Written Answers Nos. 313-330
313. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of existing contracts of an indefinite period entered into by his Department prior to the enactment of the EU Procurement Directive. [53235/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department’s procurement policy and processes are conducted in accordance with the Office of Government Procurement’s (OGP) Public Procurement Guidelines for Goods and Services, which aim to promote an open, competitive and non-discriminatory public procurement regime which delivers the best value for money.
My Department has two contracts, in respect of ICT/ telephony services, that were entered into prior to the enactment by the EU of its Procurement Directives in February 2014. One of these has been extended to the fullest extent allowed for under the original contract. The other has been extended following periodic reviews and is shortly to be put up for tender.
314. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 414 of 19 October 2021, if no assessment took place of the value for money of the cost of applications submitted prior to funding being awarded under the live performance support scheme in 2021. [52528/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment allocated over €60 million in 2021 to a suite of measures to assist the arts and culture sector. As part of that funding, I was delighted to be in a position to fund 237 successful applications under the Live Performance Support scheme, the details of which are available on my Department’s website.
There was a very high level of interest in this scheme, with over 400 applications requesting funding in excess of €80 million. The 237 grants awarded will help support employment and wellbeing opportunities across all genres and the continued production of high quality artistic output for the public. Details of the successful applicants and their individual projects can be found on my department's website here - www.gov.ie/en/service/ca5d7-live-performance-support-scheme-2021/#list-of-grantees.
All applications were referred to an Evaluation Panel for assessment and recommendations for allocations which were then subject to approval. The Evaluation Panel assessed applications and scored under the following critera in order to determine which applications would be funded. The table below outlines the criteria used to evaluate each application.
|
Maximum Marks |
|
|
Meeting Aims and Objectives of the Scheme - Employment opportunities, Audience strategy, Ensuring ongoing cultural activity in non-subsidised venues |
30 |
|
Track Record - Prior experience, No. of events held, Income generated, other observations |
20 |
|
Feasibility - detailed breakdown of production costs, Completion of budget template, realistic audience targets for live/online, rates of pay in line with industry standards, realistic project timeline |
20 |
|
Contracts of employment for Project- Artists, creative, crew, support staff, - Artists costs as % of production costs |
15 |
|
Other Factors - Flexibility of approach, geographic spread, H&S report, diversity of genres |
10 |
|
Quality of Application |
5 |
|
Total Score |
100 |
Once this scheme concludes, all grantees will also be required to complete a questionnaire which will collect relevant data including:
- employment days generated;
- production costs, and;
- artistic output.
This data will be collated and used to underpin an evaluation of the scheme which will assist in the planning of future supports for the sector.
315. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to the fact that funding from her Department, through an organisation (details supplied) is being used to fund a festival celebrating partition that involves re-enactments of the sectarian B-Specials in Coleraine; her further views on whether the provision of funds by a body established under the Good Friday Agreement should not be used to celebrate the role of the RUC B-Specials in perpetrating violence and human rights abuses against innocent civilians based on religion and identity since its inception; and the actions she plans to take as a result of same. [52091/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed that funding was neither sought from nor allocated by the Ulster-Scots Agency for a re-enactment described by the Deputy. As a result, the issue of the celebration of particular organisations mentioned by the Deputy does not arise.
I am further informed by the Agency that it awarded the sum of £2,359 to the Coleraine Festival Committee to support a two-day festival of Ulster-Scots language, heritage and culture, in accordance with the mandate of the Ulster-Scots Agency which relates to the promotion of greater awareness and use of Ullans and of Ulster-Scots cultural issues, both within Northern Ireland and throughout the island.
A living history display formed part of this festival but this element of the event has been funded from the Coleraine Festival Committee’s own resources.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Ulster-Scots Agency is an agency of the North South Language Body, one of six North South Implementation Bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement. The work of the Agency is funded jointly by the Northern Ireland Executive, through the Department for Communities, and the Government of Ireland, through the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
316. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Pearse Doherty den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an gcuirfear deontas atosaithe ar fáil do theaghlaigh a mbíonn scoláirí Gaeilge á gcoinneáil acu faoin scéim do na Mná Tí mar gheall ar na costais mhóra a bhí orthu chun go mbeidís in ann atosú in 2022. [52217/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIs ar an mbunús agus ar an tnúthán go mbeidh na coláistí Gaeilge athoscailte in 2022 atá an Roinn ag feidhmiú agus, dá réir, gur tríd an gcúnamh leanúnach a chuirtear ar fáil faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge a bheidh an Roinn ag teacht i gcabhair ar an earnáil go príomha mar a bhaineann sé le cúrsaí maoinithe an bhliain seo chugainn.
