Written Answers Nos. 514-541
514. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the allocation that was made to RTÉ in Budget 2021; the amount of same spent to date; the amount expected to be spent by the end of 2021; and the amount carried over to 2022. [31078/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraRTÉ is dual funded from commercial revenue and licence fee receipts. Licence fee receipts are comprised of direct sales by An Post, who act as my issuing agent under Section 145 of the Broadcasting Act 2009 and a contribution from the Department of Social Protection in respect of free licences issued under the Household Benefits Scheme. A total of €69.787m is provided for in 2021 in respect of free licences. It is not possible to determine until end year the total amount received through direct sales of TV licences or therefore the overall allocation to RTÉ.
My Department distributes all monies received in the year of receipt with no carryover in accordance with the Broadcasting Act 2009. This provides for payment to An Post for collection, 7% of the net receipts to the BAI Broadcasting Fund and the balance to RTÉ.
To date (8 June 2021) RTÉ have received €77.978m from my Department. Details of how RTÉ spent monies in 2021 will be set out in their Annual Report and Accounts for the year when published in 2022.
515. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount of core, Covid-19 and Brexit funding her Department has received for 2021; and the additional funding her Department has received under the Economic Recovery Plan announced on 1 June. [31079/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe gross total allocation for my Department in 2021 is €1,081,818,000. Details of all allocations are set out by programme area and by subhead in the Revised Estimates Volume 2021 (REV2021) published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on its website at www.gov.ie/en/collection/e20037-revised-estimates.
REV2021 allocations recognise the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the sectors under the aegis of my Department as well as the impact of BREXIT – they also reflect the commitments contained in the Programme for Government – Our Shared Future . However, there is no specific categorisation of funding allocations within programme areas other than by subhead.
A number of schemes will be implemented in 2021 in direct response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. These include:
€50m in respect of a Business Continuity Fund being administered by Fáilte Ireland;
€50m in respect of a variety of supports for the Live Entertainment sector including a 2021 iteration of the very successful 2020 Pilot Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS) and the recently announced Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS); and
€15m in supports for sports and recreation services via Sport Ireland.
The Government's response to the impact of the pandemic on the sector and the economy generally is comprised of a broad range of supports delivered across a range of Departments. In addition to direct intervention measures introduced by my Department the Government has ensured the availability of horizontal supports that are critical to the survival of many in our sectors. These include the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), the COVID-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) and the Small Business Assistance Scheme for Covid (SBASC), all of which continue to be key to supporting all sectors thorough this crisis.
The recently announced Economic Recovery Plan sets out a framework for recovery as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, and pays particular attention to sectors most impacted, such as tourism and hospitality, live events and the arts. Under the Plan, the period during which a range of horizontal and business supports will be available to enterprises and workers in all sectors of the economy, including Tourism, Arts and Culture, Sport, Media and those working in Gaeltacht communities has been extended.
In addition to horizontal supports, the Economic Recovery Plan includes a package of sectoral supports for the Tourism, Live Events and the Arts and Culture which include the following:
A separate €11.5m new fund for the entertainment industry, including festivals, conferencing and large events has been agreed between myself and the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar. This Events Sector Covid Support Scheme will support SMEs that are not eligible for the CRSS;
A commitment for Government to prioritise a Basic Income guarantee pilot scheme for artists. This was a key recommendation of the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce, and I will bring forward a proposal following the report of the Arts and Culture Recovery Oversight Group in July;
An Extension of the 9% VAT rate to September 2022. This will continue to act as a stimulus for the sector as it moves towards recovery;
The continuation of the Fáilte Ireland Business Continuity Scheme, to support businesses not covered by the CRSS; and
An extension of the commercial rates waiver to September 2021.
These supports will augment the work already being undertaken by Údarás na Gaeltachta, Fáilte Ireland, and Screen Ireland in supporting Gaeltacht companies, the Tourism and Hospitality sector, and the audiovisual industry to withstand the full impact of the pandemic and position them for growth in the coming years.
516. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the Covid-19 business supports under her remit; the allocation provided for each scheme; the amount that has been spent to date; the amount expected to be spent by the end of 2021; and the amount that will be carried over to 2022. [31080/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe gross total allocation for my Department in 2021 is €1,081,818,000. Details of all allocations are set out by programme area and by subhead in the Revised Estimates Volume 2021 (REV2021) published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on its website at www.gov.ie/en/collection/e20037-revised-estimates
REV2021 allocations recognise the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the sectors under the aegis of my Department, however, there is no specific categorisation of funding allocations within programme areas other than by subhead.
