Written Answers Nos. 1-30
4. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the additional cost of living for those with disabilities, as highlighted in the Cost of Disability report by a company (details supplied), will be factored into the forthcoming basic income for artists scheme to ensure artists with disabilities have equal support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10698/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Basic Income for the Arts Pilot scheme will run over a three year period and the intention is to research the impact a basic income would have on artists and creatives work patterns by providing the opportunity to participants to focus on their practice, and to minimise the loss of skills from the arts as a result of the pandemic.
Stakeholder engagement has been core to the policy development process and this included a stakeholder forum on 15 December 2021, where over 150 participants from 50 artists and arts workers resource and representative bodies came together to discuss the proposal. This included representatives from disabled artists organisations and disabled artists.
Following that forum, I held a public consultation throughout the month of January. This public consultation closed three weeks ago and my Department received a significant number of submissions, reflecting the high level of interest in this new policy intervention. My officials are currently reviewing the submissions and a report on the consultation is currently being prepared which will be published in the coming weeks.
The impact of such a scheme on artists with disabilities is a theme that has been raised throughout the consultation and I can assure the Deputy that it is a matter I take very seriously.
I am aware of the report on the Cost of Disability to which the Deputy referred and which was commissioned by my colleague the Minister for Social Protection. The findings of the research have implications for many areas of public policy including the delivery of care services, health, housing, education, transport and income supports. The Government has referred the report on the Cost of Disability to the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group. This Steering Group is chaired by my colleague the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte. All Departments have been asked to consider actions that are currently being implementing and any proposed new actions that they will be undertaking in the context of the findings of the Report.
I can assure the Deputy that the issue of artists will disabilities is something which I am focused on. I believe that the Basic Income for the Arts has the potential to help artists and creative arts workers with disabilities overcome labour market barriers by creating a self-sustaining creative practice, operating on a self-employed basis.
14. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will consider making funding available to assist sporting bodies to improve their stadium facilities; if locations have been identified for such potential funding; the number of bodies that have contacted her seeking such funding; and the names and location of each. [10151/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra26. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on the potential of Government to fund local authority-run community playing fields; if she will consider funding to purchase such land; and if her Department will fund the construction and fit-out of such facilities. [10149/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 26 together.
In relation to my Department's responsibilities, two schemes provide grant assistance to both local authorities and sporting organisations for the development and improvement of community playing fields, sports stadia and sports facilities generally.
The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Inevitably, the Programme is oversubscribed however, and it does not cover the purchase of land or buildings. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.1 billion.
The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising this investment in disadvantaged areas.
The 2020 round of the Programme closed for applications on 1 March 2021. By this date, 3,106 applications were submitted seeking over €200 million in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received.
Approximately one thousand of the submitted applications were for 'equipment-only' projects. These applications were assessed first and grants with a total value of €16.6 million were announced on 6 August 2021. The remaining capital applications were then assessed and 1,865 individual grant offers with a total value of over €143.8 million were announced on Friday 11 February 2022.
The grants as announced included a significant number of allocations to local authorities for the improvement of playing pitches and to sporting organisations for improvements to their sports grounds. Details of all applications submitted under the 2020 round can be viewed on www.gov.ie. All valid capital applications received a grant offer and all allocations can also be viewed on a county basis on the same site.
All unsuccessful applicants will be able to appeal the Department's decision. When the appeals process is complete, a full review of the 2020 round of the SCEP will be undertaken and any recommendations contained therein will be factored in to the terms and conditions of the next round. The precise timing of the next round of the Programme will be announced once this review is complete.
Funding is also provided by my Department to Local Authorities and sporting organisations for the development and improvement of community playing fields, sports stadia and sports facilities under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The 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 €86.4 million has been awarded to 33 different proposals. Details of all grants, including those related to stadium improvements, are published on the Gov.ie website. While the priority in the short term is to advance all of the successful projects, as it is now two years since the first allocations were made, and in view of the issues faced by grantees as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was considered timely to review progress on all projects allocated grants. My Department has now met with all successful grantees and work is at an advanced stage in drafting the review. I expect this work to be finalised shortly.
