Written Answers Nos. 694-713
694. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if an application will be approved (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56325/23]
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 very large number of applications, including one from the organisation to which the Deputy refers, and it is evident that the total number will exceed the previous record of 3,106 applications submitted under the last (2020) round.
The "Scoring Assessment and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round has been finalised 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.
695. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will ensure that the two funding schemes to support local radio stations will be in place in early 2023 to ensure local radio stations can prepare to implement the local democracy reporting scheme and the court reporting scheme in a timely fashion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56557/23]
View answerThe independent radio sector plays an essential role in sharing reliable and relevant news and bringing communities together. The wider media sector in Ireland, which is a vital element of our democracy and society as a whole, is undergoing fundamental change. This is in part due to the increased digitalisation of news and media content generally and the associated decline in advertising revenue as a consequence.
The Report of the Future of Media Commission examined the challenges faced by the media sector, including the radio sector, and consequent impact on the provision of public service content. The Report made a number of recommendations to counter these challenges and to support the provision of public service content.
One recommendation made by the Future of Media Commission was the establishment of a new Media Fund to provide support for the provision of public service content by the wider media and journalism sector at local, regional and national levels on a platform neutral basis. The Media Fund is being established on an administrative basis, with the Local Democracy and Courts Reporting Schemes being prioritised for implementation by Coimisiún na Meán, with €6m allocated in Budget 2024 for this purpose.
Officials in my Department have consulted extensively with members of the Future of Media Commission Stakeholder Consultative Forum, which includes representatives from the independent radio sector, throughout the year as part of the high level policy development process for the schemes. Officials will continue to engage with these members and indeed with all stakeholders to keep them informed of developments on this matter.
It is considered that the draft Schemes may constitute State Aid to economic operators in the news and current affairs market. Accordingly, the schemes may require a full State Aid notification to, and the approval of, the European Commission. The pre-notification form for the media fund schemes was received by the European Commission on 6 September 2023 and a response from the European Commission is awaited. Once the pre-notification process is complete, a formal State Aid notification, if required, will be submitted to the European Commission. Following State aid approval, Coimisiún na Meán will be in a position to implement the schemes.
In the meantime, the detailed design of the schemes, based on the high level policy principles developed by my Department, is currently being undertaken by Coimisiún na Meán. It is expected that Coimisiún na Meán will progress further stakeholder consultation on the detailed design of the schemes early this year. Subject to State Aid approval, it is expected that the schemes will commence this year but it is not possible to provide a precise timeline as this depends on the timing and nature of the response of the European Commission.
It should be noted that the purpose and delivery of the Schemes is not directly linked to the local and European elections or any upcoming referendum. The overall purpose of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme is to support local democracy reporting on a general basis through the provision of comprehensive coverage of the proceedings of local authorities and associated committees.
In addition, it is intended that local democracy reporters will carry out other tasks outside of providing reports of meetings, including reporting on the functions and activities of local authorities, reviewing publications and records to identify stories of public interest and to report on other matters relevant to local democracy which are in the public interest. While the role of a local democracy reporter could include the provision of coverage relating to elections, this is not the core purpose of the scheme.
Existing supports for the radio sector have been provided through the Sound and Vision Scheme which is administered by Coimisiún na Meán. Under the current legislation and general exemption for the Scheme from State Aid rules by the European Commission, news and current affairs programming cannot currently be supported through Sound and Vision. However, the Future of Media Commission recommended that this be reviewed, and this will be done this year.
In the meantime, last year I provided additional Exchequer funding for a special radio sector round of Sound and Vision which provided €2.4m in supports. The radio sector also received significant funding from other Sound and Vision rounds announced last year. 35 projects received a total of €543,000 from announcements made last August, while another 67 radio projects received €636,000 from Round 47 which was announced last April.
696. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the total number of persons employed by Fáilte Ireland in each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56580/23]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy and implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, as well as certain other bodies.
The matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred this question to them for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
697. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the total amount of funding allocated by her Department to each of the tourism-related bodies that received State support in each of the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56582/23]
View answerDetails of the annual funding allocation provided by my Department to Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland are available in the annual Revised Estimates Volume (REV) and supplementary estimates published by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform and are available on that Department's website.
