Written Answers Nos. 189-208
190. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the estimated first and full-year cost of increasing capitation rates for primary and post-primary school pupils, respectively, by an additional €10 per pupil in the 2024-25 academic year compared with the baseline capitation rates allocated in the academic year 2023-24 academic year, in tabular form. [17187/24]
View answer191. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Education the estimated first and full-year cost of increasing capitation rates for primary and post-primary school pupils, respectively, by 10% in the 2024-25 academic year compared with the baseline capitation rates allocated in the 2023-24 academic year, in tabular form. [17188/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 190 and 191 together.
My Department is committed to providing funding to recognised primary and post-primary schools in the free education scheme by way of per capita grants. The two main grants are the Capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, general up-keep etc. and the Ancillary grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. Schools have the flexibility to use capitation funding provided for general running costs and ancillary funding provided for caretaking and secretarial services as a common grant from which the Board of Management can allocate according to its own priorities.
The current standard rate of Capitation grant is €183 per student in primary schools and €316 per student in voluntary secondary schools.
As part of the capitation package in Budget 2024 I am pleased to have secured €21 million as a permanent increase in capitation funding to assist schools now and longer term with increased day-to-day running costs. This will support a permanent restoration of funding for all primary and post-primary schools from September 2024. This will bring the basic rate of capitation grant to the pre-2011 level of €200 per student in primary schools and to €345 in voluntary secondary schools. Enhanced rates will also be paid in respect of pupils with Special Educational Needs. This represents an increase of circa 9.2% of current standard and enhanced capitation rates.
The estimated first year cost and estimated full year cost of either a 10% increase or a €10 increase in the rate of Capitation grant at primary and post-primary level are outlined below.
|
- |
10% |
|
€10 |
|
|
|
Primary |
Post-Primary |
Primary |
Post-Primary |
|
First year cost |
€3.3m |
€3.6m |
€1.9m |
€1.3m |
|
Full year cost 2024/25 |
€9.8m |
€10.8m |
€5.5m |
€3.9m |
192. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) is included in the funding of €800 million for 90 school building projects announced by her Department recently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17191/24]
View answerI can confirm that the school referred to by the Deputy has been approved for a project under my Department's Additional Accommodation Scheme. The project will provide 2 mainstream classrooms, 2 classroom SEN base and early intervention unit.
This project has been devolved for delivery to the school authority and is currently awaiting approval to construction.
My Department has a strong track record of delivery of school building projects involving circa. 300 projects currently at construction including 34 new school buildings and over 800 projects completed since 2020 notwithstanding the wider construction sector environment of high inflation, labour shortages and supply chain issues. We continue to have a strong pipeline of projects for delivery under the school building programme.
My Department is committed to ensuring appropriate accommodation is available for the pupils in the school referred to by the Deputy and will in the wider context outlined, ensure that this school's project - as for all projects on our school building programme - is subject to the due diligence required under the public Infrastructure Guidelines.
The project is currently being reviewed from both a technical and cost perspective in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. This Department will be in contact with the school directly once this review has been completed.
193. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Education for an update on a school building application (details supplied); when the school might expect to be given permission to move to the next stage of the process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17254/24]
View answerThe project to which the Deputy refers was approved a project under my Department’s Additional School Accommodation Scheme (ASA) for the provision of 3 general classrooms and 1 SET room.
The project is devolved to the school authority for delivery.
I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has recently received a Stage 3 tender report from the school. This report is currently being reviewed from both a technical and financial perspective. It is not possible at this stage to give a definitive timeline as to when this review will be complete.
Officials at my Department are liaising with the school authority and will provide guidance on the next stage and on how to progress to the next stage once the review is complete.
194. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the funding her Department is making available in Waterford and the south east for festival supports in 2024. [17015/24]
View answerSince 2019, Creative Ireland programme of my Department has supported a wide range of festivals in Waterford including Pride of the Déise in 2021 and 2022, Talamh Festival in 2023 and creative workshops at St. Patrick’s Festival in 2024.
