This list has Question No. 64 first and I presume we will proceed on that basis. The question is in the name of Deputy Ó Snodaigh.
Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions
Deputy Ó Snodaigh and I have agreed to switch over. I will take the first question, Question No. 64, and Deputy Ó Snodaigh will take Question No. 67.
Is that agreed? Agreed.
Question No. 64 taken after Question No. 66.
Sport and Recreational Development
Imelda Munster
Ceist:67. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide a date for new applications for the sports capital grant 2023; the amount that has been allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8567/23]
Will the Minister provide a date for new applications for the sports capital grants 2023 and the amount that has been allocated and will she make a statement on the matter?
Question No. 67 will be taken first.
I was waiting for the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, to take that question. We do not have detail on that just now. I expect it shortly, but I do not have the exact date just yet. If the Deputy wishes to wait, the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, will have a more detailed answer for the Deputy.
I would have thought he would be here this evening.
I do not know. I think he may be just coming into the Chamber. We absolutely value the sports capital and equipment programme. As the Deputy knows, last year's was the biggest ever and we saw it reach every county and club that needed it; far beyond what was expected. We are after going through the process and it will require some negotiation with the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in order to establish an opening date for applications, but it is on our minds to open a new round.
When I raised it with the Minister of State several weeks ago at the committee - the Minister, Deputy Martin, was there as well - he said he was in discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform and, following those discussions, he would be able to say when applications would be open for people to apply. The last sports capital grant opened in 2020. It was more than was normally allocated, but that is purely because it was covering multiple years, rather than the Government suddenly feeling a surge of generosity. It covered multiple years.
The Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, is here now. Does he have a date for the allocation? The Minister of State also said he is finalising a review of the previous programmes. He is looking at what he could improve on. First, does he have a date? Second, will he outline what improvements he found could be made from the review that was being carried out?
I apologise. I was not anticipating the swap. I thought I was No. 4. I thank the Deputy for bearing with me. I know the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, has already given an initial reply. As the Deputy knows, the sports capital and equipment programme is the main vehicle for the development of sports and recreation facilities. More than €1.15 billion has been spent on that since the programme opened. As the Deputy said, there were a record number of applications the last time. More than 3,000 applications were made and more than €16.6 million was spent on equipment and €143.8 million on capital grants. Appeals were made, as well, which brought the allocation up to a total of €166.6 million for 2020. That is the highest allocation ever.
As the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, said, we are in discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. We are basically finished the review. We will be publishing it shortly. The objective of the review is to make sure the money is spent in the best possible way, but we see with sports capital that money is spent very well by communities, in communities, and is of great benefit to everybody else. The important thing for us is to make sure we increase participation, equality and inclusion and help our elite athletes achieve what they are able to achieve.
We still do not have a date for when applications can be submitted. We do not have an amount. As the Minister of State said, there were multiple amounts in 2020, but that was to cover multiple years. I sincerely hope the allocation this time round will be more than previous allocations. I have seen the importance of continuing to enhance sporting facilities in my own town, with the feud, to encourage more young people to get involved in them. Is the Minister of State saying he still does not have a date? Next week, we are into March. We still do not know how much we will have to allocate and the Minister of State cannot tell us what the recommendations to improve areas were in the review that was carried out.
We will be in a position to do that in due course. I came into the Department just before Christmas. The review was under way.
We provided some input into it and the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, has done the same. It will mean that the sports capital programme will be better. There was no specific allocation when we opened the programme the last time. The decision was made during the programme. Every club or pretty much all of those that qualified received funding as part of that programme. It is our ambition that the programme will be as extensive as possible. Discussions have to take place with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. That is standard practice when a sports capital programme is being announced. In any capital programme, discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform are necessary. It is public money. The Department knows this is public money that is very well spent. Our officials in Killarney do an incredible job.
The Deputy mentioned Drogheda and what needs to be done there. There is an official in the Department who deals specifically with County Louth, whom the clubs can ring any time. The national governing bodies of the various sports are working hard with clubs to help them put applications together. That includes working with local public representatives and the sports partnerships in various counties.
We now return to Question No. 64 in the name of Deputy Ó Snodaigh.
The order has not changed. I am to ask the second question.
This is unsatisfactory because-----
I do not mind.
It does not bother me. I just thought I was second.
We cleared this earlier in the afternoon.
We did not receive notification.
I see that now but we cleared it with the Ceann Comhairle's office.
We cannot go up and down the calendar all night.
Deputy Kelly is next, followed by me, and I am up again after that.
