Written Answers Nos. 216-238
216. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Finance the estimated value of cigarettes and tobacco products seized by Revenue Commissioners’ officials at Irish ports and airports to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48207/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that Revenue uses a range of measures to identify and target the smuggling, supply or sale of illicit tobacco products, with a view to disrupting the supply chain, seizing the products and where possible, prosecuting those involved. Revenue’s strategy involves developing and sharing intelligence on a national, EU and international basis, the use of analytics and detection technologies and ensuring the optimum deployment of resources on a risk-focused basis.
I am aware that Revenue monitors trends in the illicit tobacco trade on an ongoing basis and adjusts its actions and redeploys its resources in response to new developments or methodologies employed by the criminal gangs involved in that trade. The smuggling of tobacco products has a transnational and cross border dimension and in addition to Revenue’s ongoing cooperation with An Garda Síochána in this area, I am advised that Revenue also works closely with its counterparts in other jurisdictions including colleagues in Northern Ireland through the Cross Border Joint Agency Task Force (JATF), and international bodies including OLAF (the EU’s anti-fraud agency), Europol and the World Customs Organisation.
I am informed by Revenue that the following table outlines the volume and value of cigarettes and tobacco seized at ports and airports for the period I January 2021 - 31 August 2021:
|
- |
Cigarettes |
Estimated value |
Tobacco |
Estimated value |
|
Ports |
Number |
€ |
Kgs |
€ |
|
Dublin |
25,287,050 |
16,939,036 |
33,607 |
20,590,672 |
|
Rosslare |
6,153,340 |
4,121,937 |
1,122 |
687,438 |
|
Cork |
144,300 |
96,662 |
1 |
612 |
|
Airports |
||||
|
Dublin |
4,775,827 |
3,199,183 |
494 |
302,668 |
|
Shannon |
49,100 |
32,890 |
8 |
4,901 |
|
Cork |
13,980 |
9,364 |
7 |
4,288 |
|
Knock |
80 |
53 |
6 |
3,676 |
I commend Revenue and all the relevant State agencies for their work in this important area and I am satisfied that there is an appropriate focus on tackling this form of criminality.
217. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Finance the steps that have been taken to implement additional measures to counteract cross-Border smuggling and illicit trade in fuel products; the number of enforcement proceedings issued in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; the plans in place to inspect loads of fuel crossing the Border; the steps taken to address this breach of law and environmental policy in Ireland; the course of action he and his Departmental officials will take to align with the new solid fuel regulations in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48316/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am assured by Revenue that combating the threat which illegal cross–border trade and smuggling of all kinds, including that in fuel products, poses to legitimate businesses, consumers and the Exchequer continues to be a priority. Revenue and An Garda Síochána collaborate closely in acting against illegal cross-border trade, and also cooperate with their counterparts in Northern Ireland under the framework of the North-South Joint Agency Task Force.
Steps taken by Revenue to combat the illegal mineral oils trade, including home heating oils, include the introduction of stringent supply chain controls and reporting requirements, a rigorous programme of risk focused enforcement action and the application of robust legislation. In addition, Revenue and the UK Revenue and Customs undertook a joint initiative to introduce a new marker for use in marked fuels, which came into operation in April 2015. The industry view is that the actions taken have been successful in curtailing fuel fraud.
Solid Fuel Carbon Tax (SFCT) is an excise duty that applies to coal and peat when first supplied in the State for use as a fuel. Neither the movement of solid fuel into the State nor the physical presence of solid fuel in the State generate a liability to SFCT. Therefore, there is no smuggling offence, in terms of evasion of SFCT, attaching to coal coming into the State from Northern Ireland. Solid fuel carbon tax is collected by Revenue on a self-assessment basis and compliance with the law is enforced using the full range of compliance interventions and enforcement provisions for self-assessed taxes.
