Written Answers Nos. 351-376
351. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education to provide an update on the progress in the provision of extra school facilities at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6639/24]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers has been devolved for delivery to the Board of Management of the school.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that this project was recently approved by my Department to proceed to Stage 2a of the architectural planning process (detailed design).
Once the Stage 2a submission is approved by my Department, the next step for the Design Team will be to obtain the statutory planning approvals. When these are in place, the project can proceed onwards to tender and construction.
At this early stage it is not possible to provide a timeline for completion of the project.
352. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which primary school places at Broadford, County Kildare continue to be assessed with a view to ensuring that accommodation is sufficient to meet population increases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6640/24]
View answerIn order to plan for school place needs, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements.
While my Department is aware of enrolment pressures and demand for additional school places in some areas, it is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
• Duplication of applications
• School of choice
• Single sex schools
• External draw
My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998.
Parents have the right to choose which school to apply to and where the school has places available the pupil should be admitted. However, in schools where there are more applicants than places available a selection process may be necessary. This selection process and the enrolment policy on which it is based must be non-discriminatory and must be applied fairly in respect of all applicants. However, this may result in some pupils not obtaining a place in the school of their first choice.
Broadford is part of the Naas School Planning Area. There are currently a number of active projects at primary level in the Naas SPA which will increase local capacity, including new school building projects at Mercy Convent Primary School and St Corban’s BNS.
My Department will continue to keep the school place requirements in Broadford, as with other areas across the country, under review.
353. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which adequate school places remain available to parents and school children at Moyvalley, County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6641/24]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, In order to plan for school place needs, my Department divides the country into 314 school planning areas and utilises a Geographical Information System to anticipate school place demand. Information from a range of sources, including Child Benefit data, school enrolment data and information on residential development activity is used for this purpose. Additionally, Project Ireland 2040 population and housing targets inform my Department's projections of school place requirements.
Moyvalley is part of the Longwood School Planning Area. My Department's projections of primary school place requirements in the Longwood SPA indicate that enrolments at primary level peaked in 2022 and will steadily decrease in the coming years. At a national level, primary enrolments are projected to decrease by circa 10,000 every year over the course of a decade.
It is important to note that where enrolment pressures arise, it may not always be as a result of lack of accommodation but may be driven by the following factors:
• Duplication of applications
• School of choice
• Single sex schools
• External draw
Notwithstanding the above, in some areas demographic pressures and other factors are driving a requirement for additional school places.
Having considered the projected requirements in each school planning area, including the Longwood School Planning Area, my Department then makes an assessment of the existing capacity and identifies any requirement for additional provision.
Where demographic data indicates that additional provision is required, the delivery of such additional provision is dependent on the particular circumstances of each case and may, be provided through:
• Utilising existing unused capacity within a school or schools,
• Extending the capacity of a school or schools,
• Provision of a new school or schools.
My Department's main responsibility is to ensure that schools in an area can, between them, cater for all pupils seeking school places in the area. In relation to school admissions, it is the responsibility of the managerial authorities of all schools to implement an enrolment policy in accordance with the Education Act, 1998.
My Department will continue to keep the school place requirements in Moyvalley, as with other areas across the country, under review.
354. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education the extent to which progress has been made in respect of the provision of new school building for a school (details school); the recent progress in this case, if any; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6642/24]
View answerI am pleased to inform the Deputy that the building project for the school to which he refers has now been devolved for delivery to Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB).
The Service Level Agreement (SLA) has been issued to KWETB. The next step is for the ETB to procure a Design Team for the project to design the buildings, obtain the necessary statutory planning permissions, and move the project onward to tender and construction in due course.
As the project is at an early stage in the delivery process, it is not possible at this time to give a date for its completion. Please be assured that the ETB will be engaging directly with the school authority to keep it informed of progress.
355. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the reason for reducing the criteria for the allocation of SET hours to schools from five to three for the coming year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6654/24]
View answer356. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education to explain in detail the decision to remove gender and complex needs as a category when calculating the allocation for each school; what benefits she expects to see from this change; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6655/24]
View answer357. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if she can outline any problems that may arise as a result of not taking the complex needs of students into account; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6656/24]
View answer359. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the basis for the removal of the CDNTS’s recommendations. [6658/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 355, 356, 357 and 359 together.
I would like to thank the Deputy for the question.
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers.
In 2023, my department spent over €2.6 billion on special education and further progress will be made this year as an additional €113m will be dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs.
As the SET allocation model has been in place since 2017 based on a 2014 NCSE report, my Department believed a review of the model was prudent. The department commenced a review in late 2022 to ensure that the model was meeting the changing needs in special education.
The review examined the following:
• The individual inputs (components) of the model
• The validity and reliability of the data used for each component
• Feedback from our education partners and individual schools
The review of the SET allocation model further identified that a programme of continuous development was required to ensure that the model was delivering effectively, both in supporting the changing needs in the education system, and for individual schools.
A high level roadmap has been discussed and agreed with our education partners during a series of consultations to enhance the inputs and improve the sensitivity of the model.
The journey of enhancement begins with the 2024/25 allocation by ensuring that the model has a strong foundation.
The key to building a solid foundation is ensuring that the data, for each pillar within the model, is already available to the department and provided by schools. Where data used in the model is received from external sources, it is critical that the information is being received on a consistent basis.
Upon examination of each of the five components used in the model, concerns were identified in relation to two of them, namely gender and complex needs.
Gender was included as a component in the 2017 allocation model on the basis that in Ireland, just as in other jurisdictions, there appeared to be a higher incidence of special educational needs in males.
However, in the intervening period since the model was introduced, there have been developments in research in this area and also in the perception of gender. It is now accepted that the female pupils may have a similar level of need and that this need is becoming apparent at later stages in their growth and development.
The complex needs input, which was introduced in the 2017 model, was predicated on the provision of data from the HSE Children Disability Network Teams on children entering junior infants with special education needs who were assessed or triaged for a waiting list for assessment.
The review highlighted concerns in relation to the veracity and the consistency of the data provided on a national basis by the CDNT. This resulted in the potential for significant variations from one area of the country to another. In addition, it is not possible to verify whether all data reported relates solely to educational need as distinct from care needs, which are resourced through the Special Needs Assistant allocation process, or medical needs.
To ensure that schools are not negatively impacted by these issues, all existing hours assigned for complex needs are being maintained for each school and future data from the CDNT will not be used as a value in the model. This is being done by reapportioning this value at individual school level across the remaining pillars with an emphasis on the Literacy and Numeracy category which demonstrates where additional teaching supports are required. This exercise strengthens the model to give a sustainable allocation to schools, which recognises where there are significant learning needs.
At primary, the Educational Teaching needs profile is calculated based on educational outcome (STen) data which are collected and held within schools and submitted to the Department of Education. At post primary, the data used is Junior Cycle results. Hence, the profiles are directly correlated to, and focused on, pupils with the greatest level of teaching need in the areas of literacy and numeracy.
In addition, to ensure children with the greatest level of need are addressed by the model all pupils who are marked as exempt (approx. 1% of the population) are included as STen 1 to ensure that the school receives an allocation to support them. STen 1 & 2 scores (including exempted) would align in general to pupils in our education system who are in need of the greatest level of teaching support.
In addition, over the last number of years we have seen significant growth in special classes from 548 in 2011 to 2,921 in 2024, with 390 opened in the past year alone. We have also opened new special schools with 130 special schools nationwide with an enrolment of over 8,700 students. A significant number of pupils who were previously supported in mainstream are now supported in these settings.
These elements of the continuum of education provision are resourced separately to the SET model.
My department is committed to ongoing engagement with our education partners in relation to future developments and enhancements to the SET model.
The Department acknowledges that every school is different, and that schools can experience unique circumstances that may be difficult to reflect in any standardised method. This is always a challenge when making allocations in respect of 4,000 schools. It is for this reason that the Department, working with the NCSE has streamlined the review process for special education teachers and schools who have any concerns can engage with the NCSE on their allocation.
358. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education if the additional supports that may be required by children experiencing homelessness, children living in areas with high levels of crime, children in care or residential settings, new entrant pupils and other pupils who do not speak English as a first language were taken into consideration when revising this model. [6657/24]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question.
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers.
Firstly I would like to address the English as an additional language portion of your question.
The Special Education Teacher allocation model is designed to provide additional teaching support to schools to support pupils with special education needs and while some pupils where English is not their first language may have special education needs and schools are expected to provide support based on the general principle of the child with the greatest level of need receives the greatest level of support.
My department has a process, separate to the SET model, to provide specific English Language support to schools with pupils newly arrived into the country that have English as an additional language.
Schools may apply for further language support through the staffing appeals process.
In addition, a scheme of allocation of temporary Special Education Teaching resources has been in place since August 2022 to provide additional SET supports to school who have enrolled large number of Ukrainian and IPAS students.
The SET Model incorporates as one of its three pillars educational disadvantage.
Socio-economic factors are key drivers of educational disadvantage and to support schools to help such students, a value is applied where students attend a school from a disadvantaged area.
It is important to understand that the allocation from this pillar is focused on the pupil data rather than a school’s designation.
What this means is that the allocation of hours within this pillar of the model is derived from a process of matching individual pupil eircodes to the HP Index for Small Areas. This ensures that any school that has enrolled a pupil(s) from a geographically disadvantaged area is provided with additional support.
I would be the first to acknowledge that every school is different, and that schools can experience unique circumstances that may be difficult to reflect in any standardised method. This is always a challenge when we seek to make allocations in respect of 4,000 schools. It is for this reason that we have also streamlined the review process for Special Education Teachers and schools who feel that they have received an inappropriate allocation can make this application to the NCSE.
Application forms for schools to apply for a SET Review will be available on the NCSE website from the week commencing the 19th February 2024.The NCSE will begin accepting applications for SET Reviews on the 1st March 2024 with a closing date for applications of SET Reviews on the 22nd March. Schools must submit their completed application forms through the online portal on the NCSE website. Among the criteria for schools to submit a review is a very significant and immediate changes to the local population that have occurred in a short space of time. For example, significant increase in availability of social housing or the opening of a homeless shelter resulting in a large number of children with special educational needs enrolling in a school.
In addition the NCSE SENO is available to discuss matters with any relevant school.
360. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the criteria for prioritising literacy and numeracy profiles of schools estimated from the results of standardised testing. [6659/24]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for the question.
Enabling children with special educational needs to receive an education is a priority for this government. It is also a key priority for me as Minister for Special Education & Inclusion, for my department and for the National Council for Special Education (NCSE).
The vast majority of children with special educational needs are supported to attend mainstream classes with their peers.
In 2023, my department spent over €2.6 billion on special education and further progress will be made this year as an additional €113m will be dedicated to providing supports for children with special educational needs.
The SET allocation model is designed to distribute additional teaching resources across the entire school system. This is to ensure that additional teaching resources are available to support pupils with the greatest level of learning need. There is a defined level of resources available to distribute across the whole school system.
A unique educational profile is created for each school and is underpinned by three pillars;
1. Enrolment Allocation (sourced from POD/PPOD)
2. Educational Teaching Needs Profile (derived from the literacy and numeracy profile of the school as demonstrated by the STen scores for English/Irish and Maths and Junior Cycle data
3. Educational Disadvantage (pupil data from POD/PPOD combined with data from the Pobal HP Index for Small Areas, which is a method of measuring the relative affluence or disadvantage of a particular geographical area)
The Educational Teaching needs profile is calculated based on educational outcome data which are collected and held within schools and submitted to the Department of Education. Hence, the profiles are directly correlated to, and focused on, pupils with the greatest level of need in the areas of literacy and numeracy.
These are a consistent and reliable indicator to identify additional learning need, particularly those with the highest level of need. This data is being taken over a 3 year period so that the model can be sensitive to any short term fluctuations and means those schools that need it most will get the sustained support required.
