Written Answers Nos. 321-341
322. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress made to include reference in all new statements of strategy to all sustainable development goal targets for which his Department has lead responsibility as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals National Implementation Plan 2018-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25754/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a significant and ambitious policy agenda that concerns all Government Departments.
The first National Implementation Plan (2018-2020), published in 2018, set out Ireland’s strategy to achieve the SDGs both domestically and internationally. The Goals are mainstreamed in domestic policy and the governance structure reflects a whole-of-government approach and ensures coordination and coherence, in particular where goals cover areas of shared responsibility.
19 Actions were included in the first National Implementation Plan. Action 4 of the plan set out a commitment to include reference in all new Statements of Strategy to all SDG targets for which a Department has lead responsibility.
My Department published its Statement of Strategy 2021-2023 on 19 January 2021. It is available on the gov.ie website at this link: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/7e2cea-statements-of-strategy-2011-2019/
The Strategy has been informed by my priorities and relevant commitments in the Programme for Government and the overall strategic context in which my Department operates.
The Department’s Mission for 2021-2023 will be to serve the public interest through sound governance of public expenditure and by leading and enabling reform across the Civil and Public Service. In support of this mission, it will pursue two strategic goals, as follows:
- To manage public expenditure at sustainable levels in a planned, balanced and evidence informed manner, in order to support Ireland’s economic, social and climate goals; and
- To drive reform and innovation across the Civil and Public Service to improve service delivery to the public, and to enhance strategic policy making and public governance structures.
These goals, and the actions underpinning them, have been set at a relatively high level and provide a robust framework to support the implementation of the Department's broad remit, including its role in respect of the Sustainable Development Goals. Details of the specific actions to be undertaken by the Department in respect of the Sustainable Development Goals are set out in the Government’s National Implementation Plan, referred to above.
The development of the next SDG Implementation Plan has commenced, with the intention of publication later this year. A National Progress report will be incorporated into the Plan and will assess the progress on the 19 Actions, including the commitment set out under Action 4.
323. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the specific sustainable development goal targets his Department is responsible for implementing; the progress made in implementing those targets since 26 April 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25772/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOverall political oversight for national SDG implementation is provided through the Cabinet, with each Minister having specific responsibility for implementing individual SDG targets related to their Ministerial functions. The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) has responsibility for promoting the SDGs, and for overseeing their coherent implementation across Government.
The first National Implementation Plan (2018-2020), published in 2018, set out Ireland’s strategy to achieve the SDGs both domestically and internationally. An important element of this Plan is the SDG Policy Map and Matrix, which identified the lead and stakeholder Departments for each of the Goals and targets and also mapped national sectoral policies against the 17 SDGs and all 169 related targets, in order to identify which policies were most relevant to which SDGs and their associated targets.
The SDG Policy Map and Matrix enhances the ability of stakeholders to track Ireland’s implementation of specific SDGs and associated targets, and to assess Ireland’s response to the SDGs for potential policy gaps. It also supports and enhances cross-Government engagement in implementing each of the Goals and Targets. This policy map has recently been updated and is available online at gov.ie.
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Group specifically leads on two specific sub-actions under Sustainable Development Goals 9 and 12. These sub-actions relate to the delivery of resilient and sustainable infrastructure, and promoting of sustainable public procurement practices respectively. The following sections provide an update on the latest guiding policies and work programmes that are being progressed to meet the requirements of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Sub-action under SDG goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
Update on building resilient and sustainable infrastructure
The current guiding policy is Project Ireland 2040, which consists of my Department’s National Development Plan (NDP) 2018 – 2027 and the National Planning Framework as led by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The current NDP sets out total investment of approximately €116 billion across all sectors and this will allow Ireland to move close to the top of the international league table for public investment.