This is getting complicated.
We will run with it this time but we will not move any more. Deputy Kelly's question is next.
I am second, one way or another.
Tourist Accommodation
Alan Kelly
Ceist:65. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the plans she has to develop the tourism product and experience throughout the Lough Derg areas of counties Tipperary, Clare and Galway, particularly given the huge improvement in access to the area that is being provided through the construction of the Shannon Crossing between Ballina and Killaloe. [8627/23]
Something I am very passionate about is tourism. I used to work in Bord Fáilte, which is now Fáilte Ireland. I refer to the whole visitor experience and promotion of the area around Lough Derg, namely, north Tipperary, east Clare and south Galway. During Covid, the real issue for me was that people's experience and what they saw of the area was significant. It is a hidden secret. It is a place many people are not aware of. It is central to Ireland. I refer to the old adage of the "hole in the doughnut syndrome" in Irish tourism, where people come and visit, travel all around Ireland but do not go into the middle. There is great value and experience in these great products in the Lough Derg area. What will be done to promote the area? There have been four plans involving it since 2014. What will be executed in the next couple of years?
The Lough Derg: Visitor Experience Development Plan 2020-2024 and action plan outlines the strategic direction that Fáilte Ireland and various agencies, including three local authorities, are working towards in the development of Lough Derg and its environs as a tourist destination. Tipperary County Council is also focusing its work on Lough Derg through its Tipperary Transforming: Tourism Product Development Plan 2020-2030. A tourism master plan for the Shannon was commissioned by Waterways Ireland in strategic partnership with Fáilte Ireland and the local authorities within the Shannon region. The objectives of the master plan are to reposition the combined Shannon navigation and Shannon-Erne waterway as a key tourism destination within Ireland's Hidden Heartlands, setting out a bold and integrated framework for sustainable tourism development along the Shannon.
During the most recent tourism season, Fáilte Ireland's national Discover Ireland advertising campaign included Lough Derg in the Ireland's Hidden Heartlands programme brand on TV and radio. On an ongoing basis, Fáilte Ireland is supporting Destination Lough Derg under the auspices of the Lough Derg Marketing Group, with support provided to discoverloughderg.ie and familiarisation visits by media and tour operators. Fáilte Ireland supports the Adventure Lough Derg initiative, which covers three counties. Fáilte Ireland also supported Quest Lough Derg in September as part of the Quest Adventure Series. The event was very well supported and it is planned to have the event back on Lough Derg in September 2023. Fáilte Ireland supported the Field Exchange event at Brookfield Farm at Coolbawn, County Tipperary, which took place throughout the summer. Fáilte Ireland also supported the World Fireball Championships at the Lough Derg Yacht Club in Dromineer in August and is currently in discussions regarding an additional swimming challenge event on Lough Derg in 2023.
The Lough Derg greenway, a proposed 24-km long walking and cycling path connecting Ballina and Dromineer in County Tipperary is at phase 1, concept and feasibility. Public consultation was conducted in September 2022 and the response was very positive. The second platform of Fáilte Ireland's platforms for growth capital investment programme is focused on developing water sports activity facilities across the country. Centres in Dromineer and Ballycuggeran have been allocated funding by Fáilte Ireland. Tipperary County Council has recently received planning permission from An Bord Pleanála and Clare County Council is awaiting the outcome of its planning application.
I am well aware of that work, some of which I am involved in. There have been four plans since 2014. The first one was the new marketing plan, Discover Lough Derg: life by the lake. There was a €10 million proposal for this, which was not spent in its entirety. We had the Hidden Heartlands plan that my former colleagues developed, which came a couple of years later and fit into that. There was the Lough Derg visitor experience plan, to which the Minister referred. We also had the plan for the Shannon with Waterways Ireland. I support all these plans and the fantastic work that has been done. The issue, however, when it comes to tourism, is that 4% of tourists come to that area and avail of what it offers.
The real issue is stickiness, as it is called. In tourism, there are three "As" - accommodation, attractions and activities - and one "E" - events. We have the attractions, the activities and the events. We have only two hotels. The Minister can come to Nenagh and Ballina-Killaloe - I live between these two areas. She can come to Portumna. There is very little accommodation here. We need a situation that will allow more accommodation to be built. We need more glamping and facilities. I have seen the marketing that is going on. My former colleagues are fantastic at it. From a planning and product development perspective, we need to facilitate the provision of more accommodation to create stickiness so that people can stay in this fantastic area at the centre of Ireland.
