Written Answers Nos. 505-522
505. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on the call of an organisation (details supplied) for a substantial increase in the business continuity fund for coach tourism to reflect the real and actual damage done to the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32983/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am acutely aware of the devastating loss of business being experienced by the Coach Tourism sector. In this context I was pleased to make €10m available as part of the Government’s July Stimulus to assist the sector. The Coach Tourism Business Continuity Scheme, which is administered by Fáilte Ireland, opened for applications on the 15th October.
Budget 2021 included a number of further substantial measures to support and strengthen the tourism sector and are supplemented by the economy-wide business supports and social welfare measures. The supports available to tourism businesses will continue to be reviewed as we seek to protect viable businesses and prepare for recovery in the sector.
507. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the evidence and logic employed when deciding to close down an outdoor and controllable sport such as golf under level 5 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33020/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra511. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the grounds on which it was deemed necessary for golf courses to close under level 5 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33244/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra515. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will review the requirement in level 5 Covid-19 restrictions for golf courses to be closed and to allow reopening of courses but not clubhouses in order to continue to protect public health. [33616/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 507, 511 and 515 together.
Given the current epidemiological situation with high incidence of disease, widespread community transmission, and growing hospitalisations and deaths, it has been necessary to put in place very significant restrictions to arrest the current trajectory of the disease and break transmission chains. This means asking people to stay at home and eliminating as much activity and contacts as is possible to ensure that opportunities for the virus to transmit are minimised, while allowing essential activities to continue. Unfortunately, this means minimising discretionary activities such as going to golf clubs and there are no plans to amend the current public health regulations so as to permit the reopening of golf courses.
The Government fully understands the benefits that sport generally, including golf, provides to peoples overall health and well-being and understands how difficult the public health measures are for individuals and businesses. The measures in place to suppress the disease transmission are intended to minimise the risks to public health while striking the right balance in prioritising and protecting some activities over others. Such activities include health and social care services, education and other essential needs, work and economic activity, and other key societal interests (in so far as possible) such as sports and important family gatherings.
Each level of the framework contains a “basket” of measures which are intended, collectively, to contribute to lowering risk of transmission in alignment with the risk level at that time. The set of measures, individually, do not comprise a list of activities or places which are equally safe. Instead, they are “baskets” of measures which are informed by public health understanding of the disease. The measures in place for each level reflect the prevailing disease situation and recognise that we can and must prioritise some activities over others.
The Government is aware of the impacts COVID-19 and the related public health measures are having on our mental health and well-being. The “Keep Well” campaign, launched on 29th October, is aimed at showing people of all ages how we can mind our own physical and mental health and wellbeing by adding healthy and helpful habits to our daily and weekly routines. It provides guidelines, information, and tips on things that will help us keep well through the coming months. Relevant information is this regard is available on gov.ie/healthyireland.
508. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if an organisation (details supplied) can continue to train with up to 15 children during level 5 restrictions. [33023/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the Government-approved “Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19” gyms, as with all other indoor sports facilities, must close under level 5. The only facilities not covered by this requirement are those set out in the public health regulations concerned. Accordingly, the proposed indoor-based arrangements advanced in the Deputy’s question are not in accordance with public health regulations.
509. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there will be a reduction on the television licences in public houses in view that these businesses are closed for the most part of 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33060/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID 19 crisis highlights more than ever the importance of public service broadcasting to our society. It is vital that the Irish public have a readily available, reliable source of information on COVID-19 and the measures being put in place to tackle the crisis.
Equally as important are the sources of funding that make it possible for public service broadcasting to operate. At a time when advertising revenues are falling, the COVID 19 crisis is putting considerable strain on the resources of all broadcasters. Licence fee receipts are therefore essential to maintaining the service provided by public service broadcasters such as RTÉ. The Sound and Vision Fund is also financed from the TV licence fee and has provided special COVID 19 rounds of €2.5m for commercial radio and €750,000 for community radio.
Given the importance of these services at the present time, it is not my intention to make any reductions to the licence fee.
512. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will amend the lockdown regulations to allow persons to attend gyms and golf clubs while adhering to all Covid-19 requirements and social distancing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33356/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraGiven the current epidemiological situation with high incidence of disease, widespread community transmission, and growing hospitalisations and deaths, it has been necessary to put in place very significant restrictions to arrest the current trajectory of the disease and break transmission chains. This means asking people to stay at home and eliminating as much activity and contacts as is possible to ensure that opportunities for the virus to transmit are minimised, while allowing essential activities to continue. Unfortunately, this means minimising discretionary activities such as going to the gym or to golf clubs and there are no plans to amend the current public health regulations as suggested by the Deputy.
The Government fully understands the benefits that such facilities provide to peoples overall health and well-being and understands how difficult the public health measures are for individuals and businesses. The measures in place to suppress the disease transmission are intended to minimise the risks to public health while striking the right balance in prioritising and protecting some activities over others. Such activities include health and social care services, education and other essential needs, work and economic activity, and other key societal interests (in so far as possible) such as sports and important family gatherings.
Each level of the framework contains a “basket” of measures which are intended, collectively, to contribute to lowering risk of transmission in alignment with the risk level at that time. The set of measures, individually, do not comprise a list of activities or places which are equally safe. Instead, they are “baskets” of measures which are informed by public health understanding of the disease. The measures in place for each level reflect the prevailing disease situation and recognise that we can and must prioritise some activities over others.