Climate Action and Sustainability were core to the design of both the NDP and the National Planning Framework. Both policies address 10 key National Strategic Objectives, with one of the strategic outcomes identified being “Transition to a Low Carbon and Climate Resilient Society”. As a result, €21.8 billion has been prioritised for investment in the low carbon transition, with a further €8.6 billion allocated for investment in sustainable public transport. Specific investments identified include flagship investment programmes such as supports for energy efficiency and retro-fitting, to the delivery of major new public transport projects such as MetroLink and BusConnects. In addition, the €500 million Climate Action Fund is also providing funding on a competitive basis for initiatives that contribute to the achievement of Ireland’s climate and energy targets or offer the potential for innovative interventions in these sectors. More generally the approach to sustainable compact growth that is set out in the National Planning Framework and the NDP will support a more balanced pattern of development across the country. This will put an end to the urban sprawl of the past and support greater sustainability and climate resilience.
As you may be aware, a review of the NDP is currently taking place. In line with the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals, this review is focused on how Project Ireland 2040 can be further supported to deliver on the policy priorities in the Programme for Government, particularly climate action. The NDP Review is also focused on balanced regional growth and alignment with Ireland's spatial strategy of NPF. The Phase 1 report of the NDP review was published on April 4th 2021, and forms part of the evidence base for finalising the drafting of the revised NDP. Phase 2 of the review will be a revised NDP setting ten year capital ceilings out to 2030 alongside five year rolling departmental capital ceilings and priorities and is planned to be published in Summer 2021.
Sub-action under SDG goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Update on the promotion of sustainable public procurement practices
Metrics are key to enable monitoring and verification of any measures introduced aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of public works projects. In this regard the Office of Government Procurement is currently engaged with the International Construction Measurement Standard (ICMS) coalition in the development of an international reporting system for whole life carbon in the built environment. The ICMS coalition anticipate that ICMS 3rd Edition, incorporating Life Cycle Analysis, will be available for public consultation by September 2021.
In addition to the work on developing standard metrics, consideration is also being given to the following:
- The incorporation of Life Cycle Analysis into the design stage,
- The availability of open source Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) to industry,
- Development of award criteria for assessment of tenders incorporating Life Cycle Analysis,
- Development of guidance for the incorporation and evaluation of Life Cycle Analysis in public procurement.
The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) published an Information Note on Incorporating Social Considerations into Public Procurement in late 2018. This note helps policy makers and practitioners understand how procurement can be used to facilitate the advancement of existing social policy objectives, including environmental sustainability, as well as the wider context and implications of including them in particular procurement projects.
In 2019, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issued Circular 20/2019: Promoting the use of Environmental and Social Considerations in Public Procurement. This instructed departments to consider including green criteria in public procurement processes, where defined and measurable criteria exist. The OGP contributed to a revision of Green Procurement – Guidance for the Public Sector, led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which, in addition to broad guidance on Green Public Procurement (GPP), will describe defined, measurable, and up to date ‘Irish GPP criteria’ for 10 priority sectors. This will greatly assist public bodies to include green criteria in their procurement, in line with Circular 20/2019. The OGP also assisted the EPA in developing training in this area aimed at procurement practitioners and is currently contributing to a steering committee set up by Eastern and Midlands Climate Action Regional Office to address the need for training in the use of GPP across the local authority sector.
Circular 20/2019 also requires Departments to incorporate relevant green procurement measures into their planning and reporting cycles. A GPP monitoring and reporting template, capturing the frequency and value of green criteria in public procurements over €25,000, was developed by the EPA, with input from the OGP. This will feature in the Annual Report of each government department from 2021.
The OGP chairs a cross-departmental Strategic Procurement Advisory Group, bringing together officials from policy Departments with procurement practitioners to share best practice and to facilitate the process of incorporating social and environmental considerations into public procurement. This year, the OGP and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications together set up an Environmental subgroup of the Strategic Procurement Advisory Group, to allow more detailed, technical, discussion of environmental considerations with experts including from the EPA and Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland.
324. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he has engaged a third party company to date in 2021 to conduct online and-or social media monitoring and-or provide reports on social media coverage of his Department; if so, the cost of same; and the name of the social media platforms being monitored. [25790/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra325. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if officials in his Department are tasked with conducting online and social media monitoring and completing reports on social media coverage of his Department and his ministerial activities; if so, the number of staff involved; the respective grades of each; the estimated working hours committed to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25808/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 324 and 325 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department does not engage a third-party company for the purpose set out in the question. Similarly, there are no officials in my Department tasked with monitoring social media. The staff of the Department's Press Office manage its Twitter and LinkedIn accounts by creating posts and sharing content. The Press Office takes note of replies to material posted by my Department. However, they do not compile sentiment reports, report on social media coverage of Ministerial activities or engage in monitoring of other social media users.
326. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he and bodies under his aegis have engaged private investigation companies or persons in the past three years to date; and if so, the cost, duration and purpose of these engagements of this type of contractor. [25830/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has not engaged any such services in the specified period.
This is also the case for all of the bodies under the aegis of my Department, with the exception of the Office of Public Works (OPW) as set out in the following link.
Office of Public Works
327. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of works and operations in Barryscourt Castle, County Cork. [25949/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt was discovered, in recent years, that Barryscourt Castle had significant problems with damp penetration causing the internal electrical system to become inherently unsafe. The visitor experience at the Castle had to be closed while extensive rehabilitation works were put in place.
The resultant works project involves progressively drying the entire Castle structure and repointing all external walls to prevent future water ingress. This has necessitated addressing water ingress at all levels. Extensive drainage works at ground level were required to lower the ground water table level. All external walls are being repointed and grouted with heritage grout to reduce water penetration through the external fabric. Works have been carried out to the roof to improve water runoff. Extensive work to lead detailing, valleys and wall walks in addition to the upgrade and replacement of gutters has also been undertaken to effect the good run-off of rainwater. The weathering of chimneys especially on the West wall has been particularly difficult.
Restrictions associated with the Covid 19 pandemic has disrupted the good progress of these works. Currently, work to the North and West walls is complete and is approaching 50% on the South and East walls.
After all external works are complete, an upgrade of the electrical and heating systems is planned, the completion of which, will clear the way for a reopening to the public. Every effort is being made to expedite the works which can only be undertaken in sequence. It is not possible at this time to give a precise date for reopening to the public.
328. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the modernisation and-or reform of the way in which the travel bands and corresponding payments are calculated for Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas. [26008/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra329. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the reform of allowances and expenses available to Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas. [26009/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 328 and 329 together.
The Deputy will be aware that a particular operational aspect of the current system is under review by the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission namely the System for Recording Attendance (SRA) of Members of the Dáil and Seanad.
Following conclusion of that review and when the recommendations are fully embedded and impacts assessed, I will consider whether further reforms are appropriate.
330. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the drafting of legislation to transpose the EU whistleblowing directive into law; his plans to ensure that local elected representatives will be covered by protections for whistleblowers under the new legislation; his further plans to ensure that all public and private workers and volunteers will be covered by protections for whistleblowers under the new legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26061/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDirective (EU) 2019/1937 on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law ("the Whistleblowing Directive") was adopted in October 2019 and Ireland has until 17 December 2021 to transpose it into Irish law. Ireland already has comprehensive whistleblower protection legislation in place in the form of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. Transposition of the Directive will require amendments to the 2014 Act.
In this regard, on 12 May 2021, following approval from Government, I published the General Scheme of a Bill to amend the Protected Disclosures Act to give effect to the Directive. The General Scheme has now been referred to the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and Taoiseach for pre-legislative scrutiny and also to the Attorney General to commence formal drafting of the Bill for presentation to the Oireachtas later this year.
The Protected Disclosures Act already provides protections from retaliation for workers in the public and private sectors who speak up about wrongdoing in the workplace. The proposals I have set out in the General Scheme will - in accordance with the requirements of the Directive - provide for the extension of the personal scope of the Act to volunteers and also shareholders, board members and job applicants.