Creative Ireland also supports every local authority in Ireland to deliver an engaging programme of initiatives for Cruinniú na nÓg, the national day of creativity for children and young people, held annually in June.
Culture Ireland, which also operates under my Department, partners with Spraoi, the Waterford-based circus, spectacle and street arts festival which takes place annually across the August Bank Holiday Weekend. Culture Ireland provides grant support to enable the incoming travel for international programmers and festival directors to Spraoi. This leads to the development of international audiences and opportunities for Irish artists working in this art form.
The Arts Council also provides financial support to a number of festivals. Their Festivals Investment Scheme is specifically designed to offer support to local/voluntary organisations to develop arts festivals.
Fáilte Ireland works closely with all 31 local authorities and provides funding for local festivals and events through its ‘Regional Festivals and Participative Events Programme’, which has been managed by local authorities since 2018.
Finally, my Department runs a Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools Scheme which supports local cultural festivals and summer schools which are not in receipt of other central Government monies and which may not be eligible under funding criteria for larger scale events supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council and similar bodies. Funding available under this scheme is typically capped at €5,000.
Full details of the scheme are available on my Departments website.
The Festivals and Summer Schools 2024 scheme is now open and the closing date for receipt of applications for funding under this Scheme is 1pm on 26th April 2024.
I am also mindful of the tremendous achievements in relation to museum development in Waterford and the acquisition of collections by way of donation in association with my Department as provided for under Section 1003 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997. The annual capacity under this scheme was increased in Budget 2024 from €6m to €8m which will strengthen the support for donations of cultural goods to public collections.
195. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil aon anailís déanta aici ar an tionchar atá ann ar cheantair Gaeltachta agus coláistí samhraidh Gaeltachta toisc tithíocht agus lóistín a bheith dírithe ar thurasóireacht, go háirithe mar lóistín de chuid cuideachta áirithe (sonraí tugtha). [17258/24]
View answerTá Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge (SFG) á riar ag mo Roinn ar mhaithe le tacú leis na deiseanna sealbhaithe agus saibhrithe teanga sna réigiúin Ghaeltachta do scoláirí dara leibhéal agus do mhic léinn tríú leibhéal ó áiteanna ar fud na tíre. Tagann an scéim le cuspóirí an Rialtais i leith na Gaeilge mar atá leagtha amach sa Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010–2030 agus is í an príomhbhealach a dtacaíonn an Roinn le hearnáil na gColáistí Gaeilge.
Is ar na teaghlaigh Ghaeltachta a chuireann lóistín ar fáil don chóras a bhíonn cúnamh na Roinne dírithe – os rud é gurb iad na mná tí cnámh droma an chórais.
Ó thaobh na scéime seo de, níl anailís déanta ag an Roinn ar an tionchar atá ag lóistín a bheith ar fáil go gearrthéarmach ar an earnáil. Mar a bhaineann sé le figiúirí na Roinne do 2023, tá líon na teaghlach atá aitheanta ag an Roinn ag dul sa treo ceart.
Bhí glanmhéadú sé theaghlach déag sa chóras aitheanta anuraidh - ó 495 teaghlach a bhí aitheanta faoin scéim in 2022 go 511 in 2023. Ba cheart a nótáil go bhfuil san áireamh ó thaobh glanmhéadú na teaghlaigh a ghlac briseadh ón scéim don bhliain nó a chuaigh ar scor ón scéim.
Bhí 44 teaghlach aitheanta sa chóras as an nua in 2023 rud a thugann le fios go raibh méadú beagnach 10% (fán gcéad) ar an líon tí ó thaobh teaghlaigh nua-chláraithe. Tá an Roinn sásta gur chuidigh na bearta atá curtha i bhfeidhm le blianta beaga anuas le coláistí teaghlaigh nua a mhealladh isteach sa scéim.
Ní gá dom a rá go scrúdófar chomh báúil agus is féidir aon mholtaí praiticiúla, comhaontaithe a chuireann CONCOS, scátheagraíocht na gcoláistí, ar aghaidh chun na Roinne. Tá an Roinn sásta freisin féachaint ar bhealaí inar féidir costais don earnáil a laghdú.
