Vol. 1038 No. 5
5. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media what discussions her Department is currently engaged with in respect of extending the special 9% vat rate for the hospitality sector beyond September 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23703/23]
My apologies for the delay but I wish to ask the Minister what discussions her Department is currently engaged in regarding extending the special 9% VAT rate for the hospitality sector beyond September 2023 with the Departments of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform and Finance?
The Deputy has asked about the extension of the reduced 9% VAT rate for the hospitality sector. While elements of the hospitality sector are also important parts of the wider tourism ecosystem, as the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, I do not have responsibility for the general hospitality sector. However, the Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment, Deputy Coveney, and I co-chair the hospitality and tourism forum as I said earlier, which brings together on a regular basis these two important and interrelated sectors. The Government has strongly supported the tourism and hospitality sectors through a range of physical supports, particularly during the Covid-19 period, and more recently in dealing with the challenges facing the sector.
These supports have included the retention of the lower VAT rate since November 2021, a rate which was most recently extended until 1 September 2023.
In 2021, supports from my Department included €55 million for a dedicated tourism business continuity fund, €17 million in capital investment for an outdoor dining scheme and €5 million for an urban animation scheme. In budget 2022, the Government allocated €67.6 million in additional funding for tourism of which a further €50 million was for further tourism business continuity supports.
These supports from my Department were in addition to the significant supports provided through the employment wage subsidy scheme, EWSS, and the Covid restrictions support scheme, CRSS, which were operated by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. The Minister for Finance has responsibility for VAT rates or other taxation measures, and in assessing any proposals on such matters the balance between the costs of measures against their impact and the overall budgetary framework is a critical consideration. The most recent extension is estimated by the Department of Finance to cost €300 million.
Notwithstanding this, the Government recognises the challenging business environment within which key elements of the tourism and hospitality sectors are operating this year and the role that such businesses play in driving employment and economic activity across Ireland. That is why it was extended to 1 September.
In relation to any further extension it is clear that hotels will trade well in 2023 due to the strong demand for tourism and their role in the provision of humanitarian accommodation. I have asked my officials in Fáilte Ireland to do further work in relation to any possible mitigation measures that are needed for other tourism businesses.
I thank the Minister. I absolutely appreciate all of the supports that were quite necessary during Covid, and which every other country instituted in their sectors. While I appreciate that the Minister does not have the full say, certainly I hope that as the Minister with responsibility for tourism the Minister would be a great advocate to retain this rate, particularly for rural Ireland. Many cities across Europe have a city tax for hotels. The reduction in accommodation that we have seen means we will be far more dependent on our local communities to support our restaurants and the other tourist activities. Our restaurants in particular need to remain at the 9% rate, for sure, to remain competitive. I am hearing a lot of stories in which people are finding it much cheaper to travel abroad, with an ensuing flight, to avail of a holiday they can afford. There is a competitive issue there.
The 9% VAT rate was introduced in recognition of the fact that the tourism and hospitality sectors were among the most impacted by the public health restrictions put in place throughout the pandemic. As I said, it is extended now until September 2023. The Government has strongly supported the tourism and hospitality sectors over the past few years and in the current economic challenges, through a range of fiscal supports that I outlined, including the decision to extend the lower 9% VAT rate until 1 September. I will continue to engage with my Government colleagues on what further supports may be required.
It is not unrecognised that there were significant but inadequate supports for instance the temporary business energy support scheme, TBESS. I heard a quote from a colleague of mine in New Ross, who was a former colleague of the House, Mr. Seán Connick, who is the CEO of the Dunbrody Famine Ship experience in new Ross. At the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media during a debate in which they were discussing the development of tourism, the TBESS, for which he had applied on a bill that was in excess of €15,000, the refund was approximately €3,600, which leaves them with a bill of €11,400 in excess of the funds that they have and which they need to find. The reality is that we are still recovering from Covid and particularly in rural Ireland attractions. That is not to say that the supports were not welcome; they were. Given what has happened in the interim, and with the war and the impact it is having, the recovery is just not quick enough. This year it will be delayed further. I ask the Minister to be the advocate for those small indigenous sectors in rural Ireland.
As I said, I continue to engage with my Government colleagues on what further supports may be required. In the budget I did secure additional funding of €15 million for overseas marketing, after 2022's once-off pump-prime investment of €35 million. I also secured additional funding of €50 million to support a range of measures including domestic marketing. Fáilte Ireland is doing incredible work on the ground with recruitment and retention and in creating local area action plans in consultation to help with the development of the regenerative tourism scheme. A lot of work is being done here. There is also the body of work that is under way in relation to research and mitigation measures. All supports are being examined that might be needed for the sector.
The 30% reduction in accommodation will equate to €300,000, just for the Dunbrody facility.
The Deputy is out of time.
Excuse me. I apologise, and I thank the Acting Chair.
6. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 96 of 21 February 2023, the status of the legacy framework arising from Galway 2020; when the framework will be published; the reason for the delay in its publication; if she will provide a detailed breakdown of how the remaining €1 million from her Department’s contribution to Galway 2020 will be spent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23451/23]
My question is very specific and is about the legacy framework arising from Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture. When will the framework be published? Will the Minister explain the delay so far and the reasons why it has not been published. Will the Minister also give a breakdown of the remaining €1 million given by her Department?
A key objective of the overall European Capital of Culture is the development of a legacy framework to sustain and build on the capacity, networks and opportunities arising from the Galway 2020 cultural programme. To develop the legacy framework, an extensive consultation process was undertaken by Galway 2020, which included stakeholders such as local artists, cultural organisations, community organisations and local State and business entities.
The independent evaluation of Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture was conducted by the monitoring and evaluation organisation, The Audience Agency, which assessed the outcomes and impacts of the delivery of Galway 2020 from its designation in 2016 to the end of its delivery period in April 2021. The key recommendations from this independent evaluation were also taken into account, along with consultation with local stakeholders, when developing the legacy framework.
