I welcome the Minister, the Minister of State and their officials. The committee will consider the following Revised Estimates: Vote 41 for the Arts Council, Vote 42 for the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands and Vote 43 for the National Gallery. The Minister and Minister of State will speak first, followed by the Opposition spokespersons. There will then be a general discussion.
Estimates for Public Service, 2002.
Vote 41 — Arts Council (Revised).
Vote 42 — Office of the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (Revised).
Vote 43 — National Gallery (Revised).
I am delighted to present the Revised Estimates, 2002, for Votes 41 to 43, covering the Arts Council, the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands and the National Gallery. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Coughlan, will speak on the subheads to an Ghaeltacht, an Gaeilge agus na hOileáin.
Since taking office I have secured levels of funding for the Arts Council that are well in excess of anything achieved in the past. I provided £26 million for the council in 1998, which allowed it complete the then current arts plan. This was followed by provision of £100 million for the period of the second arts plan, which ran from 1999 to 2001. The amount allocated to the council for 2002 is 47.669 million which is over 80% in excess of what was available to the council in 1997.
Under the second arts plan for 1999 to 2001, the council decided to move from being, in large measure, a funding agency to being a developmental agency for the arts. While much of the funding to be allocated by the Arts Council under this plan would continue to be available to artists and arts organisations, the council recognised the need to change fundamentally the way in which it worked in response to changing needs and circumstances.
The Arts Council has now submitted its third plan for the years 2002 to 2006. This plan builds on the approach adopted by the council for the second plan and it proposes to focus available resources on six overall objectives: to make an arts career a realistic ambition for excellent and innovative artists; to broaden and enrich participation in the arts; to raise standards in arts leadership and management; to broaden and enhance audiences for the arts; to extend the international impact of the success of Irish arts and artists and to work with others to help bring the arts closer to local communities. The plan will continue the transformation of the Arts Council from a grant giving body to the body that will, while continuing to disburse grant aid, place increasing emphasis on enhancing the long-term capacity of the arts sector to maximise self sufficiency and on strengthening the levels of management, including commercial management, available within the sector. The council is adapting to change in our society and in its operating context will become a development agency as well as a distributor of funds.
It is clear that changes are also needed to the legislative framework for the arts. The relevant legislation at present is the 1951 and 1973 Arts Acts. However, a great amount of change has occurred since these Acts became law. There is now a Minister with specific responsibility for the arts and much has been learned from the experience of operating under existing legislation. I have, therefore, obtained Government approval for the general scheme of the new arts Bill which I hope to publish in the coming weeks. While I cannot disclose details of the Bill until it is published, it has been based on a long and extensive process of consultation and will provide a framework for the arts that is more relevant to today's environment.
Vote 42 is for the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. The administrative budget has risen to 44.567 million, reflecting the increased staff levels and higher running costs associated with a developing and expanding Department. A new subhead, A8, with funding of 600,000 has been added to cover the costs of the initiation of e-government in the Department. With regard to the cultural institutions, in order to facilitate greater clarity and transparency the funds have been reorganised for 2002 to show spending on the National Museum, the National Library and the National Archives in subhead C1 and spending on the Chester Beatty Library, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the National Concert Hall and the National Archives advisory council in subhead C2.
I am pleased to have secured an overall increase of 45%, that is from 6.628 million to 9.43 million, in the funding for the National Museum, the National Library and the National Archives under subhead C1. Individual funding for each of these institutions has been increased significantly this year. Furthermore, the provision for these main institutions has increased from 4.048 million in 1997 to 9.43 million in 2002, an increase of 133%.
Subhead C2 has increased by 19% from 6 million to 7.148 million in 2002 over 2001. This figure includes additional capital funding to facilitate the acquisition of additional works of art by the Irish Museum of Modern Art and the renewal and replacement of equipment at the National Concert Hall. The overall level of funding has increased from 3.177 million in 1997 to 7.148 million in 2002, an increase of 125%.
Subhead C3 of my Department's Vote provides current allocations in respect of a number of smaller cultural projects and bodies. These include the Irish Manuscripts Commission, the Irish Architectural Archive and the Hunt Museum. Also included in this subhead is capital funding for a number of specific projects, including Wicklow Gaol, the Maritime Museum in Dún Laoghaire, the Foynes Flying Boat Museum and the Allen Library in Dublin.
A total of 47.7 million will be provided over the 2001 to 2004 period to the arts and culture capital enhancement support scheme, known as ACCESS. The ACCESS scheme, under which grants have been offered to the promoters of 44 projects in 21 counties, will assist the development of arts and culture infrastructure around the country, particularly integrated arts centres, theatres, museums, art galleries, arts studios and other arts production, creative and performance spaces. I am fully satisfied that this scheme will lead to greater participation in the arts, especially in view of the provision of facilities on a broad geographical basis. This most exciting initiative, a follow-on from the CDIS, will receive more than 11 million under subhead C4 in 2002.
Another initiative under this subhead is the Music Board of Ireland which was set up on a non-statutory basis as a joint venture between my Department and IBEC in 2001. Its aim is to devise and actively promote strategic policies for the development of the music industry. Funding of 317,000 for the board in 2002 will allow it to engage the staff it requires and to commission research leading to the development of a strategic plan.
As the committee is aware, the Heritage Fund Act, 2001, came into operation on 21 December 2001. The purpose of the Act is to build up resources for use by the principal State collecting institutions in acquiring items of moveable heritage for the national collections. It is aimed at artefacts above a valuation of 317,435 which are of national importance and could not otherwise be acquired. The collecting institutions involved are the National Museum of Ireland, the National Library, the National Archives, IMMA and the National Gallery. This year 2.539 million has been allocated towards the Heritage Fund under subhead C5 which, added to the 3.809 million in 2001, brings the total amount now in the fund to 6.348 million. By 2005, the total moneys made available for the fund will have risen to 12.697 million.
Subhead C6, with funding of 1 million, is a new subhead which reflects the fact that I now have responsibility for the promotion of the arts in Ireland and abroad. The first major initiative arising in this context will be a festival of Irish art and culture in China, which is expected to take place in 2003 under the terms of a memorandum of understanding on cultural co-operation which I and my Chinese counterpart signed on 3 September last. I recently appointed a steering committee, chaired by Ms Bride Rosney, to prepare proposals for this Irish festival and that committee will have its first meeting shortly. An initial amount of 300,000 has been provided within subhead C6 for costs that may arise in this context. A festival of Chinese arts and culture will follow in Ireland. The balance of 700,000 in subhead C6 is primarily intended to fund the operation of the cultural relations committee which has transferred to my Department from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
As regards broadcasting, it is estimated that 1.145 million television licences will be issued in 2002 yielding 122.4 million in gross receipts. The increase of almost 18% over the 2001 figure reflects the impact in a full year of the increase in the television licence fee which came into effect on 1 September last, along with the projected increase in the number of licences to be issued this year.
Subhead M3 provides 4.753 million for the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland, formerly the Independent Radio and Television Commission. This is the first full year in which the commission has been funded by the Exchequer following the abolition of the 3% levy formerly imposed on independent broadcasters. I also emphasise that the staffing complement of the commission is now 24 full-time and ten part-time employees, having risen from 14 and six, respectively, in the past two years. The Estimate also includes a provision of 635,000 under subhead M4 for a once-off fund to assist local radio stations with transmission costs. This fund will be administered by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland.
The Estimate provides for in excess of 24.6 million in current and capital funding for TG4. Pending the establishment of TG4 on an independent statutory basis, RTE has responsibility for the service and the moneys are paid to it. The allocation for current expenditure rose by 100% over the period 1997 to 2001, when account is taken of the Supplementary Estimate I secured last year. Current funding of a similar order to the 2001 total is being made available this year. In addition, I allocated 3 million for capital works at Baile na hAbhann last year and a further 2.8 million this year.