Currently, there is no carbon tax on solid fuel in Northern Ireland. This factor, combined with that jurisdiction's lower VAT rate on solid fuel, lower environmental standards and currency fluctuations, can give rise to significant price differentials which incentivises the sourcing of solid fuel from Northern Ireland. EU Single Market constraints, which still apply in Northern Ireland, preclude the use of any cross-border movement controls in the administration of SFCT. This means that solid fuel coming into the State from Northern Ireland is not subject to cross-border movement controls typical of harmonised excises on mineral oils, tobacco and alcohol. I am advised that Revenue has no authority to stop vehicles and physically inspect loads of solid fuel. Similarly, Revenue has no authority to challenge transportation or possession of solid fuel that originated in Northern Ireland as such transportation or possession are not, in themselves, Revenue offences. Even if controls were possible, a person transporting solid fuel from Northern Ireland could legitimately claim that SFCT will be accounted for on relevant supplies made in the State. An SFCT return does not have to be made until one month after the end of the two-month accounting period in which the supply is made.
Finally, the Deputy refers to enforcement proceedings for years 2018 to 2021 to date which I presume are in relation to the enforcement of environmental standards on solid fuel; and also refers to new regulations which I presume are the regulations restricting the use of smoky fuel. I am advised that Revenue does not have a role in relation to these matters. They come, instead, under the ambit of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and are enforced through the local authorities. The Deputy may wish to refer this aspect of his query to my colleague the Minster for the Environment, Climate and Communications.
218. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Finance the estimated revenue that would be generated from an increase to 50% in the minimum effective tax rate of those earning more than €325,000 per year. [48372/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by Revenue that taxpayer units with taxable incomes exceeding €325,000 incurred an average effective income tax rate in the region of 36% in 2018, the latest year for which data are currently available.
If this effective rate was 50%, it is estimated very roughly that the additional yield would be approximately €800m in a full year.
219. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the first and full year costs of indexing tax credits and income tax bands by 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% for persons with incomes above €100,000, in tabular form. [48384/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra220. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the first and full year costs of indexing income tax bands by 1%, 2%, 3% and 4% for persons with incomes above €100,000, in tabular form. [48385/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 219 and 220 together.
The estimated costs of indexation of various rate bands and tax credits are available in Revenue’s Ready Reckoner, available at www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/documents/statistics/ready-reckoner.pdf. For the convenience of the Deputy, the estimated cost of indexation at 1% is outlined in the table below.
|
Cost of Indexation at 1% |
First Year € million |
Full Year € million |
|
Personal Tax Credits with rate bands |
121 |
139 |
|
Exemption limits, Personal Tax Credits with rate bands |
127 |
146 |
|
PAYE Credit, Exemption limits, Personal Tax Credits with rate bands |
157 |
180 |
|
Earned Income Credit |
2 |
3 |
|
USC rate bands and exemption limits |
20 |
24 |
The cost of indexation at various levels can be extrapolated from the above on a straight line basis, however it should be noted that these costings assume no behavioural change.
These estimates are outputs from Revenue’s micro-simulation model and provide the estimated cost of applying the changes in 2022. While it is possible to estimate a cost associated with indexation of the items outlined, it is not possible within Revenue’s model to only apply these changes to taxpayers meeting certain criteria, such as an income threshold.
221. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Finance if he will introduce taxation measures to address the unfair situation whereby commercial landlords who make up 60% of apartment and duplex owners can write off their defect levies against their tax liabilities, whereas owner-occupiers and social landlords cannot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48392/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, has established an Independent Working Group to examine the issue of defective housing. Officials from my Department participate in this Working Group. The objectives of the group are to identify the scope of relevant significant defects in housing, to evaluate the scale of housing affected, to propose a means of prioritising defects, to evaluate the cost of remediation, to recommend appropriate mechanisms for resolving defects and, to consider financing options in line with the Programme for Government commitment to identifying options for those impacted by defects to access low-cost, long-term finance.
Separately, my Department's Tax Expenditure Guidelines are clear that a tax-based intervention should only be considered where it would be more efficient than a direct expenditure measure.
In the circumstances, consideration of an intervention along the lines mentioned by the Deputy would seem to be premature at this point.
222. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason contracts which were furnished over two years ago by the solicitors acting for Coillte to the State Solicitors Office that are acting for the Office of Public Works were not executed which relate to the transfer of lands which are urgently required for the erection of facilities for use by the Irish Coast Guard at Castlefreke, Rosscarberry, County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47838/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works (OPW) that they are continuing to liaise with the Chief State Solicitors Office (CSSO) in order to finalise the contract for purchase of a site for the construction of a Coast Guard facility at Castlefreke, Rosscarberry, Co Cork.