My officials engaged with Galway 2020 and Galway City Council and Galway County Council on the development of legacy programme aims and actions. As the Deputy is aware, in December 2022 I approved the allocation of the remaining €1 million from my Department’s overall commitment of €15 million to Galway European Capital of Culture to support the delivery of the programme under the proposed legacy framework.
I am informed that the website of the Galway Culture Company is currently undergoing an update and it is my understanding that the legacy framework will be published on the website in the coming weeks. As soon as I have confirmation of the exact date, I will inform the Deputy.
The key high level programme aims and actions under the legacy framework are outlined on the website of the Galway Culture Company. The €1 million funding from my Department will be broken down to support the delivery of these programme aims as follows: €300,000 to facilitate EU and international relationships and funding, €500,000 to develop and support place-based cultural programming and €200,000 to provide supports to the cultural and creative sectors.
Through the legacy framework, the artistic and cultural sector will have the opportunity to access the funding through a series of open calls, partnerships on funding applications to relevant EU programmes, opportunities for presentation in other European countries and targeted capacity-building supports. As opportunities arise they will be published on the website of Galway Culture Company. This will allow for the €1 million Department funding to be targeted in full to projects and initiatives to support the artistic and cultural sector in the Galway region.
I thank the Minister. The Minister knows the background to this. We were all very proud in Galway and then it was bedevilled by bad luck, by bad weather, by Covid and by bad management, without a doubt. I say this publicly. With the legacy, foolishly we thought there may be infrastructure. In my second contribution I will come back to the language around what is not physical infrastructure.
I am following up on this because I sat on the Committee of Public Accounts and we brought it to the attention of the Department to monitor carefully what was going on with regard to the €15 million. In February 2023 I was told that the legacy framework will be published on the website of Galway Culture Company - we have a new company which is the Galway Culture Company - and this would be during March. We are now in May. My specific question is what is the delay. I welcome the website. I welcome that it is bilingual. I know there are very good people on the ground but the history of this forces me to stand up here to make sure that the whole situation is monitored.
The legacy aims to bring together key agencies and stakeholders in Galway to devise and derive a creative vision for Galway. The legacy programme has been designed based on extensive consultation with the sector and the lessons from the evaluation carried out in Galway 2020. I believe there has been no delay in the finalisation of the legacy framework. Galway 2020 engaged in extensive consultation with stakeholders as part of legacy development. It also reviewed and took into account key findings and recommendations from the independent evaluation of Galway 2020 by The Audience Agency.
These included recommendations to sustain, build and establish networks at national and European levels, as well as further enhancing the capacity of the sector, particularly in light of the impact of the pandemic on delivery. It is about getting it right. It is about the key engagement with the local stakeholders to make sure that their views were taken into account, and to ensure that it took account of the evaluation.
I know the Minister has a lot on her plate, but she is missing the point. A Galway culture company was established on 23 January 2023 as a successor to Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture. In February, we were told that the legacy framework would be published on the website in March, and we are now in May. I know there can be delays, but I am looking at the history of this. I have a library of questions and answers in relation to it. The language used does not help. To be positive, I welcome that there will be open bids and that applications will be open to everyone, but we should look at the language used. I am not sure if we are restricted because of European language. I ask the Minister to listen to this. There will be €300,000 "to facilitate EU and international relationships and funding"; €500,000 "to develop and support place-based cultural programme"; and €200,000 "to provide supports to the cultural and creative sector". Does the Minister know what that means, even the last one maybe?
Please do not explain it to me. Does the Minister think that when we use the phrase "to facilitate EU and international relationships", that means something to the artists on the ground in Galway, when we see that much money going in a direction that is very vague? That is why monitoring is very important.
An example of facilitating international and EU relationships and funding would be a network or ecosystem that has been established to increase the number of applications for EU funding being progressed from Galway. That will bring more funding into the city. It will allow learnings and advice, training opportunities and policy updates to be shared to help the success of Galway-based applications, and will build contacts, networks and partnerships. It is about increasing the international links formed through the European City of Culture experience to improve cultural life in Galway. One example of that is EU-Japan Fest. A band with 60 of Japan's finest young wind and brass players spent five days in Galway in September last year. They delivered concerts in schools, met with Galway schoolchildren and participated in their classes. That Galway visit culminated in a free performance, featuring music from Ireland and Japan, in Galway Cathedral in September last year. That is what that is about. I note that the Deputy mentioned the physical infrastructure. I think we had this discussion in February. While the Department committed to providing the €15 million in funding to Galway European Capital of Culture, it did not make a provision for capital infrastructure.
7. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports that are in place for the Shamrock and Olive Tree Boxing Project to assist them in bringing a small group of Palestinian boxers and coaches to Ireland in August as part of their sporting cultural exchange; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23062/23]
I appreciate the Minister of State taking the question. What supports are in place for the Shamrock and Olive Tree Boxing Project, to assist it in bringing a small group of Palestinian boxers and coaches to Ireland in August, as part of a sporting and cultural exchange? I ask the Minister of State to make a statement on the matter.
Sport Ireland is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards. This includes the allocation of funding across its various programmes. Sport Ireland does not provide direct funding for clubs or individuals, but channels it through the national governing bodies. There is no mechanism by which Sport Ireland can allocate funding outside of this process, and there is no direct funding scheme though which Sport Ireland can support sporting exchanges or events such as this.
Sport Ireland allocates its funding for boxing to the Irish Athletic Boxing Association, IABA. As the Deputy will be aware, the IABA has made significant progress in implementing governance reforms over the past six to nine months. In February of this year, I was pleased to announce core funding of €525,000 for the IABA this year as part of Sport Ireland’s allocations to sporting national governing bodies. This represents a €25,000 increase on the 2022 allocation. This funding, allied to €965,000 in high performance funding for this year, demonstrates the Government’s commitment to supporting what is our most successful and most important Olympic sport, and a sport that, at grassroots level, reaches communities that many other sports do not.