Subheads N1 and N2 provide for the administration and capital costs of the Irish Film Board. The 1999 report of the Film Industry Strategic Review Group, usually referred to as the Kilkenny report, recommended that the Irish Film Board should be given a more central co-ordinating role for the Irish film industry and the Government has now taken all the steps necessary to bring this about. The Government approved an increase in the staffing complement of the board from seven to 16. That has allowed the board to expand and enhance the service it provides to the Irish film sector and to establish new discrete units for production and development, marketing and locations and business affairs. The funding provided for 2002, totalling 12.265 million, will facilitate the promotion of the Irish film industry at national and international events and the granting of development and production loans to the independent film and television sector. This exceeds the recommendation of the Kilkenny report that the annual budget of the Irish Film Board should increase to at least 12.06 million as the strategic plan for the industry was implemented. The overall level of funding to the Irish Film Board has increased from 5.256 million in 1997 to 12.265 million in 2002, representing an increase of 133%.
Almost 10.5 million is provided for the Heritage Council in 2002. That figure includes 1.274 million for the purchase of a new headquarters building in Kilkenny. The allocation will facilitate an increase in the current and capital grants made by the council in areas such as architecture, archaeology, wildlife and museums and archives. It will also see a continuation of the important scheme for the co-funding of the placement of heritage officers in local authorities. To date, 17 local authorities have heritage officers in place. Overall, current spending on the Heritage Council has increased by 176% over the 1997 to 2002 period, with the corresponding figures for capital, exclusive of the allocation for a new headquarters, increasing by 248%. Subhead R provides for the promotion of my Department's cultural facilities in Ireland and overseas. One project funded from this subhead involves the publication, on a quarterly basis, of a booklet, "Dublin — A Magical Trail of Culture", highlighting the events, concerts, plays, lectures, and exhibitions in eight national cultural institutions. The institutions involved are the Chester Beatty Library, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, the National Archives, the National Concert Hall, the National Gallery of Ireland, the National Library of Ireland, the National Museum of Ireland and the National Theatre. The development of business relationships with tour operators and the assembly of digital image banks for the tourism sector are also facilitated by the provision. My Department's recently revamped website is proving extremely popular with almost 500,000 hits since its launch in January.
Marketing provision is very important. Market research consistently cites the quality of cultural and heritage attractions as being key determinants of the satisfaction of visitors to our country. My Department plays a central role in the provision and running of key centres to meet this demand. Furthermore, the positive role of such attractions was greatly emphasised by the degree to which they were missed by local communities when they were forced to shut during the period of foot and mouth threat.
Under subhead S, 635,000 has been allocated to each of the proposed visitor centre at Ballycroy, County Mayo, and the continuation of the restoration of Doneraile House. My Department acquired a site for the Ballycroy centre last year as part of the process of establishing an 11,800 hectare national park in north-west Mayo. Preliminary design work is now being undertaken in close association with a working group which includes representatives of the local community. I have committed over 500,000 to various improvement works at Glenveagh National Park with particular emphasis on the updating of the interpretative displays at the visitor centre.
In relation to the implementation of the EU Habitats Directive, 1992, provision has been made for 1.5 million of capital expenditure, and 7.17 million of non-capital expenditure in 2002. The capital allocation covers purchase by agreement of lands, mainly in raised bogs, and of turbary rights. The current expenditure allocation of 7.17 million covers compensation payments for requirements placed on landowners, mostly farmers, to secure the conservation of designated areas, including reductions of sheep grazing on western commonages. The cost of surveying and designation of additional special protection areas under the 1979 EU Birds Directive and special areas of conservation under the 1992 Habitats Directive is also covered. A sum of 900,000 is included for the preparation of conservation plans and commonage framework plans for designated sites.
These are exciting times for inland waterways in Ireland as the new cross-Border implementation body, Waterways Ireland, settles into its role of providing a coherent all-island strategy for the management of the inland waterways network. The headquarters of the body are in Enniskillen, with regional offices in Dublin, Scarriff and Carrick-on-Shannon. Three meetings of the North-South Ministerial Council inland waterways sector were held in 2001 and, overall, the new structures are operating well.
The provision for Waterways Ireland this year is 30.075 million. The allocation of 19.5 million for current expenditure includes the wages of 250 staff employed to maintain the infrastructure of the waterways and to developing boating and other amenities. This staff complement is due to rise to 380 through recruitment during the year.
The capital allocation of 11.475 million provides for the continuing development of facilities and new leisure destinations along the waterways. Works have recently been completed to extend navigation to Boyle and along the River Suck to Ballinasloe. Major improvements to the navigation in Limerick city were also completed last year and this is a major asset for the city and the region generally. All three facilities will be open to boats for the coming season.
Further developments will be completed at Shannonbridge and Ballyconnell this year and works will commence at Ballyleague, Scarriff Harbour. Serious consideration is also being given to commencing work on the extension of navigation from Lough Allen towards Dowra, County Cavan.
Waterways Ireland has slowly but surely improved the Royal and Grand Canals and navigation is now possible on the Royal Canal from Dublin to Abbeyshrule in County Longford. A bridge building programme has started to replace eight further bridges on this canal and, in time, the navigable link to the Shannon will be re-established.
A feasibility study into the reopening of the Ulster Canal was recently completed and is being assessed by Departments North and South in conjunction with Waterways Ireland and its consultants. This would be a major undertaking over a number of years and significant public consultation would be involved.
Funding for the Historic Properties Service and for guides at national monuments and historic properties is sourced from subhead U of my Department's Vote. The funds are used for a wide range of activities including the conservation, management and development of 20 historic properties in State care, the provision of public access to these properties and the provision of a high quality guide service for approximately 70 heritage sites.
The allocation for 2002 includes a provision of 1.27 million announced in the budget for the restoration of Fota House in Cork. Other projects funded from the capital allocation of 10.051 million include the restoration of the Palm House at the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, access to Castletown House, County Kildare, and improvements to the perimeter paving on three sides of St. Stephen's Green.
Moving to national monuments and architectural protection, the 2002 allocation under subhead V is 24.7 million. These funds are directed towards a wide range of activities generally covering the protection of built heritage and the care of properties in the ownership of the Department. Of the 24.7 million, 9.714 million has been provided for the day to day routine conservation and maintenance of over 740 national monuments in State care, including wages for approximately 300 staff.
Capital works, which are funded by the national development plan, have been allocated 11.8 million. These funds are used to finance a wide range of important infrastructural projects, both large and small in scale, across the length and breadth of the country. Projects to be funded from this source in 2002 include conservation works at Jerpoint Abbey, the Rock of Dunamase and Jigginstown House.
A sum of 1.8 million has been allocated to archaeological surveys and excavations. The resources necessary for the provision of advice and assistance in relation to planning and development issues are also provided for under this heading. A further 1.8 million is being provided to support the work being undertaken to underpin the conservation of our architectural heritage. The legislative and financial aspects of the package of measures for strengthening the protection of the architectural heritage, which I brought forward in conjunction with the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, have been brought into operation.
Last December, in conjunction with the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, I launched draft architectural heritage protection guidelines for a period of public consultation. The thrust of Government policy in relation to the protection of architectural heritage is to place this responsibility in the hands of planning authorities and An Bord Pleanála. My role, therefore, is primarily advisory. I am initiating work on the action programme on architecture under subhead W.
The allocation for the National Gallery in 2002 is 10.116 million. The provision for current expenditure is up by 27% to 6.927 million. The decrease in the capital allocation reflects the completion and successful opening of the millennium wing, almost 80% of the cost of which was met from public funding. The design of the new wing has been the subject of praise from visitors and the media alike. The current Impressionist exhibition has completely sold out and has already attracted 125,000 visitors. Indeed, the gallery has extended its opening hours to accommodate the demand. The success of this exhibition demonstrates the importance of the project and its potential for the future.
I hope that in this brief outline I have provided the committee with a reasonable feel for my Department's main areas of expenditure for 2002. I will now hand over to my colleague, Deputy Coughlan, Minister of State, who will speak on the subheads relating to an Ghaeltacht, an Gaeilge agus na hOileáin.
San aitheasc uaim beidh me ag díriú ar a bhfuil ar siúl ag na rannóga Gaeilge, Gaeltachta agus Oileán den Roinn — fómhírchinn D go J agus fómhírcheann X de Vóta na Roinne.
