Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Wednesday, 19 Dec 2018

Written Answers Nos. 575-597

Departmental Advertising Expenditure

Ceisteanna (575, 585, 586)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

575. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount spent by his Department on public advertising and the purchase of external communications and publicity in 2018 by advertising campaign including specific amounts on social media campaigns (details supplied) or other digital platforms; the amount spent on public relations or other communications support in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53579/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

585. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount spent on social media by his Department in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; the projected spend in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53993/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

586. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the amount spent on marketing and media by his Department in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; the projected spend in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54010/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 575, 585 and 586 together.

Press and public relations functions are generally undertaken by the officials in my Department's Press Office. The engagement of external expertise is only considered where the issues involved require expert skills or capabilities that are not readily available within my Department.

The details requested for the years 2016 onward have previously been provided in reply to Questions No. 825 of 11 July 2017, 744 of 14 December 2017 and 625 of 2 October 2018. Details of 2018 expenditure to 20 November 2018 were provided in response to Question No 667 of 20 November 2018.

The information outstanding in respect of 2018 is as follows:

Campaign

Facebook

Twitter

Other

Fire Safety Week 2018/19

€5,332

-

-

Fire Safety Week 2017/2018

€1,100

€800

-

Submissions to Local Electoral Area boundary committee

€787

-

-

Electoral Register Awareness Campaign

€3,901

-

-

Newspaper ads relating to October 2018 polls, ie how to apply to change polling stations for accessibility reasons and ID docs on polling day

-

-

€20,245

Newspaper adverts on Bringing Vacant Properties Back Into Use

-

-

€20,877

While it is not possible to project total expenditure for 2019, it is anticipated that public information campaigns in respect of the European and local elections, referendums, consultations on the Electoral Commission and Electoral Register Reform and register awareness campaign will be of the order of €250,000. In addition, the expected approximate spend on general advertising on fire safety issues is €110,000, with the cost of my Department’s annual Fire Safety Campaign not yet available.

Vacant Properties

Ceisteanna (576)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

576. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans to introduce a grant to renovate old one-off housing in rural Ireland to assist with the housing shortage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53597/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The issue of vacant homes in rural areas is addressed in the National Vacant Housing Reuse Strategy 2018-2021 and while my Department does not plan to introduce a grant to renovate old, one-off rural housing, it has committed to work in close partnership with other relevant Government Departments on addressing rural vacancy.

There are already opportunities, under funding programmes for social housing delivery, whereby local authorities and approved housing bodies can assist private property owners in utilising existing vacant housing stock. Depending on the location of social housing need, the Repair and Leasing Scheme is available to owners of vacant properties who cannot afford or access the funding needed to bring their properties up to the required standard for rental property, so they can be made available for social housing use. The Buy & Renew scheme supports local authorities to acquire and remediate suitable vacant properties where there is a social housing need. Information on these schemes is also available in the National Vacant Housing Reuse Strategy 2018-2021, which is available on my Department's website at the following link: https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/national_vacant_housing_reuse_strategy_0.pdf.

Homeless Persons Data

Ceisteanna (577)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

577. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the number of children and adults deemed homeless in counties Cavan, Monaghan and Louth in each of the past 12 months and to date in December 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53615/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department publishes a monthly report on homelessness. The monthly report is based on data provided by housing authorities and produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS). The report captures details of individuals utilising State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by housing authorities and can be accessed at the following link:

http://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data.

While these reports identify the number of adults utilising State-funded emergency accommodation at county level, details in relation to dependents (typically children but may include dependent adults) is only available on a regional basis and is set out in the following table. The most recent report available is for October.

