Written Answers Nos. 31-50
31. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department plans to provide tourist amenities at the Cúil Na Móna plant at Togher, Portlaoise, along with the three bogs in Laois, that is, Cúil na Móna, Coolnacartan and Cashel; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16832/24]
View answer49. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to report on progress on action number JM/24/1 in the 2024 climate action plan annexe of actions; to provide a breakdown of supports provided to enterprises in the regenerative tourism sector to expand their services and develop their capabilities; to provide a summary of outputs achieved so far in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16998/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 49 together.
My 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. My Department has no direct role in providing tourist amenities.
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 in the period 2023-2026.
The purpose of the EU Just Transition Fund is to assist the most affected territories in transitioning to a climate neutral economy. In Ireland, the Fund’s geographic territory includes Counties Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Roscommon and the Municipal Districts of Ballinasloe (County Galway), Athy, Clane-Maynooth, (County Kildare) and Carrick-on-Suir and Thurles (County Tipperary).
The tourism element includes allocations of €38 million under Regenerative Tourism business supports and €30 million for a Tourism Trails Network.
There are currently 6 active schemes under the EU Just Transition Fund Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme. These are:
• Scheme A: Trail Development Network
• Scheme B: Investment Grant-Aid for Private and Community SMEs
• Scheme C: Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Strategic Partners (State Agencies)
• Scheme D: Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Strategic Partners (Local Authorities)
• Scheme E: Tourism Activators
• Scheme F: Learning Development Network
Projects being funded under all schemes as part of the EU JTF are subject to strict evaluation criteria. As the evaluation process is ongoing, Fáilte Ireland is unable to communicate about the details of any projects until the evaluation process has been completed. I understand however, that project announcements are expected to commence in the coming weeks and continue over the lifecycle of the funding scheme.
In relation to Scheme E: Tourism Activators, seven of the eight County Tourism Activators have now been appointed (1 per EU JTF county or part-county with a mix of full-time and part-time roles, including one full time appointment in Laois).
While not funded by the EU, Fáilte Ireland’s capital funding programme comprises, inter alia, a large grants scheme, individual small grants schemes, strategic partnerships with other public bodies, including local authorities, and direct investment in experience brand infrastructure. The overall objective is to optimise key assets for the benefit of tourism while also increasing the geographic spread of visitors. Last year the agency launched four new Regional Tourism Development Strategies for Ireland’s Ancient East, Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and Dublin. These Strategies outline a five-year framework for the sustainable development of the regional brands, set a clear path for the development of new visitor experiences and provide a clear strategy for attracting visitors that will stay longer and spend more.
Any applications for funding under the Just Transition Funding scheme or future applications under Fáilte Ireland's capital assistance schemes will be fully considered on their own merits in line with the relevant assessment criteria.
More generally, my Department is progressing the development of a new national tourism policy framework for the period to 2030 that will seek to mainstream sustainability – environmental, economic and societal – across the entire tourism sector. 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. As part of the new Policy Framework and subsequent Action Plan, full consideration will be given to issues regarding regenerative tourism and tourism product development.
32. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide a list of the funding available to swimming pools needing capital investment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16700/24]
View answerIn relation to my Department's responsibilities, capital funding for swimming pools was previously provided through the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP). 52 pools have been completed under the Programme and three swimming pool projects (Lucan, Buncrana and Edenderry) remain in the LASPP, with the Lucan project currently being completed.
Capital support for new swimming pools is currently being provided through the Department’s Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The National Sports Policy was published on 25 July 2018 and provided for this Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund. The aim of the fund is to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects where the Exchequer investment sought would be greater than the maximum amount available under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP).
The first call for proposals under the LSSIF closed in 2019 with applications confined to Local Authorities and National Governing Bodies of Sport. New swimming pool projects and the refurbishment of existing swimming pools were eligible to apply for LSSIF grant funding subject to published guidelines and regulations. The first LSSIF allocations were announced in January 2020 and thus far, approximately €124 million has been awarded to 33 different proposals including 8 swimming pool projects. While the finalised LSSIF allocations provided funding to a variety of sports, swimming was recognised as a sport that enjoys participation at all ages and levels of ability. In this regard, almost 25% of all approved projects have a swimming pool element representing one of the highest level of success for any sport.
