Catherine Connolly
Ceist:77. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad iad na pleananna atá ag an Roinn do Bhliain na Gaeilge. [3085/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraScéimeanna Teanga
Ceisteanna (77)
Freagraí scríofa
Is ar 13 Nollaig 2017 a d’fhógair mé go raibh Bliain Na Gaeilge 2018 faofa ag an Rialtas. Ag tógáil ar rath An Teanga Bheo a bhí mar shraith faoi Éire 2016: Clár Comórtha agus i bhfianaise go mbeidh Conradh na Gaeilge ag ceiliúradh 125 Bliain d’Athbheochan na Gaeilge i 2018, feictear gur togra tráthúil í Bhliain na Gaeilge 2018 chun ceiliúradh a dhéanamh ar an teanga, go náisiúnta agus go hidirnáisiúnta.
Chun tacú le gníomhaíochtaí na Bliana, cheadaigh Foras na Gaeilge pacáiste airgeadais de €450,000 roimh dheireadh na bliana agus tá Meitheal Oibre comhdhéanta d'ionadaíocht ó mo Roinn, Foras na Gaeilge, Údarás na Gaeltachta, RTÉ, TG4 agus Conradh na Gaeilge bunaithe ar mhaithe leis an togra a stiúradh.
Anuas air sin, tá breis agus 50 grúpa ag comhordú féilire d'imeachtaí cruthaitheacha, ealaíne agus pobail atá á n-eagrú ar fud an domhain i 2018, le roinnt tionscadal tábhachtacha a leanfaidh ar aghaidh tar éis 2018.
Tá i gceist go mbeidh cur chuige tras-Rialtais i gceist agus an Bhliain á ceiliúradh. Tá clár imeachtaí Eanáir go Meitheamh foilsithe cheana féin agus is féidir imeachtaí bhreise a chlárú i gcónaí ar gaeilge2018.ie. Ar mhaithe le rannpháirtíocht tras-Rialtais a éascú agus a chur chun cinn, beidh mé ag scríobh gan mhoill chuig mo chomhghleacaithe sa Rialtais ag iarraidh orthu a gcuid Ranna agus na comhlachtaí poiblí faoina gcúram a spreagadh le bheith páirteach sa cheiliúradh agus le himeachtaí a eagrú a thacaíonn leis an gcoincheap. Beidh mé ag déanamh an rud céanna, dár ndóigh, taobh istigh de mo Roinn fhéin.
Teastaíonn uaim go mbeidh na himeachtaí seo ag díríú isteacht ar:
- bheocht na teanga a cheiliúradh;
- úsáid, íomhá dearfach, infheictheacht agus gnáthú na Gaeilge sa phobal a mhéadú;
- an obair leanúnach a spreagadh agus aitheantas a thabhairt do chur chun cinn na Gaeilge; agus
- an Ghaeilge a chosaint mar theanga labhartha na Gaeltachta.
Táim cinnte go ndéanfaidh an fócas speisialta ar an nGaeilge dearcadh dearfach i leith na teanga a spreagadh i measc an phobail i gcoitinne, rud a thacóidh le cuspóirí na Straitéise 20-Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030 a bhaint amach.
Ba mhaith liom an deis a thapú anseo inniu cuireadh a thabhairt do mo chomhghleacaithe anseo sa Dáil a bheith páirteach freisin agus Gaeilge a labhairt agus muid i mbun ár gcuid oibre.
Question No. 78 answered orally.
Cultural Policy
Ceisteanna (79)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:79. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason for the delay in the publication of the final Culture 2025 policy document; when it is expected to be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3078/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In July 2016 my predecessor, Minister Humphreys, published the draft framework policy document Éire Ildánach/Culture 2025. This underwent a round of consultations, with submissions received from Government Departments, local authorities, and cultural bodies and stakeholders in the cultural sector. The draft framework policy was submitted to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in July 2016, who published its 'Report on Culture 2025 – Éire Ildánach, Framework Policy to 2025' in July 2017.
My Department is now in the process of finalising the framework policy. In this regard, the Joint Oireachtas Committee made a number of very good suggestions including in relation to how the policy document should be reshaped. My Department is giving careful consideration to these suggestions.