We will take the Deputy’s ideas on board, including alternatives, such as glamping, as well as the greenway experience of Lough Derg, and I will link in with Fáilte Ireland in that regard. Publicity is taking place. Tourism Ireland, in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, has invited a crew from NBC to film for the "Today" show and "Open House", a real estate show that reaches over 1.5 million viewers. The crew captured footage in west Clare and at the lakeside in Ballina, County Tipperary. Publicity is happening. I take on board what the Deputy is saying that there is a real issue with accommodation. We attract people. Attractions are there, but there is an issue with accommodation, which is something we will have to look at.
I say this in all sincerity because it is a matter about which I am very passionate. The number of people who saw the area around Lough Derg during Covid was fantastic. The hotel in Athenry burned down. We have one hotel in Nenagh and one in Ballina. As for trying to provide accommodation, it is virtually impossible because no one can get planning. We have fantastic natural attractions. We have fantastic activities involving the lake, walking, cycling and adventure sports and everything else. We have brilliant events but, unfortunately, there is nowhere to stay.
I come from Portroe. Garrykennedy is fantastic. It was voted one of the top ten most charming villages in Ireland according to The Nenagh Guardian. I was there at the weekend. People come all year round and stay in camper vans as there is little, if any, accommodation. There are a couple of Airbnbs. We must have a process for tourism areas, particularly dealing with the hole in the doughnut syndrome of middle Ireland where there is good value and where there are great activities, attractions and events to which people can get to quickly thanks to the motorways, but where there is not enough accommodation, unfortunately. Across government, working with the Department with responsibility for planning and local government, we need to find a way to develop more accommodation quickly.
What the Deputy is saying will fit very well with what we are doing. We are developing a national, sustainable tourism policy. It is about getting into the regions and promoting sustainable types of tourism, including the accommodation the Deputy mentioned, as well as for longer stays in the regions. Fáilte Ireland has a lot of business supports that it provides to the region's tourism industry. Its roadmap is about setting out the steps a business can take on its carbon reduction journey. We should be looking at supports in connection with the new sustainable tourism policy for the type of accommodation to which the Deputy referred. I take on board what he is saying in regard to a whole-of-government approach. Although accommodation is key, tourism is out of my remit in relation to building-----
I want the Minister to push for it.
-----but I can talk to the Minister about that.
Film Industry
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:66. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has discussed the suggestion by TG4 for a Gaeltacht uplift for section 481 tax credit for film production with the Minister for Finance; and if her Department has engaged in any analysis of the consequences for the film sector of the phasing out of the regional uplift. [8404/23]
Has there been any discussion with TG4 or about TG4's proposal for a Gaeltacht uplift for section 481 tax credit for film production, especially given the success in recent years of Irish language films?
The section 481 film tax relief and any changes to the relief are a matter for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Finance.
I also extend my condolences to the family of James Flynn and congratulate all those who have been nominated for BAFTAs and Oscars. I also congratulate all those involved in the Irish language film industry as a whole, because they have set an example of what can be done in Cine4 and TG4. Indeed, TG4, in particular, can be praised for having the foresight. That is why it produced the proposal for a section 481 Gaeltacht uplift, similar to the regional uplift, but addressing some of the faults in regional uplift. It has asked that this get due consideration and urgent consideration so that we can continue to benefit from the support and the grá that is out there for Irish language films at the moment, so we do not lose that timing. The regional uplift is coming to an end and we need to ensure that we continue that work.
I am very supportive of content in the Irish language. I am engaging with stakeholders to identify what will work best. As a publisher-broadcaster, TG4 commissions its content from the independent production sector, supporting jobs in the Gaeltacht regions, in particular. While increased activity in audiovisual content production may be of benefit to TG4 in commissioning content for its schedule, it is important to point out that since taking office, I have provided significant additional resources to TG4. For example, an increase of €7.3 million was provided, building on the €4.2 million increase we provided for in 2022. An increase in funding allocation for 2023 is the provision of €3.3 million for the establishment of Cúla4, a dedicated Irish language channel. The increases are hugely significant not only in respect of Irish language programming, but in the role played by TG4 in the delivery of the Government's 20-year strategy for the Irish language. It will enable TG4 to better serve Irish-speaking communities and provide increased support to our regional creative companies. We are all incredibly proud to see that not only has "An Cailín Ciúin" brought our Irish language to the world stage, but also to see it on the red carpet and to see our own Irish actors speaking in our native tongue, and the prominence that this has given to our language on the world stage. Our actors are to be commended, too, on what they are doing to promote our language.