Separately, applications for improvements or renovations to existing, publicly accessible swimming pools were accepted under the most recent round of the SCEP which closed for applications in September 2023.
Minister Martin and I also confirmed that a new round of the LSSIF will open for applications in the first half of 2024, with the dates, terms and conditions to be published on the Department’s website in due course. I would encourage all eligible projects to consider applying for this competitive application process when it opens later this year.
33. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has received reports on governance and culture, and contractor fees and HR, in RTÉ, which were due in March 2024; when she will publish these reports; and whether she has made a decision on the future of media funding. [16992/24]
View answerThe Reviews of Governance and Culture and of Contractor Fees, HR and Other Matters in RTÉ being prepared by independent Expert Advisory Committees have not yet been submitted to me. However, I expect to receive them shortly.
Following the submission of the Reviews I will examine their contents, bring them to Government and then publish them. The timing of bringing the Reviews to Government and their publication will be decided when they have been submitted.
The issue of RTÉ’s future funding cannot be addressed in isolation. As I have stated previously, any new funding model for public service media will need to provide long-term sustainable funding, not only for RTÉ but also for the provision of public service content by other media providers, including independent producers, local and community broadcasters, as well as print and online media outlets. It is also vital that media independence is protected.
High-level discussions on the options open to government are continuing but, as previously stated, a final decision will not be made until after the reports of the two independent expert advisory committees are received and considered. An examination of these recommendations prior to any decision being made is vital, as the future of RTÉ will have a significant impact on independent producers and the media sector as a whole.
A new model for funding public service content is of greater importance now than it ever has been, given the impact that the RTÉ controversy has had on TV licence revenue since last July, and this Government is committed to making the necessary decisions on this matter.
34. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the position regarding the publication of the two Government-commissioned reports pertaining to RTÉ; if she has seen either report; if so, when she received the report(s); when each will be published; if Dáil Éireann will have an opportunity to debate the reports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17005/24]
View answerThe Reviews of Governance and Culture and of Contractor Fees, HR and Other Matters in RTÉ being prepared by the independent Expert Advisory Committees have not yet been submitted to me. However, I expect to receive them shortly.
Following the submission of the Reviews I will examine their contents, bring them to Government and then publish them. The timing of bringing the Reviews to Government and their publication will be decided when they have been submitted.
The agenda of Dáil business is a matter for the Business Committee of Dáil Éireann. However, I would welcome consideration of the Reviews by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media when they are published.
35. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 9 of 15 February 2024, the status of the drawdown of the €1 million in Galway 2020 legacy funding; the amount drawn down to date; the breakdown of where any funds drawn down to date have been allocated; the amount allocated to date via open calls for funding applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16852/24]
View answerA key deliverable of the European Capital of Culture designation was the development of a legacy framework to sustain and build on the capacity, networks and opportunities arising from the cultural programme of Galway 2020. A Performance Delivery Agreement is in place between my Department and the Galway Culture Company to ensure the appropriate oversight of the implementation of the legacy programme and the expenditure of the Government's funding allocation of €1 million.
My Department officials continue to work closely with the Galway Culture Company in this regard. Quarterly meetings between the Department, the Chief Executive of the Galway Culture Company and the Chair of the Board of Galway Culture Company have taken place on 29th November 2023, 31 January 2024 and most recently on 13 March last. At each meeting, Galway Culture Company provided an update to the Department on programming and expenditure. The minutes of the quarterly meetings are published bilingually on the Gov.ie website.
To-date Galway Culture Company has drawdown €849,572 of the €1 million allocated to the Galway 2020 legacy programme. This funding has supported each of the three strategic objectives of the legacy programme as follows;
• €191,919.61 supported the first strategic objective to ‘Facilitate International and EU Relationships and Funding’,
• €435,822.63 supported the second strategic objective ‘Support to Place based Cultural Programming’, and
• €221,829.91 supported the third strategic objective the ‘Provision of supports to the cultural and creative sector’.
In line with the Performance Delivery Agreement, drawdowns of the remaining €150,427 funding will be the subject of drawdown requests and the provision of supporting documentation. The drawdown of the remaining funding is expected to be completed in the first half of 2024.
This funding has provided the opportunity for the artistic and cultural sector to access funding through open calls, partnerships on funding applications to EU programmes, opportunities for presentation in other European countries and targeted capacity building supports.