A number of schemes will be implemented in 2021 in direct response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. These include:
€50m in respect of a Business Continuity Fund being administered by Fáilte Ireland;
€50m in respect of a variety of supports for the Live Entertainment sector including a 2021 iteration of the very successful 2020 Pilot Live Performance Support Scheme (LPSS) and the recently announced Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme (MEBAS);
A separate €11.5m new fund for the entertainment industry, including festivals, conferencing and large events has been agreed between myself and the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar. This Events Sector COVID Support Scheme will support SMEs that are not eligible for the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme; and
€15m in supports for sports and recreation services via Sport Ireland.
I am also delighted that the National Economic Recovery Plan includes a commitment for Government to prioritise a Basic Income guarantee pilot scheme for artists. This was a key recommendation of the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce, and I will bring forward a proposal following the report of the Arts and Culture Recovery Oversight Group in July.
The Government's response to the impact of the pandemic on the sector and the economy generally is comprised of a broad range of supports delivered across a range of Departments. In addition to direct intervention measures introduced by my Department, under the Economic Recovery Plan, Government extended the period during which a range of horizontal and business supports will be available to enterprises and workers in all sectors of the economy, including Tourism, Arts and Culture, Sport, Media and those working in Gaeltacht communities. This includes:
Extending the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS). Revisions will see payments for businesses reopening of up to €30,000;
Extending the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme to 31 December;
Extending the Pandemic Unemployment Payment beyond 30 June 2021;
Extending the Commercial Rates Waiver to end-September 2021;
Broadening of eligibility criteria for the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID-19, which opens the scheme up to businesses in non-rated premises; and
The ERP sets out the intention to introduce a new, additional and more streamlined business support scheme in September 2021, called the Business Resumption Support Scheme.
Details of all expenditure by my Department and all Government departments are published by the Department of Finance on a monthly basis at:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/b9bc4-fiscal-monitor-may-2021/
Total gross expenditure for my Department to 31 May 2021 amounts to €273.68m. This figure is provisional as all expenditure within my Department's Vote is subject to an ongoing internal verification and monitoring process to ensure the best use of available financial resources. Adjustments may fall to be made between subheads as part of this process and all figures are subject to audit by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.
While it is too early to accurately forecast the full end of year outturn, I can advise that no significant savings are envisaged at present. All expenditure within my Department's vote will continue to be carefully monitored between now and year end to ensure the best use of available financial resources.
517. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the allocation in Budget 2021 for Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland. [31081/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2021 allocations in respect of these agencies are available in the Revised Estimates Volume 2021 published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on its website at: www.gov.ie/en/collection/e20037-revised-estimates/#2021 (Programme A - Subheads A.3 and A.4)
518. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount her Department allocated for sports capital grants in 2021; and if the grant is available on an annual basis. [31082/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country.
The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1st March, 2021. By the closing date, 3,106 applications were submitted seeking over €200m in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received. A minimum of €40m will be allocated to successful applicants.
The scoring system and assessment manual for the 2020 round has now been finalised and is available at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie. Given the record number of applications and the detailed information contained in each application, the assessment process will take a number of months to complete. It is envisaged that allocations for applications for sports equipment- only will be made first during the Summer with allocations to other capital projects announced before the end of the year.
In relation to the timing of the programme, applications were invited on an annual basis from 1998 to 2008. Subsequently, the programme was advertised for new proposals in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2020. A decision on the timing of the next call for proposals will be made following the completion of allocations under the current round.
519. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the distinction between the roles of the Arts Council and Culture Ireland; the relationship between the two agencies; and the reason it was thought necessary to establish Culture Ireland separate from the Arts Council rather than have the Arts Council fulfil its role. [31099/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Arts Council is the national agency for funding, developing and promoting the arts in Ireland established under the Part 3 of the Arts Act 2003. The Council’s statutory functions are to
a. stimulate public interest in the arts;
b. promote knowledge, appreciation and practice of the arts;
c. assist in improving standards in the arts;
d. advise the Minister in relation to the performance of any of his or her functions under this Act, when so requested by the Minister;
e. assist the Minister in the performance of his or her functions under this Act and in the implementation of Government policies and objectives in relation to the arts, when so requested by the Minister;
f. furnish advice or information to a Minister of the Government (including the Minister) in relation to any matter connected with its functions, whenever the Council considers it appropriate or is requested to so do by the Minister;
g. furnish advice or information to a public body in relation to any matter connected with its functions, whenever the Council considers it appropriate or is requested to so do by the public body concerned; and
h. cooperate with a public body in relation to any matter connected with its functions, whenever the Council considers it appropriate.