Yes, they are to be commended and we all wish them well, in particular, with the Oscars. Hopefully, they will come back with more silverware, as it were. It is not silverware because the Oscars are gold. Hopefully, that reflects a greater investment and a greater concentration on Gaeltacht regions in particular. It is with that in mind that TG4 put forward a proposal for a section 481 Gaeltacht uplift. That is not just because the station has produced good films but also because this generates employment in Gaeltacht areas. At the same time, we are enhancing the Irish language. Everybody was happy to see Brendan Gleeson and Paul Mescal speaking as Gaeilge, along with the producers of "An Cailín Ciúin" and others. It was great to see, but that has to be matched with ensuring that even in downtimes when the successes are not as great as we have seen, there is investment or at least a tax relief that will allow investment in the ongoing development of the Gaeltacht film industry.
Responsibility for the section 481 film tax relief ultimately lies with the Minister for Finance. There are great things happening. Cine4 is a collaboration between Screen Ireland, TG4 and the BAI. Since its introduction back in 2017, Screen Ireland's budget has more than doubled from €16.9 million in 2017 to a record of €37.9 million. That has meant that Screen Ireland now has five Irish language TV dramas on its development slate. This process can take a number of years, but Screen Ireland has also announced and is currently reviewing further short production and development programmes with TG4. One is the Irish language version of "Storyland", Irish language pilot, "Céim Eile", and the others are short scripted pieces for greenshoot talent, "Tús". Screen Ireland has also supported the promotion of "An Cailín Ciúin" throughout the US and is working with consulates across the US on it. A second film, "Róise & Frank", is also about to be released in the US. Films that received Cine4 funding also include "Finky", "Arracht", "Róise & Frank", "An Cailín Ciúin" and "An tEarrach Thiar". Films currently in the pipeline for development include "An Fhidil Ghorm" and "Fréamhacha". Screen Ireland is also exploring a documentary programme and has financed a number of Irish language and bilingual animations, such as "Fia's Fairies" and "Tales from Dún Draíochta". Screen Ireland has a regional investment programme to help with the development of film in the regions.
Maoiniú d'Eagrais Ghaeilge
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:64. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cad chuige nach mbeadh na ceanneagraíochtaí Gaeilge nó Foras na Gaeilge thíos leis ó thaobh maoinithe de má leanann an DUP ar aghaidh ag cur moill ar an bhFeidhmeannas ó Thuaidh a chur ar bun agus, ós rud é go bhfuil moill freisin dá réir ar an gComhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas, arb éard atá inti an chomhairle a dhéanann na cinntí deiridh maidir le buiséid an Fhorais agus na gceanneagraíochtaí Gaeilge, an bhfuil straitéis ann chun teacht timpeall ar an tsáinn sin ar mhaithe le sláinte na gceanneagraíochtaí agus cad iad na pleananna meántéarmacha nó fadtéarmacha. [8403/23]
Conas is féidir linn déanamh cinnte de nach bhfuil na ceanneagraíochtaí Gaeilge nó Foras na Gaeilge thíos leis ó thaobh maoinithe de tosc an bealach ina bhfuil an DUP ag caitheamh leis an bhFeidhmeannas ó Thuaidh, agus gach rud a bheith gafa sa phróiseas sin ionas nach féidir le árdú nó airgead breise a chur i dtreo na ceanneagraíochtaí?
Is áisíneacht de chuid an Fhoras Teanga Thuaidh-Theas é Foras na Gaeilge. Is í an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh-Theas, CATT, a cheadaíonn na buiséid do na forais tras-Teorann uile, an Foras Teanga san Áireamh. I mbliana, tá soláthar iomlán de €18.5 milliún i Meastacháin mo Roinne do chomhoibriú tras-Teorann agus formhór an airgid sin ar fail chun tacú le hobair an Fhorais Teanga. Mar gheall ar chúinsí polaitiúla i dTuaisceart éireann, áfach, níltear in ann cruinnithe CATT a eagrú faoi láthair. Dá réir, ní féidir aon mhéadú nó athrú a dhéanamh ar bhunmhaoiniú an Fhorais Teanga. Beag beann air sin, tá maoiniú breise curtha ar fáil ag mo Roinn do thionscadail agus cláir nach dtagann faoi scáth an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh-Theas. Mar shampla, cuireadh €300,000 breise ar fáil do chlár na leabhar Gaeilge mar chuid de bhuiséad 2023 agus d'fhógair mé €300,000 breise d'Fhoras na Gaeilge an tseachtain seo caite chun tacú le hearnáil na foilsitheoireachta. Chomh maith leis sin, d'fhógair mé go raibh €300,000 eile curtha ar fáil ag mo Roinn don tionscadal foclóireachta de chuid an fhorais.