The subheads of relevance to Tourism Ireland are:
• E4, E5 for 2019 and 2020 under Vote 31.
• A4, A5 for 2021, 2022 and 2023 and additionally A7 for 2023 under Vote 33.
Tourism Ireland is funded through the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland.
The subheads of relevance to Fáilte Ireland are:
• E3, E5, E6 and E7 for 2019 and 2020 under Vote 31.
• A3, A5 and A6 for 2021, 2022 and 2023 and additionally A8 for 2023 under Vote 33.
Further details are available in the Agency Statements for Fáilte Ireland included in the REV.
698. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount of funding TG4 received from the Exchequer in 2022 and 2023. [56601/23]
View answerThe Exchequer funding allocations provided to TG4 for the years 2022 and 2023 are set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
2022 |
€40,849,000 |
€4,200,000 |
€45,049,000 |
|
2023 |
€48,033,000 |
€8,200,000 |
€56,233,000 |
The 2023 figure includes a supplementary allocation of €4m in addition to the €52.233m which was provided for in the Revised Estimates.
Since I became Minister in 2020, TG4 funding has risen from €37.2m in 2020 to just over €57m in 2024. During my term as Minister TG4 have therefore received increases totalling €19.8m, a very significant increase of more than 53% between 2020 and 2024.
699. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount of funding TG4 is due to receive from the Exchequer in 2024. [56602/23]
View answerThe Exchequer funding allocation to TG4 for 2024, as provided for in the Revised Estimates for Public Services, is €57.033 million. This consists of €52.233m current and €4.8m capital funding.
This allocation will enable TG4 to continue to provide quality public service content to its audiences, both at home and abroad, including programming for the first dedicated, Irish language children's channel, Cúla4, which was launched last year.
TG4 has been provided with substantial additional resources under my term as Minister, with a total increase of €19.8m in funding being provided over the lifetime of this Government. This is a 53% increase on the level of funding TG4 had in 2020.
700. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a grant application by a club (details supplied) will be successful; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56840/23]
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 very large number of applications, including one from the organisation to which the Deputy refers, and it is evident that the total number will exceed the previous record of 3,106 applications submitted under the last (2020) round.
The "Scoring Assessment and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round has been finalised 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.
701. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will list the ongoing research commissioned under the remit of her Department through the North-South Ministerial Council, Shared Island Initiative or through other all-island arrangements; if she will outline the research that has been completed; the date of publication of the research since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56923/23]
View answerMy Department in its current configuration was established in September 2020. I am advised that no research has been commissioned under the remit of my Department through the North-South Ministerial Council, Shared Island Initiative or other all-island arrangements in the period since then.
The Shared Island unit of the Department of the Taoiseach is delivering a comprehensive research programme, working with a number of partners, to support development of a more ambitious agenda for cooperation and connection on the island. Research will continue to be published through 2024, focused on opportunities to deepen cooperation across a range of economic, social and environmental domains. Further information is available at www.gov.ie/SharedIsland/Research
702. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the two locations for the National Famine Commemoration Day have been set that is, the Leinster location and twinning location in May 2024; if so, the exact date of these occasions; if, in future, it is possible to give a year’s notice to allow the Irish people home and abroad, the community and schools and ambassadors from many countries, time to plan for such an important day in the national calendar; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56981/23]
View answerI am advised by my Department that the process of selecting a location for the 2024 National Famine Commemoration is currently under way and details will be announced by my Department in due course.
Discussions are also ongoing between officials of this Department and the Department of Foreign Affairs in relation to the location of the 2024 International Famine Commemoration.
In 2018, the Government approved the designation of the third Sunday of May each year as the National Famine Commemoration Day, with the arrangements for the holding of the State commemoration on this day or the preceding Saturday, to be decided each year following consultation with the relevant local authority and host community. There is no such Government Decision in respect of the International Event.
The International Famine Commemoration provides diaspora communities the opportunity to remember and reflect on the impact of the famine and the emigration that followed in its wake, and also celebrate the achievements of those who fled Ireland and set up new lives and established thriving communities across the globe.
There are currently no plans to align the dates of the National and International Famine Commemorations. Any such proposal would need to be carefully considered, so as not to unintentionally restrict options for an appropriate International Famine Commemoration event. It is important that the International Famine Commemoration date is flexible so that it can best suit particular opportunities to commemorate the Famine with meaningful and poignant International Events that may not fully align with that third Sunday (or preceding Saturday) in May.