Culture Ireland operates as a division of my Department and is responsible for the promotion of Irish arts worldwide and the implementation of the cultural aims of Global Ireland 2025, advancing Ireland's global impact and strengthening Ireland’s reputation as a world leader in creativity and innovation. Culture Ireland achieves this through
a. supporting Irish artists to present and promote their work at strategic international festivals and venues through a Regular Grant Scheme;
b. facilitating artists to promote their work to international promoters through the Showcase Scheme to gain future opportunities to present their work abroad; and
c. delivering Special Initiatives, which are once-off focus-specific events promoting Irish arts on a global platform such as GB18, the programme of Irish artistic activity with special focus on Britain, prior to Brexit. In June 2012, a critical review of Culture Ireland concluded that the functions of Culture Ireland should be fully merged into the Department and that it should operate with the support of a focussed inter-agency committee including senior representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs and other State bodies such as Tourism Ireland. The structure of Culture Ireland ensures a coherent approach to the international promotion of Ireland globally under the Government's high level plan to strengthen Ireland's global reputation and impact and bring combined benefits to Ireland's business and tourism interest through culture.
The Arts Council and Culture Ireland operate together to maximise impacts and ensure the most effective use of resources under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding and the Director of the Arts Council is represented on Culture Ireland's Expert Advisory Committee.
520. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the distinction between the roles of the Arts Council and Creative Ireland; the relationship between the two agencies; and the reason it was thought necessary to establish Creative Ireland separately to the Arts Council rather than have the Arts Council fulfil its role. [31100/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Creative Ireland Programme is a culture-based, all-of-government initiative led by the Arts and Culture Division of my department. It is a Programme, rather than an agency and its core proposition is that participation in cultural activity drives personal and collective creativity, with significant implications for individual and societal wellbeing and achievement.
While creativity is commonly associated with the arts, it is considered more widely in the context of the Creative Ireland Programme. Creativity is the use of imaginative abilities and learned skills to transform thinking and produce original and innovative ideas and solutions. It involves collaboration, investigation, challenging assumptions and taking risks. There are opportunities for creativity to be expressed not only through the visual and performing arts but inter alia through culture, built and natural heritage, writing and learning languages, through mathematics, sciences and digital technology, and in designing, making and entrepreneurial activities.
In striving to mainstream creativity across public policy therefore, substantial strategic engagement is required on an ongoing basis between the officials in my department delivering the Creative Ireland Programme and their counterparts across relevant government departments. In so doing, the Creative Ireland Programme seeks to support each citizen – whether individually or collectively – to realise their full creative potential, by encouraging, facilitating and supporting collaboration in order to cultivate a diverse, accessible and creative cultural ecosystem that sustains wellbeing for all.
The Creative Ireland Programme focuses on supporting direct engagement with all forms of arts, culture and heritage-based creativity (e.g., in education, institutions, industry, and communities). As a legacy of the 2016 Commemorations experience, the Programme also promotes the deployment of creativity as a way of engaging with broader societal issues (e.g., health and wellbeing, social cohesion and inclusion, integration and intercultural dialogue, climate action, biodiversity loss).
The Arts Council is a statutory body under the aegis of my department established under the Arts Act 2003. The Council’s statutory functions are to:
a. stimulate public interest in the arts;
b. promote knowledge, appreciation and practice of the arts;
c. assist in improving standards in the arts;
d. advise the Minister in relation to the performance of any of his or her functions under this Act, when so requested by the Minister;
e. assist the Minister in the performance of his or her functions under this Act and in the implementation of Government policies and objectives in relation to the arts, when so requested by the Minister;
f. furnish advice or information to a Minister of the Government (including the Minister) in relation to any matter connected with its functions, whenever the Council considers it appropriate or is requested to so do by the Minister;
g. furnish advice or information to a public body in relation to any matter connected with its functions, whenever the Council considers it appropriate or is requested to so do by the public body concerned; and
h. cooperate with a public body in relation to any matter connected with its functions, whenever the Council considers it appropriate.
