Vol. 1044 No. 3
1. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide the most recent update in relation to the two ongoing reviews she has commissioned into governance, culture, contractor fees, human resources and other matters in RTÉ, including timelines for their completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45983/23]
I ask the Minister to provide the most recent update in relation to the two ongoing reviews she has commissioned into governance, culture, contractor fees, human resources and other matters in RTÉ, including timelines and dates for completion.
First, I want to acknowledge the absolute devastation across Cork and Waterford due to flooding yesterday. My thoughts are with homeowners and to people working in tourism and hospitality businesses in the region. I know the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Heather Humphreys, has activated the humanitarian assistance scheme which will give assistance to householders affected by flooding. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Simon Coveney, has committed to working with the local councils, including Cork County Council, to assess the damage and respond quickly with financial supports for businesses.
On Deputy Munster's question, on 4 July last, following the revelations of governance failings in RTÉ and with the agreement of my Government colleagues, I announced the commissioning of an examination of RTÉ composed of two separate and parallel reviews and an examination of the RTÉ barter account by a forensic accountant. The two separate reviews are a review of governance and culture that is being overseen by an expert advisory committee led by Professor Niamh Brennan and a review of contractor, HR and other matters led by Mr. Brendan McGinty.
The work of both committees is being supported by a professional services firm, Crowe Advisory Ireland, which was appointed following two separate procurement processes undertaken by my Department with the assistance of the Office of Government Procurement. The committees are also supported by a secretariat comprised of officials from my Department.
I understand that under the direction of the expert advisory committees, the two reviews are making good progress. I have been informed that both expert advisory committees have undertaken an information gathering and analysis phase based on their terms of reference and are now in the process of engaging with key stakeholders. They have also met with the Chair and director general as well as sub-committees of the board which have been set up for the purposes of engaging with the respective expert advisory committees for the reviews.
As I originally set out when I announced the reviews, due to the complexity and breadth of issues to be reviewed, I expect that they will take six months to complete. Accordingly, I expect to receive the reports from the expert advisory committees early in the New Year.
These two independent reviews are a central component in identifying the corporate governance, cultural and other operational issues at RTÉ that have led to the current crisis and in addressing them to ensure that trust can be restored in our largest public service broadcaster. Given the complexity of the issues involved, it is important that we give them the time to do so.
I thank the Minister for the reply. It is good to get that update. I did submit two other questions that were disallowed by the Department relating to inquiries into RTÉ. One of them was about when RTÉ appeared before the Committee of Public Accounts two weeks ago. Serious concern has been raised about RTÉ's refusal to furnish us with the key documents around the setting up of the tripartite agreement. RTÉ claimed initially that it was because of legal privilege, then that it was because of client confidentiality. RTÉ has the right to waive client confidentiality.
In light of all that has unfolded, I want to get the Minister's opinion as to whether or not she feels that RTÉ should furnish the Committee of Public Accounts with those documents and not force the committee to compel them to do so. It is the ideal opportunity to build trust and regain confidence in people.
As I have stated on many occasions, the Oireachtas is right to expect maximum transparency. The director general pledged to cooperate at the end of that particular meeting with requests in relation to that. He has cooperated with other queries from the Oireachtas and has given a significant amount of documentation.
While RTÉ has provided certain details, on GDPR grounds it has stated that it is not possible to share certain information. I understand that the committee is frustrated with this and is anxious to have full transparency and clarity. That will help in the rebuilding of trust.
Last week, Mr. Bakhurst said that he had to have regard to legal advice and I believe we should await his response in this regard. In relation to that note specifically, my officials followed up after the meeting of the Committee of Public Accounts. I understand that the director general is seeking to arrive at a solution now, which I welcome, that will be acceptable to the committee. There is an effort underway and that is key.
I am aware that there have been other documents which RTÉ was not in a position to share for reasons of GDPR but I suppose it has to uphold the law in this regard about the rights of individuals. In relation to that note specifically, he said towards the end of the meeting that he would try to find a way and my understanding from follow-up from my Department is that he is really trying to seek a solution.