In the review of the model consideration was given to those students with multiple needs and who may not have undertaken standardised testing and this has been incorporated in the model.
As the SET allocation model has been in place since 2017 based on a 2014 NCSE report, my Department believed a review of the model was prudent. The department commenced a review in late 2022 to ensure that the model was meeting the changing needs in special education.
The review of the SET allocation model identified that a programme of continuous development was required to ensure that the model was delivering effectively, both in supporting the changing needs in the education system, and for individual schools.
The journey of enhancement begins with the 2024/25 allocation by ensuring that the model has a strong foundation.
A phased high level plan has been compiled to further enhance the model over the coming years. The department intends to undertake further detailed consultations with our education partners in the development of future enhancements to the model.
361. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén ról atá ag an Roinn maidir le tacú le Gaeltacht Thuaisceart an Oileáin Úir i gCeanada, cén maoiniú atá tugtha ag an Rialtas don togra gach bliain ó bunaíodh é in 2007, agus an ndéanfaidh sí cur síos ar na torthaí atá bainte amach aige.; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [6058/24]
View answerNíl aon teagmháil dhíreach ag mo Roinn le Gaeltacht Thuaisceart an Oileáin Úir i gCeanada ná níl aon socrú maoinithe ag an Roinn ina leith.
Tá rún daingean ag an Roinn tacaíocht a thabhairt do thionscnaimh Ghaeilge thar lear, Ceanada san áireamh, agus chuige sin tá comhaontú deontais i bhfeidhm le tamall de bhlianta le Fondúireacht Ollscoile Éireann Cheanada (ICUF) chun cur ar a cumas a clár Gaeilge a rith. Is í aidhm an chláir ná an Ghaeilge a mhúineadh do mhic léinn tríú leibhéal i gCeanada chomh maith le tuiscint níos fearr ar an teanga a spreagadh agus nasc láidir a chothú idir Ceanada agus na réigiúin Ghaeltachta in Éirinn. Tá comhpháirtíocht ag an bhFondúireacht le cúig ollscoil i gCeanada faoi láthair. Tá sé mar sprioc ag an eagraíocht go méadófaí an líon ollscoileanna a mbeidh siad ag obair leo go seacht gcinn i rith na tréimhse 2024 - 2026.
Tacaíonn an deontas seo go príomha le teagascóirí Gaeilge a sheoladh go Ceanada leis an nGaeilge a mhúineadh ann. Chomh maith leis sin, tacaíonn an deontas leis an deis a chuirtear ar fáil do mhic léinn ó Cheanada cúrsa Gaeltachta a dhéanamh in Éirinn. In 2023, fuair 25 mac léinn ó Cheanada an deis tabhairt faoi chúrsa Gaeltachta ar an gCeathrú Rua, Co. na Gaillimhe ar feadh trí nó ceithre seachtaine.
Sheol ICUF, le tacaíocht ón gCoimisiún Fulbright, a fhaigheann maoiniú ón Roinn freisin dá chuid clár Gaeilge i roinnt ollscoileanna i Stáit Aontaithe Mheiriceá, ‘Trasna na dTonnta’ den chéad uair roinnt blianta ó shin. Is feachtas ar na meáin shóisialta é Trasna na dTonnta atá ag dul ó neart go neart gach bliain ag cruthú nasc idir pobail labhartha na Gaeilge ar fud an domhain. Cruthaítear cibear-Ghaeltacht ar líne ar feadh tréimhse cúig lá mar chuid den fheachtas seo agus léiríonn an feachtas don phobal i gcoitinne go bhfuil an Ghaeilge á húsáid ar fud an domhain. Bhí an-rath ar an bhfeachtas le roinnt blianta anuas agus d’éirigh le ICUF go leor ócáidí saor in aisce ar líne a reáchtáil.
Léiríonn na figiúirí is déanaí ó ICUF gur fhreastail 582 mac léinn ó Cheanada ar 731 uair an chloig de ranganna Gaeilge i rith na bliana acadúla 2022/23.
362. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media how the Exchequer funding model for public sector broadcasting could operate in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6068/24]
View answerThe media sector, and public service media in particular, plays a vital role in our society, supporting cultural development, societal wellbeing, and the functioning of our democracy. As such it is important that is supported by a sustainable funding model.
The Future of Media Commission had recommended Exchequer funding, however, Government decided instead to establish a Technical Working Group in order to assess potential options to reform the existing TV licence system. High level discussions on the Group’s report had commenced but it was necessary to pause a final decision until the two independent expert advisory committee reports on RTÉ are submitted.
In recommending Exchequer funding, the Future of Media Commission also set out safeguards that can be put in place in order to maintain media independence and minimise risk of political interference, such as:
• Multi-annual funding levels established and recommended by the independent regulator, Coimisiún na Meán;
• A stronger role for An Coimisiún in setting performance targets for RTE and TG4 – these are currently set by the broadcasters themselves with review and analysis performed by An Coimisiún
I am committed to delivering on this overdue reform and I am continuing discussions with relevant senior Cabinet colleagues.
363. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the chairperson position in the Arts Council will be filled; and the length of time this position has been vacant for. [6160/24]
View answerThe position of Chair of the Arts Council became vacant on 14 December 2023 following the resignation of the outgoing Chair. In line the Government Guidelines on the filling of State Board vacancies, the Public Appointments Service (PAS) advertised the Board of the Arts Council calling for expressions of interest for the role of Chair along with a number of roles for ordinary members. The closing date was 18 January 2024. All of the applications received in advance of the closing date, will be examined against the published criteria and a panel of suitable candidates will be drawn up by the PAS and transmitted to me as Minister. I am advised that this will take place before the end of this month. After which, I will select the Chair and other members from the PAS generated panel.
364. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will attend the next EU tourism ministers meeting. [6161/24]
View answerAs part of its EU Presidency programme, Belgium has organised an informal meeting of European Tourism Ministers on 19-20 February 2024 in La Hulpe - Louvain-La-Neuve.
Owing to prior diary commitments, including a meeting of the Cabinet, I will be unable to attend. Instead I will be represented by a senior official from my Department and look forward to being updated on the discussions at the meeting.
In the longer term, my Department is progressing the development of a new national tourism policy framework that will mainstream sustainability – environmental, economic and societal – across the entire tourism sector. The framework will shape how our tourism industry develops in the period to 2030 and my Department and I will continue to engage at EU level to share best practices to foster the advancement of sustainable tourism practices in Ireland and across the European Union.
365. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media how much State funding has been pledged to a person (details supplied) to host the 2027 Ryder Cup golf tournament; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6195/24]
View answerIreland has been chosen to host the Ryder Cup in 2027 at Adare Manor in County Limerick. Significant State investment is required in this regard over a number of years in respect of fees to Ryder Cup Europe, support for other PGA European Tour events in Ireland, marketing fees and the provision of necessary public services for the large crowds that will attend the event.
No State funding has been pledged to the person in question in this regard.
366. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if an assurance will be provided that, should the Government introduce a tax for funding RTÉ, those who currently have a free TV licence will not be expected to pay this tax; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6199/24]
View answerThe Government is committed to implementing reform of the TV licence system so that a funding model which provides long-term sustainability for public service media in Ireland can be put in place.
High level discussions on the future funding of public service media are continuing, however, as I have stated previously, a final decision will not be made until after the reports of the two Government Commissioned independent Expert Advisory Committees on RTÉ are published.
It would not be appropriate for me to disclose the details of any discussions with Cabinet colleagues to date, or the options put forward by the Technical Working Group, until Government has completed its full consideration of the matter. I believe it would be important that that recipients of the Department of Social Protection Household Benefit Packages would be continue to benefit under any future funding model.
367. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she last met the CEO of the National Concert Hall; and when she is next scheduled to meet the CEO. [6227/24]
View answerI have met the CEO of the National Concert Hall informally on occasion, most recently at an event on 7 September 2023 to launch of the National Symphony Orchestra’s 2023/24 season of concerts and events. In addition, officials from my Department regularly engage with the CEO and management team of this National Cultural Institution on an ongoing basis.
I am advised that a meeting with the CEO of the National Concert Hall is not scheduled at present.
368. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the additional Exchequer funding in 2024 that would be required to implement recommendation no. 5.1 of the Future of Media Commission report that is, that the source of public funding for PSM change from the current system of TV licence fee combined with general Exchequer funds to a system based entirely on general Exchequer funds, if it were assumed that the TV licence was abolished in full on 1 February 2024.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6268/24]
View answerIn making its recommendations on the future funding of public service media, the Future of Media Commission (FOMC) set out recommended funding levels for the years 2021, 2022 and 2023, the latter amounting to €292.7m. It must be noted that these recommendations were made three years ago in 2021, and did not specify an amount in respect of 2024.
The 2024 Exchequer provision for public service media includes €69.8m in respect of free TV licences awarded to recipients of DSP Household Benefits Packages, €57.033m for TG4 (some €8m above the level set by FOMC three years ago) and €6m in respect of the new Media Fund so that two of the six new funding schemes which the Commission also recommended can be commenced. In addition, provision for up to €40m in interim Exchequer funding for RTÉ has been provided for this year.
Regardless of what decision Government may make on the future funding model it is important to remember that any reform will require legislative change and therefore, will not happen overnight. In the interim, it is important that people continue to pay their TV licence in order to support the continuance of our public service broadcasters and enable the production of content and services that are so valuable to our democracy and society as a whole.
369. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the monies allocated to the broadcasting and media funds each year since 2020 and estimated for 2024 identifying the amount of the Exchequer contributions to same, in tabular form. [6269/24]
View answerPart 10 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 made provision for the establishment of the Broadcasting Fund, and for the allocation of 7% of net TV licence receipts to the fund. This funding is dispersed through the Sound and Vision Scheme, which supports high quality public service content on both television and radio, and the Archiving Scheme.
Overall TV licence revenues include both the receipts from sales of TV licences and the Exchequer contribution in respect of the free licences provided to recipients of Household Benefits Packages. In addition, under broadcasting legislation, the Minister may make additional Exchequer payments to the Broadcasting Fund
Total provision made to the Broadcasting Fund since 2020 is set out in the table below:
|
Year |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Total |
€21.8m |
€22.8m |
€22.3m |
€19.5m |
The Exchequer contributions are set out below:
|
- |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Exchequer allocation in respect of free TV licences |
€4.886m |
€4.886m |
€4.886m |
€4.886m |
|
Additional Exchequer allocations made |
€6.9m |
€8m |
€7.5m |
€6m |
|
Total |
€11.786m |
€12.886m |
€12.386m |
€10.886m |
With regard to 2024, the total provision in the Revised Estimates for my Department in respect of the Broadcasting and Media Funds is €22.885m. While the actual amount that will be available is subject to the total TV licence revenues generated this year and therefore will not be known until year end, the Exchequer element of the allocation set out in the Revised Estimates amounts to €10.886m.
Since taking office, I have ensured that significantly increased supports have been made available to the broadcasting sector as a whole, securing an additional €28.4m in Exchequer funding to the Sound and Vision scheme. This additional funding has contributed to and enabled funding rounds including for content in the Irish language, live music, EDI and climate action.
370. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media what supports are in place for former Bord Na Móna employees in setting up glamping and other tourism related business through the Just Transition funding; the number that are set to receive this funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6331/24]
View answerMy role and that of my Department in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy development and in securing resources to assist the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, in implementing that policy.
Under the EU Just Transition Fund, the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA) is the Managing Authority, and Fáilte Ireland is an Intermediate Body. As an Intermediate Body, Fáilte Ireland has been tasked with the administration of €68 million for a Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme 2023-2026. The overall scheme will be delivered through a range of funding programmes which will run in parallel between now and the end of 2026. With regard to the selection of projects, all such decisions are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland and I have no direct role in this regard.