I am conscious of the importance of providing sufficient notice to ensure that both the national and international famine commemorations provide maximum opportunities for Irish people at home and abroad, communities, schools and ambassadors, time to plan so that this important day can be marked appropriately and offer an opportunity for meaningful reflection. I will continue to work with officials in this regard, to ensure that such notice is provided, while at the same time ensuring there is sufficient flexibility to deliver a meaningful programme at home and abroad.
703. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an dtabharfaidh sí sonraí maidir leis na tionscnaimh atá glactha ag an Roinn agus maidir leis na tionscnaimh ar thacaigh an Roinn leo chun tacú leis an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge. [56991/23]
View answerTá cur chuige comhtháite don Ghaeilge leagtha amach sa Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge ina bhfuil 9 réimse gnímh luaite, lena n-áirítear oideachas, an Ghaeltacht, an teaghlach, an pobal, na meáin, an teicneolaíocht agus an eacnamaíocht. Tá na gníomhartha ábhartha faoin Straitéis á gcur i bhfeidhm ag na páirtithe leasmhara éagsúla, lena n-áirítear mo Roinn fhéin.
Le gairid, foilsíodh an Ceathrú Tuairisc ar Dhul Chun Cinn maidir le feidhmiú an Phlean Gníomhaíochta Gaeilge 5 bliana 2018–2022. Tagann foilsiú na tuairisce seo leis an ngealltanas a rinneadh nuair a seoladh an Phlean Gníomhaíochta i mí an Mheithimh 2018 go bhfoilseofaí a leithéid de thuairisc, ar son na trédhearcachta agus na cuntasachta. Tagann sé lena bhfuil leagtha síos sa Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030 agus leis na naoi Réimse Gnímh atá sa Straitéis sin.
Sa cheathrú tuairisc faoi iamh, tugtar léargas ar an tréimhse 1ú Eanáir 2022 go 31ú Nollaig 2022 agus an dul chun cinn sa raon leathan d'os cionn 180 beart atá sa phlean atá le cur i gcrích ag 60 páirtí leasmhar thar saolré an phlean. Is í an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spórt agus Meán (RTCEGSM) atá freagrach as comhordú a dhéanamh ar chur chun feidhme an Phlean Gníomhaíochta agus go deimhin an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030.
Tá cur síos thíos ar na príomhéachtaí a baineadh amach sna naoi Réimse Gnímh in 2022:
Réimse Gnímh 1 – Oideachas
• Lean Aonad Oideachas Gaeltachta na Roinne ar aghaidh ag cur comhairle agus tacaíocht leanúnach ar fáil do scoileanna atá rannpháirteach sa Scéim Aitheantais Scoileanna Gaeltachta i gcomhar le Cigireacht na Roinne agus An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG) le linn 2022. Bhí ardrátaí rannpháirtíochta sa Scéim arís eile: 80% de bhunscoileanna agus 100% d’iar-bhunscoileanna. Tugadh deis eile do na bunscoileanna sin a roghnaigh gan páirt a ghlacadh sa Scéim a bheith rannpháirteach i 2022.
• Foilsíodh sonraí den phróiseas cigireachta chun aitheantas foirmiúil na scoileanna mar Scoileanna Gaeltachta a dheimhniú i mí Iúil 2022 agus cuireadh tús leis an bpróiseas i mí Deireadh Fómhair 2022 le cigirí ag tabhairt cuairteanna measúnaithe.
• Cuireadh athruithe i bhfeidhm ar an mBealach Iontrála Gaeltachta chuig an gclár Baitsiléir Oideachais Bunscoile (sruth ginearálta) (trí mheán an Bhéarla) le méadú ar an íosghrád don Ghaeilge san Ardteistiméireacht atá de dhíth ó mhí Meán Fómhair na bliana 2022.
• Lean an méadú ar rannpháirtíocht sa tionscadal ríomh-Mhoil, a bhfuil sé mar aidhm leis rochtain a chur ar fáil do scoláirí limistéar Gaeltachta ar réimse níos leithne d’ábhair, i 2022 agus cuireadh ábhar nua, an cheimic, leis an tionscadal.