In addition, the Creative Ireland Programme, which was launched in December 2016, restated the key aims and values set out in the draft Culture 2025 document but took these a stage further in terms of setting out key deliverable actions both in year 1 and over a 5 year period. In effect, the Creative Ireland Programme has become the main implementation vehicle for the priorities identified in the Culture 2025. In this regard, the main emphasis of the Department during 2017 was to get the Creative Ireland Programme up and running.
It is important however, notwithstanding the significant achievements under the Creative Ireland Programme, that we have a broad overarching policy document for culture which sets out the strategic aims of Government for future years. I am committed therefore, following receipt of the Oireachtas report ,and in light of the significant progress made over the past year under the Creative Ireland Programme to publish a final Culture 2025 policy document.
My intention is to complete this work in the coming weeks and to bring the final policy to Government for approval and subsequent publication.
Museum Projects
Ceisteanna (80)
Shane Cassells
Ceist:80. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will liaise with the various historical societies in County Meath and Meath County Council as the lead authority towards the development of a county museum at a location (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3097/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The development of a county museum at a location referred to by the Deputy is a matter for Meath County Council in the first instance.
My Department operates various grant schemes which are opened for application from time to time and local authorities can apply under these schemes for funding for projects which they choose to advance. Last year, my Department awarded a large capital grant to Meath County Council for the enhancement and refurbishment of Meath Arts Centre, known as Solstice, in Navan. This grant was awarded under the Arts and Culture Capital scheme 2016-2018. Meath County Council has informed my Department that it hopes to commence work on this project in 2018.
The Arts and Culture Capital scheme 2016-2018 which was announced in 2016 focused on the refurbishment and enhancement of the existing stock of arts and culture facilities including Museums throughout the country. My Department proposes to re-open this scheme for applications later this year and it would be a matter for the County Council to decide on its priorities in making any applications under the scheme.
The Deputy may also be interested to know that my Department also operates a scheme of small grants which provides funding specifically for local and regional museums to enhance their services and a Co-operation with Northern Ireland Scheme which provides support for small self-contained projects which seek to enhance, celebrate or commemorate the artistic, cultural, musical, film or heritage of the Island of Ireland on a North/South basis. These schemes may also be of interest.
Limistéir Pleanála Teanga
Ceisteanna (81, 92, 109)
Aindrias Moynihan
Ceist:81. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sí sásta go mbeidh dóthain airgid ar fáil d’Údarás na Gaeltachta agus do na coistí áitiúla éagsúla chun na pleananna teanga a chur i bhfeidhm; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [2912/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCatherine Connolly
Ceist:92. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an ndéanfaidh sí soiléiriú maidir leis na 26 limistéar pleanála teanga/pobail ó thaobh stádas na bpleananna teanga sna limistéir éagsúla. [3084/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCatherine Connolly
Ceist:109. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cad é stádas an phróisis maidir leis an aitheantas atá tugtha do Ghaillimh mar bhaile séirbhíse Gaeltachta. [3086/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 81, 92 and 109 together.
Chun tacú tuilleadh le feidhmiú an phróisis pleanála teanga atá leagtha amach faoi Acht na Gaeltachta 2012 agus faoina gcuimsítear na ceantair Ghaeltachta chomh maith le Bailte Seirbhíse Gaeltachta agus Líonraí Gaeilge, tá cistíocht faoi leith ar fiú €2.65m curtha ar fáil sa bhliain reatha. Is ardú suntasach é seo thar an €1.25m a cuireadh ar fáil don phróiseas pleanála teanga i 2017.
Lena chois sin, is fiú a lua go bhfuil €2.322m curtha ar fáil in 2018 chun cúram a dhéanamh de chlár tacaíochtaí pobail agus teanga na Roinne. Mar a bhí ar bun go dtí seo, bainfear leas as an gclár seo, atá dírithe ar na ceantair Ghaeltachta agus atá ardaithe fá €900,000 thar an soláthar a bhí curtha ar fáil ina leith sna Meastacháin Athbhreithnithe 2017, chun tacú tuilleadh le feidhmiú an phróisis.