I would advise the boxing clubs involved with the Shamrock and Olive Tree Boxing Project to engage with the IABA, through their established channels, to see what support might be available for this exchange. I regret that neither my Department nor Sport Ireland has any funding stream through which this initiative can be directly supported. Sport is an important vehicle for developing cultural relations, and I would like to wish the project every success with the exchange.
Just to provide a bit of background, the Shamrock and Olive Tree Boxing Project sport and cultural exchange is between Ireland and Palestine, the shamrock being the symbol of Ireland and the olive tree being the symbol of Palestine. It is an all-Ireland initiative. We have boxers and clubs from Dublin, Belfast and Waterford taking part, linked in with El Barrio Boxing Club in Ramallah. For the sake of full disclosure I should say that I was not part of the group at the start, but I was invited to be part of the delegation that visited Palestine in November of last year. We got fantastic support from the Irish consulate in Ramallah, and also from the Ministry of Sport in Palestine. Palestinian boxers will be coming over here later this year. It might be in August, but that might be too early because of visa issues. The question I asked was not about Sport Ireland; I asked what supports the Department can give to this sporting and cultural initiative.
The reason I referred to Sport Ireland is that all the money we give to boxing goes through Sport Ireland. That is probably the answer I am giving here today. We are very supportive of these initiatives and there may be other avenues of support available to the project, indeed, directly through the IABA, which gets more than €500,000 in direct funding from us every year. I do not know, but there may well be funding available from the Department of Foreign Affairs or the local authorities in the area. I urge the Deputy to look at that.
If he does not mind, I will take just a few seconds just to talk about boxing. We are very happy with the governance changes that have taken place in the IABA. However, I have to say our boxers and our boxing association are facing unprecedented challenges navigating the geopolitical scene at the moment, particularly in relation to the International Boxing Association. I wish to let the boxing community know that yesterday I met two of the directors of the World Boxing Association, WBA. We are working very hard, as a Government, to give it support to ensure that our boxers have all of the avenues all around the world available to them to participate at the highest competitive levels, which is really important. We are working really hard with the WBA and the Olympic movement to make sure that boxing remains an Olympic sport into the future, because as people will know, that position is seriously threatened at the moment by what is going on at a global level.
I agree with the Minister of State that we have a big history of boxing in this country. I also want to take the opportunity to wish Katie Taylor all the best in her fight at the weekend. My understanding is that the Department offered to support Katie Taylor in putting on that fight over the weekend when it was running into difficulties. I am asking for the same level of support, if any is available, in this instance. I am just not talking about financial support. When we were over there, the Ministry of Sport in Ramallah hired the bus for us and provided some of the boxers with accommodation and stuff like that. I am not just talking about big financial support. Since we have been over there, we have left a mark behind us. A boxing initiative has been set up in the Aida refugee camp in the West Bank. That is an ongoing initiative, and Irish people are going over and training kids in the refugee camp in the pugilistic skills of boxing. Is there any support that the Department can offer this group?
As I said, Sport Ireland has allocated over €500,000 to the IABA. That is really the only avenue through which we fund boxing. It has increased and it is going to increase. We support it financially. Just to be clear, we did not offer financial assistance to the Katie Taylor fight this week. We met the promoters, and I have to say, the Deputy's own party was advocating very strongly for me to do that. We did meet them and talked to them, but there was no offer of Government funding arising out of that particular exchange. There is a very high bar for those major events as well. I do not know, but there may be funding available from the IABA, the Department of Foreign Affairs or local authorities. I urge the Deputy to look into it. We are happy to help. I can only answer questions for my own Department and it does not have direct funding available for this, but I am certainly willing to be of help to see what other sources might be there, and with the IABA. We recognise that these cultural exchanges are really important. There are lots of avenues available for funding, including EU funding. There is EU funding for town twinning, so there may well be EU funding available for this project. I do not know, but it is something that we can help to investigate.
8. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports, if any, that are made available by her Department to encourage and promote poetry on a national basis; her views on the appointment of a poet laureate to the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22636/23]
The poet laureate of the Canadian Parliament recently visited the Oireachtas at the invitation of the Centre for Canadian Studies at UCD. She came to the House and I interacted with her outside the House as well. I was struck by the value and importance of poetry, and the fact that they have a poet laureate in Canada. I thought perhaps we should consider having one here as well, so I wrote to the Ceann Comhairle about it. I am interested to know what the Department and the Minister is doing to support poetry in Ireland at the moment.
As Minister for culture and the arts, I have no specific role in relation to the proposal that there should be an Oireachtas poet laureate. I recognise the remit of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission in this regard.
I am aware that other parliaments, as the Deputy has said, have made such appointments. I am aware also of the very positive contribution that access to and participation in the arts can bring in different contexts, including in the workplace, in terms of individual and collective well-being and bringing fresh perspectives. Therefore, while it is not a matter for me to decide, I am hopeful and confident on a personal level that the matter will receive appropriate consideration because it is a wonderful suggestion.
My Department provides support for the arts through the Arts Council. Poetry Ireland is the organisation dedicated to developing, supporting and promoting poetry on the island of Ireland and is funded by the Arts Council and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. It has partnerships with arts centres, festivals, schools, colleges and bookshops at home and abroad and is committed to creating performance and publication opportunities for poets at all stages of their careers, and securing a future for Irish poetry. Further information on this is available on Poetry Ireland's website.
Poetry Day Ireland is an island-wide celebration of poetry which involves inviting people to read, write or share a poem. It is one of the most high-profile events aimed at promoting poetry on the island of Ireland. It is organised by Poetry Ireland and it took place on 27 April 2023, when more than 100 events took place with the theme "Message in a Bottle".
Culture Ireland provides substantial support for the promotion of Irish poetry worldwide, for example by supporting Irish poets in bringing their work to international audiences and by building on our strong global reputation for poetry. The Creative Ireland programme is a culture-based initiative designed to promote individual, community and national well-being. This programme has supported thousands of largely culture-based events exploring issues of identity, community, culture, heritage and citizenship, including projects on poetry. County Cork is, of course, home to a wealth of culture and heritage. The Deputy will find details of several projects in his constituency on Creative Ireland’s website under the heading "Creative Communities".