Category 2 of the Just Transition funding is a scheme is for the ‘Development of Sustainable Tourist Accommodation’. Under this category, Fáilte Ireland will provide support for the development of new and additional small-scale sustainable tourist accommodation and is open to all SMEs that are eligible under the scheme guidelines.
As part of the scheme, Tourism Activators are being appointed to each local authority to assist with the promotion of the schemes on the ground, and to support applicants to develop their project ideas. The Tourism Activators are currently in place for Longford, Westmeath, Offaly and Laois. Recruitment is ongoing for Tourism Activators in Roscommon, Galway, Tipperary and Kildare. Tourism Activators will be a key local support for anyone wishing to apply for EUJTF funding, or anyone who requires more information on the Scheme.
More information and full scheme guidelines can be found at www.failteireland.ie/justtransition.
371. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if grant funding is available to support an organisation (details supplied) in Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6337/24]
View answerMy Department is not a core funder of search and rescue organisations. However some such organisations, which also function as sub-aqua clubs, have previously received funding under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) for sports equipment including boats and diving equipment. Drones are not funded under the SCEP.
372. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media what supports she has provided for SMEs, particularly in the small accommodation sector, including self-catering, caravan, camping and B&B; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6414/24]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of developing national tourism policy and supporting the tourism agencies - Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland - which implement national policy. The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland and I have accordingly referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
Beyond the supports offered by Fáilte Ireland to the small accommodation sector on foot of the funding that I secure for the agency, it is also worth pointing to the Increased Costs of Business Scheme introduced by my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment which will be of direct benefit to a wide range of businesses within the tourism sector. This initiative embodies a whole of Government approach to assisting small and medium sized businesses and will provide support to qualifying firms in recognition of the ongoing cost challenges faced by businesses.
Another significant support to SMEs is the recent announcement by the Minister of Finance, Michael McGrath, of significant changes to the Tax Debt Warehousing scheme with a reduction in the interest rate applying to warehoused tax debt to 0%.
373. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the next policy document for tourism will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6427/24]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to the development of a new Sustainable Tourism Policy document and in advance of this, an interim action plan.
A report from the Sustainable Tourism Working Group which identifies actions to promote sustainable tourism practices was published in October 2021 and can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/202152/72ba3db8-f793-49ee-9abd-74781575c5e2.pdf . The Report reiterated the need to develop a new national tourism policy, which mainstreams sustainability.
In this regard, 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 have established a focus group to look at sustainable targets which should meet in the next few weeks. Once the group meets, I will also launch a public consultation and hope to have the new policy framework finalised and published in the coming months.
374. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the up-to-date position in respect of an application by a club (details supplied) for the sports capital and equipment programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6464/24]
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 latest round of the SCEP (2023) closed for applications on Friday 8 September, 2023. 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. The total number of 3,210 applications exceeds the record number submitted under the last (2020) round.
The "Scoring System and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round has been finalised and published along with a list of all applications received by county including the relevant sport type for each application received. The detailed assessment work has commenced and 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 to be announced later.
375. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of her Department’s survey in respect of playing pitches and sports facilities. [6474/24]
View answerIt is taken that the Deputy is referring to the National Digital Database of Sporting and Recreational Facilities which has been under development by Sport Ireland, the authority responsible for the development of sport in Ireland.
In October 2023, I joined Sport Ireland to launch the "Get Ireland Active" database, which is now operational. It is the definitive resource for information, advice, directions, and tips for people of all ages and abilities anywhere in the country to get active and take full advantage of the amenities and facilities around them.
I have referred the Deputy’s question to Sport Ireland for direct reply with regard to the specific information available on the database concerning playing pitches. Please contact my office if a reply is not received within 10 working days.
376. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of WTE staff, by job title working in the marketing department of Failte Ireland as of 7 February 2024; the number of vacant WTE staff, by job title within the marketing department; and when each of these vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [6592/24]
View answerThe matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred this question to that agency for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