Tá Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge (SFG) á riar ag mo Roinn ar mhaithe le tacú le deiseanna breise sealbhaithe agus saibhrithe teanga a chur ar fáil sa Ghaeltacht do lucht freastail iar-bhunscoileanna agus triú leibhéal na tíre. Tagann an scéim le cuspóirí foriomlána an Rialtais i leith na Gaeilge mar atá leagtha amach sa Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010–2030.
Faoin SFG, íoctar fóirdheontas laethúil le teaghlaigh Gaeltachta incháilithe a chuireann lóistín ar fáil dóibh siúd a dhéanann freastal ar cheann de na coláistí samhraidh aitheanta sa Ghaeltacht. Is é an cuspóir atá leis an gcúnamh seo an costas a bhaineann le freastal ar choláiste Gaeilge a laghdú.
Is fiú €10 in aghaidh an lae (ionann le €220 in aghaidh an scoláire i leith cúrsa trí seachtaine) an fóirdheontas laethúil seo, a mbaineann breis agus 26,000 scoláire leas as in aghaidh na bliana fad is atá siad ag fanacht in aon cheann den c. 700 teaghlach fud fad na Gaeltachta atá aitheanta faoin scéim. Is ionann seo agus infheistíocht stáit ar fiú breis agus €4m ar leas na hearnála go bliantúil.
Tá trí chiste faoi leith bunaithe ag mo Roinn i mbliana ar mhaithe le cabhrú tuilleadh leis an earnáil a chobhsú de thoradh COVID-19. Is ar lucht stiúrtha na gcóláistí atá an ciste is déanaí, ar fiú suas le €1.7m é, a d'fhógair mé coicís ó shin nó mar sin.
Tagann an ciste faoi leith seo sna sála ar an dá chiste eile ar fiú beagnach €2.5m iad a fógraíodh i rith an tsamhraidh - a bhí dirithe ar lucht lóistín an chórais agus ar hallaí pobail Gaeltachta lena mbaineann. Is fiú a lua go bhfuil an ciste a cuireadh ar fáil i mbliana do na teaghlaigh 25% níos airde ná ciste 2020 agus nár cuireadh aon chiste ar fáil do na hallaí pobail in 2020.
Níl aon amhras orm ach go gcabhróidh an ciste is déanaí tuilleadh leis an earnáil le go mbeidh teacht aniar agus athoscailt rathúil i ndán di in 2022 and is féidir leis an Teachta a bheith cinnte de go leanfaidh mé orm mar Aire Stáit na Gaeltachta ag tacú oiread is féidir leis an earnáil.
317. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has engaged with the Minister for Social Protection to devise a scheme to immediately continue supporting artists and performance workers whose ability to work remains restricted or limited; if so, the reason no scheme has yet been designed as many artists were set to receive their last pandemic unemployment payment in the week commencing 25 October 2021; if she and or the Arts Council has engaged with artists and representative bodies to ensure necessary supports are in place to sustain the sector. [52292/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pandemic Unemployment Payment is a social welfare payment and is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Social Protection. At its meeting of 19th of October Government agreed that the remaining aspects of the hospitality, entertainment and night-time economy sector could reopen from October 22nd with the full range of protective measures in place and the wide and robust implementation of the COVID-19 pass. This represents an important next step towards the full reopening of our economy and our society, and is a crucial opportunity for returning to work for the live entertainment and events sector. Government's aim has been to allow as many businesses as possible reopen in the safest possible way, and importantly - stay open.
With the gradual lifting of restrictions over recent months, the number of customers receiving PUP has dropped significantly. In line with the Government’s Economic Recovery Plan, the PUP is gradually changing using a tapered approach from September 2021 until February 2022 to align it with standard jobseeker’s payments
I was very cognisant of the challenges the restrictions caused for the live entertainment industry in 2021 and I allocated over €60m to support the sector. The Arts Council was provided with a historic level of funding for 2021 of €130m which has been retained for 2022 to continue to support artists as the sector recovers. I have allocated €25m for the live entertainment sector in 2022 and I am examining the supports in place for the sector to ensure that available resources are best deployed to meet the needs of the sector to ensure a full recovery is possible.
