Written Answers Nos. 343-359
343. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if, following the cessation of the Food Tourism Strategy 2018 – 2023, her Department or any tourism bodies under the aegis of her Department have plans for the development and implementation of a new Food Tourism Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10158/24]
View answerIn the coming months, I will publish 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. In this regard, while I want to see the sector grow, I want it to do so in a manner that is consistent with our broader sustainability targets and ensures that Ireland will be a brand leader in sustainable tourism. While engagement with tourism stakeholders has already taken place on the new framework, a public consultation is expected to open shortly. This will provide an opportunity for everybody to share their perspectives and views on what should be included in the new policy framework. Issues around food tourism will be fully considered as part of the new Policy Framework and subsequent Action Plan. As the Deputy will be aware, Fáilte Ireland continues to focus on the development and enhancement of the food experience for visitors.
344. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the salary amount that was paid to the secretary general of her Department in each of the past ten years. [10177/24]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that the salaries paid to Secretaries General by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media follow the relevant salary scales set out by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and which apply across the Civil Service.
The current Secretary General was appointed on 20th January 2024 and is paid on the non PPC Secretary General Level III payscale and the former Secretary General, whose last day of service was the 19th January 2024, was also paid on the non PPC Secretary General Level III payscale.
My Department in its current configuration was established in September 2020. Details of the salary amount that was paid to the Secretary General of my Department since that date are set out in the table below.
|
Date Effective from |
Salary Rate |
|
01 Oct 2023 |
219,240.00 |
|
01 Mar 2023 |
216,000.00 |
|
01 Jul 2022 |
211,765.00 |
|
01 Feb 2022 |
194,399.00 |
|
01 Oct 2021 |
192,474.00 |
|
01 Oct 2020 |
190,568.00 |
|
01 Sep 2019 |
186,831.00 |
345. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the annual salary of the highest paid employee of her Department. [10178/24]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that the annual salary of the highest paid employee in this Department is the Secretary General. He is paid on the non PPC Secretary General III payscale at an annual rate of €219,240.
The salary for this position follows the relevant salary scales set out by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform which apply across the Civil Service.
346. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the date upon which her Department’s former secretary general left their role. [10179/24]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that the last day of service for the former Secretary General in the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media was 19th January 2024.
A new Secretary General was appointed to this Department with effect from 20th January 2024.
347. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the pension/lump sum entitlements of former Secretaries General of her Department. [10180/24]
View answerMy Department in its current configuration was established in September 2020. I wish to inform the Deputy that one Secretary General has retired from this Department since that date.
Secretaries General, like other civil servants, receive pension benefits calculated in accordance with the terms of the pension scheme of which they are a member.
The pension entitlements of persons recruited to civil service positions depend on a range of factors, including their individual career history, pay point, date of entry and age of retirement. The value attaching to these terms also will vary from case to case depending on the specific circumstances applying at each retirement.
For example, the pension entitlements of an individual who joined the civil service for the first time after 2013 would be based on membership of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme i.e. pension and lump sum benefits are based on career average earnings and are payable from State Pension Age. In the case of those who are members of a pre-existing (pre-2013) civil service pension scheme, pension benefits are based on total reckonable service and final pensionable remuneration.
The Top Level Appointments Committee (TLAC) Retirement Terms that apply to new appointments to Secretary General posts since October 2011 are as follows:
(i) Newly appointed Secretaries General may at the end of their term of office be offered an alternative appointment in the Civil or Public Service on the same salary, if they were recruited from the Civil or Public Service, on condition that they do not have 40 years’ service and that they have not reached the applicable minimum pension age. Those recruited from outside the Civil or Public Service will not be made such an offer, but will be covered by paragraph (ii) below.
(ii) If the person is not offered a post as in paragraph (i) above, and has not reached preserved pension age, he/she may be offered severance of 1 year’s salary (or salary to preserved pension age if less), with pension payable on reaching preserved pension age. For those who have reached the applicable minimum pension age, superannuation benefits are payable immediately, with no additional benefits and no severance payment.
(iii) Where an alternative appointment is offered, as in paragraph (i) above, but is not accepted, no severance is payable, and pension is payable at the applicable minimum pension age, with no additional pension benefits. Similar arrangements apply where a Secretary General is given an alternative appointment and later retires.