I thank the Minister for her response. I join with her in recognising the work of Poetry Ireland. I congratulate Ms Anne Tannam, who was recently appointed as poet in residence there. I also recognise Professor Paul Muldoon, who is the chair of Poetry Ireland at the moment.
I thank the Minister again for her positive reaction to the suggestion. It is amazing that when we make suggestions, we often get ridiculed and criticised. I feel we should be able to put forward suggestions in this Chamber. Sometimes our friends in the media are the first to knock ideas instead of actually looking at and possibly embracing them and seeing the benefit.
In respect of financial support for poetry in particular, are there any specific figures the Minister can give us from her Department on how much funding has been made available, for instance, to the various institutions to support poetry? Would she agree with me that in this Internet age of artificial intelligence and so on, it is important that we slow down and listen to people who write poetry, which comes from emotion and from the soul?
As I outlined in my earlier answer, we provide support in a range of ways; for example, through the Arts Council, which has seen an increase in funding since I became Minister, through what we do in Culture Ireland and Creative Ireland, and through the support we provide to poets under the basic income for the arts scheme. I can forward to the Deputy exact details of the range of funding that comes from my Department, which is pretty vast.
We have such a proud, strong tradition of poetry. We are known right across the globe for our poetry and poets from Yeats to Heaney. Sadly, over recent years we have lost some of our greatest poets, including Máire Mhac an tSaoi, Derek Mahon and Brendan Kennelly, but they have left a remarkable legacy that will live on for generations to come. I am a proud County Monaghan woman from the "stony grey soil", where "the bicycles go by in twos and threes" as Patrick Kavanagh wrote in "Inniskeen Road: July Evening". My brother is a published poet, so I have a natural grá for this area.
I look forward to receiving information from the Minister on the supports that are being made available. I note that this week, The Irish Times had a supplement entitled Fighting Words in which there were some very interesting poems written by young people. I would be interested to know what the Minister is doing to encourage and support young people in the development of poetry. Some of the stuff is really good. I will quote a few lines from one of them. A young lady called Ciara Nic Eoghain, who is aged 13, wrote a poem about sitting in the garden. The last part reads:
I wish I could freeze this moment,
Hold it with me forever.
But no, all things must change,
So now I say goodbye,
To this moment caught in time.
That is powerful stuff. Some of us could sit and reflect on it from time to time. Again, many parliaments around the world and other institutions recognise poetry, poets in residence and poet laureates. I encourage colleagues to perhaps think about this and support the proposal.
The supplement the Deputy read during the week, Fighting Words, is supported by my Department through Creative Ireland. It is a wonderful initiative that I am proud to support. As I said, I will send the Deputy on more details on that and on the idea itself. It is a terrific idea, but it is for the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission to consider. I would be confident that it will give it the appropriate consideration of which it is worthy. Well done to the Deputy for suggesting it.
9. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media what measures are being taken to address the shortfall in tourist accommodation; what effect is being seen by the tourism industry on its revenues due to lack of accommodation for tourists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23654/23]
26. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she is considering a special recognition payment for tourist ancillary services, such as activity centres and tour operators, due to the estimated €1.1 billion loss in revenue in the sector due to Government over-reliance on tourist accommodation to house those seeking international protection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23342/23]
41. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media what immediate provisions her Department is taking to support tourism businesses which will be gravely impacted by the lack of available tourism beds for the 2023 season; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23707/23]
The 2023 tourism season is well under way at this stage. There are beds that are not available for tourism due to State contracts. The absence of those tourists has a direct knock-on effect on so many other support businesses, such as restaurants and bike hire companies, which are a central part of the tourism offering. Does the Minister have a plan for supporting them in the absence of that income?
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 26 and 41 together.
The arrival of refugees from the war in Ukraine, combined with the high number of international protection applicants, has resulted in the largest humanitarian effort in the State's history. The national response to this challenge is underpinned by an all-of-government approach. As I said earlier, in February last year, we were accommodating 8,300 people. We are now accommodating 83,520 people, which is equivalent to the population of Galway city. As the Deputy knows, serviced accommodation within the tourism sector, hotels primarily, have been to the fore in meeting this immediate need.
Demand for Irish tourism, both from abroad and at home, is really strong. The sector, supported by the Government, has shown great resilience in rebuilding after Covid-19. However, I am concerned about the potential downstream impacts on strategic tourism businesses due to the removal of one third of registered tourism accommodation from the tourism market. I have expressed this concern, Obviously, there are concerns with regard to visitor attractions, activity providers, hospitality and retail. They all rely to a greater or lesser extent on visitors having a place to stay, as the Deputy knows. As I said earlier and as other Deputies have said in this Chamber, every €1 spent on tourism accommodation equates to €2.50 that will be spent in the local economy on visitor attractions, tourism support services, hospitality and retail. I have consistently raised my concerns with Government colleagues on this matter. While anecdotal evidence is emerging of the impacts on downstream tourism businesses, I have asked my officials and Fáilte Ireland to do further work on this issue as we approach and near peak season. That work will focus on emerging trends and the areas that are most affected by the loss of tourism accommodation. It will examine possible mitigation measures that could be considered if the scale of the impact is sufficient to warrant this.
We have invested heavily in this sector, which is a key employer of scale in large parts of the country. Many communities across the country are heavily reliant on it. We have continued to invest to ensure there is a strong pool of tourism attractions, activity providers and related tourism businesses. While it is to be hoped that these mitigation measures will not be needed, it is only prudent that we do the examination now and be ready to move if measures are required. We invested heavily in putting supports in place during Covid-19. We did not do that to lead to them to fail now. I am cognisant of keeping the supports in place. It is only prudent to assess this. Any mitigation will need to have hard data behind it. As I have said, we developed strong experience during the pandemic of the types of targeted measures.