Numbers in Emergency Accommodation - North East Region

Months

Cavan - Adults

Louth - Adults

Monaghan - Adults

North East Region - Dependents

November 2017

3

142

3

85

December 2017

2

139

4

84

January 2018

3

147

5

101

February 2018

4

150

1

155

March 2018

5

54

1

49

April 2018

4

124

0

45

May 2018

5

111

0

55

June 2018

3

125

1

54

July 2018

7

118

2

43

August 2018

5

125

2

62

September 2018

18

111

3

63

October 2018

7

124

2

59

Legislative Programme

Ceisteanna (578)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

578. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when the second stage of the Local Government (Rates) Bill 2018 will take place in 2019. [53659/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The legislative basis for the levying of rates is spread over a number of enactments, some dating back to the 19th century. My Department has developed legislative proposals to modernise and consolidate the legislation governing commercial rates, and last year the Government approved the drafting of a Rates Bill.

The Local Government (Rates) Bill 2018 was published on 9 August 2018. The Bill contains proposals for some modernisation and consolidation of the legislation governing commercial rates. Included in the provisions are:

- the removal of the requirement for ratepayers to pay their annual bill in two instalments (moieties) and allow ratepayers to pay rates by instalments or a payment plan agreed with the local authority;

- schemes for the abatement of rates on vacant properties;

- power for local authorities to introduce rates waiver schemes to support local and national policy objectives;

- the levying of interest on unpaid and overdue rates; and

- unpaid rates to be a charge on relevant property.

The scheduling of Second Stage of the Bill in the Dáil is a matter for the Business Committee to decide. In the current session, priority has attached to the Local Government Bill 2018 in terms of Dáil time for legislation in the local government area. I hope that it should be possible to commence Second Stage of the Local Government (Rates) Bill in the Spring Dáil session.

Question No. 579 answered with Question No. 573.

Planning Issues

Ceisteanna (580)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

Ceist:

580. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will report on the potential impact of the High Court ruling by a person (details supplied) of 7 December 2018 regarding the requirement of all commercial peat harvesting companies to apply for planning permission; his plans to introduce amending legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53767/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the High Court proceedings referred to because neither I, as Minister, nor the State is a party to the case concerned. In addition, it should be noted that under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any case (including planning enforcement cases) with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned.

My Department has been actively engaged with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment in relation to new legislative procedures to put in place as speedily as possible a robust and effective legislative underpinning for a new regulatory regime for large-scale peat extraction. Under the proposed new regime, large scale peat extraction on sites in excess of 30 hectares will become subject to a licence issued by the Environmental Protection Agency and will no longer come under the planning code.

There has also been focused stakeholder input from relevant Government Departments and State bodies, industry representatives and environmental groups.

Engagement with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment is at an advanced stage with a view to finalising the draft regulations for signature by my colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment as soon as possible.

Residential Tenancies Board Data

Ceisteanna (581)

Ruth Coppinger

Ceist:

581. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the inclusion of rents charged by housing associations in the rent index published by the Residential Tenancies Board in view of the fact that it may distort the calculation of the average standardised rent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53915/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) Rent Index is the most authoritative and accurate report on actual rents in the private rental sector. It calculates the standardised averages and rental indices for private sector tenancies only. Approved Housing Body tenancies are excluded as they would distort the overall average given that the rents charged are below market rents.

Residential Tenancies Board Data

Ceisteanna (582)

Ruth Coppinger

Ceist:

582. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on the level of compliance by landlords in informing the Residential Tenancies Board of rent increases excluding renewal tenancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53916/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill 2018, which is expected to be published this week, contains amendments to enhance the rental data to be provided to the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB), including provision for the annual registration of tenancies. The aim is to gather more accurate and detailed tenancy and rental data on an annual basis to improve the information available to assist with policy formulation in the residential rental sector.

Mortgage Schemes

Ceisteanna (583)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

583. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if an analysis has taken place on the reason 1,162 applications for the mortgage-to-rent scheme were withdrawn; the breakdown of these reasons; the steps taken to reduce the number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53957/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

To the end of Q3 2018, the number of Mortgage to Rent (MTR) applications withdrawn was 1,162. All withdrawals are notified by the lender and the underlying reasons for withdrawal are not indicated. However, it is known that the 1,162 cases included some 500 applications that were incorrectly submitted by lenders in the early stages of the scheme when lenders were not familiar with the scheme's purpose and operation.

