Written Answers Nos. 1-35
6. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the measures she will be put in place following the closure of Cork Airport to encourage tourism to County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47849/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the aviation sector is of critical importance in terms of the recovery of our tourism sector, the responsibility for aviation, including the temporary closure of Cork Airport, falls to my colleague, the Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan.
While I hope that 2022 will see a strong rebound in overall tourism, it seems likely that overseas visitor numbers will be significantly down on 2019 so maximising the domestic tourism market over the next few years is vital as we encourage tourism businesses to re-open, re-hire staff and rebuild their businesses.
Fáilte Ireland’s domestic marketing campaign, ‘Keep Discovering’, which promotes all parts of Ireland including Cork, is about encouraging people to discover our wonderful country again now that restrictions are lifted. The economic importance of a domestic holiday cannot be overstated, particularly now at this point in our country’s recovery, so it’s about turning plans into bookings.
Fáilte Ireland continues to work to further develop tourism in Cork in both the Wild Atlantic Way and Ireland’s Ancient East regional brand areas, and is involved in a wide variety of activity in both of these regional brand areas. The agency also partners with Cork Airport to ensure that the sense of place in the airport is delivered to every passenger by driving awareness of the experience brands in the region.
Cork also features on Fáilte Ireland's new look DiscoverIreland.ie website for domestic visitors. The website has been redesigned as a one-stop shop for domestic visitors, showcasing the wealth of things to see and do across Ireland.
Promoting the island of Ireland in the aftermath of COVID-19 requires a new tactical ‘book now’ campaign delivered at scale across markets. I travelled to America recently to help Tourism Ireland launch its new tourism promotional "Green Button" campaign to get Americans to visit Ireland sometime soon. The ‘Green Button’ campaign will be deployed to encourage maximum visitor booking at the most opportune time and creating a commitment to travel .
The campaign will be highly visible utilising multiple consumer channels such as TV and digital platforms. Iconic attractions from both the Republic and Northern Ireland will be front and centre and the ultimate goal will be for large numbers in our target markets to "press the green button" and travel to Ireland.
I also travelled to London recently to engage with key tourism industry stakeholders there and in particular the global inbound tour operators about opportunities to rebuild tourism business to Ireland.
11. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports that she has put in place to secure the viability of the local print and radio media here; her plans to support the local print and radio media here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47953/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe local media sector has faced a fall in revenue arising from the pandemic, but also faces longer term challenges as a result of changing patterns of media consumption, technology and shifts in advertising revenue to online services. I recognise the essential role that the local media plays and the particular value of local and regional newspapers and radio stations, including community radio, in sharing reliable and relevant local news and bringing communities together.
The Future of Media Commission was tasked with bringing forward recommendations to put media on a sustainable footing over the next decade. It has engaged comprehensively with stakeholders, including local media. The Taoiseach and I have received the Report and are currently considering its contents and the Report will be brought to Government for consideration in due course.
In terms of supports for the local print sector, I understand that at least €4.4 million was spent by Government on regional and local print advertising from March 2020 to April 2021. Recently, my Department's campaign for Cruinniú na nÓg included a spend of €187,000 on local print advertising.
In relation to the local radio sector, I allocated €4.9m in additional funding to the Sound and Vision Scheme administered by the BAI in December 2020. This enabled a specific round of €2.48m for the independent and local radio sector which was distributed in April 2021. This funding, which is Round 39 of the Sound and Vision 4 scheme, was in addition to a similar funding round of Sound and Vision that took place in 2020, together with a waiver of the broadcasting levy for the first half of the year, which was worth €1m to the sector.
Moreover, Government COVID-related advertising spend provided an additional €1.8m to the sector in Q1 2021 and 17 radio stations availed of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) receiving a total of €1.5m in Q1 of this year.
The BAI will continue to report to me on the financial status of the sector in the coming months.
13. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the Online Safety and Media Regulations Bill 2020; and if she plans to bring this Bill through the Houses of the Oireachtas in the coming session. [47935/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for raising the status of this vital piece of legislation. The enactment of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill is a Programme for Government commitment. It will establish a regulatory framework for online safety overseen by an Online Safety Commissioner as part of a wider multi-person Media Commission. The Bill will update the regulatory frameworks for television broadcasting and video on-demand services. It will also dissolve the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and transpose the European Union’s revised ‘Audiovisual Media Service Directive’ into Irish law.
The General Scheme of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill was approved by Government on the 9th January 2020. On the 8th December 2020, the Government approved the finalisation of the General Scheme through the addition of further provisions. On 18th May 2021, the Government approved the integration of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill into the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill.
Given the importance of this legislation, I asked the Government to approve the commencement of detailed drafting of the Bill by the Office of the Attorney General and the referral of the General Scheme the Bill for pre-legislative scrutiny simultaneously. This detailed drafting process is now nearing completion and will be finalised once the pre-legislative scrutiny report has been received and analysed.
Pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media is on-going. It included oral hearings from May to July with contributions from regulators, industry, NGOS, and other affected stakeholders. I would like to acknowledge the extensive work of the Joint Oireachtas Committee in this regard and I await the publication of their pre-legislative scrutiny report. Once this has been received and there has been an assessment of its recommendations, the Bill will be brought forward for publication and enactment.