The question the Deputy raises as to the application of the Directive to local elected representatives is a legally complex matter and will be considered in detail in the context of the drafting of the Bill.
331. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of data breaches suffered by his Department in each of the past five years and to date in 2021. [26104/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has a data breach management policy in place to ensure that any data breaches are dealt with as required under Articles 33-34 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In line with this policy, the Department identified and recorded twenty eight data breaches to date from 2016. The breakdown by year is shown below in tabular form. Only a small portion of these were required to be reported to the Data Protection Commissioner, under the terms of the GDPR.
|
Year |
Number of data breaches reported |
|
2016 |
1 |
|
2017 |
0 |
|
2018 |
9 |
|
2019 |
7 |
|
2020 |
10 |
|
2021 |
1 |
|
Total |
28 |
332. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he received two submissions (details supplied); the date he received same; when he will be in a position to make a determination on the submissions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26184/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the two submissions referred to by the Deputy were initially received by my Department from the Department of Transport on 11 December 2020 and 27 December 2020.
As part of the deliberative process for these submissions officials of this Department have been engaging with their counterparts in the Department of Transport in relation to the requirements of Circular 16/2020 Internal Dispute Resolution procedure for pension appeals) with a view to bringing resolving this matter as soon as possible.
Pending the finalisation of this process, I am not in a position to provide any further comment at this stage.
333. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when construction on a new Garda station in Bailieboro, County Cavan will commence; the estimated timeframe for completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26523/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe procurement phase for this project is well progressed with tenders currently being evaluated and it is expected that this phase will be completed shortly. Following contract award, construction will take about 20 months to complete.
334. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the percentage of posts made on each of his departmental social media accounts and platforms that were exclusively in Irish between 1 May 2020 and 30 April 2021, inclusive; the percentage of posts made on each of his departmental social media accounts and platforms that featured bilingual translations in Irish and English between 1 May 2020 and 30 April 2021, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26586/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
Social Media Platform |
Percentage of Irish Only Posts during specified period |
Percentage of Bilingual Posts during specified period |
|
|
1.12% |
3% |
|
|
- |
3.5% |
My Department will continue to work progressively towards improving the percentage of Irish Language posts made on its social media accounts and platforms.
More generally, my Department is committed to meeting its obligations in respect of the Official Languages Act. In this context, the Deputy may be interested to note that the Annual Report 2020 of my Department was published in Irish and English last week and is available at the following links: https://www.gov.ie/ga/bailiuchan/5a45a-dper-annual-reports/ or https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/da1589-dper-annual-reports-2013-16/.
335. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Office of Public Works will consider purchasing a building (details required) with the express view of ensuring that it remains a focal point of community activity and does not fall into private ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26596/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commissioners of Public Works provide office accommodation for Government Departments and certain State bodies. It is outside their remit to acquire properties for community use. Issues relating to community and rural regeneration rest within the remit of my colleague the Minister for Rural and Community Development.
336. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if grants will be provided for chambers of commerce and business associations to promote and advertise their areas and summer arts events; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25568/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates an annual fund for Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools Scheme to promote local summer cultural events and which is open to application by commerce chambers, business associations and other community groups. The maximum allocation available to projects under this Scheme is €5,000.
In 2019 a total of €111,000 was allocated to 50 projects under this Scheme. There was a significantly reduced demand for this Scheme in 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19, but 14 projects were awarded a total of €54,700 for online and COVID-compliant cultural events.
Applications under the scheme for 2021 closed on 23rd April 2021. These applications are now being assessed and successful applicants will be notified shortly.
It is currently envisaged that this funding scheme will run again in 2022 and will launch in the first quarter of the year. Full details of this allocations under previous years are available on my Department's website at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/6acdc-cultural-projects-funding/.