Ba mhaith liom cúpla focal a rá faoi Bhille na Gaeilge. Mar is eol don choiste, ghlac an Rialtas le scéim ghinearálta an Bhille Comhionannas um Theangacha Oifigiúla i mí Meitheamh 2001 agus iarradh ar Oifig an Dréachtóra Parlaiminte téacs an Bhille a dhréachtú mar ábhar práinne. Bhíos ag súil go bhfoilseofaí an Bille go luath i mbliana. Is léir, áfach, ó chlár reachtaíochta an Rialtais a foilsíodh i mí Eanáir go bhfuil an-bhrú ar Oifig an Dréachtóra Parlaiminte ó thaobh chur i gcló Billí go gcaithfear iad a fhoilsiú roimh Cháisc. I ngeall ar seo, tá socrú ar leith déanta ag an Árd Aighne go gcuirfidh iar-bhall d'Oifig an Dréachtóra téacs an Bhille i riocht mar ábhar práinne. Tá áthas orm, mar sin, a chur in iúl go bhfuil téacs an Bhille á dhréachtú faoi láthair agus go bhfuil súil agam go bhfoilseofar é le linn an seisiúin Dála seo.
Le trí bhliain anuas tá méadú 30% sa bhreis tagtha ar líon na n-iarratas go dtí an Roinn ar chúnamh tithíochta faoi Achtanna na dTithe (Gaeltacht) i gcomparáid le blianta roimhe sin. Anuraidh fuair an Roinn 1,352 iarratas ar dheontas tithíochta agus críochnaíodh 123 teach nua, maraon le 988 cás eile a bhain le hoibreacha feabhsúcháin, sláintíochta agus méaduithe tí le cabhair deontais ón Roinn.
Tháinig an-bhorradh ar chúrsaí tithíochta sa Ghaeltacht le cúpla bliain anuas de thoradh cúnamh feabhsuithe ón Roinn — cúnamh do theas lárnach nach raibh ann cheana fein agus deontais méaduithe i gcás oibreacha feabhsúcháin, sláintíochta agus méadú a dhéanamh ar theach. Tá an deontas atá ar fáil le haghaidh tí nua sna hoileáin Ghaeltachta dúbailte sa tréimhse sin chomh maith. Tá 3.8 milliún curtha ar fáil i mbliana do dheontais tithíochta faoi na hAchtanna.
Faoi na scéimeanna feabhsúcháin a riarann an Roinn, bíonn deontais chaipitil ar fáil chun muiroibreacha sa Ghaeltacht a fhorbairt, bóithre sa Ghaeltacht a fheabhsú, agus chun áiseanna ar nós hallaí pobail, páirceanna imeartha agus áiseanna eile a chur ar fáil nó a fheabhsú. Trí fheabhsú an bhonneagair, tá sé de chuspóir ag na deontais seo cur le saol sóisialta, cultúrtha agus eacnamaíoch na gceantar Ghaeltachta, chomh maith leis an nGaeilge a neartú mar theanga phobail iontu. Tá soláthar 12.9 milliún ar fáil dom i mbliana le chaitheamh ar na scéimeanna seo. Tá sé i gceist agam an soláthar sin a dháileadh mar seo a leanas: E1, bóithre, 8 milliúin; E2, uisce agus searchas, 60,000; E3, muiroibreacha, 3 milliúin; E4, hallaí agus coláistí, 640,000; E5, saoráidí ilghnéitheacha, 600,000. Sin 12 milliúin san iomlán.
Baineann Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge le coláistí Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht. D'íoc an Roinn cúnamh i leith 24,507 foghlaimeoirí faoin scéim i 2001 — 1,863 daoine fásta san áireamh. Chuaigh na daoine seo go dtí an Ghaeltacht chun feabhas a chur ar a gcuid Gaeilge agus a d'fhan siad ar íostas le 675 teaghlach sa Ghaeltacht. Táthar ag súil leis an méid céanna i mbliana. Méadaíodh an deontas a íoctar leis na teaghlaigh Gaeltachta a choinníonn foghlaimeoirí Gaeilge ar íostas go 7 in aghaidh an lae i 2001 — an dara bliain as a chéile a méadaíodh an deontas áirithe seo.
Tá obair iontach a dhéanamh ag na teaghlaigh sin a choiníonn foghlaimeoirí sa mhéid go gcuireann siad seirbhís den scoth ar fáil agus de thoradh sin is fíor bheagán gearáin a dhéantar leis an Roinn fúthu — tá moladh mór tuillte acu faoin obair thábhachtach a dhéaneann siad ar son caomhnú agus cur chun cinn na Gaeilge. Tá 3.35 milliún curtha ar fáil don scéim seo i mbliana.
Sa scoilbhliain 2000-01, rinne níos mó ná 3,350 teaghlach iarratas ar chúnamh faoi scéim labhairt na Gaeilge agus meastar go mbeidh thart ar an méid céanna i gceist arís sa scoilbhliain 2001-02. Is é cuspóir na scéime ná labhairt na Gaeilge a chur chun cinn sa teaghlach agus sa phobal Ghaeltachta i gcoitinne. Tá éilimh sheasmhach ar an scéim le cupla bliain anuas. Tá 679,000 curtha ar fáil don scéim i mbliana.
Tá an cúnamh bliantúil a chuireann an Roinn ar fáil d'eagraíochtaí atá ag obair le buanú na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht méadaithe go mór le blianta beaga anuas. Taispeánann seo an díogras atá sa Ghaeltacht inniu maidir leis an Ghaeilge agus go dtuigeann an pobal gar acmhainn dóibh an teanga agus go bhfuil fonn orthu á caomhnú ar gach bealach gur féidir leo. Ní feidir luach a chur ar an obair a dhéanann coistí deonacha agus eagraíochtaí eile sa Ghaeltacht ar mhaithe leis an teanga.
Beidh deontais á n-íoc chomh maith i leith imeachtaí cultúrtha ina bhfuil ról lárnach ag an Ghaeilge nó a rachaidh chun tairbhe na Gaeilge agus do shaol cultártha agus sóisialach na gceantair Ghaeltachta — mar shampla, duais scoláireachta ag feiseanna agus irisí áitiúla Gaeltachta. Íocfar cúnamh freisin chun trealaimh áirithe a chur ar fáil d'eagraíochtaí éagsúla agus scoileanna.
Ní miste dom a rá gur bunaíodh scéim nua i 1999, scéim champaí samhraidh trí Ghaeilge d'aos óg na Gaeltachta, chun dul i ngleic le meath na Gaeilge i measc daoine óga taobh istigh den Ghaeltacht. Is é cuspóir na scéime seo ná cabhrú le caomhnú, leathnú agus buanú na Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht agus go háirithe á láidriú mar theanga labhartha i measc aos óg na Gaeltachta. Tá sé i gceist athbhreithniú iomlán a dhéanamh uirthi i mbliana.
Is soláthar caipitil de 32.2 milliún atá á chur ar fáil ón Stát-Chiste don údarás i mbliana le haghaidh forbairt na Gaeltachta, chun deontais a íoc le tionscail, clár tógála a airgeadú agus scaireanna a ghlacadh i gcuideachtaí. Anuas ar an méid sin, tá suim de 6.9 milliún údaraithe don eagraíocht do chaiteachas reatha — mar chabhair chun costais riaracháin a ghlanadh agus chun cúnamh a íoc le comharchumainn Ghaeltachta. Tá breis is 39 milliún in iomlán curtha ar fáil don údarás i mbliana. Léiríonn an soláthar substainteach seo dearcadh an Rialtais maidir leis an tábhacht a bhaineann le forbairt na Gaeltachta.
Cruthaíodh 1,123 post lán-aimseartha i 2001 i gnóthais a fuair cúnamh ón údarás, rud a chíallaíonn go raibh 8,093 daoine fostaithe go lán-aimseartha i ngnóthais faoi scáth an údaráis ag deireadh 2001, titim de 158 ar an líon sa bhliain roimhe. Ag cur san áireamh, áfach, an 4,234 duine a bhí fostaithe go páirt-aimseartha nó go séasúrach, bhí 12,305 daoine fostaithe i ngnóthais a fuair cúnamh ón údarás.