I sincerely hope he does. It is in the interest of RTÉ as much as anyone else's not to frustrate the workings of the committee and not to force us down the legal route of compelling the documents.
The other issue I wanted to mention was in the other question that was disallowed. This is about the issue of bogus self-employment in RTÉ and the fact that €1.2 billion has already been paid to Revenue for workers that were bogusly classed as self-employed. It was the first time ever that RTÉ put on public record that it has set aside up to €20 million out of the remaining €68 million because they know that Revenue is going to be coming after them. At a minimum the figure is €19 million. It goes back decades, where workers within RTÉ, the public service broadcaster, were bogusly classed as self-employed and denied pension rights, holiday leave, holiday pay, sick leave, all of the entitlements that other workers are entitled to.
We were listening to that and then we had heard about exit packages that were given to those at the top. Some of these people were not even entitled to those packages. The ones at the top walked off into the sun with their exit packages, some of whom who were not entitled to them, and the workers were left in limbo, having been denied their entitlements.
The worst thing of all is that RTÉ had set aside the sum for Revenue but not one cent for workers. I would like the Minister's opinion on that.
As the Deputy knows, the investigation by the Department of Social Protection is ongoing. There are a large number of cases to be examined and adjudicated on. RTÉ is obliged to make provisions for such payments as they outlined last week at the meeting last week. This will be required to be paid and to correspond and to correct the PRSI contributions of the workers involved, as they are determined by the Department.
RTÉ officials responded to the question of providing for the potential PRSI liabilities at the committee meeting last week. The officials were not in a position to give a definitive figure on the provision but they outlined that it was under €20 million, as the Deputy is aware. The provision is being kept under review. There is a total of 695 cases involved. Investigation of 149 of these has started or has been completed. It is an ongoing process that is likely to take considerable time to complete.
It is in relation to the workers. RTÉ has not set aside any money to compensate workers.
On the question of retrospection, these are employees and contractors of RTÉ and it is a matter for it to address any such questions. The rights of individuals must be protected. I am aware that previously, after the Eversheds review, RTÉ engaged with unions in a facilitated process to address questions of retrospective compensation but any future retrospective compensation is a matter for RTÉ and not me, as Minister.
2. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the Government will consider reintroducing a large-scale sport infrastructure fund; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45984/23]
I ask that the Government consider introducing a new large-scale sports infrastructure fund and I ask the Minister to make a statement on the matter.
The national sports policy, which was published in 2018, provided for the establishment of a large-scale sport infrastructure fund, LSSIF. The first call for proposals under the LSSIF closed in 2019 with applications confined to local authorities and national governing bodies of sport. All applications were assessed in accordance with the published evaluation procedures and guidelines and the first allocations were announced in January 2020. Thus far, approximately €86.4 million has been awarded to 33 different proposals. Details of all allocations, a number of which are in Galway, are on the Department's website.
The first LSSIF allocations were announced just prior to the arrival of the Covid pandemic. The pandemic obviously gave rise to financial challenges for all grantees with many of them having to reprioritise their own expenditure plans due to reductions in their income streams. In more recent times, the high level of construction inflation has also presented considerable challenges for grantees.
In light of these issues, it was considered timely to review progress on all projects allocated grants and meetings with all grantees have taken place. It is encouraging that, based on these discussions with grantees, a majority of the 33 projects should be in a position to draw down funding in the next 12 months. While this progress is very welcome, these discussions also confirmed that some projects in receipt of LSSIF grants may not proceed in the short to medium term.
Following engagement with the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, and in recognition of the challenges I mentioned, officials in my Department wrote to all LSSIF grantees inviting them to apply for additional support by 4 August. To be considered for additional funding, grantees were advised that the key elements of the project should remain as set out in the original application and that priority would be given to those who provide evidence-based documentation to support their application. I hope to be in a position to announce further allocations to grantees in due course to ensure that all existing LSSIF projects are advanced.