The Arts Council offers a wide range of financial supports across art forms and arts practices, including festivals. The Arts Council sees festivals as key producers and presenters of the arts and are critical to engaging large and diverse audiences.
The Arts Council also provides financial support to a number of single art form festivals (e.g. theatre, dance, film) and such festivals are supported within the policy context of those art forms. The Council also supports many multidisciplinary arts festivals, meaning those festivals that programme across different art forms, including literature, music, street arts, theatre, visual arts and different areas of arts practice.
Their Festivals Investment Scheme, for example, is specifically designed to offer support to local/voluntary organisations to develop arts festivals. The larger festivals regularly supported by the Council include the Wexford Festival Opera and the Galway Arts Festival.
Fáilte Ireland supports local authorities in the development of tourism in their area including funding for capital investment, festivals and events.
While Fáilte Ireland does support the promotion of many cultural events, including the Dublin Theatre Festival and the West Cork Chamber Music Festival, the promotion of cultural events for commercial purposes is primarily a matter for the organisers and promoters of the activities in question and is not a focus for arts funding.
As a joint initiative, the Arts Council and Fáilte Ireland are developing guidance for the safe presentation of festivals and live events. This document is currently at the consultation stage and is due to be published in the coming weeks.
337. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán ar choinnigh Údarás na Gaeltachta airgead siar ó chliantchomhlachtaí in aon chás thar na blianta sna cúinsí atá luaite toisc sárú a bheith déanta acu ar choinníollacha teanga, dár tagraíodh i mo cheist pharlaiminte uimhir 53 den 6 Bealtaine 2021; agus sonraí a thabhairt faoi cén coinníoll a bhí sáraithe. [25592/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIs mian liom aird an Teachta a dhíriú ar an gceist a d'fhreagair mé sa Teach seo ar an 6 Bealtaine ar an ábhar seo.
Tar éis an cheist seo a bheith tógtha in athuair leis an Údarás, tá sé curtha in iúl nach eol dóibh aon chás inar coinníodh siar airgead sna cúinsí atá luaite ag an Teachta.
Mar atá mínithe agam don Teachta roimhe seo, tuigtear dom go mbíonn coinníollacha faoi Leith, lena n-áirítear coinníollacha teanga, ag baint le gach deontas a cheadaíonn Údarás na Gaeltachta dá gcliaint, ag brath ar an saghas maoinithe agus an leibhéal tacaíochta atá i gceist.
Bíonn ar na cliaint na coinníollacha sin a chomhlíonadh sula ndéantar éileamh ar íocaíocht deontais. Má bhíonn deacracht ag cliaint le ceann ar bith de na coinníollacha a chomhlíonadh, tuigtear don Roinn go n-oibríonn feidhmeannaigh an Údaráis go dlúth leis an gcliant chun a chinntiú go mbíonn na coinníollacha deontais comhlíonta sula ndéantar éileamh ar íocaíocht.
Tá sé deimhnithe ag an Údarás go bhfuil córais rialaithe inmheánacha i bhfeidhm chun an méid sin a chinntiú agus nach ndéantar aon éileamh ar íocaíocht deontais a phróiseáil go dtí mbíonn an tÚdarás sásta go bhfuil na coinníollacha ar fad comhlíonta go cuí. De thoradh an cur chuige réamhghníomhach seo, tuigtear don Roinn nach raibh gá aon tráthchuid deontais a choinneáil siar de bharr ghnóthaí teanga go dtí seo.
338. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will consider, in consultation with the Minister for Health, the inclusion of a group (details supplied) in any proposed test events; and if she has engaged with the group on this matter to date. [25603/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe return of parkruns is fundamentally concerned with the removal of the current restrictions on the size of outdoor public gatherings. In recognition of the improving epidemiological situation, the Government announced a roadmap on 29 April for the gradual lifting of some restrictions over May and June, with a particular focus on allowing more outdoor activities. A range of measures are now being eased, with a further easing of measures in June subject to the epidemiological situation at the time. Further detail is available on Gov.ie:
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/0bd80-new-public-health-measures-announced-the-path-ahead/.