• Foilsíodh ciorcláin bhliantúla, treoracha do scoileanna agus tuairisc chuimsitheach cás-staidéir ar bhunscoileanna agus iar-bhunscoileanna atá rannpháirteach sa Scéim i 2022.
• Lean seirbhísí tacaíochta na Roinne do mhúinteoirí agus do ghníomhaireachtaí ar nós an tSeirbhís Náisiúnta Síceolaíochta Oideachais agus an Chomhairle Náisiúnta um Oideachas Speisialta ag cur lena gcumas tacaíocht a sholáthar do scoileanna Gaeltachta agus do scoileanna lán-Ghaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht.
Réimse Gnímh 2 – An Ghaeltacht
• Faoi dheireadh 2022 faomhadh 36 plean teanga san iomlán do 26 Limistéar Pleanála Teanga Gaeltachta, 7 mBaile Seirbhíse Gaeltachta agus 3 Líonra Gaeilge (6 acu sin a faomhadh in 2022).
• Bhí 34 Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga agus Oifigeach Cúnta Pleanála Teanga fostaithe faoin bpróiseas ag deireadh mhí na Nollag 2022.
• Leanadh de Chlár Tacaíochtaí Pobail agus Teanga na Roinne a úsáid chun tacú leis an bpróiseas pleanála teanga.
Réimse Gnímh 3 – Aistriú Teanga sa Teaghlach – Idirghabháil Luath
• Bhain 2,104 páiste Gaeltachta leas as gníomhartha a d’eagraigh Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta le tacaíocht ón Roinn i 2022.
• Bhí 63 líonra teaghlach gníomhach laistigh den scéim Teanga Tí faoi dheireadh 2022.
• Cuireadh acmhainní breise ar fáil ar an suíomh gréasáin www.teangati.ie. Áiríodh leis na hacmhainní tacaíochtaí do Ghrúpaí Súgartha, leanaí faoi 3 bliana d’aois agus ábhar feasachta teanga.
Réimse Gnímh 4 – Riarachán, Seirbhísí agus Pobal
• Bunaíodh an Coiste Comhairleach um Sheirbhísí Gaeilge faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2021 ar an 20 Meitheamh 2022, laistigh den spriocdháta reachtúil a leagadh síos ina leith faoin Acht;
• Aontaíodh conradh taighde le hOllscoil na Gaillimhe ag deireadh 2022 i dtaca le hullmhú an chéad Phlean Náisiúnta um Sheirbhísí Poiblí Gaeilge ag an gCoiste Comhairleach. Beidh an Plean ag díriú, i measc nithe eile, ar an sprioc earcaíochta uaillmhianach luaite leis an Acht go mbeidh 20% d’earcaigh chuig an earnáil phoiblí inniúil i nGaeilge faoi dheireadh 2030.
• Ceadaíodh pacáiste maoinithe méadaithe i 2022 de €1.605m do Lárionad na Gaeilge, Ollscoil Mhá Nuad don tréimhse 3 bliana 2022-2025 chun méadú a chur ar acmhainneacht an Lárionaid córas tástála teanga an Teastais Eorpach Gaeilge (TEG) a reáchtáil, i dtaca le cur i bhfeidhm an Achta.
• Cuireadh leithdháileadh méadaithe de €3.5m ar fáil i 2022 do chiste caipitil na Roinne i leith forbairt ionad Gaeilge lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht ar fud na tíre, ag teacht le gealltanais éagsúla an Rialtais i gClár an Rialtais, Plean Náisiúnta Forbartha 2021-2030 (Tionscadal Éire) agus sa Phlean Gníomhaíochta úd seo.
• Ceadaíodh ciste de bhreis agus €4.3 milliún thar trí bliana do Scéim Forbartha Líonraí Gaeilge, a cuireadh tús léi in Eanáir 2022. Is mórscéim tacaíochta de chuid Fhoras na Gaeilge atá anseo atá dírithe ar 36 coiste Gaeilge den earnáil phobail agus deonach agus trína bhfuil gréasán de 28 oifigeach forbartha Gaeilge fostaithe i gceantair na gcoistí Gaeilge le clár forbartha pobail a chur i bhfeidhm ar feadh na bliana.