There is significant urgency attached to the enactment of the Bill, not least due to ongoing infringement proceedings against Ireland given the implementation deadline of 19 September 2020 for the revised Directive. These proceedings have recently moved to the “reasoned opinion” stage and the European Commission has noted the potential imposition of significant fines for continued non-transposition.
This underlines the absolute necessity of progressing the Bill to enactment and providing for the establishment of the Media Commission, including an Online Safety Commissioner, as soon as possible.
14. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the plans of her Department to showcase objects from the national collections in rural communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47851/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Cultural Institutions (NCIs) play a critical role as custodians of Ireland’s history and culture.
Their collections comprise the most precious objects in the nation’s possession and my Department recognises the importance of sharing these treasures throughout the country.
To that end, my Department’s Mobility of Collections Scheme provides greater regional access to the National Collections. The purpose of this scheme is to assist in putting items from the National Collections on display to the public on a greater and wider basis. In particular the scheme facilitates the display of pieces and exhibitions from the National Collections with specific local and regional interest direct to those communities.
The Scheme is designed to fund the transport, cost of insurance and exhibiting costs for pieces from the National Collections to appropriate institutions around the country.
Some recent examples of activities supported by the scheme include:
- Waterford Museum of Treasures in the Viking Triangle took loan of an eight-branch chandelier dating to 1790 and originally made in Waterford. The loan was facilitated by the National Museum of Ireland.
- Múseam Chorca Dhuibhne has borrowed from the National Museum of Ireland and will be displaying a gold medieval ring brooch which was originally found locally near Dingle in 2015
- The Hunt Museum held a substantial exhibition of 32 works borrowed from the Crawford Art Gallery's Great Southern Art Collection. The exhibition ran from June to September and was called Signals of Change 20th Century Irish Arts Great Southern Collection.
In addition to this scheme the National Cultural Institutions are committed to increasing access to the national collections through online exhibitions and by lending objects to local exhibitions. While the NCIs under the aegis of my Department are independent in their management of day-to-day matters, the loaning and dissemination of items from the National Collection under their care is actively encouraged.
During the pandemic, the NCIs demonstrated great innovation by sharing the national collections online. For example the IMMA Online programme has made thousands of artworks available to audiences around the country through the digitisation of its collection. With “Talking Art Online”, the museum hosts regular talks on the collection with community groups. These are offered to Broadband Connection points in rural areas through the Department of Rural and Community Affairs and IMMA has delivered 7 sessions to date from Achill Island to Carlow.
My Department will continue to encourage and provide support for the showcasing of objects from the national collections in rural communities.
15. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the details of the Fáilte Ireland business continuity scheme which supports businesses not covered by the Covid restrictions support scheme; the breakdown of allocations and recipients by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47980/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2021 I secured a record level of funding of just under €221m for tourism, including €55 million for Fáilte Ireland's Tourism Business Continuity Scheme.
The purpose of the funding provided through the Tourism Business Continuity Scheme has been to support strategic tourism businesses to survive through the pandemic and help drive the recovery of tourism. There have been five phases of the Scheme to date, which ran from February to September this year. The various phases of the Scheme provided a direct financial contribution to support business continuity plans and contribute towards fixed costs.
Phase One supported businesses that were ineligible to receive the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) such as outdoor tourism activity providers, tourism golf courses, hop-on hop-off tourism bus tour operators, cruise hire companies, tourism boat tour operators, visitor attractions, and caravan and camping and outdoor accommodation providers. I am happy to confirm that more than €7.6m was provided to 280 successful applicants in this phase.
Phase Two supported the tourism transport sector as it was deemed a strategically important sector that enables visitors to access the geographically dispersed Irish tourism offering. This Phase has seen grants amounting to over €13.3m awarded to 201 applicants.
Phase One Plus, which is the third Phase of the Scheme, is a continuation of the earlier Phase One. This phase supported certain tourism businesses that were ineligible or not included in Phase One, or who had missed the deadline. Under Phase One Plus €1.6m has been provided to 43 applicants.
Phases 4 and 5 of Fáilte Ireland’s Tourism Business Continuity Scheme closed for applications on Friday, 24 September. Phase 4 is to support attractions and activity tourism operators with Phase 5 supporting Fáilte Ireland-approved tourism accommodation providers. Fáilte Ireland has begun making payments to successful applicants under Phase 4 and expects to commence payments under Phase 5 by November.
The Deputy asked for a breakdown of the Scheme's allocations and recipients by county. I have asked Fáilte Ireland to provide this more detailed information to the Deputy within ten working days.
16. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén méadú a tháinig ar chistiú a Roinne i meastacháin 2021 faoi na ceannteidil Turasóireacht, Cultúr, Ealaíon, Gaeltacht, Spórt agus Méain, cén t-ardú céatadáin a bhí i gceist i ngach cás; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [47896/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá leithdháileadh comhlán maoinithe 2021 do mo Roinnse díreach faoi bhun €1.092 bn de réir Mheastacháin Bhreise Athbhreithnithe 2021. Méadú de thart ar €88.8m nó 9% atá sa leithdháileadh seo ar an leithdháileadh inchomparáide a foilsíodh i Meastacháin Bhreise Athbhreithnithe 2020.