NPHET has advised that this phased plan for the months of May and June can be considered low to medium risk. However, they also advise that a faster reopening over these months would be very high risk. A number of higher-risk activities including outdoor mass gatherings and events (such as parkruns) are not part of the reopening plans for May and June, but they will be subject to further consideration towards the end of June with a view to recommencing these activities as we move through the summer.
I understand from my colleague, the Minister for Health, that there continues to be regular contact with parkrun organisers and detailed discussions regarding a return of parkrun events will commence once Government has taken decisions in relation to the re-introduction of outdoor mass participation events.
Significant progress has been made on suppressing the virus over recent months due to the huge effort of people across the country. By working together, we have saved lives and limited the impact of the disease on society in Ireland. We all must continue to do everything possible to continue to avoid the virus spreading and to support the safe reopening of activities over the coming months.
339. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the guidelines for reopening Irish dance classes (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25696/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am acutely conscious of the importance of dance and dance classes as sources of well-being and creativity as well as being a professional career choice for dance practitioners and I can assure the Deputy that I am engaging on an ongoing basis with Government colleagues on the importance of opening up facilities that support all art forms including dance, as soon as the epidemiological situation improves. In the meantime, the Arts Council has worked with my Department to develop guidance for children and young people’s arts and cultural activities. The guidance was recently published on the Arts Council’s website.
This guidance will continue to be updated in line with any relevant changes to public health measures in the coming months. This guidance was reviewed by my Department’s external Health and Safety advisors to ensure compliance with:
- The Government’s Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021 – The Path Ahead;
- The Government’s Stay Safe Guidelines;
- The Government’s Work Safely Protocols.
The guidelines will assist those engaging in arts and cultural activities with children to provide a safe and controlled environment which will mitigate against the risk of spreading COVID-19. This guidance is a living document, which means that as government restrictions and public-health guidelines evolve, this document will also evolve to reflect new government advice and changes to protocols as they emerge. The Arts Council’s Young People, Children and Education guidance may be used for organised cultural activities for children and young people, including early-childhood arts activities and arts training and education services that are delivered outside of early learning-and-care, formal education and youth-work contexts.
The Guidance is available the following link:
http://www.artscouncil.ie/uploadedFiles/wwwartscouncilie/Content/Contact_us/COVID-19/YPCE%20C-19%20Reopening%20Guidelines_April%202021.doc.pdf.
Dance classes are included with organised indoor and outdoor events. The Path Ahead Framework sets out when it is considered that organised indoor or outdoor events can take place. Since 10 May 2021 organised outdoor gatherings with a maximum attendance of 15 people can take place. In all these cases robust protocols and protective measures, including appropriate supervision and capacity limits, should be in place.
The Government’s COVID-19 Resilience and Recovery 2021 - The Path Ahead plan sets out the Government’s objectives for the full recovery of social life, public services and the economy. The government has decided to move ahead with this The Path Ahead plan. We are now in the early stages of the Recovery phase of the pandemic. The decision is based on advice from the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), that a cautious and gradual phased reopening over May and June, with an emphasis on outdoor activity and a moderate increase in social contact, can be considered low to medium risk. NPHET has advised that there is scope to ease a range of public health measures in this manner with sufficient time between any easing of measures to assess the impact. This allows us to continue through the Recovery phase, focusing on what is safest and generates the most benefit and with a focus on outdoors activities – both social and economic.
340. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the progress made to include reference in all new statements of strategy to all sustainable development goal targets for which her Department has lead responsibility as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals National Implementation Plan 2018-2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25758/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra341. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the specific sustainable development goal targets her Department is responsible for implementing; the progress made in implementing those targets since 26 April 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25776/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 340 and 341 together.