Ba cheart a nótáil nach ar an Roinn amháin atá an fhreagracht bainistiú a dhéanamh ar an líon teaghlach atá ag teacht isteach san earnáil óir is ar na coláistí atá an fhreagracht sin, agus tacaíonn an Roinn leo trí bheartais ina leith a fhorbairt agus a chur i bhfeidhm.
Maidir leis an cúrsaí tithíochta agus turasóireachta tá sé beartaithe Bille a chun cinn go luath dírithe ar thithe atá curtha ar fáil go gearrthréimhseach do thurasóirí, go gcaithfí lóistín a bheadh á ligean ar feadh tréimhse ní nach faide ná 21 oíche i ndiaidh a chéile a chlárú le Fáilte Ireland.
Tá tuilleadh eolais faoin reachtaíocht seo leagtha amach sa bhfreagra do cheist 382 ar an 16ú Aibreán.
196. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there is any grant aid available for a club (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17080/24]
View answerI note that the organisation referred to by the Deputy is enquiring regarding support to compensate for lost income due to poor weather conditions. My Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (the “SCEP”) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (the “LSSIF”). The 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.
While the Government provided significant funding support to National Governing Bodies of sport during Covid-19 to assist them and their clubs to survive the operational impacts of the pandemic, my Department does not have a funding stream to compensate sports clubs for lost income due to inclement weather.
The 2023 round of the SCEP closed for applications on 8 September 2023. A record number of 3,210 applications was received under the 2023 round, including an application from the organisation referred to by the Deputy. I also understand that the organisation received an allocation of €38,846 in the 2020 SCEP towards mower and course drainage works. The grant is formally approved and yet to be drawn down. If the organisation wishes to advance its approved grant it should contact my Department via email at sportscapitalprogrammes@tcagsm.gov.ie.
197. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will consider approving and supporting the proposal for funding for hosting a tournament (details supplied) over a three-year period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17105/24]
View answerBefore the Department and Government commits public monies to supporting the hosting of a major sports event in Ireland, a significant range of factors needs to be taken into account. These factors include the projected cost to the State, the expected economic benefits accruing to the State, and the proposed event’s capacity to contribute to wider policy objectives, such as increasing physical activity and participation in sport, and aligning with national environmental and sustainability policies.
It is imperative to ensure that whenever Ireland is responsible for the hosting of a major sports event, adequate preparation and engagement with relevant stakeholders, is undertaken. In the majority of instances where Ireland has been selected to host a major sporting event, several years of preparation are needed in advance.
In October 2023, my Department received a formal proposal from Motorsport Ireland, which sought significant public monies from the State, towards supporting the hosting of rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship. Motorsport Ireland proposed that these rounds commence in 2025 and follow in 2026 and 2027. The receipt of this formal proposal, in October 2023, took place following a meeting I held in the Department, with Motorsport Ireland representatives in June 2023.
In light of the relative immediacy of the proposed start date for hosting the World Rally Championship, commencing as soon as 2025, the Department is unable to commit significant public monies towards supporting an event starting in 2025, given the need for thorough further assessment.
However, I have advised Motorsport Ireland that the Department is prepared to fund an independent economic analysis and business case assessment should its hosting of the World Rally Championship in later years, beyond 2025, be feasible. It should be noted that the independent economic analysis and business case assessment is separate to the assessment which the Department has already undertaken.
I note that Motorsport Ireland has welcomed this commitment and has advised that it will engage with the event promoter regarding the feasibility of alternative hosting years.
It is important to emphasise that in its assessment, the Department considered the experience in Ireland, and outside of Ireland, in terms of hosting this event in the past. The Department also engaged with key stakeholders, including Fáilte Ireland and Sport Ireland. In undertaking this assessment, the Department identified potential issues regarding Motorsport Ireland’s proposal, including the likely return on investment, the displacement impacts of holding an event in busy tourism months, and capacity concerns. This underlines the need for adequate time to consider any proposal for the hosting of major sporting events.