• Chuir Foras na Gaeilge maoiniú ar fáil do 91 campa samhraidh ceadaithe le linn 2022.
• Ceadaíodh 65 deontas faoi Scéim na nImeachtaí Óige don scoilbhliain 2022/2023.
Réimse Gnímh 5 – Na Meáin & an Teicneolaíocht
• Lean TG4 ag coimisiúnú agus ag craoladh ábhair do phobal na Gaeilge. I ndáil le craoladh líneach, rinne TG4 dul chun cinn leanúnach maidir leis an sciar den lucht féachana. D’fhéach 3.7m duine nó 82% den daonra ar TG4 tráth éigin i rith 2022.
• Lean an forás tréan i rith na bliana 2022 maidir le meáin dhigiteacha neamhlíneacha TG4 agus le lucht féachana na meán sin. Tháinig ardú beagnach 120% go 136m ar líon na mbabhtaí a breathnaíodh ar fhíseáin trasardáin ar ábhar de chuid TG4 (tar éis forás 65% sa bhliain 2021).
• Fógraíodh i mí Mheán Fómhair 2022 go raibh maoiniú tiomnaithe á chur ar fáil chun stáisiún teilifíse faoi leith do pháistí - Cúla4 - a bhunú.
• Leanadh le maoiniú don stáisiún ceoil móréilimh Raidió Rí Rá i 2022. D'oscail an tAire Stáit Chambers stiúideo athchóirithe an stáisiúin i mBaile Átha Cliath i mí na Bealtaine 2022.
• Reáchtáladh Tech Féile i mí Aibreáin 2022 agus ócáid TechFest le haghaidh Oideachasóirí Cruthaitheacha i mí na Samhna 2022.
• Foilsíodh an Plean Digiteach don Ghaeilge, 2023-2027 i mí na Nollag 2022. Is ionann foilsiú an Phlean Dhigitigh agus toradh ar bhlianta de thaighde agus forbairt acadúil, agus is féidir féachaint air mar threochlár ina leagtar amach an chaoi a ndéanfar an Ghaeilge ábhartha feasta i gcomhthéacs ról na teicneolaíochta inár saol ó lá go lá. Leanadh ag infheistiú maoiniú suntasach i dtaighde teicneolaíochta Gaeilge in Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath; áirítear Logainm.ie, Ainm.ie, Dúchas.ie agus LEX/IATE ar na tionscadail ar thacaigh an Roinn leo i 2022.
• Leanadh ag infheistiú maoiniú suntasach i dtaighde teicneolaíochta Gaeilge i gColáiste na Tríonóide, Baile Átha Cliath i 2022; áirítear Abair.ie, Róbóglór agus taighde ar theicneolaíochtaí éagsúla rochtana do dhaoine faoi mhíchumas ar na tionscadail ar thacaigh an Roinn leo i 2022.
• Ceadaíodh maoiniú breise d'Ionad ADAPT in Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath do 2023, 2024 agus 2025 chun na tacaíochtaí agus na seirbhísí atá ag an stór sonraí eSTÓR atá ann cheana a chothabháil agus a leathnú agus chun digitiú a dhéanamh ar chóip crua d’Ionstraimí Reachtúla ar féidir iad a chur le bailiúchán eSTÓR.
Réimsí Gnímh 6 – Foclóirí
• Le linn 2022, lean Acadamh Ríoga na hÉireann leis an obair le Foclóir Stairiúil na Gaeilge a thabhairt i gcrích agus 90 milliún focal anois i gCorpas Stairiúil na Gaeilge.
• Tús curtha ag Foras na Gaeilge leis na tionscadail nua foclóireachta, foclóir Gaeilge-Gaeilge agus Gaeilge-Béarla.
• D’fhaomhaigh an Coiste Téarmaíochta os cionn 3,950 téarma nua nó athbhreithnithe.
• Leanadh le maoiniú do thionscadal téarmaíochta Eorpach rathúil LEX.