Not all MTR applications will develop into fully completed transactions given the understandable reluctance of those in mortgage arrears to lose ownership of their houses. Such a decision cannot be taken lightly and so the process allows the borrower enough time to consider the option of MTR. If other options rather than losing home ownership are put forward by the lender, a borrower is more likely to avail of these other options. This is particularly the case in the context of a now improving economy.

A Review of the MTR scheme, published on 8 February 2017, introduced a range of amendments to the eligibility criteria and administration of the scheme in order to improve its operation. The Review, available at the following link: http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/changes-in-mortgage-to-rent-scheme/, explored the avenues and impediments to participation in the scheme and recommended a number of actions to make the scheme work better for borrowers. My Department and the Housing Agency are working with all stakeholders to ensure that the actions set out in the Review are being effectively implemented to benefit a greater number of households. The eligibility requirements of the scheme were widened to include a greater number of borrowers and a larger number of property types. Increasing awareness and understanding of the scheme has been a priority and a new website - www.mortgagetorent.ie - dedicated to guiding and advising borrowers has been developed. In addition, new structures and arrangements have been put in place to encourage a greater number of entities to take part in the scheme.

It is the case and will continue to be the case that MTR applications may be withdrawn by the borrower or the lender. However, the implementation of the resulting actions from the Review means that MTR can be a long-term solution for more households in mortgage distress.

Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund

Ceisteanna (584)

Thomas Byrne

Ceist:

584. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to a legal query from a local authority (details supplied) leading to a delay in the operation of an affordable housing scheme in a town in conjunction with the LIHAF scheme; and the status of same. [53977/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department established the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) to relieve critical infrastructural blockages to enable the accelerated delivery of housing on key development sites in Dublin and in other urban areas with high demand for housing. The type of infrastructure investment includes roads, bridges, diversion of powerlines, drainage works as well as public amenities (e.g. parks).

The 30 infrastructure projects receiving funding will stimulate development of approximately 20,000 homes across the 14 local authorities in areas of high housing need by 2021. Details of the projects funded are available on the Rebuilding Ireland website and can be accessed at the following link:

http://rebuildingireland.ie/lihaf/ .

I can confirm that a query was received from the local authority mentioned in relation to the allocation of housing on a LIHAF associated site. To clarify, my Department does not provide legal advice to local authorities in respect of their legal obligations, this is a matter for the Council's own law agents.

However, the Department does intend to issue guidance to local authorities in relation to the delivery of affordable housing under the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009. Part 5 of that Act contains significant detail on the procedures and operation of the new Affordable Purchase Scheme. The primary legislation will be supported by associated regulations, which are currently being finalised, following extensive consultation between my Department, the Housing Agency and local authorities. The regulations, once finalised, together with relevant guidance, will be issued to all local authorities.

Questions Nos. 585 and 586 answered with Question No. 575.

Built Heritage Investment Scheme Funding

Ceisteanna (587)

Eamon Scanlon

Ceist:

587. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the financial support available to Sligo County Council for the protection of a location (details supplied) which is in disrepair; the estimated cost of assessing such a structure; if funds will be released to Sligo County Council for a feasibility study; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53524/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The building complex mentioned by the deputy is recorded in the National Inventory of Architectural Heritage (NIAH), which is maintained by my Department, and forms the basis of recommendations to local authorities for inclusion of structures on their Record of Protected Structures under the Planning and Development Acts.  The buildings are included in Sligo County Councils RPS and as such are protected structures within the meaning of the Planning and Development Acts.

Inclusion on the RPS places a duty of care on the owners and occupiers of protected structures. They are legally required to make sure that the structure does not become endangered through neglect, decay, damage or harm.