With regard to a possible new round, I am determined to see continued investment in sports facilities in order to ensure we achieve our ambitious targets for sports participation. Accordingly, I will continue to engage with the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform on the funding required to underpin any new round.
I welcome the Minister of State's response. As the Minister of State said, in 2020 the large-scale sports infrastructure fund awarded over €86 million to 33 projects across Ireland. This was a very welcome innovation by the Government at the time and ensured that many clubs and sporting organisations were able to develop ambitious plans to improve sporting facilities and increase access for all ages, groups and ability levels.
Many sports clubs and organisations around the country are looking to build large-scale facilities but with a cap of €200,000 on funding available under the sports capital and equipment programme unfortunately, many projects simply cannot go ahead as the shortfall between funding available and fundraising capacity is just too great. Given that the Government has set a target of increasing the percentage of people participating in sports from 40% to 60% by 2027, I would ask that the Government would seriously consider introducing a new large-scale sports infrastructure fund.
I support Deputy Grealish. The large-scale sports infrastructure fund has been very important and we should have another large-scale sports infrastructure fund as soon as possible. The Minister of State will be familiar with one club in the north west, Sligo Rovers, a co-operative venture owned by the people of Sligo and surrounding areas. They want to apply along with many others in my area. It would be very good to have this sports fund set up.
I know my own local League of Ireland team will be playing in Sligo the weekend after next. Who knows, maybe we will catch up there. I do not know just yet but I certainly have interest in that.
We want to see another large-scale sports infrastructure fund go forward but we also want to see projects built. One of the flaws with the previous programme was that many of these projects were not built. Galway has a number of projects, one of which I do not know the status of, namely, the Galway regional aquatic and fitness centre. It is in a category of site difficulties delays etc. The Deputy could inquire with Galway County Council. My officials are engaging. Others are the New Inn sports campus and the sports community centre in Renville. I visited the club in Renville and I know the people there are determined to see it. That is undergoing due diligence at the moment, which has to happen for grant-aided projects of this nature. We want to see this happening and we hope to be announcing further funding for those who applied in due course.
I welcome the support of Deputy Feighan. In Galway alone, there were three projects as the Minister of State mentioned. The proposed €20 million project for Connacht Rugby has actually started and a new surface has been put on the pitch. The project in Renville and Oranmore is being prepared to go out to tender. They have raised over €1 million locally to get that project over the line. I compliment the people in Oranmore. More than 10,000 people live in the area. The project covers 35 acres comprising four pitches, and includes a walkway and a greenway. Those two projects have benefited from the large-scale sports infrastructure fund. They would not have happened but for that fund. I compliment the Government on bringing that forward at the time. I would like to see another fund introduced. Sport plays a major part with our young people. An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach, Deputy Canney, is involved in a major project in Tuam with the Tuam stadium. I am sure funding from a large-scale sports infrastructure fund would benefit that immensely. I ask the Minister of State to look at it seriously. It could be done every two to three years; I would welcome that.
On a point of clarification, Sligo Rovers will play the Minister of State's club, Drogheda United, on 28 October at 6 o'clock. When he comes to visit his in-laws, he and the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, are more than welcome to call in.
I did not mention the Connacht Rugby project, which is one of the most significant ones. The thinking in the Department about any new round should be borne in mind by anyone considering it because there is considerable work to do. Any facilities that we will be funding in the future, including the top-ups, will need to have published policies on similar access to facilities for men and women. That is an innovation I introduced. It is absolutely necessary and when we award grants, clubs will be required to set that out so that the women and men can see this is a fair division of the facilities. That is for every project.
If we are granting significant amounts of money to a particular project in an area in the future, we will need to think very hard about other sports being involved. They should not just be allowed to use the facilities, as has been required in the sports capital projects for forever and a day, but should be integrated and part of a joint venture. Those types of projects will find favour in any future round of sports capital funding.
3. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to comment on the ongoing campaign led by Irish Equity seeking to end the practice of Irish performers and writers facing obstacles such as needing to sign so-called buy-out contracts in order to work in the audiovisual arts, including projects funded by her Department; and if she will ensure that the issuing of funding of cultural certificates by her Department will be contingent on eradicating this practice and supporting performers and writers. [45920/23]
I ask the Minister to comment on the campaign led by Irish Equity seeking to end the practice of Irish performers and writers facing obstacles such as needing to sign so-called buy-out contracts before they can get any work and the associated loss of earnings.
This is a complex and nuanced issue. Screen industry contracting may vary from production to production with a range of production types from lower budget domestic productions to higher budget incoming international productions. There are different approaches to purchasing rights for film and television projects.
Standard contracts between producers and creative rights holders vary from country to country, with different approaches throughout Europe. In this context, creatives currently operate under a range of different work-related agreements. Section 481 does not obligate one set of terms over another.
Matters relating to intellectual property rights, copyright and the transposition into Irish law of the EU copyright directive fall under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The transposed directive aims to strengthen and protect the rights of authors, performers and the wider creative community, notably with online platforms.
Certain provisions within the directive, designed to help Irish copyright law keep pace with the digital age, require all industry stakeholders to work together towards establishing new frameworks and agreements.
The acting profession in the audiovisual industry is represented by Irish Equity-SIPTU. In the first instance, SIPTU may negotiate and agree contracts, arrangements and rates for stage and screen actors in Ireland. SIPTU also represents many of the screen workers guilds and, in that context, a shooting crew agreement is in place and operates in the sector.
Earlier this year Screen Ireland, the State body with responsibility for the development of the Irish audiovisual industry, retained an independent facilitator to meet stakeholders to understand and discuss issues that have arisen since the transposition into Irish law of the EU copyright directive. During the first phase of the process, individual stakeholder meetings were held and, subsequently, moderated group discussions took place with screenwriters, directors, composers, actors, and animation and live action producers, with a view to finding common understandings and potential clarifications that might be required around the legislation. As a collective, the industry representative group has proposed next steps that Screen Ireland is reviewing with a view to supporting progress. It is important to allow that process the opportunity to address some of these concerns in the first instance. As Minister, I encourage all representative groups to continue to engage in this process and in negotiating fair agreements to ensure the continued success and growth of the industry.
This has been an ongoing issue. In recent days and weeks two sets of email pleas have inundated my email account. One has to do with the slaughter in Gaza by the Israelis; the other pertains to this question of creatives, as the Minister calls them, that is, performers and writers, and their families demanding that Irish performers be paid fairly for their work, in line with what is common in other countries. This has to do with the increasing practice - it was not always there - which is, in fact, nearly compulsory now, that those creatives, in order to get any work in the audiovisual sector in Ireland, have to sign buyout contracts and waive their future residual payments. Yet we see, under section 481 and other encouragements for the audiovisual sector, that those who are in charge or the producers get the benefits whereas the workers, the creatives, do not seem to get them and are forced to sign away their rights.
I am aware of the communication with Deputies and understand that a petition that was handed in stated that every Irish performer and crew member deserves the right to appropriate and proportionate remuneration and that Irish performers will not be subject to lesser terms and conditions regarding their intellectual property rights than international performers in similar roles. I am in full agreement with those sentiments and want to see a sustainable screen industry in Ireland in which everyone is treated fairly and receives fair and equitable remuneration. If an Irish performer is in a situation in which he or she is subject to lesser terms and conditions than others in similar roles, or is aware of such a situation, I ask him or her to bring it to the attention of my Department or of Screen Ireland.