Tá comparáidí díreacha agus méaduithe céatadáin idir 2020 agus 2021 deacair a dhéanamh amach mar gheall ar Phacáiste Spreagtha mhí Iúil 2020 agus maoiniú COVID-oiriúnaithe 2021, ach is iad seo a leanas na méaduithe maoinithe de réir réimse cláir:
Turasóireacht - €36.5m, méadú 20% atá ann ar leithdháileadh inchomparáide 2020;
Na hEalaíona & An Cultúr - € 90m, sin méadú de 36% ar leithdháiltí 2020 agus cuimsíonn sé sin €11.5m a aistríodh ón Roinn Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta níos luaithe i mbliana maidir le feidhmiú Scéim Tacaíochta COVID um Earnáil na nImeachtaí;
An Ghaeltacht - €6.7m, méadú 9% ar fhigiúirí 2020;
Seirbhísí Spóirt & Fóillíochta - laghdú de €46.6m nó 21% ar leithdháiltí 2020;
Na Meáin - €1.9m, méadú 1%.
Maidir le Seirbhísí Spóirt & Fóillíochta, is ionann leithdháileadh FRE 2021 agus laghdú de €46.6m nó 21% ar leithdháiltí 2020. Léiríonn sé seo leithdháileadh suntasach €88.5 milliún de thacaíochtaí mar fhreagra ar COVID in 2020 nuair nach raibh cead ag lucht féachana freastal ar imeachtaí agus ar éigean a bhí acmhainn ann chun ioncam a ghiniúint ag imeachtaí agus gníomhaíochtaí spóirt.
Cuimsíonn leithdháiltí 2020 agus 2021 araon maoiniú breise chun déileáil le tionchar COVID-19 agus chun maireachtáil agus téarnamh gnólachtaí agus oibríochtaí sna hearnálacha a bhfuil mé freagrach astu mar Aire a chinntiú. Tá sé seo sa bhreis ar na tacaíochtaí cothrománacha atá ar fáil i ngach earnáil cosúil leis an Íocaíocht Dífhostaíochta Phaindéimeach agus Scéim Tacaíochta Srianta COVID.
Bhí tionchar diúltach ag paindéim COVID-19 ár gcuid Forais Cultúir agus amharclann, áiteanna turasóireachta, tithe tábhairne agus bialann, ócáidí spóirt agus pobail Gaeltachta ón tús. Léiríonn maoiniú méadaithe 2021 an tiomantas atá agam féin agus ag an Rialtas chun a chinntiú go bhfuil sruthanna láidre maoinithe agus bearta spriocdhírithe ar fáil chun tacú le teacht aniar agus téarnamh n-earnálacha seo.
Tá cainteanna ar siúl i gcomhthéacs Bhuiséad 2022 chun a fháil amach cad iad na tacaíochtaí breise gur féidir a sholáthar chun leanúint ar aghaidh ag tacú leis na hearnálacha agus muid ag teacht amach as an bpaindéim.
17. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the extent to which she and her Department continue to assist in the recovery of the tourism, sport, culture and entertainment sectors in the context of Covid-19 with particular reference to rejuvenating these sectors within the shortest timeframe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47900/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID-19 pandemic has a significant and ongoing impact on the operating landscape for the sectors my Department supports. Throughout the pandemic, I have been actively working with and for the sectors within my remit to ensure that they are supported. My focus for these engagements is both to find ways to support the sectors during the period of the pandemic as well as charting a path for their recovery after the crisis has passed. In this regard, I established a number of fora and taskforces where sectoral stakeholders brought their experiences, ideas and policy proposals to my attention. These include:
- Tourism Recovery Oversight Group;
- The Hospitality and Tourism Forum which I co-chair with An Tánaiste;
- The Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce;
- The Sports Monitoring Group and Expert Group on the Return to Sport;
- Live Entertainment Working Group;
- Night-time Economy Taskforce;
Many of the actions contained in the reports produced by the Tourism Recovery Oversight Group, Arts and Culture Recovery and the Night-Time Economy Taskforces’ are actively being implemented by my Department, in partnership with other Government stakeholders, and I consider these as essential inputs to our journey towards recovery.
Regular meetings of the Sports Monitoring Group at which NGBs provide up-to-date assessments of the status of their operations and the progress being made in relation to the resumption of their particular sports allow Minister Chambers and I to keep up to date on the ongoing COVID-19 impacts to the sports sector.
My officials and I have also engaged with stakeholders in the media sector in relation to the impact of COVID-19. The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland is reporting to me quarterly on the impacts of COVID-19 on the independent radio sector.
I am continuing to work with colleagues across Government to ensure that the sectors within my remit were provided with a range of financial supports and pandemic recovery measures. These include the horizontal measures of the PUP, EWSS and CRSS.
Within my own Department, tailored funding measures have been introduced to support all of the sectors under my remit, in specific response to the pandemic, as well as to reflect commitments in the Programme for Government and ongoing policy to support, empower and grow these sectors.
These measures include a range of funding streams for the live entertainment sector, an Adaptation Fund and a Business Continuity Scheme for the tourism sector delivered through Fáilte Ireland, a funding package for the sport sector, Gaeltacht supports and increased funding for the Arts Council.
The sectors under my remit are at the heart of our identity as a people and the pandemic has demonstrated very clearly the critical role they play in social and economic well-being. The resilience of these sectors, in the face of the extraordinary circumstances of the pandemic, has been remarkable, particularly as many were among the first sectors to close and are the last to return to full capacity.