Inclusion on the RPS also gives planning authorities a number of powers to deal with such structures and safeguard their future. If a protected structure is endangered, the planning authority can serve a notice on the owner or occupier, requiring them to carry out any work that it considers necessary to protect it.

Financial support is provided by my Department through a number of schemes for the conservation and protection of heritage buildings. These schemes are administered via the local authorities and include the Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Structures Fund. I recently launched both schemes for 2019 and they are open for applications. Details of the schemes are available on all local authority websites and on my Department’s website. 

The Heritage Council, which my Department funds, also provides grants for the protection of historic sites and buildings. The allocation of its resources across the range of programmes and supports it provides is primarily a matter for the Heritage Council. Details of grants are available on the Heritage Council’s website www.heritagecouncil.ie.

National Concert Hall

Ceisteanna (588)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

588. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount of current and capital funding provided to the National Concert Hall in each of the years 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; and the amount which will be provided in 2019. [53544/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The allocation to the National Concert Hall for both capital and current spending for 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 is as set out in the following table:

Year

Current

Capital

Total - Grant

2016

€2,265,000

€160,000

€2,425,000

2017

€2,449,000

€260,000

€2,709,000

2018

€2,569,000

€260,000

€2,829,000

2019

€2,788,000

€260,000

€3,048,000

The National Concert Hall also received additional state funding in 2016, 2017 and 2018 for specific projects or initiatives which is as set out in the following table:

Year

Current

Capital

Total – Other funding

2016

€354,000

€250,807

€604,807

2017

€5,000

€195,285

€200,285

2018

€4,000

n/a

€4,000

I welcome the contribution made by the National Concert Hall to the celebration and appreciation of music in Ireland.

Departmental Advertising Expenditure

Ceisteanna (589)

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

589. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount spent by her Department on public advertising and the purchase of external communications and publicity in 2018 by advertising campaign including specific amounts on social media campaigns (details supplied) or other digital platforms; the amount spent on public relations or other communications support in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53572/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am advised that, to date in 2018, my Department has incurred advertising costs of €100,143 in respect of its activities. The majority of these costs relate to newspaper advertising in relation to the publication of statutory notices and other routine matters placed through Sparks Foundry. As previously advised the Department has also engaged D’Arcy Marketing and BigO at a cost of €17,466 and €6,125 respectively to promote awareness of the 2018 European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) campaign for the recruitment of Irish language translators to the institutions of the European Union.

I am also advised that the Culture Ireland Unit has this year engaged Mr. Nik Quaife for the provision of services including a communications strategy for its GB18 programme, to celebrate and renew Ireland’s cultural relationship with Britain. Total expenditure to date in respect of this contract is €51,400.

The Creative Ireland Programme undertakes targeted citizen engagement programmes to get people involved in cultural and creative activity right across the country. I am advised that approximately €400,000 has been allocated from the Creative Ireland Programme Budget in 2018 in relation to public engagement and commissioning digital content. Expenditure to date in this regard is in the order of €177,000. MB Arts International have been engaged on a two year contract to provide a range of contract services including citizen engagement and building partnerships. Expenditure to date in this regard is €58,000.

The Creative Ireland Programme also continued to engage in citizen engagement and public awareness to get people involved in cultural and creative activities.

The Cruinniú na nÓg regional radio and social media cost of €48,780 was for a four week campaign from mid-May to mid-June 2018 to promote the 500 events taking place across the country as part of the inaugural Cruinniu na nÓg day of creativity for children and young people. Three bespoke videos were produced to support and raise awareness of Cruinniú na nÓg - Ireland's new national day of Creativity for children and young people - at a cost of €24,815.