Of the funding drawn-down to-date, latest figures from the Galway Culture Company show that €552,282 of this has been delivered through open calls, with an additional €179,563 supporting artists and cultural organisations through other development and capacity building programmes.
In total, at least 16 open calls are expected to be delivered under the Legacy Programme which will see a large number of local organisations, artists and creative practitioners supported. Latest information from Galway Culture Company indicated that there are two open calls currently seeking applications:
• The Galway International Art Festival Open Call for collectives
• Design Lab - Open Call with Architecture at the Edge
A number of additional open calls are now closed for applicants but the delivery of those projects is currently ongoing.
The latest information on any open calls is available on the Galway Culture Company website. GCC are also available to meet with the Deputy to discuss the legacy programme and the open calls in more detail.
36. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cathain atá sé i gceist aici an bille leasaithe ar Údarás na Gaeltachta a fhoilsiú; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [16941/24]
View answerAg a chruinniú den Mháirt 5ú Márta 2024, ghlac an Rialtas cinneadh go ndréachtófaí, mar thosaíocht, an Bille um Údarás na Gaeltachta (Leasú) agus Forálacha Ilghnéitheacha 2024. Tá i gceist ag mo Roinn anois leanúint ar aghaidh le dréachtú an Bhille mar thosaíocht i gcomhair le hOifig na nDréachtóirí Parlaiminte don Rialtas.
Foilsíodh Ceannteidil an Bhille ar shuíomh na Roinne ar an 16 Aibreán 204. Tá an Bille seo ar Chlár Reachtaíochta an Rialtais le foilsiú le linn an téarma seo.
37. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way her Department is supporting Irish theatre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17002/24]
View answerPrimary support for the arts in Ireland is delivered by the Arts Council which is independent in its funding decisions under the Arts Act 2003. I have successfully secured increased funding for the Arts Council in recent years, with a record breaking €134 million being allocated in 2024. The Arts Council operates within a published ten-year strategic framework entitled Making Great Art Work. The Arts Council supports and develops the arts in Ireland through grant funding, project awards, support to individual artists, and support to venues, publications and resource organisations. The following is a link to all of the current available schemes: www.artscouncil.ie/available-funding/
The all-of government Creative Ireland Programme 2023-2027, led by my Department, seeks to enable each citizen to realise their full creative potential. Under its Creative Communities initiative, annual funding is provided to the 31 local authorities to enable them implement their individual Culture and Creativity Strategies 2023-2027. In implementing their respective 5-year strategies, many local authorities have utilised their funding allocation to support creative projects that engage local theatre companies and venues at both amateur and professional level.
Through the Creative Ireland Programme, my Department also supports Fighting Words and Youth Theatre Ireland to provide greater opportunities for young people’s personal development and mental health and wellbeing through creative writing and drama.
Culture Ireland supports Irish Theatre through its touring grants and showcase programme. In 2023, over 30 projects were supported leading to international tours to 15 countries – these included Druid’s US tour of DruidO’Casey, Dead Centre’s Beckett’s Room in Korea, Landmark’s The Saviour at the Irish Repertory Theatre in New York and a focus on Irish work at the Brighton Festival, UK with participation by Dan Colley’s A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings and Brokentalkers’ MASTERCLASS. As well as Brighton, these last two productions continue to tour extensively with Culture Ireland support including dates in Australia, Turkey and Canada.
In addition, in 2023, Culture Ireland supported extensive sustainable US touring across the network of Irish cultural centres for Fishamble and Manchán Magan. Current and recent 2024 projects include Pan Pan’s The First Bad Man at New York’s Lincoln Center, The Gate Theatre’s production of The President in Sydney, Australia and Branar’s Grand Soft Day at the South Bank Centre, London.
As well as its regular touring scheme, through its Showcase programme, Culture Ireland develops further international opportunities for Irish theatre artists. This includes its annual Showcase at the Edinburgh Fringe each August and Meet The Irish showcase in New York. In partnership with Irish Theatre Institute, Culture Ireland also supports and curates incoming programmes for over 40 international festival directors to a range of Irish festivals each year, including the Dublin Theatre Festival, Cork Midsummer Festival and Baboró International Arts Festival for Children in Galway.
38. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 24 of 15 February 2024, the status of the Údarás na Gaeltachta housing initiative approved in December 2023 to develop a model of affordable housing for Irish speakers on Údarás lands in three Gaeltacht areas; the details of her Department’s role in this housing initiative; the expected timeline for delivery of the affordable housing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16853/24]
View answerI am informed by Údarás na Gaeltachta that work is continuing with the relevant stakeholders such as relevant local authorities and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to the housing initiative approved by the board of An tÚdarás in December 2023 and that updates will be provided to the board over the coming months.
As for a timeline for the delivery of the project, I understand that An tÚdarás is not yet in a position to provide indicative timelines given that the housing model is still at the developmental stage.
While my Department does not have a direct role in relation to this initiative by Údarás na Gaeltachta it is aware of the work of an tÚdarás in this area and will maintain contact with An tÚdarás as the project develops.
40. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán the steps being taken by her Department to ensure the viability of the Irish self-catering sector is protected; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [17049/24]
View answerThe self-catering and wider short-term tourist letting sector is an important element of the Irish tourism ecosystem. Of course, the tourism sector must co-exist and develop in a way that recognises and is complementary to the wider needs of local communities, both economically and socially. The long-term sustainable growth of tourism requires that an appropriate balance is achieved between the short and long term rental sectors.
The proposed Registration of Short Term Tourism Letting (STTL) Bill will provide the statutory basis for the establishment of a register for Short Term Tourist Lets (STTLs) in Ireland, as required under the Housing for All strategy, and will be aligned with the new EU Short Term Rental (STR) Regulation which was formally adopted by the EU on 10 April 2024.
In this context, this Bill remains the subject of ongoing engagement with the EU Commission in accordance with the Technical Regulations Information System (TRIS) EU Directive 2015/1535 and with specific regard to alignment between the STTL Bill and EU law, in particular the new STR Regulation.
On 9 February 2024, the Commission responded positively regarding the principles outlined in Ireland’s formal response and my officials met with the Commission on 21 February 2024 to provide further clarifications on the proposed approach. This was a very positive engagement and a conclusion to the TRIS process shortly will allow for the publication of the Bill in the coming months.
Work on a revised General Scheme of the Bill is ongoing and I hope to be in a position to bring this Government soon.
In parallel with this, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is also developing Planning Guidelines concerning the STTL Sector to provide clarity and certainty on the planning permission requirements in respect of STTL properties. These Guidelines are to be published no later than the publication of the STTL Bill.
41. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update on the work of the stakeholders' forum, one of the recommendations of the recent report on section 481 produced by the Oireachtas budget scrutiny committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16983/24]
View answerOne of the recommendations of the Committee on Budgetary Oversight Report on the Section 481 film tax credit was for a forum to discuss how to maximise the benefits of the Section 481 credit for all concerned stakeholders.
That Section 481 stakeholder forum was held in Dublin in February of this year and attended by representative bodies of all parts of the Irish audiovisual industry. While there was a small number of presentations on elements of Section 481 requirements, the entire focus of the day was on ensuring that everyone attending from the industry was given ample opportunity to voice their opinions. A professional rapporteur conducted the entire event.
The views expressed were diverse and there were many views and opinions on the future direction of the tax relief. I understand, however, that there was a spirit of collaboration at the event and participants showed respect for opposing viewpoints. Stakeholders attending included trades unions, film crew and construction guilds, creative guilds, local authority film commissioners, casting directors, talent agencies, film studios, Animation Ireland, Screen Producers Ireland, VFX Ireland, Arts & Disability Ireland, Women in Film & Television, Audiovisual Ireland and Women in Animation.
A Report of all the views expressed is being finalised at present and will be presented in due course.
42. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way her Department is supporting the Irish film industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16997/24]
View answerThe Government support for the audiovisual industry in Ireland is a two-pronged approach, through direct grants to the Irish screen industry and screen industry professionals and through tax relief known as Section 481.
The Minister for Finance is responsible for the legislation for Section 481 film tax relief while applications for the tax relief are made to my Department. On receipt of a successful application, a Section 481 Certificate is issued that allows the film project to claim a tax relief of 32% of eligible expenditure from the Revenue Commissioners subject to a cap. That cap was recently increased from €70m up to €125m.
Screen Ireland receives its funding from my Department and it allocation has increased steadily under this Government. The annual allocation has increased by 87% since I took office to €39.485m in 2024. As the national agency for the Irish film, television drama, animation and documentary industry, Screen Ireland is the creative partner to the sector, investing in talent, creativity and enterprise.