Aithníonn an t-údarás an dúshlán atá roimhe chun fostaíocht tharraingteach a chruthú agus beidh polasaí fostaíochta na heagraíochta feasta ag díriú níos mó ar chaighdeán na bpost seachas líon na bpost. Ba mhaith leis poist ar chaighdeán níos airde a mhealladh chun na Gaeltachta, poist a bheidh oiriúnach do chaighdeáin oideachais ages ardmhianta gairme aos óg na Gaeltachta. Tá na hardmhianta sin ag athrú agus ní foláir don údarás freagairt do na riachtanais athraithe sin. Ní mór don údarás tionscail nua a chur chun cinn taobh leis na seanthionscail — tionscail atá bunaithe ar na teicneolaíochtaí nua-aimseartha: ríomhaireachta, teileachumarsáide, próiseáil eolais, an Idirlíon, ríomhthráchtáil agus fiontair bhonn-digiteach. Chomh maith leis sin caithfear an bunús tionsclaíochta atá ann faoi láthair a láidriú trí inchur i dtaighde agus forbairt, margaíocht, forbairt acmhainní daonna agus forbairt straitéise i gcomhlachtaí.
Chun an geilleagar nua-aimseartha a fhorbairt sa Ghaeltacht, beidh sé riachtanach na heasnaimh struchtúrtha sa Ghaeltacht a fheabhsú tríd an bhonneagar fisiceach, teicneolaíochta, oideachais agus sóisialta ann a uasghrádú. Rinne an t-údarás coimisiúnú ar dhá mhór-staidéar i rith na bliana 2000. Sa chéad cheann, tá staid reatha an bhunlíne agus uasghrádú agus riachtanais mhaoinithe an bhonneagair teileachumarsáide sa Ghaeltacht á mheas. Tá toradh an staidéir sin ar fáil agus úsáidfear é chun críche tionscadail atá á ullmhú faoi láthair ag an Roinn Fiontar Poiblí i gcomhairle le mo Roinn — gréasán teileachumarsáide digiteach d'ardchaighdeán do chósta an iarthair — a fhorbairt faoi phlean fhorbartha náisiúnta. Cuimseoidh an gréasán sin formhór na Gaeltachta. Baineann an dara staidéar le staid an bhonneagair fhisiciúil, shóisialta agus iompair maraon leis an gcostas measta a bhéadh i gceist chun na bonneagair sin a uasghrádú go caighdeán náisiúnta. Tá coiste oibre, le hionadaithe ó mo Roinn agus ón údarás, le moltaí na tuarascála a iniúchadh tuilleadh le feiceáil conas is fearr le feidhm a thabhairt dóibh.
Déantar Ciste na Gaeilge a airgeadú trí Vóta mo Roinn ó fháltais an chrannchuir náisiúnta. Ó bunaíodh an Fhorais Teanga tá na freagrachtaí cistíochta d'eagraíochtaí Gaeilge a shonraítear san Acht um Chomhaontú na Breataine-na hÉireann, 1999, aistrithe chuig Foras na Gaeilge. Leanfar le cúnamh bliantúil a thabhairt as an gCiste d'eagrais áirithe — Bórd na Leabhar Gaeilge, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann agus Taibhdhearc na Gaillimhe. I mbliana d'éirigh liom cúnamh méadaithe a thabhairt do na heagraíochtaí sin. Is ón chiste sin freisin a thugtar cúnamh do thionscadail ar nós Gaillimh le Gaeilge, Gael Taca agus Tiobraid Árainn ag Labhairt. Suim 2.227 milliún atá ar fáil don bhliain 2002.
Bunaíodh an Foras Teanga mar cheann de sé fhoras uile-oileánda faoin Acht um Chomhaontú na Breataine-na hÉireann, 1999. Tá dhá chuid ar leith san fhoras — Foras na Gaeilge agus an Ghníomhaireacht Ultais.
Bhí an triú cruinniú ag an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh-Theas san fhoirm rannógach do theangacha i mí na Nollag seo caite agus táthar ag súil go mbeidh an chéad chruinniú eile sar i bhfad. Cíallaíonnn na socruithe trasteorann seo go mbíonn teagbháil rialta idir státseirbhísigh i mo Roinn agus státseirbhísigh sa Roinn Cultúir, Ealaíon agus Fóillíochta ó Thuaidh. Ba mhaith liom an deis seo a ghlacadh chun an comhoibriú iomlán atá idir an dá Roinn maidir le hobair an Fhorais Teanga a bhrú chun cinn a chur ar phár. Molaim an bealach a thugann an Comhrúnaíocht Thuaidh-Theas cabhair agus comhoibriú don dá Roinn.
Faoi mar is eol don Roghchoiste, is é an socrú atá déanta maidir le maoiniú an dá ghníomhaireacht den Fhoras Teanga ná go seasfaidh an Stáit seo 75% den chostas bliantúil aontaithe i gcás Foras na Gaeilge agus go seasfaidh an Tuaisceart an 25% eile agus is a mhalairt de shocrú airgeadais atá déanta maidir leis an Ghníomhaireacht Ultais — 75% den chostas bliantúil aontaithe le híoc ag an Tuaisceart agus 25% ag an Stát seo. Beidh an caiteachas beag i dtaca leis an Fhoras Teanga féin le roinnt go cothrom idir an dá dhlínse. Suim 14 milliún atá i Vóta mo Roinn i mbliana don Fhoras Teanga roinnte mar a leanas idir an dá ghníomhaireacht dá chuid — Foras na Gaeilge 13.4 milliún agus an Ghníomhaireacht Ultais £600,000.
Agus an Foras Teanga agus an dá ghníomhaireacht dá chuid i mbun oibre, tá, ó thaobh Foras na Gaeilge de, dul chun cinn suntasach déanta maidir leis an teanga a chur chun cinn ar bhonn uile-oileánda agus tá gach cabhair agus cúnamh ar fáil go fonnmhar uaimse chun na críche sin.
I ndiaidh bliana dom mar Aire Stáit, tá mé iontach sásta leis an méid forbartha atá déanta sna ceantair Ghaeltachta le cabhair ó mo Roinn. Tá sé mar sprioc ag an Roinn, leis an airgead breise seo, go háirithe an t-airgead a cuireadh ar fáil faoin phlean fhorbartha náisiúnta, cur le hinmharthanacht phobal na Gaeltachta agus, dá bhrí sin, an Ghaeilge a neartú agus a bhuanú sa Ghaeltacht. Muna bhfuil an infrastruchtúr ceart sna ceantair Gaeltachta ní bheidh na ceantair sin in ann tairbhe a bhaint as na deiseanna cruthaithe fostaíochta nua-aimseartha atá riachtánach don Ghaeltacht agus do thodhchaí na Gaeilge. Tá sé tábhachtach go leanfar ar aghaidh leis an obair fhiúntach seo agus sin atá i gceist agam a dhéanamh sa todhchaí.
Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire, an Aire Stáit agus oifigigh na Roinne. Today we are dealing with more than the Estimate for 2002. This is the fifth such presentation by the Minister. A number of múinteoirí are sitting on this side of the room and, normally, at this time of the year, múinteoirí review the performance of their pupils. We can exclude the Minister of State from an in-depth analysis of her performance because she has only served one term — she has potential. The Minister will undergo more severe scrutiny of her performance in the Department in the past four years. We usually give grades, honours, pass or fail. Coming up to the end of term, teachers are usually feeling generous and so err on the side of generosity when marking performance. The Minister deserves to scrape a few honours and her report sheet will have a number of passes, as well as some questionable results.
The Minister began by reviewing the work of the Arts Council. The funding she has delivered to the Arts Council deserve an honours mark. There have been generous increases that have enabled the council to work effectively to promote the arts throughout the State. The only reservation is the disappointment that the arts Bill was not dealt with during the Minister's tenure in the Department and we are still governed by the original Bill from the 1950s. We were told today the Bill would probably be published during this Dáil term, meaning in the next week, but one would have to be optimistic to think it will be enacted before the dissolution of the Dáil. The Minister has performed well in providing funds for the promotion of arts and the Arts Council, but the failure to publish the Bill after five years has been a drawback.