The Government is aware of the impacts COVID-19 and the related public health measures are having on our mental health and well-being. The “Keep Well” campaign, launched on 29th October, is aimed at showing people of all ages how we can mind our own physical and mental health and wellbeing by adding healthy and helpful habits to our daily and weekly routines. It provides guidelines, information, and tips on things that will help us keep well through the coming months. Relevant information is this regard is available on gov.ie/healthyireland.
513. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will reconsider restrictions on solitary and socially distanced sports and sporting clubs such as tennis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33428/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraGiven the current epidemiological situation with high incidence of disease, widespread community transmission, and growing hospitalisations and deaths, it has been necessary to put in place very significant restrictions to arrest the current trajectory of the disease and break transmission chains. This means asking people to stay at home and eliminating as much activity and contacts as is possible to ensure that opportunities for the virus to transmit are minimised, while allowing essential activities to continue. Unfortunately, this means minimising discretionary activities including much sporting activity, including tennis, and there are no plans to amend the current public health regulations as proposed in the Deputy's question.
The Government fully understands the benefits that sport generally, including tennis, provides to peoples overall health and well-being and understands how difficult the public health measures are for individuals and businesses. The measures in place to suppress the disease transmission are intended to minimise the risks to public health while striking the right balance in prioritising and protecting some activities over others. Such activities include health and social care services, education and other essential needs, work and economic activity, and other key societal interests (in so far as possible) such as sports and important family gatherings.
Each level of the framework contains a “basket” of measures which are intended, collectively, to contribute to lowering risk of transmission in alignment with the risk level at that time. The set of measures, individually, do not comprise a list of activities or places which are equally safe. Instead, they are “baskets” of measures which are informed by public health understanding of the disease. The measures in place for each level reflect the prevailing disease situation and recognise that we can and must prioritise some activities over others.
The Government is aware of the impacts COVID-19 and the related public health measures are having on our mental health and well-being. The “Keep Well” campaign, launched on 29th October, is aimed at showing people of all ages how we can mind our own physical and mental health and wellbeing by adding healthy and helpful habits to our daily and weekly routines. It provides guidelines, information, and tips on things that will help us keep well through the coming months. Relevant information is this regard is available on gov.ie/healthyireland.
516. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the Fáilte Ireland adaptation grant of €2,500 is available only to restaurants and cafés that sell alcohol; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33619/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra557. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason cafés, without alcohol licences, were excluded from a recent scheme funded by her Department for which her Department provided €26 million through Bord Fáilte; if it is planned to provide further funding for such restaurants or to extend the scheme to include such restaurants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33924/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 516 and 557 together.
I propose to answer questions 33619 and 33924 together
Budget 2021 included a number of substantial measures to support and strengthen the tourism sector supplemented by economy-wide business supports and social welfare measures. The supports available to tourism businesses will continue to be reviewed as we seek to protect viable businesses and prepare for recovery in the sector.
The administration of the Covid-19 Adaptation Grant scheme for tourism businesses is an operational matter for the Board and management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputies' questions to them for further information and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
518. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has given the final sign-off on guidance for indoor sport at level 3, if not, when she will sign off on these guidelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33862/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe draft guidance to which the Deputy refers was developed by the Expert Group on the Return to Sport, which was established by my Department in May 2020.
Guidance in draft form has been shared with other relevant Departments. Following completion of the consultation process, it is my expectation that this guidance can be published within the next few weeks, in sufficient time for its application under the appropriate level of the Government’s Resilience and Recovery plan.
519. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the preliminary work that has taken place with respect to the publication of the 1926 Census of Population; the lead in time needed to enable publication in that year; if funds have been made available to complete the project; the work already undertaken to achieve the release of the data; and if a release date earlier than 2026 is possible. [33907/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to inform the Deputy that a significant body of information from the 1926 census has been collated and published by the Central Statistics Office on its website. There are hundreds of tables giving details of the size, age, gender, occupations, housing, dependency, and the speaking of Irish in the population of the State in 1926. These tables are available at this link https://www.cso.ie/en/census/censusvolumes1926to1991/historicalreports/census1926reports/
Under the Statistics Act 1993, information on an individual identifiable person, cannot be released until 100 years after the date on which the census was taken.
It is expected that information relating to individuals taken in the 1926 Census will be ready for public release at the end of the statutory period in 2026.
520. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive the restart grant for non-registered bed and breakfasts from Fáilte Ireland. [32387/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe administration of the Restart Grant Plus for B&Bs is an operational matter for the Board and management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to them for further information and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
521. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the restart grant plus for bed and breakfast establishments will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32388/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Restart Grant Plus for Bed and Breakfast businesses is administered by Fáilte Ireland. The application process for Fáilte Ireland approved B&B's opened on 14th September 2020 and closed on 28th October 2020. Applications for B&Bs not affiliated with Fáilte Ireland or B&B Ireland opened on 19th October and will close on 30th November. I have asked Fáilte Ireland to revert to the Deputy in regard to announcement timelines. Please contact my private office if you do not hear within ten working days.
522. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports available to free local newspapers under level 5 restrictions in order to ensure that they can survive the lockdown period in view that advertising is the sole income available to newspapers of this type and advertising revenue will collapse under Level 5 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32523/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has put in place a range of supports for all businesses which are available to the print and online media sectors during health restrictions imposed by Covid-19. The production and publication of newspapers, journals and periodicals and the distribution of those publications has been listed as an essential service.
The new Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, expanded the remit of the Public Service Broadcasting Commission to become the Future of Media Commission, tasked with considering the future of print, broadcast, and online media in a platform agnostic fashion. On 29 September 2020 the Government agreed the terms of reference and membership of the Future of Media Commission.
I look forward to receiving the Commission's Report on completion of its work which will inform media policy, including the print media.