It is important to note that a Government decision is needed in order to approve the allocation of the significant public monies that are required for hosting major sports event, like the World Rally Championship, including in areas such as security costs, transport costs and other logistical costs.
My Department is open to further engagement with Motorsport Ireland on this matter should Motorsport Ireland consider the hosting of the World Rally Championship in later years, beyond 2025, to be feasible.
198. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update on a sports capital application (details supplied). [17176/24]
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 closed for applications on Friday 8 September 2023. 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, including an application from the organisation referenced by the Deputy, exceeds the record number submitted under the last round in 2020 and the total funding applied for is €359 million, representing an 80% increase over the amount applied for in the 2020 SCEP.
The Scoring System and Assessment Manual for the 2023 round has been 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 "equipment-only" applications are being assessed first. I hope to announce these "equipment only" grants next month. Work will then commence on assessing the capital applications with those allocations to be announced later.
The Government recently agreed revised capital allocations under the National Development Plan totalling €2.25 billion out to 2026. The additional allocations of capital funding to 2026 will support key projects and programmes under the NDP such as the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme.
I am confident that the revised NDP capital allocations for my Department will allow for significant funding of the 2023 round of the Sports Capital Programme. I expect that Minister Martin and myself will confirm the overall allocation for the next round of SCEP in the near future in the context of the ongoing assessment of the applications which is currently underway.
199. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which the tourism industry is likely to grow over the next 12 months; whether she proposes to take any further initiatives to stimulate the industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17273/24]
View answer200. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she and her Department have examined the most important features of the tourism industry to which she can offer assistance or encouragement over the next 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17274/24]
View answer201. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she and her Department propose to take specific initiatives to assist with the further expansion of the tourism industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17275/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 199 to 201, inclusive, together.
I am currently progressing the development of a new Tourism Policy Framework to mainstream sustainability across the entire sector in the period to 2030. While it will aim to grow the tourism sector, the objective will be to do so in a manner consistent with our broader sustainability targets. Regional growth and season extension will be important objectives. While initial consultations with key stakeholders were completed in 2023, I recently launched an online survey seeking the views of the public to help finalise the Framework. The online consultation is open until 26 April and I hope to publish the Policy Framework itself shortly afterwards.
2024 offers significant opportunity for overseas tourism. Ireland has a great product, a committed tourism industry and there are excellent relationships in place with travel trade partners across the world.
There will be a continued capital investment programme including progressing EU Just Transition Funding to deliver a transformative Regenerative Tourism Scheme for the Midlands. The scheme aims to transform tourism across the 8 qualifying counties in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Ireland’s Ancient East by diversifying the local economy and providing new employment opportunities for workers and communities that were heavily dependent on peat. This will be delivered by Fáilte Ireland and marks the beginning of the regenerative tourism development journey in Ireland, as we work towards a low carbon economy.
Other initiatives being driven by my Department include an all-island tourism brand collaboration project in the North West supported by a Shared Island funding allocation of €7.6 million out to 2025. The vision of the project is to connect the Causeway Coastal Route and the Wild Atlantic Way in such a way that the visitor is motivated to stay longer and spend more thereby bringing greater economic benefit to the region. A Project Team, including representatives from my Department, Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland, was established in 2023. I look forward to the delivery of this project and the opportunity to explore other North South tourism initiatives that can enhance further North South cooperation and our all island tourism offering.
Tourism Ireland’s publicity activity in 2024 will include the expansion of the ‘Fill your heart with Ireland’ campaign with enhanced Wild Atlantic Way content in support of its 10th anniversary and a continued focus on regional and seasonal messaging to increase tourism revenue across the regions and throughout the seasons.
It is Fáilte Ireland’s long-term objective to ensure a greater regional spread of the socio-economic benefits of tourism. At the heart of Fáilte Ireland’s work to develop the spatial spread of tourism are four regional experience brands: Wild Atlantic Way, celebrating it’s 10th year- Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands; Ireland’s Ancient East; and Dublin.