Recognising that resilience and the hugely important role that these sectors play in Ireland's collective economic and social well-being, I will continue to work with the stakeholders to monitor the evolving situation and to work with my Government colleagues to support these sectors and, with officials and Government colleagues, to support a strong and stable recovery as we emerge from the pandemic.
18. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has long-term plans to support the arts, music and entertainment sector should there be a prolonged period with fewer persons attending events than has traditionally been the case. [35872/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe arts, music and entertainment sectors were among the sectors to be hardest hit by the crisis and will be take longer to recover than most. I understand the devastating impact that Covid-19 has had on all areas of the arts and I have endeavoured to make sure that the voices of those in this sector have been heard. I have personally met with, and continue to meet with, a wide range of organisations and businesses. Officials in my Department are involved in ongoing and meaningful engagement with the numerous organisations and lobby groups in the sector. This ensures that I have the most up-to-date information to ensure appropriate supports are delivered for the sector.
The Arts Council is the agency through which Government support for the arts sector is delivered. In 2021, I allocated a record €130m to the Arts Council to provide for the sector. In addition, I have to date allocated €61.5m for a suite of measures designed to sustain and support the commercial sector in 2021. These measures incorporate:
- €25m Live Performance Support Scheme
- €14m Music and Entertainment Business Support Scheme
- €11.5m Event Sector Covid Support Scheme
- €5m for live performance delivered through the local authorities;
- €5m Capital Support Scheme
- €1m Patrick's Day Festival
I committed during August to securing a reopening plan for the sector through a clear roadmap for the sustainable reopening of activities in the live entertainment, culture and arts sectors.
At its meeting on 31 August, Government agreed on the return to outdoor and indoor events at the following capacity levels and with maximum available social distancing between groups:
- Indoors – for vaccinated/recovered people and accompanying minors- 60% capacity
- Outdoors - for vaccinated/recovered people and accompanying minors- 75% capacity
- Outdoors - for mixed groups of vaccinated/recovered and unvaccinated people – 50% capacity.
All restrictions on numbers attending events will be lifted on 22 October marking a dramatic and significant positive step for the arts, music and entertainment sector. In the interim, we are seeing increased opportunities for live performance everywhere throughout the State.
Additionally, further schemes are being launched this month to ensure that those in the arts and entertainment sector continue to have adequate supports pending the resumption of activity all across the performing arts.
19. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the strategies to support more women to take up leadership positions across sport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47922/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAddressing women’s participation at all levels in sport is an important element of the Government’s National Sports Policy 2018-2027. The Policy acknowledges the need for action to ensure that more women take up leadership positions in sport including as Board members and CEOs of National Governing Bodies of Sport.
Action 32 of the Government’s National Sports Policy 2018-2027 tasks National Governing Bodies with developing equality action plans and setting gender diversity targets. It commits to supporting dedicated leadership training programmes for women including governance-related and technical training.
Sport Ireland has put a range of supports in place to assist the sporting organisations. For example, a Gender Diversity on Boards Toolkit was developed and launched in January. It is a resource with practical steps and guidelines applicable to the sports sector in Ireland to work towards more gender diverse Boards. Sport Ireland will host a third webinar for the sports sector on November 25th to remind them of the toolkit and how it might be useful in achieving or maintaining gender diversity on their Board.
Improving the gender balance on boards of sporting organisations is a priority for both myself and Minister Martin.
In December 2020, Sport Ireland released a snapshot of board composition figures from across the NGB sector and progress made towards gender balance on boards. This snapshot highlighted that the number of females currently serving on the boards of NGBs has increased to 29%, up from 24% in March 2019. This is good progress but clearly there is work still to be done and Minister Martin and I will continue to engage proactively on this important agenda.
20. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her strategies to assist the tourism hospitality industry to retain and regain qualified staff in the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47930/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraRecruitment continues to be a significant challenge for the tourism sector, with up to two-thirds of businesses reporting reduced capacity due to staff shortages. My Department and Fáilte Ireland have been collaborating with industry and other Government Departments to ensure that there is a coordinated approach to addressing the labour and skills shortages.
Recently Fáilte Ireland has launched a new recruitment marketing and awareness campaign called #BeThePulse to help attract new staff to the tourism industry. Fáilte Ireland also provided an information webinar on the Department of Social Protection Pathways to Work strategy. The webinar was aimed at ensuring that tourism employers are fully aware of this potential recruitment channel, while also working with employers to make it easier and beneficial to recruit workers and to encourage recruitment of jobseekers. Fáilte Ireland’s Learning Hub also contains free high-quality self-directed learning courses to help upskill staff and build capability within business.
To increase consideration of a career in tourism and hospitality, Fáilte Ireland continues to promote opportunities and communicate the benefits of working in the industry via their content and social media strategy on tourismcareers.ie. Fáilte Ireland also chairs the Tourism and Hospitality Careers Oversight Group which works closely with industry bodies, education providers and other Government bodies to support sustainable employment in the tourism sector with an immediate focus on recruitment and retention initiatives.
Officials from my Department are engaging with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to explore possible options for the Work Permits regime. Recent submissions from the industry to allow work permits for managerial positions in certain tourism and hospitality businesses are currently being assessed. Officials have also met with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on the implementation of the Tourism Recovery Taskforce recommendations under “Enhancing Sustainable Employment”.