Following the easing of Covid restrictions over the summer, the required site visits took place with the Vendor's representatives to agree the physical boundaries of the site. It is expected that all outstanding items will be finalised and the contract executed by the OPW in the coming weeks.
Preparation of the required planning application is progressing in parallel and once contracts are executed the OPW will submit the planning application to the Local Authority.
223. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to allow civil servants to continue to work remotely when they wish to in order to not to lose the benefits of work-life balance and lost time and energy due to commuting and also the environmental benefits of less cars on the road; if he is engaging with trade unions on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47997/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has committed in the Programme for Government to mandating public sector employers to move to 20% home and remote working.
In July, 2021 the Government approved a Policy Statement on Blended Working in the Civil Service, which was produced by my Department and agreed by the Civil Service Management Board. The Policy Statement commits the Civil Service to implementing a policy of blended working for the future that can provide flexibility to both employees and their employers in a manner that supports the continued delivery of high quality services to Government, the public and business while providing employees, where appropriate, with choice and opportunity.
Remote working in the Civil Service, post pandemic, will be facilitated on a blended basis. In this context, Officials in my Department have been working with, and continue to work with employers across the Civil and Public Service to develop a Blended Working Policy Framework for the Civil Service. This Framework focuses on the longer-term approach to remote working in the sector and can assist in providing a consistent approach across the wider public sector. The primary Principle set out in the Framework is that blended working must support the business needs of the Organisation. Blended working presents an opportunity to meet business needs in a new way of working; to enhance service delivery; underpin business continuity; and improve the performance of organisations, provided the role being performed is suitable to be carried out remotely.
The Framework will be finalised over the coming weeks, following engagement with employee representatives which is currently underway. When this engagement has concluded and the Framework is agreed, it will be rolled out to all civil service organisations. The Framework will provide consistency on certain issues and inform the development of organisational blended working policies which will be tailored to meet the specific requirements of each Department/Office.
224. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to a settlement between a State agency (details supplied) and the Revenue Commissioners; if there are any agencies under his Department’s remit that have had a similar issue or have made a settlement with the Revenue Commissioners in relation to any issue in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48029/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the matter referenced in the first part of this question relates to a body under the aegis of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. In respect of the bodies under the aegis of my Department, I am advised that the Office of Public Works will respond directly to the Deputy in the coming days in line with Standing Order 51a. In terms of the other bodies under the aegis of my Department, I am advised that none of these bodies have reached a settlement with the Revenue Commissioners for any matter in the specified period.
225. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the estimated annual savings from reducing salaries by 50% of the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Ceann Comhairle, Leas Cheann Comhairle, Ministers and certain Ministers for State, whilst leaving the current rate of the salary for Deputies in place (details supplied). [48191/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table lists the estimated annual savings from reducing salaries by 50% of the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Ceann Comhairle, Leas Cheann Comhairle, Ministers and certain Ministers for State, whilst leaving the current rate of the salary for Deputies in place.
*Allowance for three specified Ministers of State who regularly attend meetings of Government
226. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a list of OPW owned buildings in Blanchardstown village, Ongar village, Ashtown village and Castleknock village, Dublin 15. [48208/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland (CPW), on behalf of the State, manage a large and diverse property portfolio of over 2,500 properties. These range from office accommodation to heritage properties, visitor centres, Garda Stations, among others.
The Commissioners own two properties in the centre of the villages referenced in the question. These are
- the former Garda station and Telecoms Exchange in Blanchardstown that is occupied by the Education Training Board, and
- the operational Garda station in Blanchardstown.
227. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of mobility moves at assistant principal and equivalent to secretary general including agreed moves and equivalent across the public service and all agencies since 1 January 2019 to date that are going to happen before 31 December 2021, by grade, Department, organisation and year in tabular form. [48327/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to inform the Deputy that officials from my Department have attempted to contact your office to seek clarification on the information required within your question.
When clarification of the information sought has been received, my Department will collate the required statistics and I will respond directly to you by way of letter.
228. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the amount spent to date on the refurbishment of Longford and Athlone Garda stations. [48360/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that a contract for the refurbishment of Longford Garda Station was awarded on 11th March 2020 to the value of €1,848,674.95 excluding vat. The works at the station include the construction of a new two storey extension to the rear of the station to accommodate 4 Cells, a Prisoner Processing Unit and additional office accommodation as well as internal alterations and refurbishment to the existing Garda Station. The project is co-funded by the Office of Public Works and An Garda Síochána and the expenditure on the contract to date is €1,371,012.40 excluding vat and the project is due for completion Q1 2022.
I can confirm that the contract for the refurbishment of Athlone Garda Station was awarded in Q2 2018. The project includes the refurbishment, extension and alteration of the existing An Garda Síochána Station to include the adjacent former Government Buildings. The total spent to date including enabling works, main contractor and associated site costs amounts to €7.342m (inc VAT) and the project is due for completion in Q4 2021.
229. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will ensure equal access to all concerts and cultural events with the provision of personal assistant tickets for a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47563/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra230. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will ensure equal access to all concerts and cultural events with the provision of personal assistant tickets for an organisation (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47607/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra239. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will respond to a query raised by a group (details supplied) in County Clare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47814/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra243. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has received correspondence from a person (details supplied); and if she will review their access rights. [47975/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 229, 230, 239 and 243 together.
I understand this matter refers to a facility provided by organisations in the arts, music and entertainment sector whereby a personal assistant or any individual accompanying a person with a disability to an entertainment event, receives a free ticket to that event.
I am fully committed to supporting the needs of people with disabilities in all of the sectoral programmes under the remit of my Department. While I have no role in relation to the decisions of commercial bodies in certain sectors, I am open to considering what options might be available to encourage greater access to facilities by people with disabilities, including the question of access to facilities by personal assistants.
231. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a matter raised by a club (details supplied) in correspondence will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47662/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe club referred to by the Deputy was provisionally allocated a grant of €53,595 under the 2018 Sports Capital Programme (SCP) to resurface existing all weather courts and develop an existing grass training area. In accordance with the terms and conditions of the SCP, it is necessary to put in place a number of legal protections to best safeguard the public investment in the facility. The Chief State Solicitor's Office (CSSO) has been engaging with the grantee’s solicitor since June 2020 in this regard. I understand the most recent request issued from the CSSO to the grantee’s solicitor on 7th September but a response has not yet been received. Legal formalities in relation to this grant cannot be finalized until this outstanding documentation is received. It will not be possible to provide formal approval of the grant until the CSSO confirms that all legal formalities have been completed. Once the CSSO receives the outstanding documentation and confirms receipt of same, there will be no undue delay on my Department’s part in paying the grant.
232. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will establish a fund from which clubs can seek additional amounts under the sports capital programme to meet soaring costs given the substantial escalation in building costs over the past 12 months and the fact that here is currently no facility for a grantee to apply to have their grant amount increased which is putting many projects that were awarded funding under previous sports capital programmes in jeopardy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47681/21]
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, over 3,100 applications were submitted seeking over €200m in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received.
The scoring system and assessment procedures were published earlier this year and all applications are being assessed accordingly. Approximately one thousand of the submitted applications were for 'equipment-only' projects. These applications were assessed first and grants with a total value of €16.6m were announced on the 6th August. The remaining applications for capital works are now being assessed with allocations expected to be announced before the end of this year. 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.
As to whether previously awarded grants could be increased, it is important to note that grants awarded under the SCEP are intended to be a contribution towards the overall cost of a project, rather than the full cost of the project, and it is a requirement that all grantees have sufficient of their own resources to complete a project. If there is a difficulty with completing a project, my Department is always available to engage with grantees who wish to scale back a project or to facilitate a "change of purpose" for an older grant. Consideration can also be given to completing projects on a phased basis whereby subsequent parts of an overall development project can be the subject of future grant applications. Any grantees who wish to pursue such an option should contact the Sports Capital Division of my Department in the first instance.
233. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she in consultation with the relevant Departments, will ensure that the work put in by those in local media organisations is given due recognition in view of the difficult period that they have faced due to Covid-19. [47708/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA strong and independent media sector is central to our parliamentary democracy, freedom of speech and to the provision of quality and impartial information, particularly in the context of Covid-19. I recognise the essential role that local media organisations play in this regard and in bringing communities together and sharing reliable and relevant local news.
