Written Answers Nos. 523-539
526. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will suspend the reimposed BAI levy which averages at €2,500 per month for a local radio station (details supplied); if she will consider providing the reintroduction of another BAI Sound and Vision scheme to support Covid-19 related programming on the station; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32579/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn recognition of the impact of COVID-19, the BAI levy was waived for the independent radio sector for Quarters 1 and 2 2020. No waivers were applied to television broadcasters and the radio sector waiver has not been extended into Q3/4. While there are no plans for further waivers at this time, the BAI is continuing to monitor and report to me on the financial impacts of COVID-19 on the commercial radio sector. I secured €839k in the recent budget for BAI to recoup the cost of the waiver.
In addition, in recognition of the on going challenges faced by the sector, I secured an additional €2m in Exchequer funding for the Sound and Vision Scheme under the July Jobs Stimulus Package. This greatly enhanced the funding available for the final round of the Scheme this year (round 37), bringing its total value to €4.5m. The purpose of the Sound and Vision Scheme is to support eligible content across the broadcasting sector as a whole, ensuring a balanced and fair approach. This funding round is open to those elements of the radio sector that were not eligible for the rounds to commercial and community radio earlier in the year, namely independent audio producers and public service radio. In addition, the round is open to independent audio visual producers, and commercial, community and public service television stations.
The BAI are currently assessing the applications with an announcement on awards expected shortly. Additional information is available at https://www.bai.ie/en/broadcasting/funding-development-3/sound-vision-4/#al-block-2.
The details of funding rounds to be held in 2021 are a matter for the BAI to decide, and these will be announced in the course of the year.
In addition to these measures the radio sector has access to the range of Government supports put in place for businesses due to Covid 19 including, for example, the Wage Subsidy Scheme.
528. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if specific gyms or training centres have been nominated to facilitate ongoing training for professional and elite sport under the current level 5 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32622/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe public health regulations do not designate specific facilities or training centres for the purposes of undertaking the permitted and limited exempted sporting activities under Level 5 of the Government-approved “Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19” .
Some facilities and training centres that would previously have provided services to elite, professional sports remain open to facilitate ongoing training for exempted categories of sport only. This is to ensure that professional teams can continue to compete including in international competition. It is also to facilitate our high performance athletes and teams in their preparations for the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games to be held in Tokyo next year.
It is permitted to open sports facilities for training sessions and scheduled matches for the exempted categories of sport, i.e. high performance, professional and senior inter-county Gaelic games. There is an expectation that facilities, when deciding to open for elite or Professional athletes, adhere to comprehensive protocols, which ensure extraordinary levels of control and compliance are in place. These protocols are informed by guidance from the Expert Group on Return to Sport to ensure that there is full adherence with best practice guidance from Irish health authorities, as well as international sources such as the WHO and ECDC. Facilities and training centres on the Sport Ireland Campus in Blanchardstown also remain accessible to our elite athletes.
529. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if parents can travel outside 5 km to drop children to sports training that is outside their 5 km limit. [32659/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraGuidance on the Level 5 provision for non-contact training for school aged children has been issued by Government and is available on Sport Ireland's website and guidance on domestic travel restrictions is set out in the COVD-19 section of Gov.ie.
Parents can travel outside 5km to drop children to sports training that is outside their 5km limit and can also attend for child safeguarding purposes, however they will be required to comply with social distancing and all other relevant public health advice.
530. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports her Department has put in place for sports clubs and groups such as marching bands that have rent on halls and related costs to pay but have been closed for the majority of 2020; and if there is assistance available to these clubs to ensure they are not forced to close for good. [32736/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn Monday 2 November, I announced details of an €85 million funding package for the Irish sport sector, which has been significantly impacted by the various COVID-19 restrictions imposed since March 2020. This funding package includes COVID-19 funding of €70 million, which will provide support for the three main field sports organisations (the FAI, GAA and IRFU), a Resilience Fund to support the National Governing Bodies of Sport, a Sports Club Resilience Fund to support clubs, and a Sports Restart and Renewal Fund. It also includes an additional €15 million to the GAA, Camogie Association and Ladies Gaelic Football Association specifically for the running of the 2020 Inter-County Championships.