Caithfear a chur san áireamh chomh maith an raon leathan clár, scéimeanna agus tionscnamh eile atá á maoiniú agus á riaradh ag mo Roinn, ag Údarás na Gaeltachta agus ag Foras na Gaeilge araon chun tacú go díreach nó go tánaisteach leis an bpróiseas.
Ag cur é seo ar fad san áireamh, táim sásta go bhfuil solathar cuí curtha ar fáil ón státchiste chun cúram cuí a dhéanamh den phróiseas pleanála teanga sa bhliain reatha.
Maidir le staid reatha an phróisis féin, tá sé tosaithe anois i ngach aon cheann den 26 Limistéar Pleanála Teanga Gaeltachta. Tá pleananna i leith na limistéar a leanas faofa agus táthar ag súil go mbeidh tús á chur lena bhfeidhmiú go luath:
- Gaoth Dobhair, Rann na Feirste, Anagaire & Loch an Iúir
- Cois Fharraige
- Cloich Chionnaola, Gort an Choirce, An Fál Carrach agus Machaire Rabhartaigh.
Tá pleananna teanga á mbreithniú ag mo Roinn faoi láthair i leith cúig chinn eile de na limistéir faoi leith, eadhon: Múscraí; Na Déise; An Cheathrú Rua; Dúiche Sheoigheach & Tuar Mhic Éadaigh; agus Ciarraí Theas.
Lena chois sin táthar ag súil leis go mbeidh pleananna i leith na limistéar a leanas á gcur faoi bhráid mo Roinne chun críche faofa faoi Acht na Gaeltachta go luath:
- Ceantar na nOileán
- Conamara Láir
- Ciarraí Thiar
Maidir leis an cúig limistéar déag eile, beifear ag súil leis go mbeidh pleananna ina leith á gcur faoi bhráid na Roinne chun críche ceada idir seo agus deireadh 2020 - uair a mbeifear ag súil leis go mbeidh feidhmiú pleananna ar bun i ngach aon cheann de na limistéir.
Maidir le Cathair na Gaillimhe atá aitheanta faoin bpróiseas mar cheann den sé chinn déag de bhailte féideartha a d'fhéadfadh a bheith aitheanta in am trátha mar Bhailte Seirbhíse Gaeltachta, tuigtear don Roinn go bhfuil an eagraíocht, Gaillimh le Gaeilge, atá freagrach as plean a ullmhú agus a fheidhmiú don chathair i gcomhar le Comhairle Cathrach na Gaillimhe, i mbun comhairle phroifisiúnta a lorg faoi láthair chun cabhrú leo le hullmhúchán an phlean. Tuigtear dom go bhfuil súil ag an eagraíocht tús á chur le hullmhú an phlean don chathair gan mhoill.
Arts Funding
Ceisteanna (82)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:82. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the status of her Department’s review of the cap in the percentage for the art scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3077/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In 1997 the Government approved the inclusion in budgets for all Exchequer-funded capital construction projects of up to 1% as funding for an art project, subject to an overall cap of €64,000.
Under the terms of the Scheme, funds to commission a per cent for art piece are factored into and funded from the overall budget of each capital project by the public body undertaking it. This is a matter for each project promoter or commissioning body.
My Department has responsibility for the promotion of the Per Cent for Art Scheme and set out guidelines in 2004 to assist project managers to operate the scheme and to provide a common national approach to its implementation. Guidelines on the Per Cent for Art Scheme are available on the Public Art website www.publicart.ie and on the department's website.
The current cap was set by Government in 1997 and given the period which has elapsed since the cap was last adjusted in 1997, my predecessor asked the Department to conduct a review of the scheme. This review has commenced and I expect to receive proposals on the next steps in advancing the review shortly.
Appointments to State Boards
Ceisteanna (83)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:83. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason for the delay in appointing a new director of the Irish Museum of Modern Art; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3076/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The appointment of a new Director is a matter, in the first instance, for the Board of Irish Museum of Modern Art, subject to my approval after consultation with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. My Department is currently in discussion with IMMA and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding the terms and conditions relating to this post. It is hoped to conclude this matter shortly and once it has been finalised the position will then be advertised.
In the interim, an acting Director has been appointed by the Board who will remain in place until the appointment of the new Director.