Once that review is complete the scope for awarding any additional LSSIF grants, adjusting the level of existing grants and the timing of any new call for proposals under the LSSIF will be considered.
In relation to contacts by sporting organisations, as the Deputy will be aware, the SCEP and the LSSIF are important to numerous communities and sports organisations throughout the country and I receive regular representations on both. I am always willing to engage with interested parties on the programmes given their huge benefits for so many people, communities and clubs. The recent record package of €150 million in new capital grants under the SCEP (when account is taken of the €6 million kept in reserve to deal with the appeals process) reflects the government’s ongoing support to sport as the sector emerges from the challenges of the past two years.
15. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén leagan amach atá i gceist maidir leis an dul i gcomhairle maidir le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta agus struchtúr an Bhoird; cén uair atá súil aige a bheith in ann cinntí a dhéanamh faoin gceist seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [10472/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMar is eol don Teachta, luaitear sa Chlár Rialtais go ndéanfar athbhreithniú ar struchtúir fheidhmiúcháin agus rialachais Údarás na Gaeltachta, agus ar an bpróiseas roghnúcháin/toghacháin i ndáil le Bord an Údaráis.
Mar a bhaineann sé leis an athbhreithniú ar an bpróiseas roghnúcháin/toghcháin i ndáil le bord an Údaráis, cuireadh tús le gairid le comhairliúchán poiblí mar chuid den athbhreithniú.
Tá sé seo á dhéanamh sa chaoi is go mbeidh an deis chuí ag páirtithe leasmhara agus ag an bpobal trí chéile a dtuairimí faoin ábhar a roinnt i scríbhinn leis an Roinn. Is féidir aighneacht a dhéanamh faoin ábhar idir seo agus an 25 Márta tríd an ceistneoir ina leith - a bhfuil fáil air ar gov.ie, a chomhlánú agus a sheoladh chun na Roinne idir seo agus sin. Ós rud é gur comhairliúchan poiblí é seo, foilseofar na haighneachtaí a fhaigtear ar shuíomh idirlín na Roinne in am tráth.
Comhthreomhar leis an bpróiseas sin, leanfaidh mo Roinn ag obair mar is cuí i gcomhar leis an Oifig um Sholáthar Poiblí, i dtreo sainchomhairleoireacht a aimsiú chun tabhairt faoin athbhreithniú foriomlán agus moltaí ina leith a sholáthar don Roinn maidir leis an ábhar.
Is é an cuspóir trí chéile a chinntiú go mbeidh fáil ag an Údarás ar an saineolas, na scileanna agus an t-ionchur pobail ábhartha agus cuí atá de dhíth le go mbeidh an bord in ann tacú le feidhmeannas an Údaráis a chuid feidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh go héifeachtúil agus go héifeachtach, ar leas na pobail Ghaeltachta a ndéanann an tÚdarás freastal orthu.
Mar is eol don Teachta, faoi réir na bhforálacha ábhartha de na hAchtanna um Údarás na Gaeltachta, arna leasú faoi Acht na Gaeltachta 2012, is ar feadh tréimhse cúig bliana a mhaireann ceapacháin ar bhord an Údaráis de ghnáth. Ós rud é gur ceapadh an Bord reatha i mí Eanáir 2018 tiocfaidh deireadh lena shaolré i mí Eanáir 2023. Is é seo an dara bord atá ceaptha faoi na socruithe reatha réamhluaite.
17. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the current vacancies on the board of the Arts Council; the reason for these vacancies; when they will be filled; the process for filling these vacancies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10426/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are six vacancies existing on the Board of the Arts Council at present. These vacancies arose from the mid-term resignation of one member at the end of 2020 and with the expiry of five members' terms at the end of 2021. Under the Arts Act 2003, there is a Chair and 12 ordinary members on the Board of the Arts Council, all appointed by the Minister for a period of five years.
The Public Appointments Service (PAS) has responsibility for putting in place an open, accessible, rigorous and transparent system to support Ministers in making appointments to State Boards
The vacancies in question were advertised openly on the State Boards portal www.stateboards.ie operated by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) on 15 September 2021. By the extended closing date on 13 October 2021 a total of 108 expressions of interest were received.