(iv) Pension benefits of Secretaries General who are members of the new Single Pension Scheme will be based on career-average rather than final salary, and no enhancements.
Information on the pension entitlements of any individual is of a personal nature. Due to General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) around personal data, details of an individual’s pension entitlements cannot be provided.
Further information of public service pension schemes is available at: www.publicservicepensions.gov.ie/en/
348. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she last met formally with either persons (details supplied); and when she expects to meet again with these persons. [10266/24]
View answerOn Friday, 8 September 2023 I carried out the official launch of Cúla4, the dedicated Irish language children’s television channel. The official launch took place at TG4’s headquarters at Baile na hAbhann in Co. Galway. While at TG4 for the event, I took the opportunity to meet with the Chairperson of TG4, Ms. Anna Ní Ghallachair, the TG4 Board and the Director General of TG4, Mr. Alan Esslemont. While my next meeting with the Chair has not yet been formally scheduled, I intend to meet her in Q2 2024 and arrangements will be made in due course.
The Secretary General of my Department most recently met with the Chairperson and the Director General at TG4's offices on 9th February last and my officials maintain regular contact with TG4 as required under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
349. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an update on tourism proposals for the Cavan-Monaghan area. [10267/24]
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 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.
350. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cé mhéid airgid a chaitheann an Rialtas in aghaidh na bliana ar chlár Cholmcille, a chuireann cás Ghaeilge na hÉireann agus cás Ghaeilge na hAlban araon chun cinn. [10382/24]
View answerIs tionscnamh trípháirteach atá i gceist le Colmcille ar mhaithe le Gaeilge na hÉireann agus Gàidhlig na hAlban a chur chun cinn.
Ag éirí as cinneadh na Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas (CATT) i Samhain 2014, is é Foras na Gaeilge atá freagrach as an tionscadal ar oileán na hÉireann, le Bòrd na Gàidhlig freagrach as in Albain.
Faoin tionscadal seo, díríonn comhghrúpa oibre idir-áisíneachta Cholmcille ar thionscadail straitéiseacha agus tionscnaimh chomhoibrithe eile, mar aon le dea-chleachtas a roinnt agus naisc inbhuanaithe a chruthú sa phobal ar oileán na hÉireann agus in Alban.
Tá an tionscadal á chómhaoiniú ar bhonn 50% ón Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán agus 50% ón Roinn Pobal i dTuaisceart Éireann. Tá maoiniú €118,519 in aghaidh na bliana á chur ar fáil ag mo Roinn don tionscadal ó 2016 i leith.
351. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the ground rents payable by her Department or agencies under its remit, by named property, by name of landlord and by amount payable, in the years 2016 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10424/24]
View answerMy Department in its current configuration was established in September 2020. In general, matters relating to property for my Department are the responsibility of the Office of Public Works as my Department does not own any properties. My Department does not pay any ground rents.
The payment of ground rents by any agency under the remit of my Department is an operational matter for that agency.
352. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason funding has been refused for Gael-Taca; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10464/24]
View answerMy Department has not had a regular funding arrangement with Gael-Taca since 2020, when significant governance issues which had come to light in the organisation led to suspension of Departmental funding.
Subsequently, the Department provided Gael-Taca with a financial package with the objective of clearing debts that had accumulated within the organisation. This process was concluded in late 2023.
The Department received a new funding application from Gael-Taca in September 2023. It is the Department’s view, however, that sufficiently robust structures are not in place to avoid governance issues reoccurring. In light of these circumstances, the Department is not in a position to provide grant funding to the organisation.
My Department remains committed to supporting Irish language initiatives in Cork City and is actively engaging with Foras na Gaeilge and other stakeholder in this regard.
353. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there is any funding available to support community centres purchasing sports equipment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10474/24]
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.
Grants are available to voluntary, not-for profit sports clubs, community groups, NGBs, and
local authorities. Third level colleges, Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and schools
may only apply for funding jointly with sports clubs or organisations.
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. The total number of 3,210 applications, which includes an application from the club referenced by the Deputy, 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.
354. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of TV licence inspections carried out in each of the years 2019, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024 respectively in tabular form. [10539/24]
View answer355. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of TV licence inspections carried out in each of the months from February 2023 to February 2024 respectively in tabular form [10541/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 354 and 355 together.