The funding, which is being allocated by Sport Ireland, will address the existential threat to National Governing Bodies and their club networks, allowing sports organisations to offset significant losses incurred in recent months and add a semblance of certainty to planning for 2021.
The significant investment will reach all levels of the sport sector with National Governing Bodies, Local Sports Partnerships and thousands of grassroots clubs across Ireland set to benefit.
The funding is being invested through grant schemes with Sport Ireland’s recognised funding partners, including the National Governing Bodies of Sport, Local Sports Partnerships and other funded sporting organisations. Sport Ireland will not provide funding directly to sports clubs, affiliates, provinces or branches, this funding will be accessed through programmes established by each of the National Governing Bodies in receipt of funding. It is expected that the National Governing Bodies will publish details of funding allocated to clubs under these programmes in due course.
Details of the funding allocations announced on Monday are available on Sport Ireland's website www.sportireland.ie.
The above schemes provide support for National Governing Bodies of sport and sports clubs that require assistance arising from COVID-19. The schemes do not apply to other groups such as marching bands. In addition, my Department has a range of initiatives that support for music, include marching bands. For example, my Department provides funding for the purchase of equipment under the Music Capital Scheme to performing groups and individual talented musicians on an annual basis throughout the country. The Scheme is managed by Music Network on behalf of my Department.
The Department also provides funding to support Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ), which is the largest group involved in the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music both at community and national level. Annual funding is provided to CCÉ for its work in the protection and promotion of Irish traditional music and culture. They promote traditional music and dance in the following ways:
Thousands of children and young people develop their musical performance (instrumentation and vocal) skills and appreciation skills at these mentored weekly classes, where the emphasis is oral transmission in an appropriate context. Over 1,500 Classes are delivered weekly in community settings. Classes are not currently permitted under Level 5 restrictions.
With over 400 branches, 18 centres, 7 Regional centres and 11 Outreach centres throughout Ireland, Britain, North America and worldwide, a wide variety of formal and informal performance opportunities are provided through the Comhaltas structures and Centres. Each Centre has a local performance group which provides appropriate opportunities for young traditional artists (aged 16 upwards) to participate in formal stage performances.
Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann which is run by CCÉ, has record attendance of 500,000 annually with over 6,000 participating in its competitions.
I can assure the Deputy that I am continuing to work with stakeholders and with Government colleagues to ensure that the appropriate supports are in place to help sustain these sectors throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
531. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason elite athletes have an exemption that allows them to travel for their sporting matches and not restrict their movements for 14 days upon their return; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32819/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraInternational travel is an essential part of normal preparation and competition for many high performing, elite athletes. In particular, such athletes have to travel overseas to compete for qualification competitions and to attend training camps.
The Expert Group on the Return to Sport has prepared a protocol on “International Travel for High Performance Sporting Activities during the COVID-19 Pandemic”. The purpose of this document is to mitigate against elite athletes becoming infected with COVID-19 whilst abroad and also to mitigate the risk of visiting athletes coming to Ireland with COVID-19 and transmitting the virus whilst here.
Key elements of the protocol include the daily monitoring of the athlete's health prior to travel, the creation of a “Travel Bubble” whilst abroad, which limits the athletes’ social interaction whilst abroad, and the restriction of movement and daily monitoring of their health on return.
On return to Ireland, elite athletes are expected to restrict their movements outside of sport activities for 14 days. Restrictions include prohibition on use of public transport, limitation on visitation to other households and of others to their homes.
532. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to the impact Covid-19 level 5 restrictions will have on advertising revenue for local newspapers; if her Department will consider developing a specific package of financial supports to address the particular and unique challenges faced by local print media; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32827/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has put in place a range of supports for all businesses which are available to the print and online 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 the completion of its work which will inform media policy including print media.
533. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the sports in which school-age children can participate under level 5 restrictions with the caveat on group size and non-contact requirement accepted; and if the position will be clarified for the less mainstream sports that include but are not limited to horse riding and archery amongst others. [32830/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraGuidance on the Level 5 provision for non-contact training for school aged children has been issued by Government and is available on Sport Ireland's website. The exemption applies to school-age children of 18 years and under, operating in pods of up to 15 outdoors only.
