Written Answers Nos. 1-18
11. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the way he expects the philanthropy initiative 2013 and the arts in education charter, launched recently by the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn to facilitate and support art education is schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13131/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra26. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if his attention has been drawn to the philanthropy initiative 2013 whereby organisations and schools wishing to avail of funding under the scheme have to match €1 of taxpayer money with €2 from private sector funding has the potential to exclude schools and organisations in disadvantaged areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13132/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 11 and 26 together.
I recently announced a new Philanthropy Initiative for 2013. This initiative is designed to encourage philanthropic sponsorship and endowment funding of the arts from private sources and to maximise investment in the arts by unlocking many multiples of the funding put up by the taxpayer. It also provides an incentive to arts organisations to proactively seek new and multi-annual relationships with sponsors which deliver private sector financial support, thereby increasing overall funding available to the arts.
This year, €210,000 will be available to arts organisations under the scheme. The terms of the scheme allow arts and culture organisations to apply to the Philanthropy Initiative for funding if they can generate funding from the private sector by philanthropy or fundraising in the following ratios:
- Up to €5,000 of funds can be accessed through the scheme if the organisation can match each €1 from the taxpayer with €2 from private sector funding;
- Up to €10,000 can be accessed if each €1 from the taxpayer can be matched by €3 from private sector funding;
- Up to €15,000 can be accessed if each €1 from the taxpayer can be matched by €4 from private sector funding.
The application form is available on my Department's website and applications are dealt with on a first-come-first-served basis. The application form includes a provision that in the event of multiple applications competing for limited grant allocation, priority will be given to Arts in Education projects aimed at disadvantaged (DEIS) schools.
This year, the majority of the Philanthropy Initiative funding will be directed towards arts and culture organisations seeking support for projects that include an education component. This is designed to support another of my policy initiatives - the Arts in Education Charter, launched recently by myself and my colleague, Minister Ruairi Quinn TD, Minister for Education and Skills. The Charter sets out a range of actions to be undertaken by our two Departments, the cultural institutions, the Arts Council and arts organisations. In 2013, I hope that the Philanthropy Initiative, while continuing to provide an incentive to arts organisations to engage in fundraising, will also encourage arts and culture organisations to engage creatively with children and young people and add to their education. In doing so, they will be helping to foster the artists and the audiences of the future.
The 2012 Philanthropy initiative exceeded all expectations and gives an example of how the careful targeting of taxpayer funding can produce very good value for money. It was anticipated that for every €1 of public money invested, private sector funds of €2.50 could be generated. At the end of 2012, the scheme was reviewed and the results indicated that it had exceeded all expectations by unlocking 70% more private sector funding than had been anticipated. The arts got a boost of over €1 million last year, of which less than one-fifth came from the public purse. A full list of awards under this scheme can be viewed on my Department's website at www.ahg.gov.ie
12. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an dhéanfaid sé ráiteas maidir le hionadaíocht ó na Gaeltachtaí beaga ar Bhord an Údaráis ós rud é nach mbeidh ionadaíocht lánaimseartha ag Gaeltacht na Mí ar an bhord, agus go bhfuil ionadaithe ón dá Ghaeltacht bheaga eile ainmnithe aige ar an bhord. [13095/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá réimse leathan taithí, scileanna agus cáilíochtaí ag na comhaltaí atá ceaptha agam ar bhord Údarás na Gaeltachta. Chomh maith leis sin, cuimsíonn an ionadaíocht reatha atá ar an bhord gach contae a bhfuil ceantar Gaeltachta ina dhlínse, Contae na Mí san áireamh. Tá mé sásta, dá réir, go bhfuil an bord nua atá ag Údarás na Gaeltachta ionadaíoch do phobal na Gaeltachta i gcoitinne.
Creidim go gcuirfidh na ceapacháin atá déanta agam le cumas Údarás na Gaeltachta feidhmiú go héifeachtach agus go straitéiseach chun leas teangeolaíoch, sóisialta, cultúrtha agus eacnamaíoch phobal na Gaeltachta a threisiú i gcomhréir le feidhmeanna reachtúla na heagraíochta.
13. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide the names of the museums that received funding under the local and regional museums scheme 2012; the amount allocated to each museum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13130/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver the past six years, my Department has operated a scheme of funding support for designated county museums and/or museums, within the Museums Standards Programme operated by the Heritage Council of Ireland, to promote and enhance the marketing of these institutions, and to support programmes established to attract the aged, young, and socially disadvantaged to visit these institutions. Cultural events held in museums to attract a local and tourist audience and/or to promote museums as focal centres of the local community have also been supported through this scheme.