For each brand, Fáilte Ireland have developed a Regional Tourism Development Strategy in partnership with local authorities, state agencies, communities and industry partners. Fáilte Ireland have painstakingly developed these strategies to ensure the focus on tourism development is sustainable and regenerative and that the benefits accrue to local communities and to nature.
I will continue to advocate and work for the tourism sector including engaging with my Government colleagues to address the challenges which the sector faces as well as making the most of the opportunities which Government support and investment can bring to the sector.
202. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if and-or when sport capital sports grants are likely to be awarded or granted in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17276/24]
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 closed for applications on Friday 8 September 2023. 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 exceeds the record number submitted under the last round in 2020 and the total funding applied for is €359 million, representing an 80% increase over the amount applied for in the 2020 SCEP.
The Scoring System and Assessment Manual for the 2023 round has been 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 "equipment-only" applications are being assessed first. I hope to announce these "equipment only" grants next month. Work will then commence on assessing the capital applications with those allocations to be announced later.
The Government recently agreed revised capital allocations under the National Development Plan totalling €2.25 billion out to 2026. The additional allocations of capital funding to 2026 will support key projects and programmes under the NDP such as the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme.
I am confident that the revised NDP capital allocations for my Department will allow for significant funding of the 2023 round of the Sports Capital Programme. I expect that Minister Martin and myself will confirm the overall allocation for the next round of SCEP in the near future in the context of the ongoing assessment of the applications which is currently underway.
203. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which her Department proposes to put special emphasis on local sporting and community organisations when considering the allocation of grants in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17277/24]
View answerIn March, Minister Catherine Martin and I announced a record investment of almost €30 million in core funding support to sporting organisations, through Sport Ireland, for 2024. This funding will ensure that sporting organisations can continue to provide valuable opportunities for everyone to participate in sport.
Investment in the network of Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) has increased by €1 million for 2024, with a total investment of €11.4 million being allocated across the 29 LSPs around the country. This investment provides continued support for the excellent work that is being done by LSPs to ensure that participation opportunities exist at a local level.
With regard to capital support, the 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 the investment in disadvantaged areas.
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 exceeds the record number submitted under the last (2020) round.
The Scoring System and Assessment Manual for the 2023 round has been 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 "equipment-only" applications are being assessed first. I hope to announce these "equipment only" grants next month. Work will then commence on assessing the capital applications with the allocations to be announced later in the year.
204. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which her Department has directly supported the arts in the current year; her proposals for the future in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17278/24]
View answer205. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media whether she and her Department have identified any particular areas where they could offer further assistance to the arts in the current year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17279/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 204 and 205 together.
My Department’s Arts and Culture programme aims to promote and develop Ireland’s world class artistic and creative strengths at home and abroad, maximising their societal and economic value for the country, and supporting Arts and the entertainment sector to develop and grow. The following have been introduced for 2024;
• Record funding of €134 million for the Arts Council in 2024 will build on recent successes in the sector
• The highest level of funding for Culture Ireland since its establishment will support more Irish artists to launch and develop their careers on an international stage
• A new pilot capital support scheme for Arts, Culture and the Night Time Economy will continue the development of vibrant late night arts and culture scenes in Irish cities, towns and villages as well as additional capital to assist in the provision of building and equipment needs, artists workspaces, and adapting facilities to reduce energy needs and carbon footprints
• Increased funding of €1.5 million for Screen Ireland will support the audiovisual industry to build and expand capacity across the country, to deliver on strategic objectives, to take account of inflation on the value of supports, provide Sustainability Funding and Audience Development initiatives, as well as providing a targeted international marketing campaign to highlight the improvements to Section 481 announced by the Minister for Finance
• In conjunction with Minister for Finance Michael McGrath, changes to Section 481 tax relief will further enhance Ireland’s attractiveness as a location for major international film and television projects, building on the remarkable success of “The Banshees of Inisherin” and “An Cailín Ciúin”. In particular the increase in the cap to €125 million will restore Ireland’s ability to attract high-value, internationally mobile audio-visual projects that will generate significant employment and skills development opportunities for Irish crew
• Basic Income for the Arts is funded for the second of three years of the pilot. Research will be published shortly setting out the impact on the lives of participants to date
• Increased funding for the Safe to Create Programme that supports all artists and creatives that will allow Minding Creative Minds to provide new dedicated HR, Mediation, Legal & Financial advice to the creative sector, creative therapies, dedicated mentoring & career services as well as an information campaign on its serious trauma counselling service
• Further support for Creative Ireland, to implement projects under the expanded Creative Climate Action Fund will underpin the department’s commitment to building for a better future through supporting participation in creative cultural activity
• Additional support for Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
• Our National Cultural Institutions and other approved bodies will benefit from an increase in the tax relief on donations further incentivises donation to strengthen our national collections. The cap on the relief under the scheme will increase from €6 million to €8 million next year
• Other support for the National Cultural Institutions for programme, learning and outreach activities
• New arts strategy and funding package of €20 million for the Gaeltacht and for the Irish language in community.
206. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she and her Department are engaged in the promotion of Irish culture at home and abroad, perhaps targeting the tourism and education sectors in particular, thereby creating a new awareness at home and abroad; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17280/24]
View answerMy Department’s arts and cultural programme aims to promote and develop Ireland’s rich culture at home and abroad, maximising their societal and economic value for the country, and supporting the Arts, Culture and Creative sectors to continue to develop and expand. The overall budget allocation for Arts and Culture in my Department's Vote for 2024 includes €369.3m, up from €357m in 2023. This increased funding for arts and culture includes:
• an additional €4m to the Arts Council, with record funding of €134m in 2024 empowering the Arts Council to build on recent successes in the sector;
• additional €1.5m to Screen Ireland supporting the audiovisual industry to build and expand capacity across the country;
• additional €1m to Culture Ireland to continue to expand its work to share our culture more broadly around the world.
In addition to this, key plans for strengthening arts and culture supports in 2024 include:
• in conjunction with Minister for Finance Michael McGrath, changes to Section 481 tax relief will further enhance Ireland’s attractiveness as a location for major international film and television projects, building on the remarkable success of “The Banshees of Inisherin” and “An Cailín Ciúin”. In particular the increase in the cap to €125 million will restore Ireland’s ability to attract high-value, internationally mobile audio-visual projects that will generate significant employment and skills development opportunities for Irish crew
• Basic Income for the Arts pilot programme is funded for the second of three years , with recently published research findings setting out the impact on the lives of participants to date
• increased funding for the Safe to Create Programme that supports all artists and creatives that will allow Minding Creative Minds to provide new dedicated HR, Mediation, Legal & Financial advice to the creative sector, creative therapies, dedicated mentoring & career services as well as an information campaign on its serious trauma counselling service
• further support for Creative Ireland, to implement projects under the expanded Creative Climate Action Fund will underpin the department’s commitment to building for a better future through supporting participation in creative cultural activity
• additional support for Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
• our National Cultural Institutions and other approved bodies will benefit from an increase in the tax relief on donations further incentivises donation to strengthen our national collections. The cap on the relief under the scheme will increase from €6 million to €8 million next year
• other support for the National Cultural Institutions for programme, learning and outreach activities
Irish culture plays a very significant role in Ireland’s tourism offering and in that regard, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland will continue to promote cultural events and festivals through their various marketing campaigns in 2024.
207. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she and her Department continue to promote and develop the use of the Irish language in all Gaeltacht areas throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17281/24]
View answerIn the context of my Department’s role in coordinating the implementation of the Government’s Action Plan for the Irish Language (Plean Gníomhaíochta 2018-2022), the fourth annual progress report on its ongoing implementation on behalf of Government was published in December 2023.
The plan itself was first published in 2018 in order to accelerate and better co-ordinate implementation of the Government’s overarching 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 which represents Government policy in relation the Irish Language and Gaeltacht regions.