The training activity permitted is subject to strict supervisory controls and monitoring conditions. No sport is specifically precluded from availing of this exemption, subject however to all non-contact training activities maintaining a 2-metre distance from others while participating in team or group-based practice within the permitted pod size and without physical contact between participants.
Any club or group that is not in a position to apply all of the necessary measures or be in a position to enforce them should not hold training sessions.
534. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if additional funding will be available for clubs that are struggling financially due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33092/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn Monday 2 November, I announced details of an €85 million funding package for the Irish sport sector, which has been significantly impacted by the various COVID-19 restrictions imposed since March 2020.
This funding package includes COVID-19 funding of €70 million, which will provide support for the three main field sports organisations (the FAI, GAA and IRFU), a Resilience Fund to support the National Governing Bodies of Sport, a Sports Club Resilience Fund to support clubs, and a Sports Restart and Renewal Fund. It also includes an additional €15 million to the GAA, Camogie Association and Ladies Gaelic Football Association specifically for the running of the 2020 Inter-County Championships.
The funding, which is being allocated by Sport Ireland, will address the existential threat to National Governing Bodies and their club networks, allowing sports organisations to offset significant losses incurred in recent months and add a semblance of certainty to planning for 2021.
The significant investment will reach all levels of the sport sector with National Governing Bodies, Local Sports Partnerships and thousands of grassroots clubs across Ireland set to benefit.
The funding is being invested through grant schemes with Sport Ireland’s recognised funding partners, including the National Governing Bodies of Sport, Local Sports Partnerships and other funded sporting organisations. Sport Ireland will not provide funding directly to sports clubs, affiliates, provinces or branches, this funding will be accessed through programmes established by each of the National Governing Bodies in receipt of funding. It is expected that the National Governing Bodies will publish details of funding allocated to clubs under these programmes in due course.
Details of the funding allocations announced on Monday are available on Sport Ireland's website www.sportireland.ie.
535. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the aspects of Budget 2021 which relate to tour operators taking into account the decline in tourism activities here particularly under level 5 Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33130/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMinister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (Deputy Catherine Martin): 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. A key measure was the provision of an additional €55m in Business Continuity funding to support strategic tourism businesses. This funding will be administered by Fáilte Ireland and focused on those strategic businesses. Fáilte Ireland are currently engaging with those tourism sectors in the design of funding schemes taking into account the effect of other horizontal funding measures. I have referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for any further information in this regard. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
536. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the financial support provided by her Department to the St. John’s Ambulance service for 2020; and the estimated support for 2021 [33135/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I have previously advised the Deputy in my response to Parliamentary Question No. 361 of 29th September, my Department does not provide financial support on an annual basis to this organisation.
538. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the areas in which the €8 million additional funding promised in Budget 2021 to transfer the National Symphony Orchestra to the National Concert Hall will be spent; if the National Symphony Orchestra had been in receipt of State funding prior to the transfer; if so, the amount; and if the €8 million promised to the National Symphony Orchestra is entirely new State funding or is a transfer of its existing funding allocation within her Department. [33200/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn allocation of €8m has been made to the National Concert Hall to allow for the transfer of the National Symphony Orchestra from RTÉ. This will be a significant step towards the objective of enabling the orchestra to be established as a world class orchestra which will, with the NCH, provide a creative and imaginative programme strategy that will greatly enhance the offering of the combined organisation to the public.
The purpose of this funding is to cover the general operating costs of the orchestra.
The orchestra is currently funded through RTÉ and the funding provided under Budget 2021 represents new State funding.
539. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason the €8 million allocated to the National Symphony Orchestra for 2021 is categorised as Covid-19 contingency funding in view of the fact the transfer of the orchestra to the National Concert Hall is unrelated to the pandemic; if this categorisation makes the €8 million a one-off allocation; and if it will affect the core funding allocation upon which future allocations will be based. [33201/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraA significant amount of additional funding has been allocated to my Department as part of Budget 2021, including an increased allocation to provide for the transfer of the National Symphony Orchestra from RTÉ to the National Concert Hall to cover the estimated operating costs of the orchestra during 2021.
The question of funding for all activities under the remit of my Department for future years, including the National Concert Hall, will be considered as part of the estimates process for those years in the usual fashion.