In addition to promoting interest in specific initiatives such as Cruinniú na nÓg, social media is also actively used to support and promote the Creative Ireland Programme generally as well as specific creative endeavours and partner activities. During 2018, specific short videos were also commissioned to promote various aspects or pillars of the Creative Ireland Programme. These included a specially commissioned spoken word piece by Stephen James Smith to mark the publication of 31 Local Authority Culture and Creativity Strategies in September accompanied by five short videos to illustrate the breadth and range of activities supported by the local authority Creative Ireland Programmes; and a video to mark the roll out of the Creative Schools initiative in 150 schools nationwide, in partnership with the Arts Council and the Department of Education and Skills.

All these videos are available at https://www.creativeireland.gov.ie/en.

A full breakdown of all costs in 2018 in relation to these activities will be published on the Creative Ireland website The following table summarises the above mentioned expenditures.

Creative Ireland Expenditure Summary

2018

Cruinniú na nÓg

Regional radio & social media campaign

€48,780

3 Cruinniú na nÓg videos

€24,815

Creative Ireland Programme

Social Media content - uploading of articles daily throughout 2018

€66,420

12 videos

€93,110

External communications Support

MB Arts International

€84,353

Mindshare

€27,060

Value for money is a critical consideration at all times in assessing whether external firms should be engaged to provide services of this nature.

Hen Harriers Threat Response Plan

Ceisteanna (590)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

590. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when the threat response plan for hen harrier areas will be completed; and her views on afforestation in hen harrier areas. [53621/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The draft Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan is nearing completion and is currently being refined in consultation with Departmental stakeholders. The Departments will meet with the Consultative Committee for the Threat Response Plan as soon as practical, and the plan will then go to public consultation.

Any afforestation proposals in Special Protection Areas designated under the EU Birds Directive require completion by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine of an Appropriate Assessment, in accordance with Article 6.3 of the EU Habitats Directive. As per European Union Guidelines for State aid, any afforestation within the SPAs must be agreed in advance by the Competent Authority responsible for designating Natura sites, that is to say my Department.

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Ceisteanna (591)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

591. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of persons that participated in the NPWS farm plan scheme in each of the years 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; and the funding allocated and expended on the programme in each year since the scheme was established. [53623/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The number of participants in the National Parks and Wildlife Farm Plan Scheme in 2016, 2017 and 2018 were 53, 45 and 41 respectively.

The budgetary figures requested are provided in the following table, although some of the allocation figures (i.e. from 9 years and more ago) are not available. Allocations are made to provide for possible take up of the scheme and in some years, the take up of the scheme and payment claims were somewhat less than the allocation.

-

-

-

-

Year

Budgetary allocation

Actual expenditure

2006

-

€1.12m

2007

-

€1.73m

2008

-

€2.01m

2009

-

€2.44m

2010

€5.10m

€3.75m

2011

€5.38m

€4.40m

2012

€5.14m

€3.96m

2013

€4.44m

€3.45m

2014

€3.14m

€2.67m

2015

€1.58m

€1.42m

2016

€0.93m

€0.55m

2017

€0.69m

€0.55m

2018

€0.51m

€0.48m

Departmental Agencies Funding

Ceisteanna (592)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

592. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the 2019 allocation by between current and capital funding for her Department and each body under the remit of her Department; and the corresponding 2018 allocation for each such body and Department in tabular form. [53923/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Details of the 2018 allocations for my Department, including the allocations to the bodies under the aegis of the Department were published as part of the Revised Estimates for 2018 and are available on my Department's website at https://www.chg.gov.ie/app/uploads/2015/07/2018rev.pdf.

Details of the 2019 allocations for my Department, including the allocations to the bodies under the aegis of the Department were published as part of the Revised Estimates for 2018 and are available on the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s website at http://www.per.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/Final-Master-Revised-Estimates-2019-ilovepdf-compressed.pdf

Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge

Ceisteanna (593)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

593. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Dara Calleary den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé mhéad airgid breise a bheartaítear a chur ar fáil chun an Straitéis Fiche Bliain don Ghaeilge a chur i ngníomh in 2019; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [53940/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Is í an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010–2030 bunchloch pholasaí an Rialtais i leith na Gaeilge. Tá úinéireacht tras­Rannach ag an Straitéis agus baineann an fhreagracht as í a chur i bhfeidhm dá réir le raon Ranna Rialtais, forais agus eagraíochtaí Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta. Is ar mo Roinn-se atá an fhreagracht iomlán as cur chun feidhme na Straitéise a chomhordú.