Bullying in the Workplace
Ceisteanna (84)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:84. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views as to the role she and her Department will play in relation to sexual harassment in the arts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3075/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As I have stated publicly, everyone, regardless of their job, is entitled to work in an atmosphere in which respect, dignity, fairness and equality are very much the norm.
My Department is working closely with the Irish Theatre Institute with a view to putting in place a series of actions that will find an appropriate way forward for the Theatre sector on this sensitive topic.
On 16th November 2017, my predecessor met with the group of eight leaders from Irish theatre organisations, who had co-signed a statement condemning sexual harassment and abuse of power in the theatre in Ireland. The meeting focused on how the theatre sector, in particular, could come together to discuss the issues which have arisen. It was agreed that my Department would assist in any practical arrangements in this regard.
Following that engagement the Irish Theatre Institute has worked to develop an initiative to provide an opportunity for people in the sector to come together to voice views on recent happenings and to consider a respectful way forward for the sector.
Details of this initiative are being finalised and further details will be announced shortly.
I have also asked the Theatre Institute to engage with representatives of the 72 signatories of the open letter which was published in the Irish Times last week with a view to ensuring that the measures proposed can address some of the concerns they expressed, in particular addressing culture and practices in the sector into the future.
I have indicated that I would welcome a meeting with these representatives in due course so that I can hear their concerns first hand and to ensure that any measures we support, address the core of the issues facing the sector and beyond.
It is not appropriate for me as Minister to become involved in, or comment on individual cases, and it is important that due process is followed in each individual case. I am however vigorously following up on the measures announced by my predecessor last month which are designed to work with stakeholders to address culture and practices within the sector. I want to send out a clear message that compliance with the law and a culture of dignity and respect are fundamental and should be the norm for everyone, regardless of where or how they work.
Commemorative Events
Ceisteanna (85)
Joan Burton
Ceist:85. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the detail of her Department’s programme to commemorate the 1918 election and the election of Countess Markievicz; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3070/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is finalising the State's commemorative programme to mark the significant historical events and themes of 1918, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders and in consultation with the Expert Advisory Group on Commemorations. I will be making announcements in this regard very shortly.
Politically, 1918 was a year of profound transformation in Ireland when the focus shifted from the Irish Parliamentary Party towards the rise of radical Irish nationalism and the consolidation of the Ulster Unionist vote. The anti-conscription campaign and the associated general strike were significant milestones in this movement, which culminated in Sinn Féin's landslide victory in the General Election of 1918 in the South and the consolidation of the unionist vote in the North. International events also impacted upon Irish politics and society during this time and these events, at home and abroad, had a significant impact on all communities across the island of Ireland. Women, played a very significant role in these events.
The 2018 commemorative programme will comprise a number of State-led or State-supported initiatives, including formal commemorations and other smaller scale events organised by local authorities working with local community groups or commemorative committees, academic institutions, the National Cultural Institutions, the artistic community and other interested parties.
I am also exploring new partnerships and initiatives which may arise during the year, given the significance of this centenary anniversary and anticipated public interest. My Department will also liaise closely with the Oireachtas in relation to its commemorative programme over the year.
Creative Ireland Programme
Ceisteanna (86)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:86. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will report on the progress of Creative Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3095/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Creative Ireland programme was launched in December 2016 and is a five year initiative, placing creativity at the centre of public policy. It is a cross-Government initiative led by my Department. Significant progress has been made across the five pillars of this Programme and a full report of activity and achievements can be found in the End of Year Report 2017 on my Department's Creative Ireland website: https://creative.ireland.ie/en
Some of the important milestones reached include:
- The establishment of Creative Ireland Co-ordinators and Culture Teams in every local authority with the assistance of €2m provided by the Departments of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Housing, Planning and Local Government. The local Culture and Creativity Plans listed over 750 projects, events and initiatives which took place nationwide in 2017 of which an estimated 250 were directly attributable to the Creative Ireland Programme. The Department will double its funding for this element of the Programme in 2018.
- In December 2017, Creative Youth – a Plan to enable the Creative Potential every Child and Young Person in the country – was launched – a joint effort between the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, and the Arts Council. €2m has been allocated to this initiative in 2018 - €1m from my Department and €1m from the Department of Education and Skills.