Réimsí Gnímh 7 – Reachtaíocht agus Stáda
• Tugadh feidhm do roinnt fhorálacha suntasacha de chuid Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2021 le linn 2022, eadhon bunú an Choiste Chomhairligh um Sheirbhísí Gaeilge agus an obair thábhachtach a bheidh idir lámha acu sin i dtaca le hullmhú an chéad Phlean Náisiúnta um Sheirbhísí Poiblí Gaeilge (mar a luadh thuas faoi Réimse 4) mar aon leis an bhforáil fhógraíochta (Alt 10A) a chuireann dualgais bhreise ar chomhlachtaí poiblí maidir le fógraíocht a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge agus sna meáin Ghaeilge agus atá tar éis cur go mór le feiceálacht na teanga trasna gach ardán meán atá in úsáid ag eagraíochtaí stáit.
• Bhí an-rath ar shraith seimineár faisnéise a reáchtáil an Roinn, i gcomhar le hOifig an Choimisinéara Teanga, chun feasacht a chothú i measc na gcomhlachtaí poiblí maidir leis na dualgais bhreise a bheidh ag teacht i bhfeidhm faoin Acht, le breis agus 1,000 fostaithe den stát ag freastal ar na seimineáir chéanna.
• Mar chuid den seó bóthair 'Gluaiseacht' de chuid Chonradh na Gaeilge atá á mhaoiniú ag an Roinn, eagraíodh 210 ceardlann idirghníomhacha le breis is 10,000 dalta ar an dara leibhéal leis na daltaí a chumasú agus a spreagadh i dtreo cúrsaí Gaeilge agus gairmeacha éagsúla le Gaeilge. Ag an tríú leibhéal eagraíodh 20 ceardlann fostaíochta sna coláistí éagsúla le linn na bliana chomh maith le freastal ar mhic léinn 3ú leibhéal.
• Tháinig deireadh leis an maolú ar úsáid na Gaeilge san AE ar an 31 Nollaig 2021. Tá c. 200 duine fostaithe anois i bpoist ardchaighdeáin in aonaid Ghaeilge in institiúidí an AE.
• Cuireadh sruth nua d'intéirnigh ateangaireachta leis an scéim intéirneachtaí i 2022. Thacaigh an fhorbairt bhreise seo ar an scéim intéirneachtaí le hateangairí oilte le Gaeilge a chur ar fáil don Choimisiún Eorpach agus le scileanna triúr ateangaire a fhorbairt go mbeidh siad in ann oibriú sa réimse sin amach anseo.
Réimse Gnímh 8 – Saol Eacnamaíoch
• Cruthaíodh 945 post nua i gcliantchomhlachtaí Údarás na Gaeltachta i 2022
• Bhí 8,235 post i gcliantchomhlachtaí a fhaigheann tacaíocht ón Údarás ag deireadh na bliana 2022. Bhí glanmhéadú de 151 ar an méid duine fostaithe ar an iomlán
• Cuireadh maoiniú reáchtála de €4.3m ar fáil do 33 eagraíocht forbartha pobail.
• Cheadaigh Bord Údarás na Gaeltachta 444 post nua le linn 2022.
• Ceadaíodh suas le €19.26m i soláthar caipitil le linn 2022 chun bonneagar gnó na Gaeltachta a athchóiriú agus a fhorbairt chun cabhrú le forbairt fostaíochta agus tionscnaimh nua.
Tá an tuairisc seo agus na tuairsicí ar na blianta eile curtha faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais.
704. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the position regarding the feasibility study on the infrastructure required to be able to travel and tour Ireland's experience regions by sustainable modes of transport, as outlined in Action 12 of the Actions to Promote Sustainable Tourism Practices 2021-2023 from the Sustainable Tourism Working Group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57050/23]
View answerIn 2022, Fáilte Ireland completed and shared a study with the Department of Transport on preparing Irish Tourism for growth in Electrical Vehicle Usage. This Fáilte Ireland study looked specifically at the e-charging infrastructure in Ireland as it relates to tourism. The study sought to understand the current position, proposed infrastructure developments in the medium term (3-5 years), gaps and opportunities for car touring with electric vehicles or hybrid, ascertain future trends in terms of technology and range of vehicles and provide a roadmap for sustainable car touring and tourism development.
The ultimate objective of the study was to identify the infrastructure required and frequency of e-charging points to support sustainable car touring so that international and domestic visitors can travel freely and without range anxiety through Ireland’s tourist routes in the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland's Ancient East and Ireland's Hidden Heartlands. The Fáilte Ireland study provided a number of insights for the needs at destination level which informed the development of the Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Strategy as launched in January 2023 by my colleague the Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD. This strategy will see €100 million spent on public charging infrastructure over a three year period.