Tá cur i bhfeidhm na straitéise agus, go deimhin, Plean Gníomhaíochta 2018-2022 d’fheidhmiú na Straitéise a foilsíodh níos túisce i mbliana lárnach i gcláir agus i ngníomhaíochtaí éagsúla mo Roinne mar a bhaineann le gnóthaí Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta.

Cuireadh maoiniú breise de €5m ar fáil do mo Roinn i leith ghnóthaí Gaeilge, Gaeltachta agus Oileánda i gCainaisnéis 2019. Is fiú €67.5m dá réír an ciste iomlán airgid a bheidh le caitheamh sa réimse seo in 2019.

San áireamh tá:

- Ciste faoi leith ar fiú €3.25m in iomlán é curtha ar fáil in 2019 do chur i bhfeidhm an phróisis pleanála teanga. Is ionann é seo agus ardú €0.6m thar an méid a bhí luaite leis an gciste seo in 2018. Caithfear an ciste ag tacú le hullmhú agus le feidhmiú pleananna faoin bpróiseas chomh maith le bearta sonracha a dhéanamh ar bhonn lárnach a bheidh ar leasa an phróisis - go háirithe mar a bhaineann sé le le gnothaí teaghlaigh, na luatbhlianta agus na n-ealaíon tradisiúnta teangalárnaithe.

- €1.5m breise curtha ar fáil d’Údarás na Gaeltachta chun infheistíocht bhreise a dhéanamh i gcothabháil agus i gcruthú post i gceantair Ghaeltachta, rud a fhágann gurb é €8.5m (méadú 21% ar 2018) an leithdháileadh iomlán caipitil don eagraíocht;

- €0.5m sa bhreis i maoiniú reatha d’Údarás na Gaeltachta chun tacú tuilleadh le comharchumainn agus eagraíochtaí forbartha pobail sa Ghaeltacht den chuid is mó;

- Leithdháileadh breise de €0.5m faoin gClár Tacaíochtaí Pobail agus Teanga de chuid na Roinne chun tacú tuilleadh leis an bpróiseas pleanála teanga sa Ghaeltacht.

- Suim bhreise de €580,000 le haghaidh Scéimeanna Tacaíochta Gaeilge mo Roinne lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht.

- Leithdháileadh breise de €1.5m chun forbairt a dhéanamh ar infreastruchtúr na gcuan a fhreastalaíonn ar na hOileáin Árainn agus ar Thoraigh agus chun seirbhísí ríthábhachtacha iompair chuig na hoileáin a sholáthar.

San áireamh i gCáinaisnéis 2019, tá suim de €13.323m le cur ar fáil don Fhoras Teanga, a chuimsíonn Foras na Gaeilge agus Gníomhaireacht na hUltaise. Tá na figiúirí seo faoi réir chomhaontú na Comhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas i gcás an Fhorais Teanga.

An Foras Teanga

Ceisteanna (594)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

594. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Dara Calleary den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cé mhéad airgid atá curtha ar fáil i meastacháin 2019 don Fhoras Teanga, agus é briste síos idir Foras na Gaeilge agus Gníomhaireacht na hUltaise; an bhfuil sí sásta leis an maoiniú atá á chur ar fáil don dá ghníomhaireacht sin; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [53941/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Dírím aird an Teachta ar mo fhreagra ar Cheist Dála 684 den 20 Samhain 2018 a leagann amach na fíricí maidir le meastacháin 2019 don bhForas Teanga.