We are not starting from zero. We saw what worked for these key strategic tourism businesses during the pandemic to help them trade and survive. Business continuity supports similar to those that we funded and Fáilte Ireland rolled out may have to be considered if it is clear that a loss of tourism footfall in specific areas is leading to significant reductions in trade and turnover. We might have to consider other innovative measures that can assist the worst affected tourism businesses and allow them to survive during the current challenges. I did, of course, secure continued additional funding for tourism in budget 2023, totalling €30 million, of which €15 million is for the overseas marketing of Ireland. As global competition heightens, sustained and extensive marketing campaigns will be vital to support the ongoing recovery effort. Ensuring the resilience and growth of this demand is vital to the industry, to jobs and, indeed, to communities across the length and breadth of this country. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Coveney, and I co-chair the hospitality and tourism forum. We will engage through that forum, a meeting of which we hope to have in the coming weeks.
I thank the Minister for the overview and for her detailed response. Phenomenal pressure is growing on many smaller businesses. The 2023 season is now well under way and in the absence of those beds and the tourists that would occupy them, and their subsequent spend, there is increasing pressure on smaller businesses. Those businesses are scattered right across the many rural areas of the country. For many, this is their main opportunity for income. Many of those smaller businesses give our younger people their first jobs in cafés, pubs, pet farms and wherever else. Those businesses are vital to those rural economies. I understand that Fáilte Ireland is conducting that research on behalf of the Minister. Will she give an outline as to when that will be completed? This was not an unknown. She must have been expecting that this pressure would come on and Fáilte Ireland would conduct research for some time. When will there be an outcome from that research? When will there be a plan in place to support these businesses?
My question is whether the Minister has considered or proposed a special recognition payment for tourism ancillary services, such as activity centres, tour operators and all of the businesses that will be directly affected because of the lack of accommodation.
I have not heard what is being done to encourage domestic tourism for the visitor attractions the length and breadth of the country. The fear is that when word gets out that one third of the accommodation is not available, people will automatically consider travelling abroad. Has the Minister considered a recognition payment for businesses? Some 10,000 jobs across the country could be displaced because of the lack of tourism accommodation. There is a very real prospect of that. We could be looking at a revenue loss of €1.1 billion. There are knock-ons elsewhere for every €1 that is spent on accommodation and the loss of that income is massive.
Budget 2023 provided a €2 million increase in funding for domestic marketing to promote Ireland's tourism offering to Irish holidaymakers. As Deputy Munster will be aware, the domestic market is a critical part of the tourism economy. While, of course, I am examining mitigation measures, I am also looking to see how the domestic tourism market could help to sustain these tourism businesses. A marketing campaign will be a part of the measures we put in place. Additional domestic marketing funding secured for this year will allow Fáilte Ireland to continue to build momentum on the mass-reach media marketing campaign Keep Discovering. It is about promoting the joy of discovering the endless opportunities for domestic tourism and reminding those of us who live here that a short break with friends and family is a great option.
In respect of mitigation measures, I have consistently raised this matter. I have not only done so recently. It has been on my radar. There has been constant engagement with senior officials in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. We need hard data to look at these possible mitigation reports. As the summer season cranks up, rather than having anecdotal stories, we must have hard evidence so that when I come back to my colleagues, I can outline exactly what is needed.
Tá an séasúr turasóireachta faoi lán seoil agus tá brú ollmhór ar an-chuid gnóthaí toisc nach bhfuil lóistín agus na turasóirí a bheadh ann ar fáil. Táim ag caint faoi ghnóthaí a bhaineann le busanna, zip lines agus gníomhartha uisce, pet farms agus go leor eile. Tuigim go bhfuil Fáilte Éireann ag féachaint ar phlean chun tacaíocht a thabhairt ansin. An bhfuil béim ar thacaíocht do na comhlachtaí sin nó an bhfuiltear fós ag féachaint ar shlí chun lóistín a scaoileadh?
Is there an emphasis on a support package or is it on freeing up further accommodation, even at this late stage? Is there an indication of a timeline for when that Fáilte Ireland report is due?
I know the Minister has said she is in discussions but the summer is on top of us. Has she proposed a special recognition payment for those ancillary services within the tourism sector which, if those predictions come true, will be at a serious loss of revenue and jobs could be lost. That is the case for activity centres, adventure centres, tour operators and festivals. If people have nowhere to stay, they will stay away. Let us not wait until the eleventh hour to put measures in place. We are talking about a loss of €1.1 billion in tourist spending. That will have a massive knock-on effect on jobs at those tourist locations and those losses may be very difficult to recover in future years. Has the Minister proposed such a recognition payment or some sort of assistance? What proposals have come from her?
No proposals have come from me. I have the concerns and believe there is real potential that mitigation measures will be needed. That needs to be backed by hard data, which is why I have asked Fáilte Ireland to conduct research. I have said business continuity supports, similar to those rolled out by Fáilte Ireland during the pandemic, may be required but we need to look at all possibilities. The Deputy mentioned a special recognition payment. We have to consider all innovative measures to provide support.
On Deputy Moynihan's point, níl sé soiléir go fóill cén saghas tacaíochta a bheidh ar fáil. Caithfimid gach saghas tacaíochta a scrúdú. I have asked Fáilte Ireland to undertake this research and hope to have the conclusions before the end of this Dáil term, at which point I will report back to my Government colleagues.
10. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil aon athrú eile beartaithe ag an Roinn ó thaobh deontais nó tacaíochta de chun tacú leis na mná tí nó le coláistí samhraidh mar aitheantas ar an ngéarchéim atá i réim san earnáil faoi láthair. [23713/23]
An bhfuil aon rud eile thar na rudaí atá déanta ag an Aire agus ag an Roinn go dtí seo beartaithe ag an Roinn ó thaobh deontas nó tacaíochta de chun cuidiú leis na coláistí samhraidh nó na mná tí mar aitheantas ar an ngéarchéim ina bhfuil siad?
Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta. Tá roinnt beartas ceadaithe faoi scéim na bhfoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge le bliain anuas chun tacaíocht a chur ar fáil do theaghlaigh a chuireann lóistín ar fáil do lucht freastail na gcoláistí Gaeilge agus do theaghlaigh nua atá ag teacht isteach sa chóras. Cuireadh ardú ar an deontas laethúil ó €10 go €12. Is ardú de 20% ar an deontas é sin. Anuas air sin, ceadaíodh ardú ó €2,000 go €6,000 ar an deontas tosaithe atá ar fáil do theaghlaigh a chláraíonn faoin scéim don chéad uair agus do theaghlaigh atá imithe as an gcóras le tréimhse chúig bliana agus atá ag iarraidh athchlárú faoin scéim. Clúdaíonn an deontas seo costais a bhaineann le measúnú shábháilteacht dóiteáin a dhéanamh ar an teach, mar aon le costais a bhaineann le trealaimh faoi leith chun lóistín a chur ar fáil. Tá iarratais ar aitheantas faighte ó 32 teaghlach Gaeltachta go dáta in 2023 chun lóistín a chur ar fáil faoin scéim. Ós rud é go mbíonn iarratais á ndéanamh ar bhonn leanúnach, táthar ag súil le tuilleadh iarratas fós i mbliana. Chláraigh 39 teaghlach faoin scéim in 2022, rud a thugann le fios go bhfuil suim á léiriú sa scéim i gcónaí.
Níor mhiste a lua chomh maith gur fhógair mé le gairid go bhfuil cead anois ag teaghlaigh atá cáilithe faoi scéim na bhfoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge uaslíon de 16 scoláire a choinneáil ar íostas leo ach an spás sin a bheith ar fáil acu. Is méadú é sin ó 12 go 16 scoláire, rud a chiallaíonn go mbeidh deis ag teaghlaigh ioncam breise a shaothrú dá bharr. Anuas air seo uile, cuireadh breis scoláireachtaí ar fáil chun go mbeadh deiseanna breise ag daltaí iar-bhunscoileanna DEIS na tíre freastal ar chúrsa Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht. Idir na bearta seo uile, meastar go mbeidh suas le 400 leaba breise ar fáil sa chóras i mbliana le hais 2022. Níl aon bheartas breise ar na bacáin faoi láthair ach, ar ndóigh, bíonn an Roinn i gcónaí ag faire amach d'aon deis chun tuilleadh fós a dhéanamh ar leas earnáil na gcoláistí Gaeilge.
Mar a dúirt mé agus mé ag cur na ceiste, tá aitheantas ann do na hathruithe agus do na nithe atá déanta ag an Roinn go dtí seo - agus ag an Aire í féin - chun déileáil leis an ngéarchéim seo. Is géarchéim atá ann nuair a thagann titim ar líon na dtithe a bhí ar fáil do choláistí samhraidh agus ar líon na mná tí ó 712 go dtí 495 anuraidh. Is titim beagnach 30% é sin. Tá a fhios agam go bhfuil roinnt daoine breise tar éis teacht isteach sa chóras ach tá ganntanas ann fós. Aithnítear gur ghníomhaigh an Roinn ar na moltaí a bhí ag Comhchoiste na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus Phobal Labhartha na Gaeilge ach tá fadhbanna ann fós agus tá rudaí praiticiúla gur féidir leis an Roinn a dhéanamh. An bhfuil sé i gceist aon athrú eile a dhéanamh nó aon deontas breise a thabhairt isteach sa chóras roimh dheireadh na míosa seo? Tosaíonn na coláistí samhraidh an mhí seo chugainn.
Idir na beartais seo a luaigh mé cheana, meastar go mbeidh suas le 400 leaba breise ar fáil sa chóras i mbliana le hais 2022. Níl aon bheartas breise ar na bacáin faoi láthair ach mar a dúirt mé, bíonn an Roinn i gcónaí ag faire amach chun aon deis a aimsiú chun tuilleadh a dhéanamh do na coláistí samhraidh. Tá iarratais faighte ó 32 teaghlach Gaeltachta go dáta i mbliana. Ar ndóigh, leis an ardú ar uaslíon na scoláirí gur féidir le teaghlaigh cáilithe a choinneáil ar íostas ó 12 go dtí 16, meastar go mbeidh 400 leaba breise sa chóras i mbliana.
Agus muid ag pleanáil don todhchaí, caithfidh fás as cuimse teacht ar líon na gcoláistí samhraidh a bheith ann. Caithfimid díriú isteach ar conas is féidir linn i bhfad Éireann níos mó mná tí a bheith ann agus i bhfad níos mó brúnna a bheith sna ceantair ina bhfuil coláistí samhraidh ann, má táimid chun cuidiú le daltaí eile an buntáiste a thagann as dul chuig coláistí samhraidh a fháil. Chomh maith le sin, má táimid chun cuidiú leo siúd atá sa státchóras dul i ngleic leis an nGaeilge i mbealach níos fearr, ba cheart dúinn an sórt córas atá ann ó thaobh na gcoláistí samhraidh a fhorbairt amach anseo. Níl a fhios agam an bhfuil a fhios ag an Aire, ach tá ceist phraiticiúil ann ón uair a tháinig an t-athrú ar líon na scoláirí ó 12 go dtí 16. Tá fadhbanna fós ann toisc nach féidir árachas a fháil don ceathrar breise i roinnt de na tithe ina bhfuil mná tí in ann glacadh le páistí breise. An bhfuil aon rud gur féidir leis an Roinn a dhéanamh chun cuidiú leo siúd nach féidir árachas breise a fháil don ceathrar breise sin?