The core staff of the Department has been increased from 865 to 897 in the past year, an increase of 32. Will the Minister indicate what extra duties are being carried out by these additional people? Subhead A7 notes a huge increase in advisory services, from 791,000 in 2001 to a projected 2.385 million in the current year. Is that as a result of consultancy services? What do such services entail? Did the Minister engage the consultants to promote herself and the Department?
The following subhead deals with arts and culture, addressing the major cultural institutions such as the National Museum, where there has been a significant increase in funding this year from 3.786 million to 5.218 million. We are interested in what is happening next door to us. We see the scaffolding outside it every day. Is this increase in funding to finance the development works in the museum? At what stage are those renovations and when will they be completed? On the other side of the building, the National Library has received an increase from 2.155 million to 3.111 million. Have extra staff been employed there? Why has there been an increase? The National Archives and the Chester Beatty Library are covered by this as well.
The National Concert Hall is included in the list of cultural institutions. It has served us well for the past 20 years but there is a body of opinion, with which I agree, that it is a confined area. A proper national concert hall needs more space. Does the Minister have any plans to develop the existing hall or to make a new hall available? People would like to see better facilities for orchestras. At the moment they operate under severe space limitations.
The Irish Museum of Modern Art has figured prominently in the news in recent months. What is happening there? Has a new director been appointed to replace Mr. Kennedy who felt unable to take the position? When can we expect an appointment? It will be difficult to fill the post because people will look at the controversy surrounding the former director and consider the position to be a poisoned chalice.
I congratulate the Minister on the Heritage Fund Bill. I was spokesman for Fine Gael when this Bill was going through the Dáil and we welcomed it at the time. The total fund now stands at over 6 million. Have any purchases been made since its establishment?
The Minister has not performed as well as expected in the fields of broadcasting and film. The national broadcasting service, RTE, is in dire financial straits and the Minister announced a forum to examine public service broadcasting in Ireland last week. I welcome that initiative but there has not been any information about what that involves. The chairman of the forum is Maurice O'Connell, a former Secretary General of the Department of Finance and Governor the Central Bank, a man of impeccable credentials and a good choice. Will the Minister let us know if the other members of the forum have been appointed? Will the Minister make appointments? What will be its terms of reference? They should be as wide as possible. Will evidence be heard in public? This should be an open forum and interested parties should be allowed to make submissions in public.
We are all interested in the future of RTE, particularly the public service element of its remit. Great difficulties exist in RTE meeting those requirements at present because of its financial situation. Perhaps the Minister could invite people from outside the State to join the forum so it is as wide as possible. This is the first in-depth examination of broadcasting for many years and the Minister wants the forum to make its recommendations within five months, a very short time. The urgency of the situation is demonstrated by the fact that hundreds of people are being laid off and the future of many of the services we expect from RTE are under threat.
Sitting suspended at 11.25 a.m. and resumed at 11.40 a.m.
A former director of the Irish Museum of Modern Art, Declan McGonagle, had to have his retirement paid for. How much did that cost? Has the severance agreement been completed?
I have mentioned some of the cutbacks necessitated by the financial difficulties in RTE. Raidió na Gaeltachta has seen its budget cut by 300,000 and there has been no change of mind from the Minister or RTE about that. We all pleaded on behalf of Raidió na Gaeltachta that the money should be reinstated. Can the station expect to have it for next year?
An Post has been given 10.092 million to collect the licence fee, an increase of 384,000 since last year. There must be a considerable number of people evading the licence fee. Can the Minister give us an indication of the percentage who still do not pay the fee?
Everyone agrees TG4 has been a resounding success. There is always something of interest to watch on that station. I hear that everywhere I go, not just in Gaeltacht areas. Subhead O1 states that the projected allocation is 21.812 million, a decrease of over 1 million on 2001, when the station received 22.893 million. It is doing excellent work on a shoestring. A three year funding development plan was submitted to the Department in the past two years. Is the Department considering that plan? All television stations need to be developed. TG4 has new projects in mind and new pilot programmes have been prepared. Before they can go into full production the station must have funding. Until the Department responds to the three year plan, it will be difficult to expand or develop programming. The independent production sector employs over 300 people, many of them young and from the Gaeltacht. Their livelihoods are dependent on this. Any resources given to TG4 will percolate down to the independent production sector, many of which are located in Gaeltacht areas.
The Minister did not address a number of issues in her speech. She indicated that the Government has decided to develop the Abbey Theatre on its present site. What progress has been made since the announcement was made? Has the Minister met the board of the theatre? Is this the final decision? Many theatre-goers believe it will be a restricted site and there will be delays if property has to be purchased to allow the theatre to expand. In The Irish Times this morning, many letters make the point that the site of the Carlton cinema should not be ruled out. That large site would be an excellent location for the national theatre.
What is the status of the Asgard restoration project? Where is the Asgard now? Is it still in the Point Depot or a safer place? Is it still intended that this unacceptable project continues? Only 5% of any ship would be made up of the Asgard.
Ba mhaith liom cúpla focal a rá faoin méid a dúirt an tAire Stáit. Cuirim fáilte roimpi agus an méid atá á dhéanamh aici ar son na Gaeltachta. Thosaigh sí le tithíocht sa Ghaeltacht. Tá sé iontach tábhachtach go bhfuil scéim dheontais tithíochta ann sa Ghaeltacht. Do teach úr £4,000 — níl a fhios agam cé mhéid atá ann i euro — ach tá sin íseal go leor. Ní dhéanfaidh sé difir cé acu i euros nó i bpunt a bheidh sé mar gheall ar an méid airgid atá i gceist. Tá sé sonraithe go bhfuil titim ar an deontas atá á chur ar fáil i mbliana do tithe sa Ghaeltacht. Anuraidh cuireadh 3.899 milliún ar fáil agus i mbliana tá 3.891 milliún ar fáil. Ní mórán de thitim é 9,000 ach is titim é agus cuireann sé iontas orm mar go bhfuil forbairt mhór ag go leor tithe athtógtha sa Ghaeltacht. An leor sin chun freastail a dhéanamh ar na hiarratais go léir a bheidh ag teacht isteach i mbliana do tithe úire agus do deontais feabhsúcháin chomh maith?
Chuaigh an Bille Tithíochta tríd an Dáil. Cuirim fáilte roimh an t-athrú a cuireadh ar na coinníolacha nuair atá daoine ina gcónaí taobh amuigh den tír agus é ar intinn acu teacht chun na bhaile, gur féidir an deontas a fháil. I nGaeltacht Thír Chonaill bíonn daoine in Alban, Sasana agus Meiriceá ag teacht chun na bhaile a bhfuil an Ghaeilge acu, tríallaíonn siad fá choinne an dheontais, cé nach bhfuil siad ina gcónaí anseo nuair atá siad chun tí a thógáil.
Tá bóithre na Gaeltachta iontach tábhachtach ach tá titim i mbliana fá teidil E1 — ó 11.458 milliún go 8.6 milliún. Tá súil agam nach bhfuil mé ag déanamh botúin ach sin mar a léigh mé é — go bhfuil beagnach titim de 3 mhilliún ar bóithre na Gaeltachta ná den mhéid a bhí ann i 2001. Má tá sin fíor, an bhféadfadh an tAire Stáit léargas a thabhairt caidé atá i gceist leis an titim seo? Chuir mé fáilte mhór roimh an scéim a chuir an t-iarAire Stáit ar bun, scéim na mbóithre straitéiseacha, agus tá obair iontach déanta i gceantair Gaeltachta ag an deontas sin — mar atá ar eolas ag an Aire Stáit inár ndáilcheantair féin agus sna dáilcheantracha eile sna Gaeltachtaí ar fud na tíre. An mbeidh sin an áit ina mbeidh an titim?
Gearradh siar tubaisteach a bhéadh ann mar bíonn na tionscail a bhímid ag mealladh isteach sna Gaeltachtaí i gcónaí á rá go bhfuil géar-ghá le forbairt a dhéanamh ar infrastructúr na Gaeltachta ó thaobh bóithre de agus más gearradh siar seo ar sin, cuirfidh sé isteach go mór ar fhorbairt fostaíochta agus tionscail sa Ghaeltacht.