Part 9 of the Broadcasting Act, 2009 makes provision for the administration of the TV licence fee system. In accordance with Section 145 of the Act, An Post act as the statutory issuing agent for the TV licence fee.
As the issuing agent, operational issues regarding collection and enforcement are primarily a matter for An Post, who make every effort to promote the purchasing of a TV licence and thereby ensure compliance. This includes the issuing of reminders and undertaking household visits to confirm possession of a TV licence or otherwise. However, as details on the number of inspections is an operational matter for An Post, my Department does not hold figures on the number of inspections undertaken by An Post.
I would take this opportunity to again highlight not only the statutory obligation to have a TV licence, but the importance of continuing to support a wide range of public service content across many broadcasters not just RTÉ, which TV licence revenues make possible.
356. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of prosecutions initiated for non-payment of the TV licence in each of the months from February 2023 to February 2024 respectively in tabular form [10544/24]
View answerPart 9 of the Broadcasting Act, 2009 makes provision for the administration of the TV licence fee system.
As statutory collection agent, operational issues regarding collection and enforcement are primarily a matter for An Post, who make every effort to promote the purchasing of a TV licence and thereby ensure compliance. This includes issuing of reminders and undertaking household visits to confirm possession of a TV licence or otherwise. While it is an offence not to possess a TV licence, prosecution through the courts is a last resort.
Ultimately prosecutions are a matter for the Courts Service, and as such details of prosecutions are not available in my Department. However, I can provide the total number of summons issued by An Post and the total number of cases brought to court for 2023 to 30th November, which are as follows: 13,137 summons issued and 8,612 cases brought to court. Final figures for 2023 are not yet available.
It is to be noted that not all summonses sought in any given year are brought to court in the same calendar year and may not be heard until the following year.
Possession of a valid TV licence is not only a legal obligation, it also provides vital funding to enable the provision of high quality public service content to Irish audiences. It is important to note that in addition to providing funding to RTÉ, TV licences receipts also enable funding to a wider range of broadcasters including local commercial radio through the Sound and Vision scheme, as well as providing significant support for the independent production sector.
357. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the funding available for young people to engage in and represent Ireland in kickboxing abroad; how can people and sports clubs apply for this funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10563/24]
View answerSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding across its various programmes.
Sport Ireland does not provide direct funding for clubs or individuals but channels the funding through the relevant National Governing Body of Sport (NGB). In the case of Kickboxing, the Irish Martial Arts Commission is the relevant funded NGB.
Clubs and individuals are advised to contact the Irish Martial Arts Commission to see what support might be available through the NGB to assist them in competing at kickboxing events abroad.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply with any additional relevant information. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
358. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when birth records will be available online (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10575/24]
View answerMy Department manages the Irish Genealogy website, www.irishgenealogy.ie that carries an array of church records. It also provides access to the historic civil records of Births, Deaths and Marriages in partnership with the Department of Social Protection.
Over 16 million civil registration records are available online and accessible to the public free of charge. The website attracts in excess of 4.5 million visits every year.
Access to personal data is subject to data protection controls. Birth records are accessible on the Irish Genealogy site when they are over 100 years old, marriage records are available after 75 years and death records after 50 years.
The website data on the Irish Genealogy site is refreshed in the first quarter of every calendar year and the refresh includes an additional year of records. This annual release of register data by the Civil Registration Service is part of the ongoing partnership between my Department and the Department of Social Protection.
An additional year of Births, Deaths and Marriages was added to the website on the 12 February 2024. The records now available online include birth register records for the years 1864 to 1923. The birth records for the years 1924 to 1930 will become available to public access over the years 2025 to 2031, as each 100 year threshold is reached.
359. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update on her Department's engagement with the European Commission in relation to the State Aid pre-notification process regarding the Local Democracy and Courts Reporting Schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10634/24]
View answerThe 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 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.
A process of engagement with the European Commission regarding State Aid has concluded positively and it has been agreed that the Schemes can be implemented without prior State Aid clearance.
In terms of next steps, it is now for Coimisiún na Meán to implement the Schemes. They will carry out stakeholder consultation on the detailed design of the schemes and once the schemes are finalised, will run a call for applications for both schemes. Further details on the timelines for rollout of the schemes will be made available by Coimisiún na Meán in due course.