Má tá fadhbanna ansin, an féidir leis an Teachta an t-eolas sin a sheoladh chugam agus taispeánfaidh mé é do mo chuid oifigigh inniu nó amárach. Mar a dúirt mé, tá liosta de suas le 80 teaghlach atá ag léiriú suim in uaslíon 16 scoláire a bheith acu seolta ag na coláistí Gaeilge ar fud na tíre chuig mo Roinn. Tá oifigigh na Roinne ag déanamh measúnú orthu seo agus ag déanamh teagmháil leis na teaghlaigh iúd i láthair na huaire.
11. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an update as to when the next round of the sports capital and equipment programme will open to applicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23080/23]
14. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide details as to when the sports capital and equipment programme will open for applications in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23198/23]
17. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the report into the sports capital and equipment programme will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23081/23]
19. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the review of the most recent round of the sports capital and equipment programme will be published; when he expects the next round of the programme to open for new applications; what the anticipated closing date will be for applications; when he expects the first allocations to be announced; the total budget he anticipates for the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23600/23]
35. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for an update on the review of the sports capital and equipment programme; when it is expected to open for applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23671/23]
40. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the measures she intends to take to boost support and funding to improve the provision of facilities for community sports, particularly in disadvantaged areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23581/23]
I thank the Minister of State for taking this question. We all acknowledge the contribution that sports capital grants have made to clubs right across the country over many years. The programme has made a difference but it needs reform. Can he provide an update as to when the next round of the sports capital programme will be open to applicants please?
I will take Questions Nos. 11, 14, 17, 19, 35 and 40 together.
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. More than 13,000 projects have benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to in excess of €1.15 billion. The programme for Government commits to continuing the programme and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas. The 2020 round of the programme closed for applications on 1 March 2021 and by the deadline, there were a record 3,106 applications. The final allocations were announced on 31 May last year and the total allocation of €166 million represents the highest ever made. Details of all allocations can be found on the Department's website.
The priority in recent months has been to advance the successful applications, which number almost 2,900, under the 2020 round to formal approval and grant drawdown stage. There is ongoing detailed engagement with all grantees. Following completion of the appeals process, the Department commenced a full review of the 2020 round. The review has been published and is available on the Department’s website. Among the recommendations contained in the published review is a continued prioritisation of projects that share facilities with other sports, which is really important, and further enhanced investment in areas of disadvantage. The review also identifies new areas for consideration including: an increase in the thresholds; rewarding projects that include adaptations for persons with disabilities; rewarding projects that incorporate climate action measures; expanding the programme to include applications for upgrades to swimming pools; and prioritising applications from areas witnessing significant population growth where there is a deficit of facilities. Now that the review has been published, I have asked my officials to start to draft the guide to making an application for the 2023 round. Once completed, that will be published as well.
My officials and I, along with the Minister, continue to engage with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform regarding the launch of the next cycle. In this regard, the Minister and I have written to our colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, seeking formal sanction to launch the new round of the SCEP as soon as possible. Once this sanction is received and the new guide to making an application is finalised, I will announce the exact date on which the programme will be open for applications.
Regarding the funding available for individual projects, clearly the level of demand will be a key determinant but every effort will be made to fund as many worthwhile projects as possible while providing sufficient grant funding to ensure the projects are viable. Allocations under the SCEP, and the timeframe to complete the allocation process, will be dependent on the volume of applications received. It is a very successful programme that we are very keen to continue. There is a high level of engagement between ourselves, both Ministers and our officials, with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. We are hoping for this Department to essentially approve the opening up of the round as soon as possible. There are huge benefits to this for sports facilities right around the country. We want to make sure the areas that need facilities get them. As the Deputy has mentioned previously, there are committees within areas that may not have the wherewithal to put together applications and we want to make sure they get the best help possible so that they can apply. Another point I have made is that we cannot give funding to organisations that have different terms and conditions for men and women as they use the facilities. Unfortunately, that exists in this country but we will not be funding them. That is the simple answer on that. That will be a wake-up call for some.
I had a quick look at the review earlier on but it is quite a big, hefty document so I have not gone through it. The fact that a review was done acknowledges that there is a need for reform. Unfortunately, from scanning the document, it does not outline some key reforms. Generally, we can use the term "multi-use facilities". Many clubs engage in multiple sports but they are effectively discriminated against because they cannot apply. For instance, Railway Union Sports Club has hockey, cricket, and football. The three sports codes cannot apply year after year. That is a big disadvantage for clubs such as Railway Union.
They face difficulties and are effectively discriminated against. That has not been reformed and needs to be looked at again.
I welcome the Minister's update. The SCEP is wonderful. It has made a massive difference in a huge number of communities and lives and deserves the support of the whole of government. I call on the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to provide its support and adequate funding. Every cent that goes into the programme is money well spent and provides a massive return for communities and for the State in general. I look forward to reading the review. Something is learned from every programme and something new always comes to the attention of the Minister and officials. I reiterate the call on the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform to give approval for the opening up of the programme to new applicants and to provide funding - if it is a question of funding - as the money is well needed. Let us get on with it.
The Minister and I are having good engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform. It will certainly be listening closely to what Deputy Griffin said. We welcome that. The engagement with the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, is also good. We are keen to get the programme open because sports clubs are waiting for it. They are keen to apply and are getting ready for it.
In response to Deputy Andrews, we will not abolish or replace this programme, which he previously called for. It is important. However, there is a point in urban and growing areas where clubs do not have facilities and the Deputy is correct about that. Quite frankly, in some areas they probably should not have their own facilities. It would be far more efficient for the local authority to have a multi-sport facility that is big enough for all clubs to use. That model will have to be considered in developing areas, including mine. There is huge demand. It is impossible for clubs to buy land. It is a real problem. We are looking at it. To be fair, the programme gives an opportunity to a huge number of clubs. We are focusing on disadvantaged areas. For example, the Deputy's colleague mentioned boxing earlier. I have said to the Irish Athletic Boxing Association, IABA, that we want to help boxing clubs. There are many boxing clubs around the country and they need better facilities. We are willing to help them as best we can.