Saoráidí ilghnéitheacha atá ann i E5 agus tá gearradh siar ann ó 748,000 go dtí 600,000. Seo an scéim a chuireann áiseanna caitheamh aimsire, spóirt, páirceanna peile, hallaí siamsa agus a leithéid ar fáil dona Gaeltachtaí. Tá go leor le déanamh mar atá agus más fíor go bhfuil gearradh siar ann, céim ar chúl é.
Tá titim i ndeontas labhairt na Gaeilge ó 679,000 go 654,000. Cén fáth sin? B'fhéidir nach bhfuil an oireadh céanna páistí ag freastal i scoileanna sa Ghaeltacht agus a bhí go dtí seo. Fuair mé litir i rith na seachtaine, agus is dócha go bhfuair an tAire Stáit an litir céanna. Cén fáth nach gcuirtear scrúdú labhairt na Gaeilge ar fáil i ngach scoil i nGaeltacht Thír Chonaill — scoil náisiúnta an Ghlasáin in aice leis an Chraois Loch agus scoil náisiúnta an Tearmainn? Cén fáth nach bhfuil an deontas i bhfeidhm sa dá scoil?
Tá muid buíoch go bhfuil Údarás na Gaeltachta againn agus go bhfuil obair mhór déanta aige le fiche bliain anuas ag cur fostaíochta ar fáil sna ceantair Gaeltachta go léir. Le tamall anuas, áfach, tá deacrachtaí ag an údarás — tá sé níos deacra tionscail agus fostaíocht a mhealladh isteach go dtí na ceantair Gaeltachta. San eastát a bhí ann i bhFal Carrach, bhí 150 ag obair cúpla bliain ó shin ach níl duine amháin ann anois. Tá an rud céanna ag tarlú sa Ghaeltachtaí eile. Cen fáth a dtarlaíonn sin? Gaeltacht iontach tábhachtach í Gaeltacht Cloch Cheann Fhaola. Níl sráidbhaile Ghaeltachtaí níos gaelaí sa tír ná Gort a' Choirce agus Fal Carrach — tá na seirbhíse eaglaise i nGaeilge, is féidir dhul isteach i siopa ar bith agus gnóithe a dhéanamh i nGaeilge, agus bhí eastát tionscail ansin ina raibh 150 daoine ag obair cúpla bliain ó shin agus níl oiread agus beirt ag obair anois. Is ábhar imní sin dúinn go léir a bhfuil suim againn go maródh ceantar Gaeltachta mar sin a bhfuil an Ghaeilge agus an cultúr láidir iontu i gcónaí. Tharla an rud céanna ar an eastát i nGaoth Dobhair. Tá laghdú de 200 ar an méid duine atá ag obair ar an eastát sin. Bhí an áit sin cosúil le seoid i gcoróin an údaráis, agus anois tá 200 níos lú ag obair ansin ná a bhí anuraidh. Tá cúpla monarcha ansin atá ar seachtain giorraithe go trí lá.
Deirtear liomsa ag daoine atá in Údarás na Gaeltachta go bhfuil an cheist an-chigilte i láthair na huaire agus go bhfuil imní mhór ar dhaoine caidé atá dhul a tharlú sa bhliain atá romhainn. Tá deacrachtaí fosta ag an údarás tionscail úire a mhealladh isteach agus níl aon rud sa phipeline sna ceantair Gaeltachta sin gur fiú trácht air. Sna blianta a chuaigh thart, bhí monarchain móra ag teacht isteach agus cúpla céad post iontu uilig. Níl a leithéid ann anois agus tá impleachtaí móra ag sin don údarás agus d'fhostaíocht sna ceantair Gaeltachta. Tá an rud céanna fíor i gceantracha i Maigh Eo, Gaillimh, Corcaigh agus Ciarraí; tá iomaíocht ghéar idir achan áit agus caithfimid amharc ar seo.
Níl aon bhuntáiste ag Údarás na Gaeltachta ó thaobh deontais de agus é ag tabhairt fostaíochta isteach chun na Gaeltachtaí thar aon údarás fostaíochta eile. Tá an deontas céanna le fáil i mBaile Átha Cliath le tionscal a thabhairt isteach agus atá sa Ghaeltacht.
Cén fáth?
Ba chóir go mbeadh sé níos mó sna Gaeltachtaí mar nach bhfuil an t-infrastruchtúr iontu chomh maith is atá in oirthear na tíre. Muna mbeidh rátaí níos fearr againn, beidh deacrachtaí níos mó ag an údarás a chuid dualgais a chomhlíonadh. Tá titim i ndeontas tionscail fosta. Cuireadh 19.617 milliún ar fáil don údarás anuraidh ach i mbliana tá sé anuas go dtí 16.2 milliún — titim 3.5 milliún ar chaiteachas caipitil an údaráis, caiteachas a thógann monarchain, a chuidíonn fostaíocht a chur ar fáil agus tionscail a mhealladh isteach. Cén fáth go bhfuil titim ansin? Ní chuirfidh sé le cumas an údaráis a chuid gnóithe a dhéanamh mar a bheimid ag súil leis.
Tá Foras na Teanga ag gníomhú idir an Tuaisceart agus an Deisceart de bharr an fheidhmeannas úr i dTuaisceart Éireann agus cuirim fáilte roimhe sin. Tá súil agam go n-éireoidh go maith leis agus go bhfuil an tír uilig ag obair ar son na teangan san fhoras.
Tá deireadh an théarma buailte linn agus tá ag éirí go maith leis an Aire agus an Aire Stáit anseo agus ansiúd agus tá áiteacha eile nár éirigh chomh maith leo ar chor ar bith. Ag tabhairt marcanna dóibh ag deireadh an thréimhse, bhí cúpla áit a fuair siad onóir, cúpla áit a fuair siad pas agus cúpla áit a theip siad.
Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire, an Aire Stáit agus na hoifigh leo. Subhead A4 deals with seirbhísí post agus teileachumarsáide. The figure for the provisional outturn for 2001 is 1.444 million and the figure in the Estimate for 2002 is 1.47 million. In last year's Estimate there was a reduction in the amount that was to be spent on postal services. I am concerned about the future of the sub-post office network. Will the Minister give a breakdown of the figures for both years? How much was spent on postal services and how much will be spent on telecommunications?
The Minister said she had obtained Government approval for the general scheme of the new arts Bill which she hoped to publish in the coming weeks. Is it the general scheme or the actual Bill which the Minister proposes to publish? If it is the Bill, is it not somewhat disingenuous to produce the Bill at the end of the Government's term in office when, effectively, there is little or no prospect of it being passed by the Dáil in the time left? I would like clarification on that issue.
We can all be critical but I assure the Minister that I have no wish to evaluate her overall performance. However, the Minister obtained additional moneys during her term in office for the arts area and it would be churlish of me not to say that that has been a good advance. I compliment her on that.
The Minister raised the introduction of e-government in the Department. I very much welcome that and believe there is a lot of potential across a range of areas in the economy in regard to exploiting e-commerce or e-government in the case of Departments. Will the Minister give us a little more information on exactly how she sees e-government being of benefit to the Department and, more important, of benefit to those who call on its services? It was interesting to hear that there have been 500,000 hits on the new website since January. That must be very encouraging. How does the Department see e-government being effective in terms of the services it provides?
Extra moneys have been provided for national bodies such as the National Library of Ireland, the National Museum of Ireland and the National Archives. Are there proposals to open these national institutions at weekends, particularly on Sundays and on Bank Holidays? This would make it possible for a lot more people to avail of the National Library of Ireland and, in particular, the National Museum. If scholars living down the country could come up to Dublin at the weekend to the National Archives, it would be of great interest to them.
I received quite a number of representations in regard to the Cill Rialaig project in south Kerry. I tabled a couple of parliamentary questions yesterday which were answered. I accept the information included in those replies. However, it has been further stated to me that it was indicated to the applicant that the Údarás na Gaeltachta grant to the project, in terms of an access application, was to be viewed as a local contribution. Will the Minister clarify that issue? She may not be able to do that now but I would appreciate if she would come back to me on it.
I am happy to see that an initiative the Minister announced is already under way, that is, the Music Board of Ireland, and that the worthwhile finance has been provided this year to allow it to engage the staff it requires and to commission research leading to the development of a strategic plan. Obviously, this is in the context of promoting music and the music industry. Has the Minister considered some sort of link up with the proposed academy for the performing arts? Deputy McGinley said earlier that a number of us were teachers and I always ask what will be the focus on younger people. What interaction is proposed with the Department of Education and Science and schools in this regard?