Other priorities for Budget 2022 was to secure €25m in funding for a pilot Basic Income Guarantee Scheme for artists and arts workers and to secure funding to support the full recovery of the arts/culture and live entertainment sectors in 2022. The pilot scheme was the number one recommendation of 10 recommendations made in the Life Worth Living report, published in November 2020 by the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce. I am currently reviewing the interim report of the Oversight Group to determine which model will be most appropriate for the pilot scheme. Once that has been established it will be possible to provide further information on the specifics of the scheme. It is anticipated that up to 2,000 participants will be able to avail of the pilot scheme.
COVID-19 infection rates are once again increasing along with hospitalisation and ICU admissions. While the exceptional levels of engagement with the Vaccination Programme allowed us to continue our careful and gradual approach to re-opening we must all redouble our efforts to protect ourselves, our families and our communities. I know the night-time economy sector which includes so many businesses have been patient and have looked forward to full and un-restricted reopening, and the Government's most recent decision on re-opening has allowed many working in the entertainment and cultural sector to return to work. We must continue to exercise caution as we move forward, with the ultimate goal of a full, unrestricted and safe re-opening of all aspects of society, including arts and entertainment.
318. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 301 of 13 July 2021, if Sport Ireland has commenced the recruitment process for its new CEO (details supplied); if not, the reason; when it will commence; if the Public Appointments Service will have a role in the recruitment of the new CEO; if the position of the incumbent CEO will be extended for a further period as has become the practice using Covid-19 and other reasons as cover; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52304/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recruitment process for the position of Sport Ireland CEO has commenced. The position was advertised on Friday 29 October with a closing date of 19 November for applications.
The position is advertised on the publicjobs.ie portal. The Public Appointments Service have also provided guidance to Sport Ireland on the recruitment process, and Sport Ireland will ensure that the process adheres to Government Guidelines for Appointments of CEOs of Non-Commercial State Bodies.
Sport Ireland has appointed a recruitment company, Lansdowne Executive Search, to manage all aspects of the recruitment process for the position of CEO. This follows the completion of a competitive procurement process conducted by Sport Ireland.
The Chair of Sport Ireland has submitted a request to my Department for approval of arrangements to cover the period from the retirement of the incumbent CEO until the start date of the new CEO, should there be a time lag between the two events. My officials are considering this request in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
319. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a copy of the options paper submitted to her by the oversight group responsible for developing the pilot basic income for artists in addition to a copy of the presentation material provided by the various groups which have presented to the oversight group on the basic income pilot will be provided. [52526/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI established an Oversight Group to appraise the recommendations in the Life Worth Living report. Although the remit of the Oversight Group included the examination of all recommendations in the report, I asked that they prioritise the consideration of the Recommendation on a basic income guarantee pilot scheme for artists and arts workers as a priority.
The Oversight Group is chaired by my Department and joined by representatives of the Departments of Finance, Social Protection, Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Public Expenditure and Reform, as well as Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The Directors of the Arts Council and Screen Ireland are also members alongside a representative of the County and City Managers Association.
The Oversight Group has met eight times to discuss the Basic Income pilot recommendation alongside the other nine recommendations. To assist in these discussions, the Oversight Group established a sub-committee to focus solely on the progression of the recommendation for the basic income pilot scheme. This sub-committee met nine times over the summer months to develop a number of options that could fulfil the requirements of a pilot scheme as set out in the Life Worth Living report.
The Oversight Group, with the research carried out by this sub-committee, has provided me with a preliminary report on the different options for a three year pilot scheme which I am currently considering. Once I have completed my deliberations on the matter it is my intention to publish an implementation report before the end of the year and I will be happy to publish the Oversight Group's report and other relevant documentation also at that juncture.
320. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide clarification on the rules for teenage discos as part of the reopening announced recently. [52715/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraNightclubs, Discos and Live Entertainment Venues may reopen with 100% capacity for patrons with a COVID-19 Pass, photo ID and electronic ticketing to facilitate contact tracing. The electronic ticket must be purchased no less than 1 hour before accessing the event. Facemasks must be worn by all staff and by patrons, other than when they are dancing, eating or drinking.
Guidelines around nightlife and live entertainment were published on the 28th October, and can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/updated-guidelines-for-nightlife-and-live-entertainment-sector/
While the Government wishes to move forward with this current phase of reopening, COVID-19 still represents a very real threat to society and the aim of these measures is to balance this new reopening phase with public health considerations
321. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will issue a policy directive to help address the lack of tourism infrastructure in respect of the motor home and campervan market (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52741/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Tourist Traffic Acts 1939-2016 Fáilte Ireland has specific powers and functions in relation to the registration and grading of certain types of tourist accommodation, including caravan and camping parks. These functions mainly relate to the quality of the product and the level of service. Neither this Department nor the tourism agencies have any responsibility for the development of areas dedicated to motorhomes and campervans.