The strategy presents an ambitious pathway and practical steps for delivery of a national EV charging network which will see a pool of high-powered chargers every 60 km on our motorway network as well as home/apartment charging, residential neighbourhood charging (including new mobility hubs), destination charging and en-route charging.
Through initiatives such as the Shared Island Fund and the Just Transition Fund, the Government will explore and implement the provision of targeted infrastructure to benefit communities and increase access to EVs across the island of Ireland which will benefit Tourism. Furthermore, my Department is progressing with the development of a new national tourism policy framework that will seek to mainstream sustainability – environmental, economic and societal – across the entire tourism sector. The new framework will shape how our tourism industry develops in the period to 2030. While I want to see the tourism sector grow, I want it to do so in a manner that is consistent with our broader sustainability targets and ultimately ensures that Ireland will be a brand leader in sustainable tourism practices. While initial consultations with key stakeholders were completed last year, I will shortly launch a public consultation to give the public the chance to have their say. I hope to have the new policy framework itself finalised in the coming months.
705. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an update on a sports capital application for (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57100/23]
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 very large number of applications, including one from the organisation to which the Deputy refers, and it is evident that the total number will exceed the previous record of 3,106 applications submitted under the last (2020) round.
The "Scoring Assessment and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round has been finalised 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.
706. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an update on a sports capital application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57101/23]
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 very large number of applications, including one from the organisation to which the Deputy refers, and it is evident that the total number will exceed the previous record of 3,106 applications submitted under the last (2020) round.
The "Scoring Assessment and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round has been finalised 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.
707. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide a schedule of the personal and/or person-specific data sets her Department holds that have been provided and/or shared with other Departments and/or Ministers and/or State bodies and/or agencies and/or local authorities in the past 20 years to date; if she will clarify if the transfer of data and/or records was in aggregated form or on an individual basis; and the reason the data and/or records were provided. [57220/23]
View answerMy Department in its current configuration was established in September 2020. Details of personal and/or person-specific data sets held by my Department that have been shared with external public sector bodies in the period since then are outlined in the following table.
The sharing of data sets by my Department is carried out in accordance with the provisions of data protection legislation. I am advised that the sharing of data is limited and processed in a manner that is compatible with data protection legislation.
|
Data Sets |
Shared With |
Shared on Aggregated or Individual basis? |
Reason for Sharing Data Sets |
|
Supplier Personal Data |
Department of Justice Financial Shared Services Centre (DOJ FSS*) |
Individual |
Payment of invoices |
|
Grantee Personal Data |
Department of Justice Financial Shared Services Centre (DOJ FSS) |
Individual |
Payment of grants |
|
Supplier Personal Data |
Revenue Commissioners (via DOJ FSS) |
Individual |
Returns / reports as required by legislation |
|
Grantee Personal Data |
Revenue Commissioners (via DOJ FSS) |
Individual |
Returns / reports as required by legislation |
|
D/TCAGSM Employee Personal Data |
National Shared Services Office |
Individual |
Compliance with the National Shared Services Act |
|
D/TCAGSM Employee Personal Data |
Other Government Departments |
Individual |
Transfer of Functions from Minister/Department to another Minister / Department and to rename Department under section 6 of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1939 |
|
D/TCAGSM Employee Personal Data |
Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform |
Individual |
Management of Sick Leave |
|
D/TCAGSM Employee Personal Data |
Public Appointments Service |
Individual |
Recruitment Process Information |
|
State Board Membership Details |
Public Appointments Service |
Individual |
For publication on State Boards.ie |
|
Decade of Centenaries Programme Stakeholder Personal Data |
Other Government Departments and State bodies |
Aggregated |
For the purposes of issuing invitations to State events and other Decade of Centenaries events |
|
Night-Time Economy Stakeholder Personal Data |
Other Public Bodies |
Aggregated |
For the purposes of issuing invitations to relevant sectoral events |
|
Event Invitee Personal Data |
Department of the Taoiseach |
Individual |
To develop an invite list for the Shared Island Arts & Culture Dialogue event held on 13th October 2022, of which the Department of the Taoiseach were joint organisers |
|
Applicant Personal Data |
Department of Education |
Aggregated |
To grant Irish colleges recognition under Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge, where sought |
|
Applicant Personal Data |
Comhchoiste Náisiúnta na gColáistí Samhraidh |
Aggregated |
To facilitate Garda Vetting in accordance with child protection obligations under Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge |
|
Event Attendee Personal Data |
Farmleigh House (Operated by the Office of Public Works) |
Individual |
A list of attendees is required for entry to events at Farmleigh House |
* Department of Justice Financial Shared Services
708. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of an application by an organisation (details supplied) for funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1045/24]
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 very large number of applications, including one from the organisation to which the Deputy refers, and it is evident that the total number will exceed the previous record of 3,106 applications submitted under the last (2020) round.