A PAS assessment panel was then set up to examine the applications received for appointment to the Board of the Arts Council. The Arts Council requires a skills mix that allows it to fulfil its statutory functions under Section 11 (1) of the Arts Act. The panel identified sixteen candidates who met the specific criteria required of members of the Board of the Arts Council.
The Public Appointments Service has written to me and, following a period of careful consideration, I have now decided on the candidates that I am appointing to the Arts Council. Both successful and unsuccessful candidates are today being notified of the outcome of the process. I have treated this decision with the utmost importance as I am aware that each appointee will serve on the board for a minimum of 5 years.
There is a statutory gender balance on the Arts Council. Section 11(7) of the Arts Act specifies that of the members of the Council, not less than 6 of them shall be men and not less than 6 of them shall be women. This is in line with the Government’s target of at least 40% for representation of each gender on State Boards.
There is an Information Booklet Archive on the stateboards.ie website where previous Information Booklets can be found including that published for the Arts Council.
There is also information published on the Arts Council website including the minutes of the Council’s plenary meetings.
18. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a decision has been made by the Government in relation to alternative funding for public service broadcasting or the future of the television licence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10455/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA vibrant, diverse and independent media sector is vital for not only our democracy but our cultural development. However, it is a sector that is undergoing fundamental change and faces significant challenges.
Acknowledging both the importance of the sector and the rapidly changing landscape in which it operates, the Programme for Government committed to the establishment of the Future of Media Commission.
Chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith, the Commission was tasked with considering the future of print, broadcast, and online media in a platform agnostic fashion; and to consider the potential measures required to ensure that our public service media continues to play its essential role within our society. This included considering how public service media can be funded in a way that is sustainable, gives greater security of funding, ensures independent editorial oversight and delivers value for money; and to make recommendations on RTÉ’s role, financing and structure within the public service media framework.
After extensive engagement with stakeholders and the wider public, the Commission completed its work and submitted its report to the Taoiseach and myself last Autumn. The Report’s recommendations are far-reaching and will inform media and broadcasting policy in the coming years.
As such, they have required careful and detailed consideration, particularly in light of a range of other complex and inter-related issues that will require decisions by Government in the wider media and digital space. These include the recently published national digital strategy Harnessing Digital – The Digital Ireland Framework and Ireland’s approach to the implementation of the forthcoming Digital Services Act.
The report is being considered by An Taoiseach. myself and other relevant Ministers with a view to it being brought to Government for consideration shortly.
19. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the progress that has been made regarding recruitment of an online safety commissioner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10440/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of the most important aspects of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill is that it establishes a new, powerful regulator to enforce accountability in the sector. Coimisiún na Meán will include an Online Safety Commissioner to enforce not just this legislation, but also additional legislation and measures that will be brought forward at European level in the coming years. The goal of the Online Safety Commissioner will be to minimise the availability of defined categories of harmful online content through binding Online Safety Codes, including certain criminal content, serious cyberbullying content, content promoting self-harm and suicide and content promoting eating disorders. The Commissioner will have specific regard to the effects of such content on children when defining and enforcing the Online Safety Codes.
A programme of work is now underway to secure the recruitment of key staff with the relevant skills and experience to establish and lead An Coimisiún and to lay the groundwork for the commencement of its regulatory functions. This includes managing the transition of Broadcasting Authority of Ireland staff and functions to An Coimisiún, while at the same time ensuring the continuity of existing broadcasting regulation set out under the Broadcasting Act 2009.
The recruitment of the Online Safety Commissioner is a priority. Work is currently underway between my officials and officials from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Public Appointments Service to secure the recruitment of the Online Safety Commissioner through an open, transparent and effective public competition.
As provided for by the Bill, the recruitment of the Online Safety Commissioner will be carried out by the Public Appointments Service. I would expect that this critical post would be advertised in the second quarter of 2022 at the latest.
In terms of the timeline of the Bill itself, the second milestone in the progress of the Bill through the Houses was completed on Tuesday, when the Bill competed Second Stage in Seanad Éireann. That debate provided an opportunity for me to outline what I believe are the most important provisions of the Bill, including the establishment of An Coimisiún, and for me to listen to perspectives of Senators from all sides of the House.
