - €385,573
- Provision of supports to the cultural and creative sector - €188,774
The funding drawn down to date has directly supported a number of open calls that will unfold over the coming months and projects such as Dear PrEUdence, an art exhibition themed around mental health; an International Artist Residency at Atelier Samuel Beckett, France; volunteering and capacity building programmes; and the PULSE Drums Programme, in which children, young people, adults and groups are learning to play specific percussion parts before participating in a larger group performance. The website of Galway Culture Company provides more information on these projects as well as others that form part of the legacy programme.
Department funding has also supported Irish translations, graphic design, and assisted in the Company’s fulfilment of legal and financial requirements under the Performance Delivery Agreement with the Department and this is provided for under the above headings.
My officials continue to work closely with Galway Culture Company in the delivery of the legacy programme.