Fáilte Ireland is currently carrying out research, both from an employer and employee perspective, to gain further understanding of the challenges facing employers and why workers are leaving or not returning to the sector. This research will help when considering future actions required to address staffing and skill shortages for the sector.
Informed by the recommendations in the latest report from the Recovery Oversight Group, and in the context of Budget 2022, I am working with officials and Government colleagues to establish what further supports can be put in place for the tourism sector.
21. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will increase funding for the provision of public swimming pools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43947/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPreviously, Government support for new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools was provided through the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP). 52 pools have been completed under the LASPP and three swimming pool projects (Lucan, Buncrana and Edenderry) remain in the programme with the Lucan project currently under construction.
My Department's capital support for any new swimming pools is now being provided through the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The National Development Plan provided a capital allocation of at least €100m for the Fund over the period to 2027.
The first call for proposals under the LSSIF closed in 2019 with applications confined to local authorities and National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of Sport. All applications were assessed in accordance with the published Evaluation Procedures and Guidelines and the first allocations were announced in January 2020. Thus far, approximately €86.4m has been awarded to 33 different proposals. These initial allocations include funding for 8 swimming pool projects as follows:
1. Laois: Portarlington Leisure Centre Swimming Pool
2. Sligo: Waterpoint Aqua Park
3. Kilkenny: The Watershed Development,
4. Limerick: Askeaton Pool and Leisure
5. Wicklow: Wicklow Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre
6. Louth: Dundalk Leisure Centre
8. Galway: Galway Regional Aquatic & Fitness Centre
9. Dublin: Samuel Beckett Civic Campus Phase 2
The priority in the short term is to advance all LSSIF projects including these swimming pools to construction stage.
In relation to future swimming pool funding, my Department is currently undertaking a review of progress on all existing LSSIF grants. As part of this review, my Department is also considering the timing of any new call for proposals and it is expected that the review will be completed in the coming months. In addition, the National Sports Policy commits to the development of a National Swimming Strategy. As part of this, there will be a review of swimming pool provision to identify where gaps exist and how these can be met. Furthermore, a Sports Action Plan, covering the period to end 2023 will be published shortly. It is envisaged that the development of a national swimming strategy will be significantly progressed as a priority action in that plan, with the aim of completing the strategy in early 2022. The outcome of these reviews will be fully considered when deciding on the future funding provision for swimming pools.
22. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil díomá uirthi go bhfuil comhlacht poiblí (Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte, dar le Nuacht TG4 ar an 30 Meán Fómhair 2021), tar éis post sa Ghaeltacht a fhógairt trí fhógraí aonteangacha Béarla a chur sna nuachtáin, gan trácht ar chumas sa Ghaeilge mar bhuntáiste nó riachtanas ann, agus an logainm Gaeltachta Béarlaithe sa bhfógra acu, an aontaíonn sí nach bhfuil feidhm ag an reachtaíocht teanga gan pionós ann i gcás sáraithe, agus an dtacóidh sí le leasuithe ag Céim na Tuarascála ar Bhille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021 chun Béarlú oifigiúil ar logainm a chosc agus chun a chinntiú go n-earcóidh comhlachtaí poiblí Gaeilgeoirí amháin le haghaidh poist sa Ghaeltacht. [47944/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCé gur ceist í seo go príomhá don Aire Sláinte, tá fiosrúcháin déanta ag oifigigh mo Roinne ina taobh le Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte.
Cé gur fógraíodh an folúntas atá luaite ag an Teachta Ó Snodaigh sa Sunday Independent as Béarla, tuigtear dom gur i nGaeilge a bhí an fógra ar Thuairisc.ie agus ar Raidió na Gaeltachta chomh maith.
Bíodh is nach raibh riachtanas Gaeilge luaite san fhógra féin, tuigim go bhfuil, i gcomhréir le gnáthchleachtas do phoist mar seo, riachtanas Gaeilge luaite i sonraíocht an phoist.
Maidir leis an logainm a bheith i mBéarla ar fhógra Béarla an Sunday Independant, is in Ailt 32 agus 33 d'Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 atá stádas logainmneacha Ghaeltachta leagtha síos. Is faoin gCoimisinéir Teanga atá sé monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar fhorleanúint comhlachtaí poiblí d'forálacha an Achta.
Mar is eol don Teachta, beidh Bille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) le tógáil ag Céim na Tuarascála amárach sa Teach seo. Tar éis díospóireacht a mhair thart ar fiche cúig uair a’ chloig ag Céim an Choiste níos túisce i mbliana, tá beagnach caoga leasú curtha síos ag an Rialtas ar an mBille ag Céim na Tuarascála. Léiríonn sé seo go raibh mé fhéin agus an Rialtas ag éisteach le pobail na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta nuair a léirigh siad a míshástacht maidir leis an easpa spriocdhátaí a bhí sa Bhille nuair a foilsíodh é.
Le hachtú Bille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), cinnteofar go bhforordóidh mé dátaí ar fúthu a thiocfaidh an Ghaeilge chun bheith mar theanga oibre oifigí comhlachtaí poiblí i ngach Limistéar Pleanála Teanga Gaeltachta agus, ina theannta sin, ar fúthu a bheidh gach seirbhís a sholáthraíonn comhlacht poiblí i ngach Limistéar Pleanála Teanga Gaeltachta á soláthar i nGaeilge. Déanfar na dátaí sin a fhorordú laistigh de 3 mhí tar éis dom an Plean Náisiúnta maidir le hearcú daoine le Gaeilge a fháil agus tar éis taighde cuimsitheach a choimisiúnóidh an Coiste Comhairleach a bheidh le bunú agam a chur i gcrích i dtaobh an féidir na spriocdhátaí atá beartaithe a bhaint amach.
23. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has developed a strategy to address the chronic shortage of staff affecting the tourism and hospitality sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47916/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraRecruitment continues to be a significant challenge for the tourism sector, with up to two-thirds of businesses reporting reduced capacity due to staff shortages. My Department and Fáilte Ireland have been collaborating with industry and other Government Departments to ensure that there is a coordinated approach to addressing the labour and skills shortages.
Recently Fáilte Ireland has launched a new recruitment marketing and awareness campaign called #BeThePulse to help attract new staff to the tourism industry. Fáilte Ireland also provided an information webinar on the Department of Social Protection Pathways to Work strategy. The webinar was aimed at ensuring that tourism employers are fully aware of this potential recruitment channel, while also working with employers to make it easier and beneficial to recruit workers and to encourage recruitment of jobseekers. Fáilte Ireland’s Learning Hub also contains free high-quality self-directed learning courses to help upskill staff and build capability within business.
To increase appreciation of a career in tourism and hospitality, Fáilte Ireland continues to promote opportunities and communicate the benefits of working in the industry via their content and social media strategy on tourismcareers.ie. Fáilte Ireland also chairs the Tourism and Hospitality Careers Oversight Group which works closely with industry bodies, education providers and other Government bodies to support sustainable employment in the tourism sector with an immediate focus on recruitment and retention initiatives.
Officials from my Department are engaging with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to explore possible options for the Work Permits regime. Recent submissions from the industry to allow work permits for managerial positions in certain tourism and hospitality businesses are currently being assessed. Officials have also met with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on the implementation of the Tourism Recovery Taskforce recommendations under “Enhancing Sustainable Employment”.
Fáilte Ireland is currently carrying out research, both from an employer and employee perspective, to gain further understanding of the challenges facing employers and why workers are leaving or not returning to the sector. This research will help when considering future actions required to address staffing and skill shortages for the sector.
Informed by the recommendations in the latest report from the Recovery Oversight Group, and in the context of Budget 2022, I am working with officials and Government colleagues to establish what further supports can be put in place for the tourism sector.
25. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports that are being put in place to ensure that young persons return to sports. [47899/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnsuring and assisting the overall resumption capacity of the sports system is a key priority for Government and is the main driver for the considerable financial assistance which the Government is providing to the sporting sector.
In order to facilitate the maximum possible return to sport for people of all ages, I am pleased to confirm that a new special funding package of up to €65 million will be available to support the sport sector this year. Allied to the additional current expenditure of €26.3 million already provided to Sport Ireland, this equates to a total of €91.3 million in additional current funding to support the sport sector in 2021.
Arrangements are currently being made by Sport Ireland for the invitation of applications from NGBs and sports clubs with the aim of distributing this special funding this year. This new package is additional to the €88.5 million that was provided last year, which benefited all levels of the sport sector, including thousands of grassroots clubs and Community Groups across the country.
In addition to these financial supports, which benefit young and old alike, I consider that a public information campaign emphasising the benefits of sport can also contribute to a comprehensive resumption to sporting activity. Sport Ireland started such a campaign yesterday under the title of “Let’s Get Back”. The campaign will run for the next five weeks and is aimed at encouraging members of the public that are anxious or unsure about returning to sport and physical activity that it is possible to do so in a safe and secure manner. The campaign will also collaborate with social media influencers and platforms to promote the message to the younger demographic. The campaign is part of a wider winter initiative to get people back to sport, with activities planned throughout the sports sector, and provides National Governing Bodies with a perfect platform to launch its Autumn and Winter Programmes.
While the pace and extent of the return to sport for all people, is significantly dependent on the capacity of the various sporting organisations and clubs at local level, I hope that these measures will help support organisations and clubs in bringing as many people, including young people, back to sporting activity as quickly as possible.
26. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports both capital and current expected to assist sports facilities across Ireland recognising the significant positive impact they have on communities and well-being; the way she plans to support these into the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47968/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to current supports, earlier today Minister Catherine Martin and I announced that additional current funding of up to €65 million will be available to support the sport sector this year. Allied to the additional current expenditure of €26.3 million already provided to Sport Ireland, a total of €91.3 million will have been allocated in additional current funding to support the sport sector in 2021.
This package is intended to support National Governing Bodies of Sport and sports clubs arising from the significant impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the sports sector. The package includes funding for a swimming pools/facilities fund to assist pools and facilities in reopening. The schemes are being run by Sport Ireland, who are engaging with the sector at present in relation to the application process.
In 2020, a total Covid-19 funding package of €88.5 million in current funding was provided to support the sport sector.
In relation to providing capital assistance for new sports facilities, my Department operates two grant schemes.
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, 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 before the end of this year. Once these allocations are finalised an announcement will made in relation to the opening of the next round of the Programme.
The Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) is designed for projects where the grant sought is greater than the maximum available under the SCEP. The first allocations under the LSSIF were announced in January 2020 and thus far, approximately €86.4m has been awarded to 33 different proposals. The priority in the short term is to advance all of these projects. As it is now over 18 months since the first allocations were made, and in view of the issues faced by grantees as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is timely to review progress on all projects. My Department is engaging with all grantees in this regard. The timing of any new call for proposals is also being considered and it is expected that the Review will be completed in the coming months.
27. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the percentage of sports capital grants awarded that were drawn down for each local authority for the past three years; the amount that has not been drawn down for each of the past three years; if she will reinstate an allocation for individual boxing clubs to apply directly for sports capital grants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46657/21]
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 Programme is open for applications from, inter alia, sports clubs, community organisations and local authorities. The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1st March 2021 and the final allocations under this round are expected to be announced before the end of the year.
Because of the nature of the Programme it can take grantees a number of years to draw down their grants. Reasons in this regard include the need to ensure the necessary legal requirements are met, the requirement for grantees go through appropriate tender procedures and to ensure the necessary own-funding elements to advance the project are in place.
Details of all allocations, including those to Local Authorities, made under the SCEP since 2002 are published at www.gov.ie/en/collection/471ed5-sports-capital-allocations/. Likewise details of all payments, including those to Local Authorities, made under the SCEP since 2011 are available at www.gov.ie/en/collection/efc6c4-sports-capital-programmes-payments/.
In relation to boxing clubs, all boxing clubs are entitled to apply directly for Sports Capital and Equipment funding up to a value of €150,000 for local projects. In cases where a club does not own a premises, it is still permissible to apply for capital grants up to a value of €50,000. A copy of the latest "Guide to Making an Application" which sets out the terms and conditions of the scheme is available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/service/d13385-sports-capital-programme/#introduction.
28. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of applications her Department has received for sports capital grants; the number that have been validated; if she will provide a breakdown for each sport of the applications received; when she expects to be in a position to announce the successful grants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46656/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra41. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update on the sports capital programme. [47460/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra50. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if consideration will be given to increasing the funding under the 2021 sports capital and equipment programme in view of the large number of applications received by her Department; when the funding is likely to be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47850/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 41 and 50 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, over 3,100 applications were submitted seeking over €200m in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received. A list of all applications received and the associated sport can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/b62b8-sports-capital-and-equipment-programme-2020-applications/
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. Given the large number of applications received, this work is likely to take a number of months to complete with allocations expected to be announced before the end of this year.
A decision on the total allocation amount will not be made until all applications have been assessed. 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.
29. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of a review into the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund; and the steps required by Monaghan County Council on foot of the review to secure funding towards the provision of a public swimming pool in Carrickmacross. [47948/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Sports Policy as published in 2018 provided for the establishment of a Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The scheme is designed for projects where the grant being sought is greater than the maximum grant available under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP). The first allocations under the LSSIF were announced in January 2020 and thus far, approximately €86.4m has been awarded to 33 different proposals.
All applications under the LSSIF were assessed in accordance with the published scoring criteria. The total funding applied for under the scheme significantly exceeded the amount available to allocate and it was not possible to allocate grants to many worthy projects.
While the priority in the short term is to advance all of the successful projects, as it is now over 18 months since the first allocations were made, and in view of the issues faced by grantees as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is timely to review progress on all projects allocated grants. My Department is engaging with all grantees in this regard.
Once that review is complete the scope for awarding new grants to projects which missed out under the first set of allocations and the timing of any new call for proposals will be considered. My Department will be in touch with all relevant local authorities at that stage. It is expected that the review will be completed in the coming months.
30. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will conduct a review into the Olympics and Paralympics; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47937/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, the statutory agency with responsibility for the development of sport in Ireland, including high performance sport, undertakes such reviews after each Olympic/Paralympic Games.
For the purposes of the Tokyo Games review, Sport Ireland has already appointed independent service providers to complete that review, which will consist of three distinct phases:
- Phase 1: Pre-Games Assessments
- Phase 2: Post-Games Surveys
- Phase 3: Independent Service Provider Reviews
It is envisaged that the review will be completed and published by the end of this year.
31. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way in which she plans to transform and improve the tourism sector to ensure this valuable indigenous sector recovers from the pandemic given that it has endured untold devastation throughout the past year and a half with an estimated loss of 100,000 jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47967/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, tourism has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, a Tourism Recovery Taskforce was put in place to prepare a Tourism Recovery Plan with recommendations on how best the Irish tourism sector can adapt and recover in a changed tourism environment as a result of the crisis. This plan has assisted me and my cabinet colleagues in considering measures that can support the sector. The measures we have adopted to date have been critical for the survival of businesses and jobs in tourism.
I appointed a Recovery Oversight Group to oversee the implementation of the Plan and they report to me on a regular basis with updates on implementation and the recovery of the sector. This group has recently submitted its third report to me. The report from the Recovery Oversight Group will provide invaluable input to policy as I continue to work, alongside my Government colleagues, to support the tourism sector in this most challenging period.
The Covid-19 crisis has left our tourism sector in a very weakened state but it has also provided an opportunity now to address sustainable tourism development in a more meaningful way during the recovery and rebuilding phase following the crisis. In line with our Programme for Government commitments, officials within my Department are taking initial steps towards the development of a new national tourism policy which will mainstream sustainability. The development of this new policy will be informed by the Guiding Principles for Sustainable Tourism Development developed by the Sustainable Tourism Working Group and be consistent with our sectoral climate change targets and commitments.