I can tell the Minister from having met many creatives, some in my family, that only up the road there are better terms and conditions for those creatives who are on film sets in the North than there are for those in this State. Yet with the section 481 relief the Government facilitated the industry once again in the budget. I am not arguing about that - there is a vital need for section 481 - but, hand in hand with any changes that benefit the industry, we have to make sure there is a benefit for the creatives working in the industry, and we have not moved in that regard. I think the Department is well aware of situations in which, whether in England or in the North, writers in Equity have shown to everyone that they have different terms and conditions and are not forced to sign buyout contracts in the way they are here.
I am asking for any specific cases to be brought to the Department or to Screen Ireland. As the Deputy said, the section 481 cap was lifted. That was welcomed by stakeholders, including Irish Equity, which sought that. There is a process in place whereby Screen Ireland has put in an independent facilitator. There is that lack of clarity around the assignment of intellectual property in the screen industry. There is also a lack of clarity about the ability of some creatives to enter into collective bargaining. That issue has also emerged. I hope that the outcome of the process is to reach an agreement on the operation of the new law and identify all matters that need clarification. I encourage full engagement with that process.
I thank the Minister for that. I agree, and I hope the process will have a very short timeframe to ensure that it is delivered. We are in a cost-of-living crisis and a housing crisis. Those creatives, as the Minister calls them, deserve to live and to see the benefit of their work in the same way as in other countries. Will the Minister try to accelerate the process to ensure that there is delivery and that we will not be back here in a year's time asking the exact same question and getting the same answer? This did not just pop up in the past while. While the issue has gained heightened awareness because of the campaign by Equity and others writing to us all, it has been an underlying issue that has been raised with me and with former Ministers in the past. It is a condition of employment now in the audiovisual industry for most companies. That is not good enough and it needs to stop. Will the Minister call on the industry to stop the current practice, especially while that Screen Ireland process is in place?
I ask the Deputy to bring the specific examples to my attention. We need to be contacted and need the specific examples brought to the attention of the Department or of Screen Ireland. That is crucial in this.
As regards the process, Screen Ireland has put in an independent facilitator, and that is really important. The Deputy asks for haste there, but haste sometimes can be the enemy of the good. The process needs to be given the proper time to give the stakeholders the time to flesh out the issues of concern. As I said, I encourage all representative groups to continue to engage in the process. I met many of them in Galway in July. As I said, the outcome of the process, I hope, will be to reach agreement on the operation of this.
4. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will address concerns expressed by the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation that the recent increase in the VAT rate has eroded competitiveness; if she agrees that, at a minimum, the 9% VAT rate should be kept under review for the food services sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45981/23]
Will the Minister address the concerns expressed by the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation that the recent increase in the VAT rate has eroded competitiveness? Will she agree that, at a minimum, the VAT rate pertaining to the food sector should be kept under review? Will she make a statement on the matter?
While elements of the hospitality sector are also important parts of the wider tourism ecosystem, as Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media I do not have responsibility for the general hospitality sector or the food services sector. However, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and I co-chair the hospitality and tourism forum, which brings together regularly these two important and interrelated sectors.
The Government has strongly supported the tourism and hospitality sectors through a range of fiscal supports, particularly during the Covid pandemic and more recently in dealing with the challenges facing the sector. Those supports have included the retention of the lower VAT rate from November 2021 until 1 September of this year.
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 tourism business continuity supports. These were in addition to significant supports provided through the employment wage subsidy scheme, EWSS, and the Covid restrictions support scheme.
The Minister for Finance has responsibility for VAT rates and other taxation measures. 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 total estimated cost of the reduction of VAT to the Exchequer over that period is €1.2 billion. Notwithstanding this, the Government recognises both 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.
As the Deputy will be aware, I am concerned about the possible impact on other tourism businesses impacted by the reduction in tourist footfall due to tourism accommodation stock displacement. In this context, my primary focus is on supporting those businesses that most merit further assistance. In the period before the budget, I raised with the Minister for Finance the question of applying separate rates of VAT to food and accommodation as a transitional measure on the road to the restoration of the full rate. The Minister reiterated his view that the conditions justifying further adjustments to the VAT rate no longer existed. He also outlined that the Revenue Commissioners have advised that there would be significant practical operational concerns in having different VAT rates applying to hotel accommodation and meals, given how the sector operates, with various packages ranging from bed and breakfast accommodation through to all-inclusive board and lodging packages. I am conscious of the points raised in this regard by the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, ITIC, recently. I intend to meet ITIC next week and I look forward to that engagement.