Fáilte Ireland liaises on a regular basis with representatives of the Caravan and Camping sector. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the agency for further information. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
322. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the funding allocated to Decade of Commemorations committees in each county in 2021; if the funding will continue into 2022; if funding will be made available specifically to provide memorials to the former residents of county homes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52792/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy role, as Minister with responsibility for leading the co-ordination of the Decade of Centenaries Programme, is to help ensure that the challenging events of this important and formative period in our history (1912-1923) and associated themes, are meaningfully, proportionately and sensitively remembered.
I approved an overall funding allocation of €1.94 million for local authorities in 2021 under the Community Strand of the Programme, to support their leading role in developing community-led, commemorative activities this year. This allocation provides for funding of €50,000 for every local authority and a supplementary fund to support local authorities who have identified additional, specific requirements. My intention is to maintain the funding allocation of €50,000 for each local authority into 2022. Further announcements in this regard will be made when the arrangements are confirmed.
Under the Community Strand, my Department recognizes that each local authority is best placed to determine what’s appropriate for their local area, in light of local history and expertise, and to make decisions concerning initiatives to be supported from their funding allocation. My Department advises, however, that all initiatives should be aligned with the principles and guidance of the Expert Advisory Group on Centenary Commemorations, and has provided comprehensive guidance for the allocation of funding, to assist local authorities.
I must advise the Deputy that the provision or maintenance of memorials, erection of monuments, plaques, busts, or statues, and the production of commemorative medals or pins are not currently supported under my Department's funding allocation. However, it is, of course, within the discretion of individual local authorities to provide support from within their own resources to local communities who wish to erect and maintain memorials, where this is deemed the appropriate approach.
It is anticipated that local authorities will receive a number of requests from commemorative committees and community groups seeking support for the erection of monuments and other memorials as we navigate through the sensitive forthcoming period of commemorations.
While we recognise that these incidents and actions are undoubtedly of great local significance in the narrative of the part played by individual counties during the Struggle for Independence and Civil War, this is just one element within the Community Strand of the overall Decade of Centenaries Programme. There is scope for a rich diversity of interesting and engaging commemorative initiatives to be curated from within the annual funding allocation from my Department to each of the local authorities.
323. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the funding streams that are currently available and open for amateur boxing clubs; the funding provided to amateur boxing clubs in counties Meath and Louth in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52959/21]
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. All boxing clubs are entitled to apply directly for Sports Capital and Equipment Programme 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
Details of all allocations, including those to amateur boxing clubs, 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 amateur boxing clubs, made under the SCEP since 2011 are available at www.gov.ie/en/collection/efc6c4-sports-capital-programmes-payments/.
The latest (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. This work is ongoing with allocations for all successful applications expected to be announced in the coming months. Once these allocations are finalised an announcement will be made in relation to the next call for applications.
Current funding for sport is allocated by Sport Ireland across its various programmes. Sport Ireland does not provide direct funding for clubs but channels the funding through the relevant National Governing Body of Sport. In the case of boxing, funding is allocated to the Irish Athletic Boxing Association.
324. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the current public health advice with respect to the hosting of indoor sporting events such as darts in public houses and other licensed premises. [52990/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraInsofar as the hosting of indoor sporting events generally is concerned, the current position is that indoor sporting event spectator capacity is now 100% for adults with a COVID-19 Pass and separate provisions apply for accompanied and unaccompanied minors. It is of course essential that all such events adhere to best practice in relation to infection prevention control procedures and practices. All events, sporting or otherwise, that are held on licensed premises are subject to the applicable requirements and guidance for live entertainment and indoor hospitality.
The guidance for indoor hospitality is available on the Fáílte Ireland website covid19.failteireland.ie/guidance-indoor-hospitality/ . The guidance for Nightlife and Live Entertainment is at www.gov.ie/en/publication/updated-guidelines-for-nightlife-and-live-entertainment-sector/
The Deputy may also wish to note that Sport Ireland has also published a guidance note that will be helpful in understanding how the recent changes relate to sport, which is available at www.sportireland.ie/covid19/return-to-sport-and-physical-activity
325. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the progress that has been made in establishing a tourism education gateway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52999/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Tourism Recovery Taskforce was appointed in May 2020 to prepare a Tourism Recovery Plan which includes a set of recommendations on how best the Irish tourism sector can adapt and recover in a changed tourism environment as a result of the COVID crisis. The Taskforce presented the Tourism Recovery Plan 2020 – 2023 to me on September 30th 2020.