The "Scoring Assessment and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round has been finalised 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.
709. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if each of the night time economy advisors are fully accountable to her Department. [1078/24]
View answerI approved funding for a two-year full-time post in each of the local authorities selected for the Night-Time Economy pilots, namely Dublin City, Cork City, Galway City, Kilkenny, Limerick City, Drogheda, Sligo, Longford and Buncrana. The Night-Time Economy adviser is recruited and directly employed by the local authority who provides the Night-Time adviser with a supportive reporting structure within the local authority that can best facilitate the role.
A Service Level Agreement between my Department and each of the local authorities that currently have appointed a Night-Time adviser, namely Cork, Galway, Louth, Sligo and Kilkenny is currently being agreed and will also issue to the remaining local authorities when their recruitment processes are completed. The agreement sets out the role of my Department, the role of the Night Time adviser and the key objectives to be achieved during the two-year pilot, including a requirement to report into and inform the Implementation Group on the NTE Taskforce Report, which is chaired by my Department, of activities in relation to the pilots and share any wider policy issues impacting on the NTE at national level. They must also provide an end of year activity report to my Department.
710. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 336 of 23 May 2023, and following the ongoing interest in providing a full-time, permanent pool in the Ardee area, if she will outline when the pop-up pool might be available to Ardee in 2024; if any discussions have taken place between her Department and Louth County Council in respect of the provision of a new pool for the Ardee/mid Louth area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1117/24]
View answerIn relation to my Department's responsibilities, capital funding for swimming pools was previously provided through the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP). 52 pools have been completed under the LASPP and three swimming pool projects (Lucan, Buncrana and Edenderry) remain in the programme with the Lucan project currently being completed. Two pools in Louth received funding under the programme, namely Dundalk and Drogheda. My Department also provided funding for the Swim Ireland Pop-Up pool programme. The schedule of the pop-up pool programme is entirely a matter for Swim Ireland and the relevant local authorities.
The National Sports Policy, which was published in 2018, provided for the establishment of a Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The aim of LSSIF is to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects where the Exchequer investment would be greater than the maximum amount available under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP).
The first LSSIF allocations were announced in January 2020 and thus far €124 million has been awarded to 33 different proposals with 8 swimming pool projects receiving an allocation. Minister Martin and I also recently announced that a new round of the LSSIF will open for applications in the first half of 2024, with the dates, terms and conditions to be published on the Department’s website in due course. New swimming pool projects and the refurbishment of existing swimming pools will be eligible to apply for funding under the new round of LSSIF subject to programme guidelines.
711. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated cost in 2024 if the number of Global Internship Programme for Tourism Ireland was doubled. [1133/24]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of developing national tourism policy and the tourism agencies (Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland) deal with the implementation of this policy. Tourism Ireland is the agency responsible for promoting the island of Ireland overseas as a tourism destination.
The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Tourism Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Tourism Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
712. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of full-time media managers working for Tourism Ireland in the office in Australia in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [1134/24]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of developing national tourism policy and the tourism agencies (Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland) deal with the implementation of this policy. Tourism Ireland is the agency responsible for promoting the island of Ireland overseas as a tourism destination.
The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Tourism Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Tourism Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
713. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of full-time social media editors working in Tourism Ireland in the office in Spain in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [1135/24]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of developing national tourism policy and the tourism agencies (Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland) deal with the implementation of this policy. Tourism Ireland is the agency responsible for promoting the island of Ireland overseas as a tourism destination.
The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Tourism Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Tourism Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