As the Minister will be aware, the Irish Hotels Federation has pointed out that Ireland has the third-highest VAT rate in the EU. I know the Minister said she does not have direct responsibility for VAT but with her responsibility for tourism, it is important that the view of the sector is articulated and that the sector is supported. More than 285,000 jobs are directly related to tourism in 46,000 tourism businesses. This is a profoundly serious issue as it is a huge sector. In my constituency, in County Offaly in particular, I can see that it is having a profound effect already and businesses need more support. My colleague, Independent local election candidate, Jonathan O'Meara, who owns and operates an outdoor adventure company, Mid Ireland Adventure, as well as Slieve Bloom Mountain Bike Centre, based in Banagher, has also said, as the Minister noted, that the lack of budget hotel accommodation in Offaly is having a knock-on effect. This needs to be resolved. We know there are Government contracts and these mean that tourism is not happening the way it should. People are not coming into the county; they are leaving it and crisscrossing between Dublin and Galway but they are not spending time in Offaly and I am sure the case is the same around the country. This needs to be addressed.
I agree on the knock-on impact on downstream tourism businesses. That is being felt and that is why, as part of the budget settlement, I have secured up to €10 million for tourism in 2024 for a comprehensive programme of supports targeted at downstream tourism businesses experiencing particular trading challenges linked to the reduction in footfall in respect of activities and attractions in regions most impacted by tourism bed stock displacement. This programme of supports includes investment in sustainable tourism development and promotion, industry digitisation, promotion of domestic tourism and festivals and recruitment and retention initiatives. I have also asked Fáilte Ireland to engage with the impacted businesses to consider the scope for a specific tourism support scheme that could help the most affected tourism activities and attractions. I have asked it to report back to me on options and recommendations within four weeks. I wrote that letter last week on the day of the budget. A strong evidence base will be critical in this regard and I have asked the tourism sector, particularly activities and attractions, to please engage with Fáilte Ireland so we can gather that real data in order that we can provide direct and verifiable evidence of how tourism accommodation stock displacement has negatively impacted their businesses and then look to devise a scheme.
I thank the Minister for her response and I acknowledge the support package. However, this is a short-term measure. We need long-term vision and supports and a way of dealing with the fact that so many contracts that have been signed by Government have made it impossible for hotels. The support package will help them to keep their doors open and that is about it in the short term but what about the long term? As the Minister mentioned, we need a specific tourism support scheme but that has to be a long-term initiative. I understand that last month ITIC launched its strategic vision for the sector to 2030, which suggests that tourism revenue has the potential to increase by 50% over the coming years. That is only if Government takes a grip of the reins and promotes pro-tourism and pro-enterprise policies and has a vision. The Government needs to have a vision because it is one thing giving these businesses money and support packages to keep their doors open in the short term but it needs to think long term. For every €1 spent by tourists, 23 cent is generated in VAT. Tourism is vital to our national and local economy and we need to see Government come in with more pro-business and pro-tourism vision and with more of those policies.
This Government has hugely stepped up for tourism since 2020 and the start of the Covid crisis, with funding of €216 million to the sector, which is an increase of 33% on the 2020 level. In the intervening period, massive additional support was pumped into the sector, with my Department's funding for tourism reaching a peak of €286 million in 2022. Today, thankfully much of the tourism sector has recovered to a significant extent. The Covid crisis is over, although a range of challenges remain. Tourism demand, airline capacity and intention to travel to and within Ireland are at strong levels. In the context of this four-year arc of collapse and recovery, it is entirely reasonable that some of the one-off supports we put in place in recent years will taper off. What I have managed to do in this budget is maintain most of the additional funding I had last year. I am aware of the wider costs of doing business for the sector and the Government has taken a range of steps to help address this. As Minister with responsibility for tourism, I have fought hard to help bring this sector through the worst of the Covid crisis and the strength of the sector today is a testament to the collaborative approach we have taken with the tourism agencies, the sector itself and key stakeholders. As I said, I will engage with and meet ITIC early next week.
5. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceisteanna Parlaiminte Uimhreacha 67 den 13 Iúil agus 385 den 20 Meán Fómhair, soiléiriú a thabhairt ar an athbhreithniú atá faoi chaibidil ag Údarás na Gaeltachta faoin bpunann iomlán maoine atá aige agus faoi na féidearthachtaí forbartha atá ann; an bhfuil an taighde críochnaithe; soiléiriú a thabhairt ar an bplean ag eascairt as an taighde sin agus ar na hacmhainní airgeadais a bheidh ag teastáil chun an plean a chur i gcrích; soiléiriú a thabhairt ar shonraí na teagmhála a bhí ag an Aire leis an Údarás maidir leis na hábhair sin; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [45986/23]
Baineann mo cheist le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta agus go háirithe leis an athbhreithniú atá faoi chaibidil aige maidir leis na foirgnimh, na suíomhanna agus an talamh atá i seilbh an údaráis. Cá bhfuil an t-athbhreithniú sin? Ba mhaith liom soiléiriú a fháil ó thaobh na hathbhreithnithe agus ó thaobh aon phlean atá beartaithe maidir leis an taighde sin. Freisin, rud atá an-tábhachtach, luaim na hacmhainní a bheidh ag teastáil chun aon phlean a chur i gcrích.
Tuigim go bhfuil athbhreithniú Údaráis na Gaeltachta ar phunann maoine na heagraíochta críochnaithe anois. Le linn an athbhreithnithe, rinneadh taighde ar na féidearthachtaí a bhaineann leis an bpunann sna seacht gcontae Gaeltachta agus tá cainteanna ar bun anois ar bhonn leanúnach leis na cliantchomhlachtaí atá ina dtionóntaí cheana féin agus le cliaint nua atá ag iarraidh spáis tráchtála nó spás níos mó a thógáil ar cíos.
Níos minice ná a mhalairt bíonn obair le déanamh ar fhoirgnimh mar chéad chéim do thionóntaí agus bíonn aon chaiteachas caipitil le glanadh ag bord an údaráis. Bíonn iarratais ar allúntais caipitil ag dul os comhair an bhoird ar bhonn leanúnach agus ceadaítear tograí agus maoiniú ina leith de réir a chéile agus ar bhonn riachtanas. Mar is eol don Teachta Connolly, mar shampla, fógraíodh 100 post i monarchan theic-leighis Freudenberg ar an 2 Deireadh Fómhair sa Spidéal i gContae na Gaillimhe. Bíonn saolré fada i gceist lena leithéid de fhógra ar mhaithe le foirgneamh ar an gcaighdeán cuí a fhorbairt a mheallfaidh rólanna ar ardchaighdeán chun na Gaeltachta i bhfianaise géar-iomaíochta d'infheistíocht dá leithéid.
Tá ráite ag an údarás go bhfuil próiseas inmheánach pleanála ag teacht chun críche a bheidh mar bhunchloch d'fhorbairtí nua a bheidh ag dul os comhair bhoird na heagraíochta le hallúntais caipitil a cheadú do thograí a bheidh ar bun as seo go ceann roinnt bliana. Mar a thuigim ón údarás, tá teagmháil leanúnach ar bun le cliaint reatha, cliaint nua, údaráis áitiúla agus soláthróirí seirbhisí. Beidh na tograí sin ar fad á bhforbairt go céimiúil le dul i dtreo an próisis pleanála agus aon chomhairliúcháin poiblí a bhaineann leis an bpróiséas sin.