The Plan made a number of recommendations to help tourism businesses to survive, stabilise and recover from the COVID pandemic. One of the recommendations is the development of a National Tourism Education Gateway as a one-stop shop to facilitate access to education for all tourism employees.
FáiIte Ireland has carried out a feasibility study in relation to the Tourism Education Gateway. This study has been forwarded to the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for their consideration. My Department will continue to engage with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science on this matter.
326. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will meet with the Chairperson and or Chief Executive Officer of National Concert Hall before the end of 2021. [53053/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs a general rule, my officials and I maintain regular communication with the Chairs and Chief Executive Officers / Directors of the National Cultural Institutions under my aegis.
I intend to meet with the Chief Executive Officer and the Chairperson of the National Concert Hall before the end of the year. In the interim, my officials continue to engage with the National Concert Hall on a range of issues on an ongoing basis.
327. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will address a matter (details supplied) in relation to a grant refusal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53220/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdministration of the Tourism Accommodation Providers Business Continuity Scheme is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have accordingly referred the Deputy's question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply to the Deputy. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
328. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of existing contracts of an indefinite period entered into by her Department prior to the enactment of the EU Procurement Directive. [53239/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that there are no such contracts of the type described by the Deputy currently in place in my Department.
329. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will consider a review of the artefacts in the possession of the State’s museums to identify artefacts that may have been obtained in foreign countries through illegal means such as colonial conquest; the measures that have been put in place to prevent the acquiring of such artefacts; if she will support a return of such artefacts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53268/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn keeping with international best practice, the National Cultural Institutions have carefully developed policies in relation to the care and management of the national collections. Increasingly in recent decades, curatorial responsibilities require a constant consideration of ethics and the changing sensitivities with regard to the acquisition, holding and exhibition of historic artefacts. The exploitation of peoples abroad or the expropriation of their cultural artefacts would be a concern, whether dating from the historic past or occurring in more recent times. It should be noted that the dispersal of historic material cultural goods beyond their homelands of origin is not unusual and only a very small proportion of such items give rise to issues about their significance as national treasures, revered status, provenance or other concerns.
I am satisfied with the safeguarding arrangements for the consideration of any future acquisitions to the national collections and also with the integrity and commitment in the National Cultural Institutions to investigate and consider any enquiries that might be made relating to the historic context, interpretation or provenance of the collections.
330. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the decision to require advanced booking of tickets to attend events or venues involving dancing was based on advice from public health experts; and if so, if she will publish such advice. [53300/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra331. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the decision to require advanced booking of tickets to attend events or venues involving dancing was based on similar requirements in place in other countries; and if so, the countries that have similar regimes. [53301/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra332. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the definition of dancing being used for the purposes of requiring the advanced booking of tickets; and the way such a definition was decided on. [53302/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra333. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the guidelines being issued for the reopening of live entertainment and nightlife will have any binding legal weight. [53303/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra334. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the meetings or consultation that took place between her Department and the Department of the Taoiseach, An Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Minister for Transport and the Environment, Climate and Communications in the week prior to their joint press conference on 19 October 2021 in which they announced the way restrictions on live events and nightlife were to be eased. [53304/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra335. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the meetings or consultation that took place between her Department and representatives of the live performance and nightlife sector, including workers and businesses, in the week prior to the announcements on 19 October 2021 of the plans for easing restrictions on the sector. [53305/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra336. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the change that occurred between her Department’s meeting with industry representatives on 21 October 2021 and 22 October 2021 that required the guidelines for the reopening of live entertainment and nightlife to be altered to include ticketing requirements; and the reason industry representatives were given no advance warning of the publication of the guidelines on 22 October 2021 and were not consulted on the change. [53308/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra337. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on whether the late provision of guidelines until the day of the 22 October 2021 reopening contributed to widespread confusion on the part of businesses and workers in the live entertainment and nightlife industry which in some cases led to venues feeling unable to reopen; the measures she is putting in place to ensure sufficient advanced notice is always given in future announcements with regard to the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53309/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336 and 337 together.