Key achievements in 2022, as reported in the fourth annual report included the following:
• A number of significant provisions of the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 were brought into force in 2022, namely the establishment of the Irish Language Services Advisory Committee and the important work it will undertake regarding the preparation of the first National Plan for Irish Language Public Services. Also commenced in 2022 was the provision (Section 10A) which places additional responsibilities on public bodies regarding advertising in the Irish language and on Irish language media and which has contributed greatly to the visibility of the language across every media platform used by state organisations.
• A fund of more than €4.3 million over three years was approved for the Irish Language Network Development Scheme, which commenced in January 2022. This is a major Foras na Gaeilge support scheme aimed at 36 Irish language community and voluntary committees through which a network of 28 Irish language development officers are employed in local areas.
• The Digital Plan for the Irish Language, 2023-2027, was published in December 2022. The publication of the Digital Plan is the result of years of academic research and development, and can be considered a roadmap which sets out the way in which Irish will be kept relevant into the future in the context of the role of technology in our day-to-day lives
• Foras na Gaeilge began two new dictionary projects, an Irish-Irish dictionary and an Irish-English dictionary
• It was announced in September 2022 that dedicated funding was being provided to establish a television station specifically for children - Cúla4.
• 945 new jobs were created in Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies in 2022
• 6 new language plans were approved in 2022 and by the end of 2022 a total of 36 language plans had been approved and 34 Language Planning Officers and Assistant Language Planning Officers had been employed.
This fourth report provided an overview of the progress made in 2022 on the implementation of the 180 or so actions contained in the plan itself and its publication is in line with the commitment made to publish such reports on an annual basis in the interests of accountability and transparency.
I am confident that the additional financial allocation for the Irish language announced in Budget 2024 will enable my Department and relevant stakeholders to take further significant strides in advancing implementation of the plan and continue to support and develop greater use of the Irish language both within Gaeltacht regions and nationally.
208. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she and her Department continue to monitor the use of the Irish language throughout the country, its potential in non-Gaeltacht areas and the encouragement of its use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17282/24]
View answerMy Department is committed to promoting and supporting the Irish language outside of the Gaeltacht. In this context, a fund known as ‘Scéimeanna Tacaíochta Gaeilge’ (‘Irish Language Support Schemes’) is in place for many years now with the aim of fostering and promoting the Irish language outside the Gaeltacht.
The projects for which funding has been provided under this scheme include initiatives in the fields of education, business, culture and the arts. My Department works closely with Irish language organisations to identify opportunities for the promotion of the language outside of the Gaeltacht and indeed overseas. The following are examples of some of the initiatives supported by this fund:
Raidió Rí-Rá
Raidió Rí-Rá is a national Irish Language radio station aimed at young people. Raidió Rí-Rá is already broadcasting online and part of the year on FM. The station has been funded by my Department since it was established in 2008 and is gradually growing and developing. My Department has approved an increased funding package for the station this year to enable the station to provide a more complete service to its listeners and to increase its reach to young listeners all over Ireland.
This funding is important in the context of the results of the research commissioned by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (as it was at the time) in the second half of 2022. This research examined the interest and the potential for a full-time hybrid (FM/online) Irish radio service that would target the audience between fifteen and thirty-four years of age in Ireland. The research results demonstrated that young people nationally still listen to audio content, and that radio remains very popular, with almost 90% of respondents listening on a weekly basis. The research also showed that respondents whose first language is English were interested in a new national Irish language station, and are open to engaging with such a station.
An Ciste Spreagtha
Conradh na Gaeilge’s Ciste Spreagtha is a support fund linked to Seachtain na Gaeilge which gives local community groups the opportunity to apply for funding to hold an Irish language event in their local community. The aim of the fund is to encourage community groups inside and outside the Gaeltacht to organise community events that promote the Irish language during Seachtain na Gaeilge in March each year. My Department has funded An Ciste Spreagtha since 2022. In 2023 one hundred and eighty groups received funding to hold Irish language events in every corner of the country. The success of this initiative meant that a longer term agreement was reached with Conradh na Gaeilge which will see the fund in place each year until 2026.