Tá neart istigh sa fhreagra sin. Mar sin beidh orm é a léamh go cruinn. An rud is tábhachtaí ná go bhfuil an taighde críochnaithe agus is dea-scéal é sin.
Tá a lán ceisteanna curtha agam agus freagraí faighte. Is rud maith é. Is buntáiste é go bhfuil réimse leathan foirgnimh, talún, agus suíomhanna i seilbh an údaráis a bhuí don obair a rinne sé agus Gaeltarra rompu. An rud a chuireann isteach orm ná go bhfuil na suíomhanna agus na monarchana folamh le tréimhse fhada anuas. Tá an taighde críochnaithe. Níor chuala mé aon fhocal maidir le plean a bheith ag eascairt as an taighde sin, go háirid ó thaobh úsáidí eile don talamh ar son foirgnimh agus suíomhanna agus le dul i dtreo, mar shampla, cúrsaí tithíochta. Tá an téama céanna tagtha aníos go mion minic ó thaobh géarchéim na tithíochta atá ar fud na Gaeltachta uilig. Cén soiléiriú gur féidir leis an Aire Stáit a thabhairt dom maidir le húsáid difriúla talún a chur chun cinn?
Tuigim tuairimí an Teachta ar an ábhar sin. Tá na tuairimí céanna aici maidir leis an eagraíocht eile atá faoi mo chúram, sé sin, Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí. Maidir leis an taighde agus cad atá i gceist ag an údarás a dhéanamh faoi láthair, úsáidtear maoiniú an údaráis ar mhaithe le cuspóirí na heagraíochta mar atá sonraithe sa phlean straitéise 2021 go 2025 a chur i gcrích chun leas pobal na Gaeltachta. Tá an taighde seo mar ghné tábhachtach don anailís criticiúil gur gá a dhéanamh go tráth rialta chun deimhin a dhéanamh de go bhfuil úsáid na maoine ag sásamh na cuspóirí straitéiseacha. Beidh an t-údarás ag baint úsáid as an taighde sin go luath.
Tuigim cé chomh tábhachtach is atá an taighde. Tá sé críochnaithe agus mar a dúirt mé is dea-scéala é sin. An cheist anois ná cén plean atá ann le dul i ngleic leis na foirgnimh atá folamh agus an talamh áit nach bhfuil aon fhorbairt agus mar sin. Tugaim moladh i gcónaí don údarás. Gan é, bheadh an ghéarchéim i bhfad níos measa. Tá féidearthachtaí anseo. Céim a haon ná an taighde a dhéanamh agus a bheidh ionraic ó thaobh stádas na punainne maoinithe seo. Anois an t-am do phlean. Níos tábhachtaí ná sin ná oibriú amach an féidir na suíomhanna a úsáid ó thaobh cúrsaí tithíochta de. Cén taighde atá déanta air sin agus cá bhfuil na treoracha pleanála do na Gaeltachtaí?
Is ceisteanna iad sin do bhord an Údaráis féin. Rinne mé dearmad mo bhuíochas a ghabháil agus rath a ghuí ar na baill atá ceaptha ar bhord an údaráis le déanaí. Is iad sin: Máire Áine Uí Ailín, Sonya Uí Shíoda, Caitlín Ní Bhroin, Mícheál Ó Drisleáin, Seán Ó Cuirreáin, agus cathaoirleach an bhoird, Mary Uí Chadhain. Tá súil agam go mbeidh mé in ann buaileadh le baill an bhoird go luath agus na ceisteanna atá ag an Teachta Connolly a chur ós comhair an bhoird. B'fhéidir go mbeidh díospóireacht againn maidir leis an taighde atá críochnaithe acu agus ar na ceisteanna atá ag an Teachta. Ní aon amhras orm ach go bhfuil na ceisteanna sin an-tábhachtach do phobal na Gaeltachta agus b'fhéidir go mbeidh seans agam filleadh ar an Teach nuair atá an cruinniú sin leis an mbord críochnaithe.