In its decision of 19 October 2021, Government agreed that the remaining aspects of the hospitality, entertainment and night-time economy sector can reopen only with the full range of protective measures in place and the wide and robust implementation of the COVID-19 pass. This represents an important next step towards the full reopening of our economy and our society, however, as we move forward it is more critical than ever that we ensure that we are doing everything we can to minimise opportunities for the transmission of the virus.
As the Deputy is aware, the Night-Time Sector has been particularly hard hit during this pandemic. I and my officials have been engaging with the various sectors involved in the Night-Time Economy to address some of the challenges faced throughout the past 20 months, in the run up to the Government Decision and also following the Government Decision. It is important that Government engages with the sector and I was in a position to provide a support package of over €60m for the industry while restrictions were in place. In addition to engagement with the sector, there has been intensive engagement for the last 20 months between officials of relevant Departments on all aspects of the pandemic as it relates to the sectors under the aegis of my Department and beyond. Relevant Departments include Roinn an Taoisigh, the Departments of Health, Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Public Expenditure and Reform and Finance. I also engage proactively with Government colleagues on all Government decisions relating to the management of the pandemic response.
As we are still in the middle of a pandemic, and in light of the epidemiological situation which has emerged over the last number of weeks, it is imperative that we carefully manage reopening, and there will inevitably be nuances and differences in how we do things. Government's aim has been to allow as many businesses as possible reopen in the safest possible way. This is why we need certain regulations in place and also robust guidance to assist businesses to reopen safely and importantly – stay open.
Regulations were published on 28 October 2023, Health Act 1947 (Sections 31AB and 31AD) (Covid-19) (Operation of certain indoor premises) (Amendment) (No. 6) Regulations 2021 and the Health Act 1947 (Sections 31AB and 31AD) (Covid-19) (Operation of certain indoor premises) (Amendment) (No. 7) Regulations 2021 which give effect to the electronic ticketing requirements for nightclubs and live entertainment venues and these took effect from Friday 29 October.
There are a number of criteria applying to venues which must implement a ticketing system and dancing or standing to view a performance is included in these criteria. This is to distinguish traditional pubs and restaurants from music venues and nightclubs – most of which have been closed for the past 20 months or operating under restrictions. No definition of dancing has been included in the legislation.
The new Regulations provide for orderly, managed and socially distant queues for the return to bar service. These elements of the reopening plan are required by law and will be subject to compliance checks by relevant authorities and subsequent penalties for non-compliance.
The Government's decision in relation to the safe re-opening of society was predicated on appropriate safeguards being put in place to reduce risks, and the subsequent guidance and regulations relating to the safe re-opening of events and venues was developed in this context, having regard to the epidemiological situation and in close consultation with relevant Government colleagues. This guidance is available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/updated-guidelines-for-nightlife-and-live-entertainment-sector/ and it contains a range of advice including on ventilation, hygiene, management structures, face coverings etc. While I understand that the ticketing requirement for live entertainment venues and nightclubs has been challenging for some businesses, our aim at all times has been to ensure a safe re-opening and that business can remain open. While ticketing had initially been considered as recommended only and this was relayed to stakeholders, due to increasing concerns about the public health situation, it was decided in consultation with relevant Government Departments, to make this condition mandatory to ensure robust contract tracing and to ensure that businesses optimally manage capacity levels in their venues.
Officials from my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment informed industry groups last week of developments and listened to their concerns. Many operators already have robust ticketing systems in place and others have already developed solutions to this issue. Operators who foresee a delay in putting the required ticketing system in place can remain trading as they were – that is operating as a pub or café, without the additional dancing/live entertainment offering, until they have their ticketing system in place.
We know that countries across the world are working through the challenges of reopening society while the pandemic continues. These countries are all different and the way they develop their reopening plans will be different to ours. We have to try and balance a welcome reopening of businesses with the protection of public health. In making decisions, Government is always conscious of following public health advice, framed against a rapidly evolving public health context, and it was based on this advice that a decision was made to reopen the remaining aspects of the hospitality, entertainment and night-time economy sector but only with the full range of protective measures in place and the wide and robust implementation of the COVID-19 pass.
COVID-19 infection rates are once again increasing along with hospitalisation and ICU admissions. However, thanks to the exceptional levels of engagement with the Vaccination Programme, we are in a position to continue our careful and gradual approach to re-opening. However, we must all redouble our efforts to protect ourselves, our families and our communities. I know the night-time economy sector which includes so many businesses have been patient and are looking forward to full reopening, but we need to be prudent so that we can continue to move forward.