As set out above, the core activities of the Arts Council are centred on stimulating public interest only in the art forms laid out in the Arts Act 2003, promoting knowledge, appreciation and practice of the arts, improving standards in the arts and otherwise assisting in the development or advancement of the arts. The Council is independent regarding the allocation of its funding to individuals and activities in the performance of these functions.
The Arts Council remains a key partner within the collaborative, all-of-government approach of the Creative Ireland Programme, in particular as the lead implementation partner for the Creative Schools initiative. The Arts Council is also a partner in a Creative Ireland Programme initiative to develop and strengthen structures and mechanisms for collaboration between the arts, culture, social care and health sectors – aimed at supporting positive health and wellbeing outcomes for the public, health service staff, patients, their families and carers.
The collaborative nature of the work of the Creative Ireland Programme (involving partnerships between government departments, state agencies, local government, sectoral bodies and community and voluntary groups), the broader definition of creativity and the more wide-ranging scope of the Programme’s activities including deploying creativity as a wellbeing strategy are key factors in a distinct Creative Ireland Programme initiative.
521. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the procedure, mechanisms and supports the State or State agencies provide to cities or local areas bidding for and hosting the European Capital of Culture in cases in which the host city is assigned to Ireland. [31101/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European Capitals of Culture programme is a European Union Action which sets out the right of all EU Member States, and recent EU candidate and potential candidate countries, to designate a city in their country to hold the title. Ireland held the designation in 2020 and will not be due to be designated again until post 2033.
It is the role of the State to facilitate the successful completion of the selection process. For example in the case of the 2020 designation, my Department completed this role by firstly launching the process six years in advance of the title year with an open call to local authorities seeking proposals from cities interested in being awarded the European Capital of Culture (ECOC) title. It then supported the independent panel of experts, appointed by the European Union Institutions, who assessed the applications, acting as liaison point between the panel and candidate cities and organising logistics for panel visits to the cities concerned. The applications for designation are generally local authority led and supported by local authority funding.
Based on the recommendation of the independent expert panel, it is then the function of the State to designate the city to hold the title of European Capital of Culture.
It is common practice for the State to provide financial support to the designated city. In this regard, the Government committed €15 million to Ireland’s designated 2020 European Capital of Culture under the terms and conditions of a Performance Delivery Agreement between my Department and Galway 2020.
Ireland’s European Capitals of Culture have all received support from the local authorities concerned – Dublin 1991, Cork 2005 and Galway 2020.
522. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount paid to Fáilte Ireland in administration for administration of the Covid-19 grant funding that it was responsible for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31131/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe administration of COVID-19 schemes is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly I have asked Fáilte Ireland to provide information to the Deputy on the administration costs associated with the relevant schemes. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
523. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will investigate the case of drive-in concerts and performances that operate in open air venues with car access only; if they are permitted to operate from 7 July; and the date set for the return of drive in films under public health guidelines. [31205/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to inform the Deputy the drive-in cinemas have been permitted to open from 7 June 2021.
Subject to the prevailing public health situation, the Government has been delivering a phased easing of public health restrictions over the period since April this year. The Government has been keeping the situation under review with a view to continuing to reopen sectors, services and activities as the public health situation allows. The public health advice prepared by the National Public Health Emergency Team is considered as part of the Government’s decision-making process. Once the Government has taken its decision, the Minister for Health prepares regulations under the Section 31A of the Health Act 1947 .
As has been the case at each stage of the easing of restrictions, the set of measures introduced is intended to incrementally re-open the country while minimising the risks of transmission in alignment with risk levels. The Government is conscious of the impact of any and all restrictions across every sector and fully aware of the challenges individuals and businesses continue to face. The intention is to make steady progress with the reopening of society and the economy while avoiding a further wave of disease and re-imposition of restrictions.
I am pleased that Government was in a position to revisit the position in relation to cinemas, drive-in cinemas and theatres when it met on Friday 28 May resulting in the re-opening of these important cultural facilities on 7 June last.
524. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way in which her Department and agencies under her remit are meeting the requirement to have a statement on the compliance of their websites and mobile applications with the regulations under the directive 2016/2102 (EU), as articulated in SI No. 358/2020 - European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31292/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra525. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way in which her Department and agencies under her remit are meeting the requirement to subject to Regulation 6, public sector bodies shall, in accordance with Regulation 3, take necessary measures to make their websites and mobile applications more accessible by making them perceivable, operable, understandable and robust under the directive 2016/2102 (EU), as articulated in SI No. 358/2020 - European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31310/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 524 and 525 together.
My Department’s main website is part of the shared Gov.ie website which is hosted by the OGCIO. The government is committed to making gov.ie accessible in accordance with S.I. 358/2020 .www.gov.ie/en/help/accessibility/
My Department is currently working with third party support vendors in improving accessibility and achieving full compliance with S.I. 358 of 2020 for its other websites.
Responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the websites of those bodies under the aegis of my Department in accordance with business needs and relevant statutory requirements is a day-to-day matter for the board and management of each body.
As the Deputy is aware the National Disability Authority is the monitoring body for the purposes of the Directive and the Regulations and both my Department and the bodies under its aegis will engage with the authority in its monitoring of the compliance of websites and mobile applications of public sector bodies with the requirements of these regulations.
527. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if supports are available to a local community organisation (details supplied) now or going forward to assist it in progressing its charity event; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31370/21]
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 have now been 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 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.
529. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to ensure Fáilte Ireland is supporting the private coach tourism industry with financial packages and stimuli considering this is an essential component of the Irish tourism industry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31450/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra530. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on whether Fáilte Ireland is doing enough to support the private coach tourism industry considering the challenges facing this vital component of the tourism sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31451/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to answer Questions Nos. 529 and 530 together.
The Government’s recently announced Economic Recovery Plan plan sets out a framework for recovery as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, and pays particular attention to sectors most impacted, such as tourism. Under the Economic Recovery Plan Government extended the period during which a range of horizontal and business supports will be available to enterprises and workers in all sectors of the economy, including the tourism sector.
- Extending the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS). Revisions will see payments for businesses reopening of up to €30,000;
- Extending the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme to 31 December;
- Extending the Commercial Rates Waiver to end-September 2021;
- Broadening of eligibility criteria for the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID-19, which opens the scheme up to businesses in non-rated premises; and
- The ERP sets out the intention to introduce a new, additional and more streamlined business support scheme in September 2021, called the Business Resumption Support Scheme.
In addition to benefiting from revised and extended horizontal supports, the Economic Recovery Plan also provides for an extension of the 9% VAT rate to September 2022, which will continue to act as a stimulus for the tourism sector as it moves towards recovery.
These measures and supports will provide tourism businesses with much-needed clarity that will enable them to plan longer-term with confidence and accept bookings. The ERP also commits to continuing to provide business continuity schemes through Fáilte Ireland.
As the Deputy is aware, I secured €10m for a Coach Tourism Business Continuity Scheme, which ran in the final quarter of 2020, as well as allocations for other tourism sectoral supports. Taking into account the new and revised horizontal supports set out in the ERP, I have asked Fáilte Ireland to examine what supports will be needed for the tourism sector in the coming months. I will discuss these proposed supports with colleagues across Government to ensure that the tourism sector is supported in their recovery as we reopen our society and our economy.
531. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the current supports and grants available to a business (details supplied); the consideration that has been given to future supports and grants in view of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31458/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government’s recently announced Economic Recovery Plan plan sets out a framework for recovery as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, and pays particular attention to sectors most impacted, such as tourism and hospitality. Under the Economic Recovery Plan, Government extended the period during which a range of horizontal and business supports will be available to enterprises and workers in all sectors of the economy, including the tourism sector.
- Extending the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS). Revisions will see payments for businesses reopening of up to €30,000;
- Extending the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme to 31 December;
- Extending the Pandemic Unemployment Payment beyond 30 June 2021;
- Extending the Commercial Rates Waiver to end-September 2021;
- Broadening of eligibility criteria for the Small Business Assistance Scheme for COVID-19, which opens the scheme up to businesses in non-rated premises; and
- The ERP sets out the intention to introduce a new, additional and more streamlined business support scheme in September 2021, called the Business Resumption Support Scheme.