The names of the museums that received funding under this scheme in 2012 together with the amounts received are as follows:
|
Museum |
Amount |
|
Allihies Copper Museum |
€6,328 |
|
Cavan County Museum |
€9,900 |
|
Donaghmore Workhouse Museum |
€1,000 |
|
Dundalk County Museum |
€7,200 |
|
Foynes Aviation & Maritime Museum Ltd |
€500 |
|
The Irish Jewish Museum |
€9,000 |
|
Kerry County Museum |
€4,433 |
|
Músaem Chorca Dhuibhne |
€3,500 |
|
Rothe House and Garden |
€4,900 |
|
Waterford Museum of Treasures |
€11,000 |
As the Deputy may be aware, I recently announced a further round of the scheme for 2013. Full details are available on my Department's website www.ahg.gov.ie.
14. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ar an athbhreithniú ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, an mbeidh sé ag foilsiú na n-aighneachtaí a fuarthas i ndáil leis an Acht; cathain a bheidh sé ag foilsiú na n-aighneachtaí; agus an dtabharfaidh sé amscála maidir leis an athbhreithniú. [13094/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIs mian liom aird an Teachta a dhíriú ar an bhfreagra a thug mé ar Cheisteanna Dála Uimhir 117 agus 118 ar 30 Eanáir 2013 ar an ábhar seo. Mar atá ráite i gClár Reachtaíochta an Rialtais a foilsíodh ar an 15 Eanáir, táthar ag súil bille a fhoilsiú i mbliana ina ndéanfar foráil do leasuithe ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003, mar thoradh ar an athbhreithniú ar an Acht. Mar a thuigfidh an Teachta, braitheann an t-amscála ar go leor tosca, lena n-áirítear an plé cuí leis na páirtithe leasmhara éagsúla agus an sceideal reachtaíochta i dTithe an Oireachtais.
Tá na céimeanna cuí idir lámha ag mo Roinnse faoi láthair chun moltaí a chur faoi bhráid an Rialtais i dtaca le leasú an Achta. Mar atá curtha in iúl agam cheana, fuarthas 1,400 freagra ar an suirbhé agus 262 aighneacht le linn an phróisis chomhairliúcháin phoiblí a reáchtáladh anuraidh mar chuid den athbhreithniú ar an Acht. Tá anailís déanta ar na moltaí a fuarthas faoin bpróiseas sin agus déanfar iad a fhoilsiú ar shuíomh gréasáin mo Roinne in am trátha.
15. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will engage with the Northern Ireland Executive and the Scottish Government to develop a Gaeilge-Ulster Scots language tourism product; his views in respect of same on Ulster Scots culture in North America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12871/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to highlight the ongoing co-operation on language promotion between my Department, the Northern Ireland Executive and the Scottish Government, particularly through the provision of funding and support for the work of the two agencies of An Foras Teanga, the Ulster-Scots Agency and Foras na Gaeilge.
One of the key priorities identified by the Ulster-Scots Agency for 2013 is to develop strategic national and international engagements with Scotland and with North America in order to widen access to, and appreciation of, Ulster-Scots culture and heritage. I understand that the Ulster-Scots Agency has recently been in touch with Scottish MPs at Westminster with some very encouraging feedback and the Agency is now working to develop a framework for east-west activities. In addition, the Ulster-Scots Agency already undertakes some activities in regard to promotion of Ulster-Scots in North America, including attendance at large-scale events like the Stone Mountain Highland Games in Atlanta, Georgia.
I should also refer the Deputy to the work of Colmcille, a partnership programme between Foras na Gaeilge and Bòrd na Gàidhlig to promote the use of Irish and Scottish Gaelic within Ireland and Scotland and also between the two countries. Through its work programme, Colmcille seeks to foster understanding of the diverse culture of the Irish and Scottish Gaelic communities and to encourage debate on common concerns with regard to social, cultural and economic issues with a view to building self-confidence within the respective language communities. In 2011, Colmcille launched Slí Cholmcille, a major heritage and cultural tourism trail linking sites in Ireland and Scotland.
Further information is available on the agencies' websites at www.ulsterscotsagency.com and www.forasnagaeilge.ie.
16. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Brian Stanley den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén dul chun cinn atá déanta ó thaobh maoiniú a thabhairt le hionad oidhreachta a thógáil ag Teach an Phiarsaigh in am do chomóradh 100 bliain Éirí Amach na Cásca. [13099/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuigim go bhfuil plé ar siúl le cúpla bliain anuas chun ionad cuairteoirí a fhorbairt ag suíomh Theach an Phiarsaigh i Ros Muc. Mar thoradh ar na cainteanna idir na páirtithe éagsúla, lena n-áirítear mo Roinn, an Roinn Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil, Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí agus Údarás na Gaeltachta, aontaíodh tabhairt faoi ionad cuairteoirí a fhorbairt gar do Theach an Phiarsaigh. Bunaíodh grúpa idir Oifig na nOibreacha Poiblí agus Údarás na Gaeltachta chun an tionscnamh a chur chun cinn. Is é an aidhm atá leis an gcomhoibriú seo ná maoiniú a aimsiú don fhorbairt, an obair thógála a bhainistiú agus socruithe a dhéanamh chun an tionad a bhainistiú ach é a bheith tógtha.