The local media sector faces a fall in revenue arising from the pandemic, but also longer term challenges as a result of changing patterns of media consumption, technology and shifts in advertising revenue. I fully recognise the essential role that the local media plays and the particular value of local and regional newspapers, as well as local, regional and community radio stations, in bringing communities together and sharing reliable and relevant local news.
Since I assumed formal responsibility for the media sector in September 2020, I have met key stakeholders including NewsBrands, Local Ireland and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ). In relation to the local radio sector, I have received quarterly reports from the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, analysing how COVID-19 has affected Independent Radio. My officials continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders in order to explore the issues arising and build an understanding of the range of challenges facing the sector.
The Government has put in place a range of supports for all businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which are available to local media organisations, such as the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme and the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme. Moreover, I understand that at least €4.4 million was expended on regional and local print advertising from March 2020 to April 2021, and Government and HSE COVID-related advertising spend also produced a source of revenue for radio stations which amounted to €1.8m in Q1 2021.
I also secured additional funding for the Sound and Vision scheme alongside the allocation of 7% of net licence fee receipts which normally supports the fund. I allocated an additional €4.9m to the BAI in December 2020, and in May 2021, the BAI announced the allocation of €7.2m in supports which will facilitate the production of 104 projects. A further round of €2.58m was awarded on 29 April to support all 32 radio stations in the independent radio sector. Further Sound and Vision funding rounds will follow later in year and the BAI, will announce these as they arise.
In recognition of these longer term challenges facing the sector, the Programme for Government provided for the establishment of the Future of Media Commission, chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith, to consider the future of print, broadcast, and online media in a platform agnostic fashion. The Future of Media Commission conducted a public consultation, that resulted in over 800 written submissions from stakeholder groups, including local media. In addition, the Commission conducted a number of online dialogues with stakeholders and experts CRAOL, IBI, the NUJ, Local Ireland, and NewsBrands.
The work of the Future of Media Commission has now been completed. The Taoiseach and I have received the report and are considering its contents and the Report will be brought to Government for consideration in due course.
234. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of businesses in mid-western areas of Dublin that received outdoor dining grant support; the total value of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47722/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the matter to Fáilte Ireland for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
235. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps she is taking to address and ensure the ten main concerns raised by a group (details supplied) are prioritised in advance of the impending negotiations for Budget 2022 between her Department and the Department of Finance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47735/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the group to which she refers has sent copies of its pre-Budget Submission for 2022 to me and to my officials. I am familiar with the ten main concerns raised. Budget 2022 will be announced on 12 October 2021.
A number of the recommendations listed in the pre-Budget submission, that come within the remit of my Department are also contained in the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce report Life Worth Living, published in November 2020. The recommendations included a proposal to pilot a basic income scheme for a three-year period in the arts, culture, audiovisual and live performance and events sectors. Other recommendations relate to increased funding to existing programmes and agencies.
As part of the Economic Recovery Plan launched on 1 June 2021, Government committed to bringing forward a proposal in response to the Taskforce recommendation for a basic Income pilot scheme for artists. I established an Oversight Group with the remit of addressing the outstanding recommendations of the Life Worth Living report. The Oversight Group was asked to prioritise the manner in which a Basic Income pilot scheme for artists could be delivered.
As the Deputy will be aware the Programme for Government committed to continue to reform and improve the Budgetary process in order to enhance Ireland’s budgetary framework. The budgetary reforms introduced in recent years, including Performance Budgeting and Equality Budgeting, are focussed on providing the evidence base to support the efficient and effective delivery of services that have a positive impact on people's lives. This work is being further enhanced with the development of the Wellbeing Framework for Ireland that can inform efforts to improve the impact of public policy.
As we emerge from the pandemic, I am committed to supporting the long-term sustainability of the arts and culture sectors. We have a unique opportunity to achieve these in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The arts have and continue to be among the most negatively impacted sectors and in this context, I am future focussed on the recovery of the culture sector.
Finally, I can inform the Deputy that both I and my Department's officials meet regularly with the group to whom the Deputy refers and I am meeting with them on these matters tomorrow.
236. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department will be able to create a research section within her Department to maintain, continue and co-ordinate the investment in research in the arts sector to ensure continuous ongoing accurate information is available to the arts sector on an ongoing basis. [47796/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Arts Council is the agency through which the Government engages with and funds the arts in Ireland. In 2021, the Arts Council received an historic level of funding of €130m. The Arts Council undertakes significant research into all aspects of the arts in the carrying our of its objectives under the Arts Act 2003 and advises me as Minister as is required under the Act.
Since the start of the pandemic the Arts Council has undertaken a number of surveys and research on the pandemic’s impacts on cultural organisations, artists and audiences. The Council has also published a detailed report and analysis of the Arts Council’s response to the Covid-19 crisis in the arts. This report as well as annual reports, research and policy documents can be accessed on the Arts Council's website under its publication and can be accessed at this link www.artscouncil.ie/publications/
My Department has a strategic policy unit which includes members of the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service. The unit provides analysis and evaluation services to divisions within the Department as well as contributing to the overall policy development and research agenda of the Department.
237. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will advocate for inclusion of questions regarding access and participation in culture, sports and the arts in the next census. [47797/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn September 2020, the Government, on the advice of the Central Statistics Office (CSO), decided to postpone the 2021 Census due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The next census is now due to take place on 3 April 2022.
The requirement is to deliver a census that achieves the highest possible response rate, across all facets of Irish society and the census of population is a major logistical operation. The decision to postpone the 2021 census until April 2022 was made to enable the CSO to undertake a comprehensive, inclusive and safe census in 2022 which will provide valuable and accurate data for our country in the years ahead.
The census forms for use next year have been finalised and preparation of the census questions is a multi-year project involving public consultation, commencing in 2017. The census advisory group was comprised of representatives from Government Departments, social partners, the Economic and Social Research Institute, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, academia, local government and a range of other people.
The Census includes questions on Irish language usage. My Department engages with the CSO on the questions and census data on an ongoing basis and will continue to do so.
My Department also supports a range of data collection activities on sports, arts and cultural access and participation undertaken by the agencies under its aegis. Included in these are:
- The Irish Sports Monitor (Sport Ireland) – a two –yearly survey on active participation in sport and physical activity, club membership, volunteering and attendance at sporting events among a representative sample of adults (aged 16+)
- The Children’s Sport Participation and Physical Activity Study (Sport Ireland), a periodic study to examine participation in sport, physical activity and physical education among children aged 10 to 18.
- The Arts insights survey, is conducted by Behaviours & Attitudes annually on behalf of the Arts Council, and is based on a nationally representative sample survey, in which participants are asked a series of questions about their engagement with the arts, including attendance, participation, attitudes and behaviour, including at home.
238. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there will be an extension of a new Creative Ireland programme beyond 2022. [47798/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Creative Ireland Programme 2017 to 2022 is a culture-based, all-of-Government initiative led by my department. Its core proposition is that participation in cultural activity drives personal and collective creativity, with significant implications for individual and societal wellbeing and achievement. The Programme seeks to support each citizen - whether individually or collectively, in our personal lives or in our institutions - to realise our full creative potential, by encouraging, facilitating and supporting collaboration.
To this end, and under the guiding principles of creativity, collaboration and transformation, the Programme has sought to:
- promote understanding and appreciation of the value of creativity in all its forms;
- engage and influence decision-makers to embed creativity across public policy; and
- support and enable participation in creative industries.
The Programme is based around five pillars
I. Enabling the Creative Potential of Every Child
II. Enabling Creativity in every Community
III. Investing in our Creative and Cultural Infrastructure
IV. Ireland as a Centre of Excellence in Audiovisual Production
V. Unifying our Global Reputation.
Through the Creative Ireland Programme, my Department has worked in partnership with various Departments and agencies to deliver significant progress in each individual pillar. Investments have focused on supporting both direct engagement with creativity – such as in schools, local communities, industry – as well as deploying creativity as a way of engaging with broader societal issues – such as health and wellbeing, social marginalisation, isolation, intercultural dialogue, climate action and biodiversity loss.
My Department has been actively engaging with officials across a number of Government Departments as it reflects on the Programme's strategic direction, potential opportunities to deepen collaboration, and possible future priorities. Acknowledging the all-of-Government nature of the Programme, it is my intention to bring proposals to Government shortly which will set out the progress of the Programme to date and include a consideration of the Programme's future beyond 2022.