Screen Ireland achieves this through investing in the audiovisual sector in development, production and distribution funding for writers, directors and production companies across the film, television and animation sectors. Support is also provided through a wide range of skills development programmes and funding schemes to enable and encourage a highly able and diverse crew base.
Screen Ireland also provides core operational funding for national screen guilds and industry organisations. This funding helps support stakeholders to build networks, develop capacity and deliver a wide range of services for their members and the wider screen industry. Importantly the fund enables strategic engagement across the sector and ensure a diversity of voices and talent are represented across the screen industry. Screen Ireland’s National Talent Academy network includes five academies for film, television, animation and crew across the country, driving the development of skills for the industry around the country. The National Talent Academy Crew Hubs in particular are based in the West, East and South of the country – ensuring a widespread balance of skills and opportunity development for crew at all levels.
Coimisiún na Meán also provides significant support to the sector. Last week, I welcomed the announcement by Coimisiún na Meán of the award of €8.6 million to broadcasters and independent producers under rounds 51 and 52 of the Broadcasting Fund Sound and Vision Scheme. Round 51 of Sound and Vision focused on programming about gender equality, diversity and inclusion of new Irish communities and voices. Round 52 was a dedicated social benefit round for Community Broadcasters focused on providing programming and training and development opportunities.
45. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she is aware of the campaign by an organisation (details supplied) and its push for sporting facilities for the young people of the south inner city on the site on Marrowbone Lane. [17058/24]
View answerI am aware of the campaign referred to in the question.
My Department operates two capital funding programmes to support the development of sport facilities, 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.
Since 1998, over 13,000 projects have benefited from sports capital funding, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion. SCEP has transformed the sporting landscape, with improved sports facilities, in every town and village in the country including in Dublin. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to targeting the investment in disadvantaged areas.
As well as being open to individual sports clubs, applications are also accepted from local authorities. Dublin City Council has received significant grant funding for sports facilities projects including sports pitches used by football clubs. Since 2000, a total of €35m has been allocated to Dublin City Council under SCEP.
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 ten applications from Dublin City Council.
Any application for funding will be considered on its merits based on the agreed scoring system. The schemes favour projects that will increase participation, promote sharing of facilities amongst a number of sports and/or clubs, and priority is always given to applications from disadvantaged areas.
The Departments sports capital programmes do not support land or property acquisition. In relation to land or property acquisition, I would consider that question more appropriately addressed to the relevant local authority, including in relation to overall local planning and development policies as agreed by the local elected representatives.
46. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there are plans to upgrade public sports pitches with suitable disability infrastructure to accommodate people of all abilities, allowing community sports clubs to achieve the status of fully inclusive organisations. [17057/24]
View answerThe National Sports Policy prioritises accessibility in the design, build and management of facilities and it acknowledges that for certain groups, particularly people with disabilities, physical access is one of the potential barriers to be addressed. The policy states that delivering a sporting environment that can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people regardless of their age, ability or disability will be prioritised.
Capital funding for sport is provided though the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
The Scoring System and Assessment Manual for the 2023 round of the SCEP has been published and includes a criterion on "Increasing participation and/or improving performance". This criterion allows for the awarding of marks where the project clearly demonstrates how persons with disabilities will benefit from the proposal.
Additionally, the aim of the LSSIF is to support investment in sporting infrastructure that will reinforce the principles outlined in the Department’s National Sports Policy including increased active participation in sport by people with a disability. In considering investment in infrastructure that meets this aim, one of the main criteria on which LSSIF projects were assessed and scored was their ability to improve the quantity and quality of active participation in sport for people with a disability. Priority was given to projects that prioritised the needs of disadvantaged areas and groups including people with disabilities.
Minister Martin and I have confirmed that a new round of the LSSIF will open for applications in the first half of 2024, with the dates, terms and conditions to be published on the Department’s website in due course. I would encourage all eligible projects to consider applying for this competitive application process.
48. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media what supports have been made available in relation to Irish participation in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16692/24]
View answerPreparations for Paris 2024 are progressing positively. Team Ireland is now entering the final period of qualification for several sports and Ireland is tracking towards a team size exceeding 120 athletes in the 2024 Olympic Games and 30 athletes in the 2024 Paralympic Games. The qualification of three teams in men’s and women’s rugby sevens and also in men’s hockey for the Olympic Games is a significant development for Irish sport and reflects the impact of the Government's record level of investment in High Performance Sport.