Based on that debate, and the widespread recognition of the importance of the Bill, I am confident that we as parliamentarians can complete our consideration of the Bill by the Summer recess. I acknowledge that this is an ambitious timeline for a Bill of this scope and scale. However, I believe this will still allow us to give extensive consideration to the Bill in Committee and Report Stages in both Houses. I know that Members of both Houses are as committed as I am to the enactment of the Bill and to the formal establishment of An Coimisiún and commencement of its operation.
20. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans for ecotourism infrastructure in rural areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10092/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs our economy and society begins to open up post COVID-19, we have an opportunity to address sustainable development and management more meaningfully within the tourism ecosystem. Central to developing a more resilient and sustainable tourism sector will be an increased focus on the promotion and development of sustainable tourism practices such as ecotourism. Late last year, I brought a report to Government which identifies a suite of actions that will promote sustainable tourism practices which can be implemented prior to the development of a new national tourism policy. The successful implementation of these actions will shine a light on areas and destinations that are striving to be best in class in terms of sustainability and provide better access to information and tools for the tourism industry and visitors to practice responsible tourism.
I am very aware of the important role that tourism plays as a driver of rural economies and I am committed to a continued focus on the potential of tourism to facilitate the development of our rural areas. As we rebuild our tourism sector we will seek to realise Ireland’s ambition to be amongst the world leaders in sustainable tourism practices and to set out a path for a green transition of the tourism industry and for our destinations to become leading sustainable tourism destinations.
Our overall tourism product offering has led to Ireland being recognised internationally as a year-round, high-quality tourism destination in both urban and rural settings. The further development of our tourism product offering, including any specific plans relating to environmentally sustainable tourism or eco-tourism, is an operational matters for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred this question to the agency for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
22. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the Government is fully committed to the redevelopment of a stadium (details supplied); and, if so, the commitment that will be given for large-scale capital grant funding to be put in place for the redevelopment of the stadium in 2022. [10405/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDublin City Council's proposal for the development of Dalymount Park was among the successful projects to be awarded funding under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). A grant of €918,750 was awarded under Stream 1 of the LSSIF towards the cost of bringing the project to tender stage and a formal grant agreement has been signed by Dublin City Council and my Department.
Design work is progressing and my Department made its first payment in respect of this grant towards the end of last year.
Advancing the project to construction stage is a matter for Dublin City Council in the first instance. For my part, I remain committed to providing the necessary support to ensure all of our sport infrastructure is fit for purpose. The recent announcement of a record €150 million package of investment under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme shows the high priority which the Government has placed on sport investment. In relation to possible grant assistance for the construction of Dalymount Park, my Department is currently finalising a review of all projects in receipt of LSSIF funding. Once that review is complete the scope for awarding any additional grants, adjusting the level of existing grants and the timing of any new call for proposals will be considered. Any future application for funding towards construction work at Dalymount will be considered on its own merits in line with the assessment criteria of any new call for proposals.
23. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the review of allocations under the large-scale sport infrastructure fund is due to be completed; when additional grants and the timing of new call for proposals will be considered; if a project (details supplied) will be considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9884/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) was launched in 2018 to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects, including swimming pools, with at least €100 million being made available over the period to 2027.
The first allocations under the LSSIF were announced in January 2020 and, thus far, approximately €86.4 million has been awarded to 33 different proposals. 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, including the proposal referred to by the Deputy. It was also not possible to provide all successful applicants the full amount sought.
While the priority in the short term is to advance all of the projects that were allocated funding, as it is now two years since the first allocations were made, and in view of the issues faced by grantees as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was considered timely to review progress on all projects allocated grants. My Department has now met with all successful grantees and work is at an advanced stage in drafting the review. I expect this work to be finalised shortly.
Once that review is complete the scope for awarding any additional grants, adjusting the level of existing grants and the timing of any new call for proposals will be considered.
24. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if consideration will be given to providing funding to develop the Irish language in areas of Cork city and county, similar to the BÁC le Gaeilge project in Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10312/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to developing the use of the Irish language in Cork City and County. Funding has been provided by the Department over the years to the Irish language organisation, Gael-Taca Teo., for the promotion of the language in the community and business sectors, similar to the BÁC le Gaeilge initiative in Dublin. Funding is also currently being provided by Foras na Gaeilge to Gael-Taca under the statutory language planning process in order to develop a language plan for Cork City. The latest grant agreement - worth circa €94,000 annually - between my Department and Gael-Taca for the development of the language in the community and business sectors covered the period 2018-2020. Since the expiration of this grant agreement, my Department has been working with Gael-Taca to strengthen the organisation’s governance structure and processes with a view to agreeing a funding package for the coming years. With this in mind, discussions are currently underway with a number State institutions based in the city to assist Gael-Taca in this regard. Assuming the successful conclusion of these discussions and the agreement of Gael-Taca to proposals regarding the strengthening of governance arrangements within the organisation, the Department will be willing to examine the possibility of providing further funding for the development of the Irish language in the city, using Gael-Taca as a vehicle for same.
25. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if an update will be provided on the Government’s engagement with the joint bid for Euro 2028 by Ireland and the UK; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10321/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe football associations in the UK and Ireland recently indicated their intention to bid to jointly host the UEFA European Championships in 2028. Ireland was due to host part of the 2020 iteration of those championships; the Department worked closely with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) in bidding for and preparing to co-host the 2020 event, so I am well aware of the significance and scale of the tournament and what a positive experience it could be to jointly host it in 2028.
In terms of Government support for a potential bid to host the 2028 championships, while I and the Department are positively disposed to such a bid, we will need to have a clearer understanding of the costs and benefits of jointly hosting the event before committing to supporting a bid
To that end, the Department is engaging closely with the FAI in order to better evaluate the case for bidding for Euro 2028 and no commitments have been made at this point.
27. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if all arts workers, not only performers and artists but including crew and technicians, will be eligible for the basic income pilot scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10513/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra31. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason she is limiting the basic income pilot scheme to 2,000 applicants; if she will reconsider this number given that it represents a very small cohort of those working in the arts and culture; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10514/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra37. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the basic income guarantee pilot scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10424/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra41. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 99 of 20 January 2022, the expected timeline for the opening of the basic income pilot scheme for artists; the number of submissions received in the public consultation; the status of the review of the public consultation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10316/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra57. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of establishing the eligibility criteria for the basic income pilot scheme for workers in the arts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10512/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra60. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of progress relating to the basic income for artists pilot scheme following the stakeholder forum; if she has received the report of the forum’s findings; and if there is a new timeline for delivery of the scheme given that the target of opening the scheme for applications in early quarter 1 of 2022 has now been missed. [10452/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 31, 37, 41, 57 and 60 together.
The Basic Income for the Arts Pilot scheme will run over a three year period and the intention is to research the impact a basic income would have on artists' and creatives' work patterns by providing the opportunity to focus on their practice, and to minimise the loss of skills from the arts as a result of the pandemic.
Stakeholder engagement has been core to the policy development process and this included a stakeholder forum on 15 December 2021, where over 150 participants from 50 artists and arts workers resource and representative bodies came together to discuss the proposal. Following that forum I held a public consultation throughout the month of January.
The purpose of the consultation was to ensure that the general public, artists, and those working in the arts and culture sector have the opportunity to contribute to policy development for the pilot scheme and to offer suggestions from their experiences as artists, arts workers, and members of resource organisations on key issues such as the schemes objectives, eligibility criteria, supporting emerging artists and participant responsibilities.
The public consultation closed three weeks ago and my Department received a significant number of submissions, reflecting the high level of interest in this new policy intervention. Officials in my Department are currently reviewing the submissions and a report on the consultation is currently being prepared which will be published shortly.
I am at present giving consideration to the feedback of the sector received through the consultation as I finalise the eligibility criteria for the pilot scheme. Such a significant policy intervention takes time to operationalise and final details of the selection process, number of participants, eligibility criteria, rate of payment etc. are being reviewed following the consultation. However, the following broad parameters have been agreed:
- Participation in the scheme will not be based on a means test.
- It will be a non-competitive process, therefore once a person satisfies the eligibility criteria they will be included in a randomised selection process.