Tuigtear dom ó Údarás na Gaeltachta go bhfuil an tionscnamh tugtha chuig staid réamhphleanála ag an ngrúpa seo agus go bhfuil sonraíochtaí iomlána ullmhaithe do na foirgnimh atá molta. É sin ráite, tuigtear dom nach bhfuil foinsí maoinithe aimsithe don tionscnamh go fóill.
17. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé mhéad duine breise atá tar éis pacáiste na scéime tacaíochta teaghlaigh a ghlacadh ón am seo an bhliain seo caite; an dtabharfaidh sé briseadh síos ar cá háit a bhfuil na daoine sin lonnaithe ar bhonn contae agus ar bhonn Gaeltachta; cén costas a bhí ar an scéim go dtí seo; agus cén tslat tomhais atá ag an Aire chun a chinntiú go bhfuil na teaghlaigh seo ag úsáid na Gaeilge go laethúil. [13097/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá pacáiste tacaíochta á chur ar fáil ag mo Roinn do thuismitheoirí mar cheann de na bearta atá á gcur i bhfeidhm mar chuid den Chlár Tacaíochta Teaghlaigh a sheol mé i mí Aibreáin 2012. Tá sé mar aidhm ag an bpacáiste tacaíochta tacú níos fearr le teaghlaigh Ghaeltachta atá ag súil le páiste agus a dteastaíonn uathu a bpáistí a thógáil le Gaeilge, chomh maith le teaghlaigh Ghaeltachta atá ag tógáil páistí réamhscoile le Gaeilge nó gur mhaith leo a bpáistí réamhscoile a thógáil le Gaeilge. Is ar theaghlaigh de bhunadh na Gaeltachta atá an tionscnamh seo dírithe go príomha, cé go n-aithnítear go bhfuil éileamh ar an bpacáiste tacaíochta chomh maith lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht.
Go nuige seo, tá 639 pacáiste dáilte ar theaghlaigh, lena n-áirítear 173 chuig seoltaí poist sa Ghaeltacht, 450 chuig seoltaí poist eile in Éirinn agus 16 seolta chuig teaghlaigh thar lear. Tá infheistíocht €30,389 déanta go dtí seo sa tionscnamh. Is léir, mar sin, go bhfuil éileamh suntasach ar an bpacáiste agus go bhfuil cuid mhaith den éileamh sin ag teacht ón nGaeltacht.
Níor mhiste a nótáil go bhfuil rath an chláir i ndeireadh báire ag brath ar mhian agus ar thoil an phobail féin. Leanfaidh mo Roinn, i gcomhar leis na páirtithe leasmhara, le gach iarracht is gá a dhéanamh - laistigh de na hacmhainní atá ar fáil – d'fhonn a chinntiú go n-ardaítear feasacht phobal na Gaeltachta faoin gceist agus go spreagfar tuismitheoirí dá réir chun an Ghaeilge a roghnú mar theanga teaghlaigh.
18. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide an update on the progress made under the 20 year strategy for the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12975/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra115. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will provide an update on progress under the 20 year strategy for the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13148/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 115 together.
The 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030 recognises that the implementation of the various measures contained therein requires a phased approach. While my Department has the overarching responsibility for the Strategy, it is working in co-operation with other key stakeholders, including the Department of Education and Skills, Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge, to implement the Strategy on an incremental basis, within available resources.
Priority was given during 2011 to implementing the Strategy’s establishment phase. This involved providing information about the Strategy and establishing the organisational and operational structures required for its implementation. Priority was given during 2012 to legislative matters. The enactment of the Gaeltacht Act 2012 was a significant achievement as it provides for a statutory language planning process, both within and outside the existing Gaeltacht, and for a statutory role in this regard for Údarás na Gaeltachta and Foras na Gaeilge, as appropriate.
My Department is actively engaging with a wide range of key stakeholders under the auspices of an Inter-Departmental Group, which I chair, and other high-level working groups regarding the implementation of those aspects of the Strategy that are relevant to their areas of responsibility. As a result, it is envisaged that the various key stakeholders will be in a position to publish their implementation plans for the Strategy later this year. It is also envisaged that a report on the overall progress made in implementing the Strategy to date will be published later this year.