Is í an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas (CATT) a cheadaíonn na buiséid do na Forais Trasteorann uile, An Foras Teanga san áireamh. Mar gheall ar chúinsí polaitiúla i dTuaisceart Éireann, áfach, níorbh fhéidir cruinnithe CATT a eagrú ó lár 2016 agus, dá bhrí sin, níl na buiséid i leith 2017, 2018 agus 2019 ceadaithe go hoifigiúil go fóill. Idir an dá linn, tá sé aontaithe ag na Ranna Airgeadais sa dá dhlínse go bhfeidhmeodh na Forais Trasteorann uile sna blianta 2017 agus 2018 de réir na buiséid a cheadaigh an CATT ina leith don bhliain 2016.

Is mar seo a leanas na buiséid a cheadaigh an CATT don bhForas Teanga i 2016:

- €14,782,911 (£10,348,038) i gcás Fhoras na Gaeilge, á chómhaoiniú 75% ó mo Roinnse agus 25% ón Roinn Pobal i dTuaisceart Éireann; agus

- £3,347,048 (€2,342,933) i gcás Ghníomhaireacht na hUltaise, á chómhaoiniú 25% ó mo Roinnse agus 75% ón Roinn Pobal i dTuaisceart Éireann.

Anuas air sin, cuireann mo Roinn maoiniú breise ar fáil d'Fhoras na Gaeilge i ndáil le nithe imfhálaithe mar a bhaineann le Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge (buiséad €1.061m i 2018) agus Colmcille (buiséad €118,519 i 2018).

San ollchomhthéacs sin, is é €14.028m an soláthar sna Meastacháin Athbhreithnithe 2018 ó dheas chun freastal ar na búiséid a bheidh ceadaithe ag an gComhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas amach anseo don bhForas Teanga, mar aon le maoiniú imfhálaithe i leith Chlár na Leabhar Gaeilge, Cholmcille agus maoiniú aon-uaire a bhain le Bhliain na Gaeilge 2018. Is é €13.323m an soláthar i Meastacháin 2019 do na nithe céanna, seachas Bliain na Gaeilge.

Ní foláir dom a rá freisin go bhfuiltear ag fanacht le treoir ó na Ranna Airgeadais maidir le cur chuige aontaithe do na Foras Trasteorann sa bhliain 2019. Ar ndóigh, ní bheidh soiléiriú ar chúrsaí meastacháin ó thuaidh i gcoitinne ar fáil go ceann tamaill eile ós rud é nach dtosaíonn an bhliain airgeadais ó thuaidh go dtí mí Aibreáin.

Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla

Ceisteanna (595)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

595. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Dara Calleary den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén uair atá sé i gceist Bille nua na dTeangacha Oifigiúla a fhoilsiú; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [53942/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Mar chúlra, is iarracht í an Bhille seo, trí na ceannteideil éagsúla, an timpeallacht a chruthú ina mbeidh ról níos lárnaí ag an teanga in obair an Stáit, go mbeidh an teanga níos feiceálaí agus go mbeidh fáil níos leithne ar sheirbhísí trí Ghaeilge.

Agus an Bille á thabhairt chun cinn, cuireadh tréimhse comhairliúcháin ar bun leis na bpáirtithe leasmhara. Leagadh na Ceannteidil faoi bhráid Chomhchoiste na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus na hOileáin agus foilsíodh tuarascáil ag eascairt as an bpróiseas seo roimh samhraidh 2018. Tá an tuarascáil sin scrúdaithe anois ag mo Roinn i gcomhthéacs dréachtú an Bhille.