In addition to benefiting from revised and extended horizontal supports, the Economic Recovery Plan also provides for an extension of the 9% VAT rate to September 2022, which will continue to act as a stimulus for the tourism sector as it moves towards recovery.
These measures and supports will provide tourism businesses with much-needed clarity that will enable them to plan longer-term with confidence and accept bookings. The ERP also commits to continuing to provide business continuity schemes through Fáilte Ireland. Taking into account the new and revised horizontal supports set out in the ERP, I have asked Fáilte Ireland to examine what supports will be needed for the tourism sector in the coming months. I will discuss these proposed supports with colleagues across Government to ensure that the tourism sector is supported in their recovery as we reopen our society and our economy.
532. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the permissibility of live music at weddings; the steps she is taking to ensure that live music can resume in a safe manner as soon as possible; the timeline for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31477/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCOVID-19 is a highly infectious disease, which spreads when individuals and groups come into close contact with one another, enabling the virus to move from one person to another. In certain settings, such as weddings and live performances, higher noise levels due to music can force people into close proximity or require them to raise their voices or shout to communicate thus increasing the risk of spreading virus to others. Such activities present a higher risk of transmission of COVID-19. Accordingly the existing Government decision remains in place that no live or loud music is permitted.
As the Deputy is aware, Government will be reviewing COVID restrictions at the end of the month and again in July and Cabinet has agreed to my request that restrictions on performances at licensed venues, such as restaurants, pubs and hotels, will be reviewed as a priority.
Since April, the Government has been delivering on a phased reopening of our economy and society. The Government remains committed to this approach and has signalled further reopening in July and beyond. Consideration of further reopening is subject to the prevailing public health situation, including the roll out of the vaccination programme.
On Friday May 28th the Government agreed pilot events will take place in June and July, depending on the epidemiological situation at the time and subject to the roll out of the vaccination programme
My Department has worked with the Arts Council and a number of stakeholder engagement structures in place to support the development and delivery of those pilot events. The first event took place in the Iveagh Gardens on the 10th of June in collaboration with the National Concert Hall and further events will take place across the course of the summer.
These events will assist in safely charting a path back to greater levels of activity in line with developments in public health guidance over the coming weeks and months. Pilot events are necessary as a proof of concept for the safe management of events whilst COVID-19 is still circulating in our communities and in order to evaluate and build confidence in the COVID-19 guidance and event management protocols developed by the culture and sports sectors.
534. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when a decision will be made on the proposed increase in the pensions-in-payment RTÉ superannuation scheme; the steps she is taking to expedite this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31587/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Chairperson of the Trustees of the RTÉSA has written to my Department with a request for a 2% pension increase. Officials in my Department have made arrangements for the matter to be reviewed and an evaluation of the proposal is currently underway in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. I expect to be briefed on the matter in the coming weeks with a view to responding to the Chair as soon as possible.
535. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the increased application to the sports capital grant scheme will be considered in the allocation of such funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31636/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra536. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way the increased application to the sports capital grant scheme will be considered in the selection of projects; if a large project will receive a minimal amount; if a few projects will receive the necessary funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31637/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 535 and 536 together.
The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country.
The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1st March, 2021. By the closing date, 3,106 applications were submitted seeking over €200m in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received. The scoring system and assessment manual for the 2020 round has now been finalised and is available at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie.
Given the record number of applications and the detailed information contained in each application, the assessment process will take a number of months to complete. No decision on allocations will be made until all applications have been assessed but priority will be given to projects that score highest in accordance with the published scoring system. Furthermore, every effort will be made to fund as many worthwhile projects as possible while providing a sufficient level of grant to ensure the projects are viable. While a minimum of €40m is available, depending on resource availability and an analysis of the likely drawdown demands in the coming years for older SCEP grants.
537. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has considered promoting Ireland as a destination for EU school trips post Brexit given that it will be more difficult for students and schools to travel to the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31690/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, Tourism Ireland is responsible for marketing the island of Ireland overseas. The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the board and management of Tourism Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Tourism Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office reply has not been received within ten working days.
538. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the Government has plans to introduce a differentiation between cinema and drive-in cinemas in Covid-19 regulations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31691/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to inform the Deputy that cinemas including drive-in cinemas can re-open from 7 June last.
The Covid-19 regulations referred to by the Deputy are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Health.
539. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the details of grants or scholarships available through her Department to assist students in third-level education studying the Irish language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31708/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has funded the Advanced Irish Language Skills Initiative since 2006 in response to the identified need to increase the number of graduates with skills in specific areas in the context of the Official Languages Act 2003 and Irish being an official working language of the European Union (EU). Under this initiative, a range of Irish language courses, primarily in translation, interpreting and law, are provided, thus generating a supply of qualified people with Irish language skills to meet recruitment needs in Ireland and the EU.
In the 2019/20 academic year, funding of €935,564 was disbursed in respect of the twelve courses funded under the Advanced Irish Language Skills Initiative and 86 students were awarded qualifications at the end of the same academic year. The courses are being run again this year with funding of €970,953 being provided by my Department.
Alongside the above-mentioned specific fund, it should also be noted that my Department is also providing current funding of €900,000 per annum to Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, NUI, Galway. The Acadamh which operate under the aegis of NUI Galway, promotes the development and provision of university courses and research through the medium of Irish in three Gaeltacht centres and at the university’s campus in Galway City. My Department’s allocation is earmarked to fund a range of courses through Irish, including a Gaeltacht semester and placement programme for students wishing to study Irish as part of their degree.
While my Department has for a number of years subsidised the accommodation costs for trainee teachers attending residential Gaeltacht courses, in 2019, it launched a new initiative, named Erasmus Gaeltachta, which provides up to 175 third-level students with the opportunity to spend a semester residing with accredited Gaeltacht households. This initiative is administered under my Department's Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge to subvent the cost of accommodation for students staying with Gaeltacht households approved under the scheme. It is expected that this will resume in the new academic year, having been cancelled over the past year due to the pandemic.
540. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason the general scheme of the online safety and media regulation Bill does not include a statutory mechanism for persons to make complaints in respect of harmful online content and age inappropriate online content. [31724/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra541. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way in which a person who is the victim of harmful online content and age inappropriate online content can avail of a remedy; and if the only remedy available to that person to vindicate their statutory right is to institute proceedings before the courts. [31725/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 540 and 541 together.
The Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill will, among other things, establish a regulatory framework for online safety to be overseen by an Online Safety Commissioner as part of a wider Media Commission. A foundational part of this framework will be the systems focused regulation of Video Sharing Platform Services required by the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive.
The goal of the regulatory framework for online safety will be to tackle the availability of defined categories of harmful online content through systemic oversight over how regulated online services deliver and moderate the user-generated content on their platforms. This is a risk based approach that is intended to drive towards the best possible outcomes for all users of online services.
While there is an appreciation of the desire for an individual complaints mechanism, there are serious doubts about the effectiveness of a statutory mechanism of this kind in the online safety space. There are a number of reasons for this, including that:
- requirements for fair procedures would not facilitate a swift resolution of individual issues, as it would be necessary to engage with the uploader of content as well as the complainant;
- the volume of online content, particularly as Ireland will be regulating Video Sharing Platform Services for the whole of the EU population of 450 million people, would overwhelm even the best resourced regulator and divert resources away from regulatory oversight;
- referring complaints relating to individual items of content that are potentially criminal in nature to a civil regulator instead of An Garda Síochána would not be appropriate; and
- it would incentivise regulated online services to refer matters to the regulator rather than to take responsibility for resolving the matter themselves.
In light of this, the Bill provides the Commission with the power to oblige designated online services to have easy to use and effective complaints and appeals mechanisms in place and also the power to audit those mechanisms. This is part of the risk-based framework that will enable the Commission to seek the greatest degree of protection for all users through systemic oversight.
Individuals will always be able to bring issues to the attention of the Commission and this will feed into the Commission's risk assessment and determination of audits and investigations. The Commission will also have the power to order the removal of individual items of content in certain discrete instances. However, this will not amount to a formal individual complaints mechanism. The Commission will also have a duty to promote independent mediation mechanisms and other methods of resolving disputes.
The Commission will also be empowered to set up a systemic complaints scheme to receive complaints from nominated bodies such as expert NGOs about trends in the prevalence of harmful online content and the effectiveness of measures taken by regulated online services to comply with their obligations. This will help to inform the Commission about what the prominent and emerging risks are at any point in time and inform the Commission's approach to making online safety codes, conducting audits of complaints handling and investigating suspected failures of compliance.