There is increased funding for the Irish Film Board. Will the Minister explain what happened to the Irish Screen Commission's budget? How many staff transferred from the Irish Screen Commission when it was absorbed into the Irish Film Board?
Does the Minister propose to implement the provisions in the Broadcasting Act which set up TG4 on an independent basis with its own budget during her term in office? In terms of the introduction of digital terrestrial services in Ireland, I do not see any provision for that very important area. At what stage is it? Is there any prospect that we will have a digital terrestrial television service? Obviously, in the first instance, we will consider the four stations free to air but the roll-out of other services on digital terrestrial is of concern to us. There seems to be a silence on this issue. Is anything happening at the moment?
Raidió na Gaeltachta and Lyric FM have encountered difficulties as a result of recent cutbacks. It appears additional provision has not been made for either of these stations to see them through their difficulties.
I tabled a parliamentary question on the forum yesterday and I was as wise the day before yesterday as I was when I received the reply in terms of what exactly is happening here. I am concerned although I am in no way casting a reflection on the person who has been nominated as chair and who has been a magnificent servant of this State. I am worried that the central focus may be on the financial and economic side. Obviously, RTE must provide value for money but my concern is that there may well be an over-emphasis on the financial side. If I am reading this correctly, the chairperson may well reflect the type of person appointed to this small commission. I know the Minister cannot give us names, and I am not asking for them, but what qualifications and experience will the Minister look for in regard to those who will be appointed to this forum? Will she give us an assurance that the public service broadcasting mandate will be to the fore in this review?
We could reach a situation in which all sorts of savings are effected but they could be at the expense of the basic mandate of our national broadcaster, which is to act as a public service broadcaster and as a huge support to the democratic system. Many of us on this side of the House fear we will reach a situation in which we will end up with television stations, which also have their place. They will all emphasise, however, viewer figures and bottom line profit, as against the mandate of a public service broadcaster that will focus on citizens rather than consumers. Will the Minister explain the purpose of the forum and outline its composition?
Ní féidir linn an t-Aire Stáit a cháineadh go cruinn ach tá Bille na Gaeilge an-fhada ag teacht. Tá súil aici go bhfoilseofar an Bille le linn seisiúin na Dála but, like the arts Bill, there is no realistic prospect it being passed. There was plenty of time to produce this Bill during the Minister of State's term of office. It is disingenuous that the Government indicated the Bill would become a reality when there has only been the token gesture of publishing it with no real prospect of its being enacted.
Luaigh an t-Aire Stáit na scéimeanna feabhsúcháin. Tá briseadh síos ar an méid a caitheadh faoi fóchinn éagsúla. Cad iad na ceantair sa Ghaeltacht inar caitheadh an t-airgead? Tá na scéimeanna d'fhoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge thar a bheith tábhachtach sa dóigh is go gcoinníonn siad an Ghaeilge beo i measc mic léinn a thig dhul go dtí an Ghaeltacht chun feabhais a chur a gcuid Gaeilge agus a thabhairt ar ais go dtí an Ghalltacht. Tá sé suimiúl go raibh 24,507 foghlaimeoir ann sa bhliain 2001 — 1,863 sa bhreis duine san áireamh ná i 2000. Tá 675 teaghlach sa Ghaeltacht. An bhfuil aon athrú sna figiúirí ar líon na bhfoghlaimeoirí a bhí sa Ghaeltacht i 2001? Conas atá líon na mic léinn ag laghdú nó ag méadú? An bhfuil na daoine céanna i gcónaí ag freastal? Bhéadh sé tábhachtach an t-eolas sin a bheith againn. Tá 3,350 teaghlach ag baint úsáid as scéimeanna labhairt na Gaeilge. An bhfuil aon fhorbairt ag teacht ar sin?
Chuir mé suim sa mhéid a bhí le rá ag an Aire Stáit faoi Údarás na Gaeltachta. Caithfimid béim a chur ar phostanna nua-aimseartha atá oiriúnach do mhic léinn Gaeltachta agus céim acu. Tá sé go maith go bhfuil taighde déanta ag an údarás. An bhfuil aon rud ag tarlú mar gheall ar an taighde sin? An bhfuil an t-údarás ag caint sna hollscoileanna agus na hinstitiúid teicneolaíochta le plean straitéiseach a chur ar bun chun na mic léinn a mhealladh go dtí cúrsaí oiriúnach ó thaobh an tionscail a bheidh á fhobairt aige?
Bhí Joe McDonagh istigh linn ag caint ar Fhoras na Gaeilge agus tugadh freagra dona ceisteanna bhí agam ag an am sin.
Is the increased figure for resources for the Irish Film Board a result of the absorption of the Irish Screen Commission into the board and a transfer of its funding? How does the Minister view the success of the Irish Film Board, the number of new films made in Ireland and the health of the film industry in 2001?
The Minister mentioned a licence fee increase of 18% in her speech while the briefing document mentions 19%. A projected increase in the number of licences to be issued in 2002 is seen by the Minister as providing additional funding for RTE. When the RTE trade union representatives appeared before us they expressed concern about the large amount of money that was not being collected. Does the Minister have any idea how many unlicensed television sets there are in the State? How many additional licences does the Department anticipate this year? If money is due for the licence fee, every effort must be made to collect it.
Dúchas has not been mentioned. The chairman of an action committee in County Clare has been refused many applications for planning permission. Is there a special section in Dúchas that deals with planning applications or how does the State become aware of these buildings?
There has been an alarming drop-off in the number of people availing of the REP scheme. The number of people availing of the second REP scheme is considerably lower than the number who availed of the first one. What is the reason for this? Is it because of the guidelines Dúchas gave to the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development?
I conclude by wishing all present every success. This is the last occasion the committee will meet to consider an Estimate of the Department. I acknowledge the efficient manner in which these documents were produced. It would be more productive for the Department if more time were allocated to an examination of the Estimates. There is also a need for greater liaison over legislation between the Department and this committee and its successor in the next Dáil. The Department has a very wide brief and there are many areas to be covered. The problems with the Broadcasting Bill might not have arisen had the Department taken account of the extensive work done by the committee on broadcasting problems. We interviewed many people in the area and I am not sure if any of the evidence submitted to the committee was even examined. The Department should take greater note of the work done by committees such as this, including the service they provide to the public. I thank the officials in the Department for their support and co-operation to me, both as Chairman of this committee and during my term as Minister of State.
I thank you, Chairman. It has been pleasant working with this committee and a great deal has been done both by the committee and the Department. I hope I am not devoid of humour when I say that Deputy McGinley's initial remarks were tongue in cheek. He spoke about being a teacher — I was one too — but teachers use objective criteria when assessing students. I am not sure the Deputy employed similar criteria in this instance.
There must be a political dimension.
That is so and I am pleased the Deputy has acknowledged that. Both he and Deputy O'Shea made kind remarks about the increases in funding, especially for the arts section. I ensured that the increases were balanced across all sections of the Department, which is very wide-ranging in its remit. Each part of it must be looked after in terms of legislation and funding and I believe that was done. Funding for the Arts Council has increased by 80% since 1997, while there has been a 133% increase for the cultural institutions. This means that 44 projects throughout the country were able to benefit from the ACCESS programme. The visits by international arts groups and the transfer of the CRC to the Department were also a fruitful development. TG4 also received a 100% increase in funding since 1997 and the Irish Film Board received an increase of 133%, while the staffing level increased from seven to 16.
It is easy to make sweeping statements that things were not done, so it is important to reiterate what has been achieved. Since 1997 there has been a 176% increase in current spending and a 248% increase in capital spending by the Heritage Council. This excludes spending on the HQ. Legislation on architectural protection of the built heritage has been enacted. A policy on architecture will shortly come on stream. Other activities include the music board and the Heritage Fund. In addition, 127 million has been allocated under the national development plan to maintain the built heritage.