As the Deputy will be aware the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a significant and ambitious policy agenda with implications for all Government Departments.
Overall political oversight for national SDG implementation is provided through the Cabinet, with Ministers having specific responsibility for implementing individual SDG targets related to their Ministerial functions. The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) has responsibility for promoting the SDGs, and for overseeing their coherent implementation across Government.
The first National Implementation Plan (2018-2020), published in 2018, set out Ireland’s strategy to achieve the SDGs both domestically and internationally. An important element of this Plan is the SDG Policy Map and Matrix, which identified the lead and stakeholder departments for each of the Goals and targets and also mapped national sectoral policies against the 17 SDGs and 169 related targets, in order to identify which policies were most relevant to which SDGs and their associated targets.
The SDG Policy Map and Matrix enhances the ability of stakeholders to track Ireland’s implementation of specific SDGs and associated targets, and to assess Ireland’s response to the SDGs for potential policy gaps. It also supports and enhances cross-Government engagement in implementing each of the Goals and Targets. This policy map has recently been updated and is available online at https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/ff4201-17-sustainable-development-goals/#sdg-policy-map
The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media has responsibility for leading implementation of the following specific targets under SDGs 8, 11 and 12.
Target 8.9 - By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.
The Government’s Tourism Policy Statement, People, Place, and Policy: Growing Tourism to 2025, affirms that it will place tourism as a key element of its economic strategy, with development in the tourism sector reflecting the highest standards of environment and economic sustainability.
It is anticipated that a new tourism policy will be developed, with an overall emphasis on sustainability, as we look to rebuild the tourism sector in a post-pandemic world. This policy commitment will seek to deliver on Ireland’s ambition to be among the world-leaders in sustainable tourism practices from not only an environmental but also a social and economic perspective.
Work on this new national tourism policy will commence when the tourism sector has stabilised following the pandemic. This policy will build upon the work undertaken by the Sustainable Tourism Working Group set up under the outgoing policy which has developed Guiding Principles for Sustainable Tourism Development in Ireland.
Target 11.4 Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage
Together with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage which has primary responsibility for the protection and safeguarding of Ireland’s natural heritage, my Department has responsibility for safeguarding Ireland’s rich cultural heritage including our arts and culture, our sports and Gaeltacht communities. In that regard, in 2015 Ireland ratified the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Since 2018, our unique practices of Hurling and Irish Harping have been recognised by UNESCO and added to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. My Department has also developed a National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage where 30 practices have been inscribed. More information on the Inventory and practices can be found here https://nationalinventoryich.chg.gov.ie/. It is expected that further practices will be inscribed to the Inventory this year.
Target 12b - Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism which creates jobs, promotes local culture and products.
The Government's Tourism Policy Statement has been successfully implemented by way of two Tourism Action Plans, initially from 2016-2018 and latterly from 2019-2021. The implementation of the most recent Action Plan was interrupted by the need to respond to the devastating impact the COVID-19 crisis has wrought on the Irish tourism sector.
However, this Action Plan contained an action providing for the establishment of a working group to review international best practice in sustainable tourism and to propose guiding principles for sustainable tourism development in Ireland. A Sustainable Tourism Working Group including senior representatives of Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation was established under the aegis of the Tourism Leadership Group and chaired by the Department. The group completed its work on this action in late 2019 and its report was subsequently published and is available at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/fff4eb-sustainable-working-group-report/. The report set out the ambition that “Ireland will seek to be amongst the world-leaders in sustainable tourism practices” and it also set out accompanying Guiding Principles for Sustainable Tourism Development in Ireland.
The Sustainable Tourism Working Group reconvened this year to complete the development of a suite of actions that promote sustainable tourism practices which can be implemented prior to a new policy being developed.
My Department's Statement of Strategy 2021-2023, which is now being finalised for submission to Government and subsequent publication, will reference my Department's responsibilities in relation to the above mentioned sustainable development goal targets.