Ní miste a lua go bhfuil mo Roinn an-ghníomhach maidir leis na hiarrachtaí atá ar bun aici teacht aníos le bealaí eile chun tacú tuilleadh le pobal na Gaeilge ar fud na tíre, i gcomhar le ceanneagraíochtaí Fhoras na Gaeilge, chun go mbeidh ar a gcumas an teanga a chur chun cinn agus a threisiú.
Chuir mo Roinn €150,000 ar fáil do Chonradh na Gaeilge anuraidh mar chiste spreagtha i gcomhar le Seachtain na Gaeilge, agus tá €200,000 eile ceadaithe agam le déanaí mar chiste 2023.
Aithním na soláthairtí breise atá déanta ag an Aire Stáit le cúpla seachtain anuas agus is maith é sin a fheiscint. Tá géarghá le teacht timpeall ar an sáinn ina bhfuilimid ó thaobh na gceanneagraíochtaí de go háirithe toisc go bhfuil an caiteachas ag ardú ó thaobh foirne, trealaimh, leictreachais agus gach rud eile. Gan CATT ag bualadh tá seans ann go mbeidh na ceanneagraíochtaí thíos leis. Tá sé deacair don Aire Stáit agus do gach duine ach caithfimid féachaint conas is féidir linn teacht timpeall air agus déanamh cinnte de go bhfuil an t-airgead atá ann don Ghaeilge á caitheamh ar an nGaeilge agus nach bhfuil an t-airgead i sparán in áit éigin agus go scaoiltear é leis na tograí atá ann cheana féin - tograí aonuaire don chuid is mó – ionas gur féidir linn teacht timpeall ar an sáinn atá ann.
Maidir le cúrsaí CATT, is léir go bhfuil go leor dul chun cinn déanta agus idirbheartaíocht maidir le prótacal Thuaisceart Éireann faoi láthair. Tá mé féin agus gach Teachta sa Teach dóchasach go mbunófar an Feidhmeannas in athuair de bharr na gcainteanna seo agus go mbeidh cruinniú don CATT chomh luath agus is féidir ina dhiaidh sin. Idir an dá linn, tá sé ar intinn agam cuairt a thabhairt ar an Tuaisceart, mar a dúirt mé leis an Teachta, chomh luath agus is féidir chun léargas a fháil ar an obair atá déanta go dtí seo ag an bhForas Teanga agus na grúpaí pobail ar son na Gaeilge agus ar son na hUltaise go deimhin.
Is maith an rud é go bhfuil sé fógartha ag an Aire Stáit go mbeidh cúpla turas aige, nó ar a laghad turas amháin go luath, ó Thuaidh chun gur féidir leis aitheantas a thabhairt do na heagraíochtaí agus grúpaí atá ag obair ó thaobh na Gaeilge. Idir an dá linn, caithfimid déanamh cinnte de go bhfuil bealach éigin inar féidir linn cuidiú leis na ceanneagraíochtaí má tá boilsciú ag tarlú sa buiséad acu. Ní hé an buiséad ach an méid atá á chaitheamh acu ar ghnáthleictreachas, cúrsaí foirne agus a leithéid.
Tá bealach againn maidir leis na fadhbanna atá sa CATT. Chomh maith leis na rudaí atá ráite agam go dtí seo, tá suas le €580,000 ar fáil do Chonradh na Gaeilge chun feachtas gluaiseacht a reáchtáil le dhá bhliain anuas leis an aidhm daoine óga a spreagadh chun an Ghaeilge a úsáid agus eolas a thabhairt dóibh faoi dheiseanna fostaíochta leis an teanga san Eoraip agus anseo in Éirinn, rud a bhfuil an-tábhachtach don Teachta. Ina dhiaidh sin, tá maoiniú de €325,000 ceadaithe don togra Baile Átha Cliath le Gaeilge de chuid Chonradh na Gaeilge don tréimhse 2021 go 2024. Chomh maith leis sin, tá €290,000 eile curtha ar fáil d'Fhondúireacht Sheosaimh Mhic Dhonnacha agus don scéim teanga tí atá á reáchtáil ag na ceanneagraíochtaí Glór na nGael agus Gaeloideachas Teoranta. Beidh mé in ann na sonraí maidir leis sin a sheoladh chuig an Teachta tar éis na gceisteanna.