I accept that the programme has been of huge benefit to many clubs. As I said, it needs to be reformed. A sports facilities strategy is needed. It is not in place. It was not mentioned in the review today. Another issue I have mentioned previously relates to clubs in disadvantaged areas. I accept that the programme gives a weighting to clubs in less affluent areas but the difficulty is that if they do not have the money upfront in the bank, they cannot draw down the grant. That does not apply to many other grants the Department pays out. It seems unfair. A club that recently contacted me was awarded slightly less than €50,000. It cannot draw it down because it does not have that kind of money in the bank. That is a serious issue for clubs in less affluent areas applying for grants.
I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach for the opportunity to come in and the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, for his response. Clubs in our constituencies applied for the latest round of funding and received the maximum, €150,000, or a little less. Due to building and construction cost inflation, that €150,000 will cover substantially less work than it would have when they were drafting their plans and applied. I would love to see an opportunity as that part of the application process for consideration to be given to some of those clubs for which the initial grant given does not now cover the cost of what was planned and the plans have stalled as they are not able to draw down the money.
I cannot say that we will do as Deputy Lahart suggests but we will certainly examine the matter. I am willing to look at individual projects with the Deputy. This is a general issue, which is causing a huge problem. The reality is that we gave out the most money we ever gave out, by some multiples, in the latest round. Clubs have done extremely well comparatively from that. We want to ensure the facilities are delivered. The truth is that the drawdowns of funding are along the same lines as before. Clubs are drawing down, but we will wait and see how that progresses. There is a lower co-payment for clubs from disadvantaged areas. That is something we can look at. I take that point.
Sport Ireland is doing an audit of sports facilities at the moment. I hope that audit will be published in June or July. I am not entirely sure when it is due; it is in the hands of Sport Ireland. There is a lot of work going on with local authorities. I hope that audit can spark a discussion about how best to provide sports facilities. My officials have met the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage's officials about it. I will follow up with a meeting with the Minister shortly. When the audit is published, it will inform the debate to a greater extent. I am from east Meath where we are badly stuck for facilities so I know all about it and am willing to work on it with colleagues across the House.
12. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when planning for the famine remembrance days will be incorporated into her Department (details supplied). [12876/23]
I thank the Minister for taking my question. I tabled this question in February and it might have done a tour of Departments before it landed on the Minister's desk so I am grateful to her for taking it today. It relates to a commemorative date plaque of the first famine commemoration, which was held, not in Skibereen in 2009, but at the Custom House in Dublin, appropriately, in 2008.
The Deputy also asked why responsibility for the commemoration is with my Department. My Department hosts the national famine commemoration day each year. As the Deputy mentioned, the commemoration was established in 2008, with the secretariat to the committee provided by the then Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. The secretariat role and responsibility for organising the national famine commemoration has remained with my Department since then. On 1 May 2018, the Government approved the designation of the third Sunday of May each year as National Famine Commemoration Day. The arrangements for the holding of the commemoration on this day or the preceding Saturday is decided each year following consultation with the relevant local authority and host community. The commemoration takes place in each province on a rotating basis.
This year it will be held in Milford, County Donegal next Sunday, 21 May. The commemoration, which will be open to the public, will be presided over by the President and will include military honours and a wreath laying ceremony. The national famine commemoration is an opportunity for the State and communities to honour the memory of those who were lost to death and emigration due to the Great Famine. The location of the annual commemoration is usually announced in early spring each year. However, the planning and preparation with the relevant stakeholders begins some time before the official announcement.
The national famine commemoration committee, which I Chair, has responsibility for considering and developing appropriate arrangements for annual national commemorations of the famine. Membership of the committee includes a range of parties, including representatives of relevant governmental and non-governmental organisations, NGOs, as well as individuals with a particular interest or expertise in relevant issues.
With respect to the Deputy Lahart's question on the plaque, officials from my Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the OPW have agreed to the placement of a plaque in the Custom House visitors' centre to commemorate the first meeting of the national famine commemoration committee in 2008. It is expected it will be installed in the coming weeks.
I am grateful. I presume the impetus for that came from the Minister. It is 15 years later. Key figures from NGOs and other organisations are often involved. A constituent of mine, Mr. Michael Blanch, has been a strong advocate of famine commemoration. He will be delighted to hear that the plaque will finally be placed in the Custom House. A plaque is installed to mark the site of the commemoration each year. He also made the point to me that responsibility for all national commemorative days and events is located in the Department of the Taoiseach and he wonders why responsibility for famine commemoration is not located there. A criticism from people involved in the famine piece is that two months' advance notice of where the event will be held is not adequate. The optimum would be that six months' to a year's advance notice of where in each province it will be held would be appropriate. Perhaps the Minister can answer that. I am grateful for a conclusion to the issue of the plaque.
The Deputy and his constituency colleague, Deputy Duffy, have been in contact with me about the work of Michael Blanch on many occasions.
He would have more access to Ministers.
The annual national Famine commemoration has been marked formally since 2008 with full Defence Forces involvement and senior level representation, including the President, the Taoiseach and senior Government representation.
Because this event is a community-based event, it was originally under the remit of the then Department of Rural, Community and Gaeltacht Affairs. As this event continues to be a community-based ceremonial event, the secretariat remains within my Department.
In addition, as my Department is responsible for the decade of centenaries programme, which also engages extensively with local communities, there is significant clustering of expertise in respect of commemoration events.
This is a hugely important date in the calendar of commemorative events, particularly for the communities in which it is hosted. This community-based approach has helped inform and educate the people of Ireland about the Famine and it is hugely appreciated in communities in which it is based.
I ask Deputy Lahart to be brief.
I am heartened to know that a constituency colleague has an equal interest in this. The Deputy has probably more access to the Minister than I would have.
Those were fairly comprehensive responses, particularly in relation to the commemorative plague. The Minister will agree 15 years is a long time to wait but I am grateful that she, as Minister, has ensured that it is finally happening. It will be appreciated.
I was glad to confirm that it is expected to be installed in the coming weeks.