Céad Míle Fáilte
My Department has agreed a two and a half year grant agreement with Conradh na Gaeilge for their Céad Míle Fáilte campaign. The aim of the Céad Míle Fáilte initiative is to attract people from different backgrounds who are now living in Ireland to gain a deeper appreciation of the Irish language and indeed to learn the language. The campaign focuses on the benefits that new Irish communities can derive from the Irish language – in relation to the importance of the language, the additional opportunities associated with it and in terms of integration into Irish society as a whole. The purpose of the campaign is to encourage the new Irish communities in Ireland to learn and use the Irish language as a way to build a stronger Irish identity for themselves. This is done by providing a series of language classes and workshops for special interest to groups of new Irish people around the country and by providing them with language resources to help them learn and use the language. Scholarships are awarded to some of the participants so that they can attend a course in the Gaeltacht.
Gaelbhratach
Gaelbhratach is a support scheme administered by Gael-Linn for schools of all types throughout Ireland. Gaelbhratach focuses on the promotion of the Irish language in a structured, planned and enjoyable way throughout the school community in both primary and secondary schools.
The goal of the Gaelbhratach scheme is to encourage the use of Irish, not only within the classroom, but also as the spoken language of the school community. Emphasis is placed on communicative Irish and the importance of language awareness as a means of learning for children in particular. A Gaelbhratach is duly awarded in recognition of the efforts of the schools. The scheme officially began in the 2012/13 school year at primary level and a year later at post-primary level. Since then, the scheme has been implemented in 133 primary schools and 126 secondary schools around the country. My Department has granted funding for Gael-Linn to ramp up this scheme over the next 3 years which will see 479 schools all over the country having taken part in the scheme by the 2026/27 school year.
Fondúireacht Sheosaimh Mhic Dhonncha
Fondúireacht Sheosaimh Mhic Dhonncha is a support scheme run by Glór na nGael and the GAA to promote the use of the Irish language in GAA clubs. My Department has funded the scheme since 2019. The aim of this scheme is to develop the use of the Irish language in participating clubs on a measured and planned basis, with Glór na nGael providing support and advice to enable the clubs to achieve goals in relation to the Irish language. This support includes grants for Irish language events in clubs and an awards scheme to recognise the achievements of the clubs for their work in promoting the Irish language. In 2022, a total of 55 clubs were recognised for their efforts – an indication of the immense work being done by many in the GAA community in relation to the language. The 2023 awards ceremony took place on December 1st 2023 in Croke Park. This scheme has grown significantly since the beginning of the first grant agreement which covered the period 2019-2022. 140 clubs were involved in Fondúireacht Sheosaimh Mhic Dhonncha initially in 2019, and over 200 clubs are now participants in the scheme.
An Straitéis do na hEalaíona Teangabhunaithe
Research which formed the basis of the Strategy for the Language-based Arts, which my Department published earlier this year, identified the need to establish a structure under which comprehensive support would be given to the development of Language-Based Arts in areas outside the Gaeltacht. It is recognised that there is a need for more support for the language-based arts throughout the country and for Irish language drama in particular. To address this my Department announced a significant three year funding package for Oireachtas na Gaeilge to implement an action plan in this area, thus benefiting from the experience and expertise of organisation in this sector.
Teaching of Irish in Universities Abroad
It is worth noting that interest in the language outside of the Gaeltacht is not confined to non-Gaeltacht areas within Ireland. The international community has a huge interest in learning and engaging with the Irish language and the fund for the teaching of Irish in universities abroad was established in 2006 to address this. The aim of the fund is to encourage and foster goodwill towards the Irish language and Irish culture in general across continental Europe, Great Britain, the United States of America, Canada and further afield. The scheme greatly contributes to the scholarship of the Irish language among the international academic community and has resulted in the status of the language being enhanced.
This fund also provides an opportunity for European universities, the Fulbright Commission and the Canadian Irish University Foundation (ICUF) to award scholarships to students enabling them to visit Ireland and attend Irish language courses in the Gaeltacht during the summer.
My Department remains active in supporting communities in non-Gaeltacht areas in accessing the language in a variety of ways and is continually engaging with organisations working in this sector to identify opportunities to promote the language and to make it accessible to all.