It is clear that the traditional model of tourism is changing and the development of this new national tourism policy gives us an opportunity to set out what type of tourism sector we want to 2030 and beyond. Tourism has proven itself resilient before and I am confident that, with the support of Government, it will recover from this crisis and thrive again in a manner which is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.
32. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update on plans to develop a night-time economy. [47461/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra56. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to provide supports to assist the cost burden of nightclubs reopening; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47932/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra57. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to progress the report and recommendations of the Night-time Economy Taskforce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47928/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra64. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the progress being made on revitalising the night-time economy; if she will report on the taskforce to unlock the potential this sector will bring to town and village centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47939/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra71. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will report on the recent pilot nightclub event; the details of recent engagements with the Night-time Economy Taskforce on the recommendations listed within its report (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47886/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 32, 56, 57, 64 and 71 together.
The Night-time Economy is a hugely important sector, contributing to our economy and our cultural and creative sectors and it is important that we protect, support and sustain it – particularly as we begin to emerge out of this pandemic and we start to think about how and where we socialise and how we plan our city and town centres.
I published the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce earlier this month. The Report contained 36 practical recommendations in the area of regulation, licensing, planning, transport, safety and increasing the diversity of activities as part of the night-time offering. The Report also suggests practical solutions to help cities, towns and villages which have already faced multiple challenges, find and develop new opportunities including, for example, the pilot initiative to establish new "Night-Time Advisors" in six cities and towns to develop new Night-Time Economy opportunities.
Work is ongoing to implement the actions in the Report and I was delighted to support a series of late night events across the country as part of Culture Night recently on foot of the Taskforce recommendation in this area. I will continue to work with colleagues across Government to implement the actions in this Report to help support and drive the sector forward.
The electronic music and night-club sector is an integral part of the Night-Time Economy and culture and has been one of the hardest hit during this pandemic. I was delighted to support last week's pilot night-club event in The Button Factory in Temple Bar. I hope that the learnings from this will help the sector as we head towards a full easing of restrictions in October, subject to ongoing public health advice. A range of supports and measures from my Department and across other Departments have already been established for hard hit sectors including the arts and creative sectors and the tourism sectors and I will continue to engage with the night-club sector in this context.
33. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will review the inconsistency across entertainment and promotional companies in relation to offering the personal assistant of a person with a disability tickets free-of-charge; if she will consider reviewing this and establishing a policy to ensure accessibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47917/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand this matter refers to a facility provided by some 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.
34. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán soiléiriú a thabhairt ar stádas na bpleananna teanga do na 26 Limistéir; cathain a mbeidh na 26 pleananna teanga ceadaithe; cé mhéid atá ag feidhmiú faoi láthair; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [47904/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDen 26 Limistéar Pleanála Teanga Ghaeltachta, tá 24 faofa ag mo Roinn go dáta. Fágann sé sin, ar ndóigh, gur dhá phlean eile atá fágtha le faomhadh - plean teanga Oileáin Árann agus plean teanga an Ghaeltacht Láir - atá á mbreithniú ag mo Roinn faoi láthair.
Bheinn muiníneach go mbeidh an 26 plean ceadaithe roimh dheireadh 2021. Den 24 plean atá ceadaithe, tá 19 de na pleananna sin á bhfeidhmiú le 18 Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga agus 4 Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga Cúnta fostaithe iontu.
Níor mhiste a lua chomh maith go bhfuil dhá phlean do na Bailte Seirbhíse Gaeltachta, An Daingean agus an Clochán Liath atá suite sa Ghaeltacht, ceadaithe chomh maith.
35. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the roll-out of gteic facilities in Gaeltacht areas around County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47940/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development of the gteic network of Gaeltacht digital and innovation hubs is a strategic initiative by Údarás na Gaeltachta to accelerate the promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship and to create opportunities for remote working in the Gaeltacht. This will mean that office space and workspace of the highest standard will be available to entrepreneurs and concept developers in all parts of the Gaeltacht where they can access stable, high quality broadband. To date 20 gteic hubs have been developed in 5 Gaeltacht counties with a view to 31 hubs being completed by 2022 making it Ireland's largest digital hub network.
Notwithstanding delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, significant progress has been made on the development of the gteic facilities in the Mayo Gaeltacht.
My Department via Údarás na Gaeltachta has provided significant exchequer funding in support of the development of this network with further substantial funding also being provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development via the Rural Regional Development Fund.
Four gteic hubs are currently operational in the Mayo Gaeltacht as follows:
- gteic@Béal an Mhuirthead is the flagship gteic hub in Mayo with a 1,105m2 footprint and a capacity of 94 workspaces. Plans for further development are being progressed.
- gteic@An Eachléim is a 200m2 facility with 23 workspaces
- gteic@Acaill was officially opened by me in July 2021 encompassing 305m2 and 37 possible workspaces
- gteic@An Corrán Buí is an 80m2 facility with 8 workspaces
Údarás na Gaeltachta has confirmed that development work is ongoing on gteic@Gaoth Sáile, with building works, co-funded by LEADER and managed by the local community group, delayed due to the pandemic. In addition, Údarás confirm that the opportunity to develop a gteic innovation and digital hub in Tuar Mhic Éadaigh continues to be explored and that they will look to further progress matters early next year.