The Department has put 11 Bills through the Oireachtas, which contrasts with five under the previous Government. It has also been working hard on Bille na Gaeilge and other arts legislation. It is, therefore, disingenuous for Deputies to say these Bill are only being mooted for consideration at the last moment. Tremendous work has gone into them, including extensive consultation. Those involved in the arts have had the opportunity to make submissions. We need an update in this area because the last Acts covering the arts were in 1951 and 1973. Yesterday, the Government approved the text of the arts Bill and it will be published very shortly. It will set out my thinking and that of the Government based on the extensive consultation process that has been undertaken.
Deputy McGinley referred to the issue of a new director for the IMMA. This is a matter for the board and not the Minister. I am informed by the board that on 1 February 2002 it appointed a London based recruitment company which specialises in the arts sector to undertake a search for a new director. This has been done by advertising and search processes.
There has been much discussion on how best to proceed with a new concert hall. I have been in constant consultation with the chairman and directors of the NCH. It is a professional organisation and we appreciate the tremendous work they have done. I appointed a high level group to examine what was required. It comprises the two relevant Ministers — the Minister for Education and Science and I — and the two Secretaries General. They have presented a report to me and the Minister for Education and Science for our consideration. Further consultation will take place with the NCH.
Over £12 million has been allocated to the heritage fund. It is a roll-over fund and the money has not been used. It is additional to the acquisition funds that are available for the national cultural institutions. The money is available for the purpose of acquiring a significant piece of heritage and it can continue to roll-over for the period of the fund.
Deputy McGinley asked about the additional staff within the Department. They are as follows: corporate services, 13; internal audit, three; the institutions which make up the National Museum of Ireland and the National Library of Ireland and the National Archives, 13; and the CRC, three. The overall figure is 32.
Deputy McGinley also asked about consultancy under subhead A7. This is not an opportunity for self-promotion. I certainly would not consider that kind of approach and I have not done so during my term of office. This particular consultancy refers to the IT development. There has been an increase in IT and there have also been consultancies on performance management systems across the Department.
I thank the committee for devoting a great deal of time to the Broadcasting Bill when it was going through the Houses of the Oireachtas. It was a substantial piece of legislation. In fact, it was the first major piece of legislation on broadcasting for 12 years.
The forum, which I am in the process of setting up at present, will look at the question of public service. The Deputies opposite are correct in saying that this will be chaired by Mr. Maurice O'Connell, who, I think all of us would agree, is an outstanding and exemplary public servant who has given a great deal of service to the State over a number of years. The terms of office and the membership are under consideration and I will provide this information shortly. The reason I wanted the forum to be able to bring forward its recommendations in four or five months was to ensure there was an opportunity for all of the players to have a direct say, in terms of consultation, in it but at the same time not to allow it to continue indefinitely. We need an opportunity, which I believe this forum will allow, for a proper and in-depth discussion on public service broadcasting, particularly in the light of all the new changes and commercial activity within that sector. We can then look at those recommendations and act on them.
There were a number of questions about Raidió na Gaeltachta, a service which everybody in this room would recognise as being efficient and successful. I have met with the trade unions in Raidió na Gaeltachta and I have put it to them that I would be very interested in hearing their proposals in terms of policy and where they see themselves in the next number of years. I have asked them to be as open-minded and as radical as they wish in putting forward proposals for the continuing growth of Raidió na Gaeltachta. I am looking forward to receiving these proposals and will certainly consider them with an open mind.
The collection of television licence fees was raised by both Deputies. Obviously we want to see if there is any way in which we can improve that system and make it more effective. There have been discussions between the officials of my Department and An Post to see if that collection process can be improved in any way. The figure for uncollected fees is just under 12%. We want to see what we can do to improve that.
On Deputy McGinley's question regarding the National Library, the National Museum and the National Archives, the current allocation is utilised in meeting costs arising from day to day operations of the museum as well as exhibition support, marketing and operational costs. The capital allocation is to facilitate the museum in the acquisition of technical equipment as well as the provision of additional storage facilities at the Museum of Country Life in Turlough Park.
Deputies asked about the Abbey Theatre. That matter has been ongoing. There has been a great deal of consultation involving me, the Department and the board of the Abbey Theatre. The decision to redevelop on the existing site has been taken by Government. This of course was the initial view of the board of the Abbey Theatre. The board of the Abbey Theatre has welcomed the Government's decision. My officials have met with the Office of Public Works to work out the options for the PPP models and obviously the Abbey Theatre has been very much involved in all of those discussions. It will be the Abbey Theatre which will have the final say on the PPP option to be taken.
As the Deputies will be aware, the Asgard is in the ownership of the Department of Defence. I have answered a number of parliamentary questions on this matter. The officials of my Department and the Department of Defence and the National Museum are considering the way forward in the light of the decision by the Minister for Defence to withdraw his funding commitment for the restoration project, and that is the state of play at present.
On the issue raised by Deputy O'Shea concerning the Screen Commission, as he will be aware the Irish Film Board took its own decision to merge the functions of the Screen Commission. All of this was done in the context of the recommendations put forward at the time in the Kilkenny report. I am sure the Deputy will realise that there has been a huge increase in funding for the Irish Film Board. Given that it now has wider responsibilities, there has been a large increase in the resources allocated to it. The number of members on the film board has been increased from seven to 16 and it is going well.
E-government was referred to. We live in a new technological age and we must ensure that we in the Department are up to date in giving the information through new technologies. We have done this and I am happy that, as Deputy O'Shea said, our website has received 500,000 hits since January. The website is connected to the European cultural portal.
As Deputy O'Shea stated, I have answered a number of parliamentary questions on the Cill Rialaig project, some of which I answered as late as yesterday. I do not have the exact information in front of me on that because it is a specific case but I can obtain it for the Deputy at a later stage.
Reference was made to a possible link-up between the Music Board and IAPA. The Music Board has a specific remit to promote the commercial music world. The money which has been put aside for the Music Board from the Department and, indeed, from IBEC is to deal with the question of staff and research to promote the music industry. Therefore it is coming at it from a very different angle to that of the responsibilities of IAPA.
As the committee will be aware this Government was able to extend section 481 for five years. It is the first time that any such commitment was given. That has augured well for the film industry because as all of us know, it takes two to three years to plan a film. In 2001, 23 projects, comprising 11 indigenous and 12 foreign productions received section 481 certification authorising the raising of 74.4 million in section 481 investments, with a spend in Ireland of 108.8 million. It is therefore clear that even at 80% the section 481 incentive makes investment in Irish film very attractive.
Regarding TG4, I have pointed out — and all would agree — that TG4 has been a tremendous success in the world of broadcasting, not just for those in Gaeltacht areas but in the country generally. I take this opportunity to congratulate those who are working in this tremendously vital organisation: it is vital in the cultural sense and also in its approach, given the youthful energy and enthusiasm of those involved. I am pleased to have been able to double the money allocated to TG4 since 1997.
Regarding digitalisation, the multiplex and RTE's responsibilities to the transmission sector, the sole applicant in the multiplex licensee selection process has been granted a further time extension to allow a potential lead investor to complete an assessment of the DTT multiplex business opportunity. The process in RTE is progressing to inviting second round bids from a number of bidders based on the substantial completion to date of due diligence management, presentation and transaction documentation provided by RTE to bidders.
The Chairman asked about Dúchas and he is right in that he was the only person to raise this matter here in the committee. Regarding Dúchas's responsibilities, particularly with reference to the special areas of conservation, Deputies will know that I set up a procedure where there were formal and informal appeals which could only take place in terms of a scientific basis due to the EU Habitats Directive. We must work within the confines of that directive. The planning situation is in the first instance a matter for local authorities and An Bord Pleanála. Dúchas can put forward its views, which can be accepted or rejected by those bodies. It is important that everyone should know that it is not for me as the Minister responsible for Dúchas to interfere in any way with what is first and foremost a scientific assessment by my Department which would be put forward in a small number of cases. The vast majority of cases would be dealt with in informal discussions. Those with responsibility for planning are the local authorities and An Bord Pleanála and I agree with other Deputies that they must be independent in their decision-making process.
I did not mean to go on quite so long but so much is going on in the Department. I thank all members for their help and interest, particularly the Chairman. Whatever about the other committee members I look forward to seeing him on the hustings in Clare.