Sport Ireland is collaborating closely with the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) and Paralympics Ireland who will lead Team Ireland to the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, respectively. For the Paris Cycle, 2021-2024, the Government is providing investment of approximately €89 million towards High Performance Sport. This investment includes High Performance Programme Funding to National Governing Bodies; direct athlete investment; Impact Funding which targets new and innovative performance opportunities; High Performance Coaching supports; and world-class services through the Sport Ireland Institute.
From 2021-2024, Sport Ireland will have invested €3,245,000 in the OFI which includes an allocation of €900,000 to support the OFI with costs associated with the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. €2,813,000 is being provided to Paralympics Ireland over the same period, including €800,000 specifically for the 2024 Paralympic Games.
The Sport Ireland Campus is home to many sports that will compete in Paris 2024 including swimming, boxing, hockey, rugby sevens and gymnastics. The facilities at the Sport Ireland Campus are on par with the best in the world and have provided athletes with an opportunity to prepare for Paris 2024 in a home environment with proximity to Paris.
With the benefit of all of these considerable supports from the Government, I am confident that Team Ireland's participation in the Paris Games will be a successful one.
The Olympic Federation of Ireland have also developed a partnership with the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris, which will provide direct support for athlete experience and transition following competition. The setting will also provide opportunities to incorporate a cultural and promotional strand to enhance the reputation of Ireland internationally through arts and culture and to recognise the significance of the Games as marking the centenary of Ireland’s first independent participation.
50. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media whether she had any discussions with the military authorities in relation to the possibility of retaining the LÉ Eithne as an item of historic importance and its future use in a maritime or navy museum on Haulbowline, Cork, to add to the tourism attractions of Cork city and its environs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17076/24]
View answerWhile I have not any contact with the military authorities relating to the LÉ Eithne, I have however been made aware that Fáilte Ireland has previously been approached by Cork City Council about the LÉ Eithne and the possibility of it being used as a tourist attraction. In the past, Fáilte Ireland shared research with my Department that was conducted in the past on Maritime Ship experiences, which showed that international visitors do not associate Ireland with having a military maritime heritage. More recently following a study concluded by Fáilte Ireland, it was determined that the LE Eithne would not be a sustainable visitor attraction.
As outlined to the House on 9 April by the Tánaiste, Micheál Martin, the Department of Defence engaged with a number of organisation who initially expressed an interest in taking the LÉ Eithne and following some lengthy discussions, all parties withdrew their interest. I understand that recently a contract has been signed for the removal of the ship from Cork Harbour for recycling in line with the EU Ships Recycling Regulation and relevant national regulations.
In February 2024, Fáilte Ireland, in partnership with Cork County Council, Cork City Council and Port of Cork announced their plans to develop a Cork Harbour Tourism Plan, which will enhance the visitor experience and unlock the tourism potential of Cork Harbour. This visionary plan, which will be a key element of Fáilte Ireland’s 5-year Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP) for Cork City, Harbour and East Cork, aims to position Cork Harbour as a world-class tourism destination and support the sustainable development of this area into a must-visit destination. Plans are currently under way and aim to be completed by the middle of 2025.
The plan will identify opportunities to enhance Cork’s tourism offering and create a focal point for Cork’s maritime story, seeking to improve accessibility, capacity, interpretation, visitor facilities, visitor flow as well as visitor experiences. It will also include a high-level review of visitor orientation in the Cork Harbour area with recommendations to improve transport, look at sustainable transport initiatives and encourage a greater spread of visitors throughout the area.
This plan outlines a significant sustainable tourism development opportunity for Cork Harbour, which is the largest natural harbour in the Northern Hemisphere but is currently underutilised from a leisure tourism perspective. There is an opportunity to increase visitor numbers to the Cork Harbour area by building on the uniqueness offered by the Cork Harbour islands, which are supported by great on-water experiences linking the harbour islands and harbour communities.
Developing on the existing greenways, blueways and transport links will increase the accessibility of Cork Harbour and its communities to Cork City, and enabling improved land and sea linkages between the City and Harbour will create something that is unique on the island of Ireland.