- A pilot scheme giving professional artists and writers easier access to social welfare supports was launched in June 2017.
- A Creative Ireland Forum "Culture, Wellbeing and the Creative Society" was held in Dublin Castle at the end of 2017.
I look forward to building on this progress in 2018.
Creative Ireland Programme
Ceisteanna (87)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:87. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount the Creative Ireland Programme plans to spend on marketing in 2018. [3099/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Citizen Engagement is an important aspect of the work of the Creative Ireland Programme. It is important that citizens have the opportunity to engage with the Programme and can access information on the range and depth of Ireland's cultural and creative offering. My Department is developing a new citizen engagement plan for 2018 and I will make a decision on specific funding for this element of the Creative Ireland Programme in this context.
Údarás na Gaeltachta
Ceisteanna (88)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:88. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an méid cuairteanna a thug an tÚdarás ar shuíomhanna sa Ghaeltacht le linn na bliana 2017; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [3102/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ar an tuiscint gur ag tagairt atá an Teachta do chuairteanna a d’eagraigh feidhmeannaigh Údarás na Gaeltachta le linn 2017 ar shuíomhanna atá faoi chúram na heagraíochta, eagraíodh iomlán de 82 cuairt. Seo a leanas na sonraí ar bhonn cheantair Gaeltachta:
|
Ceantar Gaeltachta |
Méid Cuairteanna |
|
Dún na nGall |
31 |
|
Maigh Eo |
19 |
|
Gaillimh |
24 |
|
Ciarraí |
3 |
|
Corcaigh |
1 |
|
Port Láirge |
1 |
|
An Mhí |
3 |
|
Iomlán |
82 |
Is ar an údar go bhfuil líon beag spáis oifige/déantúsaíochta i gceantair na Mí, Chiarraí, Chorcaí agus Phort Láirge, go bhfuil an líon cuairteanna a bhaineann leis na ceantair seo níos ísle.
Tuigim ón Údarás gur fiontraithe, bainisteoirí comhlachta, infheisteoirí féideartha agus daoine gnó eile go príomha a bhíonn i gceist agus gur de thoradh stocaireachta agus margaíochta leanúnaigh de chuid an Údaráis a bhíonn na cuairteanna ann.
Mar chuid den obair leanúnach a bhíonn ar bun ag an Údarás, bíonn teagmháil agus plé leanúnach ag an eagraíocht le raon leathan fiontraithe agus comhlachtaí a mbíonn spás á lorg acu, i dtreo an leas is fearr is féidir a bhaint as an teagmháil sin mar a bhaineann sé le caomhnú agus cothú fostaíochta sa Ghaeltacht.
National Monuments
Ceisteanna (89)
Joan Burton
Ceist:89. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the details of the agreement to cap visitors to Skellig Michael at 11,100 annually under terms agreed with UNESCO and An Taisce's concerns regarding the branding of the islands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3068/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The reference to 11,100 visitors in the 2008 - 2018 Management Plan for Skellig Michael published by the then Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government in 2008 is not to a cap or upper limit on visitor numbers.
The 2008-18 Plan set out the approach to site management across a broad range of issues, including the control measures necessary to manage visitor access. The reference to the figure in question was as an indicator of historic visitor numbers. The exact text of the report states that:
“The average number of visitors per season in the period since 1995 is c. 11,100, a figure that, having been monitored over a period of 13 seasons, is deemed sustainable in terms of protection of the National Monument.”
Rather than prescribing a defined annual maximum on visitor numbers, the approach in the Management Plan is to set a limited daily quota. The arrangements have been notified to UNESCO and have not been identified as being in any way inimical to the outstanding universal value of the site.
In tandem with visits to Skellig Michael being subject to a daily limit, local weather and sea conditions also often result in boats being unable to land safely. I understand that the typical experience over several years is that approximately 40% to 45% of landing attempts fail during an average season which also acts as a limiting factor.
In the context of the maintenance of that daily visitor cap and the other natural and built heritage protections in place for the Island, and the ongoing work of my Department and the OPW, I believe that the unique heritage of this important monument is being protected while also allowing visitors from Ireland and across the world to experience this iconic UNESCO World Heritage Site off the Irish coast.