Beidh sé mar ollchuspóir sa Bhille go mbeidh 20% de na daoine nua a earcaítear don tseirbhís phoiblí ina gcainteoirí Gaeilge, go mbeidh gach oifig phoiblí atá lonnaithe sa Ghaeltacht ag feidhmiú trí Ghaeilge agus go mbeidh comhlachtaí poiblí in ann freastal ar an éileamh ón bpobal ar sheirbhísí trí Ghaeilge. Is í an earcaíocht croí-lár na ceiste, agus táim dóchasach gur féidir tógáil, ar bhonn chéimiúil, ar líon na bhfostaithe le Gaeilge sa statchóras agus ag eascairt as sin, go mbeifear in ann feabhas a chur ar sholáthar seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge, mar is cóir.

Tá oifigigh mo Roinne ag obair faoi láthair i gcomhar le hOifig an Ard-Aighne chun Bille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) a dhréachtú agus táthar ag súil go mbeidh sé san áireamh i gClár Reachtaíochta an Rialtais le bheith foilsithe roimh an Cháisc i 2019.

Departmental Advertising Expenditure

Ceisteanna (596, 597)

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

596. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount spent on social media by her Department in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; the projected spend in 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53986/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Barry Cowen

Ceist:

597. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the amount spent on marketing and media by her Department in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; the projected spend in 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54003/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 596 and 597 together.

I am advised that there was no expenditure by my Department in respect of social media in 2016. In 2017 expenditure of €64,167 was incurred in respect of social media relating to the Creative Ireland programme. This arose from a comprehensive citizen engagement programme to showcase the range and depth of Ireland's cultural and creative offering and to encourage participation in arts and creative activities as a means of individual, collective and societal well-being. The vision of the Creative Ireland Programme is that every person in Ireland should have the opportunity to realise their full creative potential. This represents a new approach to creativity and cultural policy and therefore required a sustained communications programme in 2017. A combination of approaches and platforms were used to maximise impact, taking account of the diversity of the target audiences. For further information on expenditure please see website on

Creative Ireland

The Cruinniú na nÓg regional radio and social media cost of €48,780 was for a four week campaign from mid-May to mid-June 2018 to promote the 500 events taking place across the country as part of the inaugural Cruinniu na nOg day of creativity for children and young people. Three bespoke videos were produced to support and raise awareness of Cruinniú na nÓg - Ireland's new national day of Creativity for children and young people - at a cost of €24,815.

In addition to promoting interest in specific initiatives such as Cruinniú na nÓg, social media is also actively used to support and promote the Creative Ireland Programme generally as well as specific creative endeavours and partner activities. During 2018, specific short videos were also commissioned to promote various aspects or pillars of the Creative Ireland Programme. These included a specially commissioned spoken word piece by Stephen James Smith to mark the publication of 31 Local Authority Culture and Creativity Strategies in September accompanied by five short videos to illustrate the breadth and range of activities supported by the local authority Creative Ireland Programmes; and a video to mark the roll out of the Creative Schools initiative in 150 schools nationwide, in partnership with the Arts Council and the Department of Education and Skills.

All these videos are available at https://www.creativeireland.gov.ie/en.

A full breakdown of all costs in 2018 in relation to these activities will be published on the Creative Ireland website The following table summarises the above mentioned expenditures.

Creative Ireland Expenditure Summary

2018

-

-

Cruinniú na nÓg

Regional radio & social media campaign

€48,780

3 Cruinniú na nÓg videos

€24,815

Creative Ireland Programme

Social Media content - uploading of articles daily throughout 2018

€66,420

12 videos

€93,110

A similar level of expenditure is expected in 2019.

I am also advised that the Culture Ireland Unit has this year engaged Mr. Nik Quaife on a 1 year contract for the provision of services including a communications strategy for its GB18 programme, to celebrate and renew Ireland’s cultural relationship with Britain. The total value of this contract is €50,000, with expenditure to date of €47,800.

The Department has also engaged D’Arcy Marketing and BigO at a cost of €17,466 and €6,125 respectively to promote awareness of the 2018 European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) campaign for the recruitment of Irish language translators to the institutions of the European Union.

Value for money is a critical consideration at all times in assessing whether external firms should be engaged to provide services of this nature.

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