- A number of unsuccessful applicants will be invited to participate in a control group to facilitate a comprehensive ex post appraisal of the pilot in due course.
I have always stated that my ambition is to open the scheme for applications in the first quarter of 2022 and that remains the case. My Department is currently finalising the scheme taking on board the feedback from the consultation and I expect to make an announcement in the coming weeks.
As this is a pilot scheme with the intention of researching what the impact of a basic income style support would have on the arts sector, it would not be appropriate to extend it to everyone in the sector at pilot stage. The three year research programme will collect data to provide the evidence base regarding impact. A decision based on the outcome of the research would then need to be taken by Government as to if the scheme were to become a permanent intervention and if it would be extended to all eligible artists and creative arts workers.
The Basic Income for the Arts pilot is a key priority of mine. I believe the pilot scheme will bring new life and support to the Arts and Cultural Sector and I hope it will provide an important legacy for our artists and creatives.
28. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the large-scale sports infrastructure fund is due to reopen for applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10338/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) was launched in 2018 to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects, including swimming pools, with at least €100m being made available over the period to 2027.
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 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 or to provide to successful applicants the full amount sought.
While the priority in the short term is to advance all of the projects that were awarded funding under the initial round of allocations, as it is now two years since the first allocations were made, and in view of the issues faced by grantees as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was considered timely to review progress on all projects allocated grants. My Department has now met with all successful grantees and work is at an advanced stage in drafting the review. I expect this work to be finalised shortly.
Once that review is complete the scope for awarding any additional grants, adjusting the level of existing grants and the timing of any new call for proposals will be considered.
29. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will report on the engagement she and her Department have had with regard to the training and skills needs of the tourism sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10406/22]
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.
Fáilte Ireland has recently published its most comprehensive research to date on the tourism and hospitality labour market. This robust and wide-ranging research programme covers the views of 1,000 employers and 3,500 workers with tourism and hospitality experience as well as international benchmarking, a review of education provision and consultation with recruitment agencies. This research is shaping Fáilte Ireland’s work programmes for the year ahead which will focus on:
- Supporting recruitment to drive recovery: to provide support to the industry to address the immediate labour and skills supply challenges, which will be critical to the short-medium term recovery of the sector.
- Supporting the long-term repositioning of the industry: to support businesses and the wider industry to work together to drive the long-term repositioning of the industry as an appealing and rewarding career choice and workplace, and ensure a future pipeline of talent.
- Building employee capability and skills: to build the capability of individual employees to help businesses to bridge the skills gaps they are experiencing and also drive greater employee retention by improving the quality of training across the business.
Fáilte Ireland also chairs the Tourism and Hospitality Careers Oversight Group (COG) which will continue to work 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, as well as focusing on the long-term repositioning of the industry as a career choice. My Department and the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology are represented on the COG.
Officials from my Department also participate in the Interdepartmental Group on Work Permits chaired by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Most recently the work of the Group resulted in up to 350 work permits being granted for managerial positions in certain tourism and hospitality businesses. Last year, my Department also successfully advocated for the prioritisation of chef permit applications.
I have also recently worked with Minister Donohoe on the extension of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme. I will continue to engage with and provide support to the tourism sector through these challenging times.
30. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department will sanction a new language planning co-ordinator to support the efforts of An Clár as Gaeilge in terms of developing a Líonra Gaeilge in Ennis, County Clare. [10177/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA language plan in respect of the Irish Language Network of Ennis, Co. Clare was approved by my Department in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Gaeltacht Act 2012 in January 2020.
Foras na Gaeilge, as the body responsible for the co-ordination of the language planning process outside Gaeltacht regions, was informed in writing of this in January 2020 and the conditions of approval were set out in writing at that time. These conditions encompassed details of the financial allocation being provided by my Department (i.e. €80,000 annually over the seven-year life-cycle of the plan), in addition to conditions in respect of the salary scale to be applied in relation to the appointment of Language Planning Officers both in the case of Ennis and the other two Irish Language Networks of Clondalkin and Loughrea. It should be noted that this same salary also applies in the case of Language Planning Officers in Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas and Gaeltacht Service Towns.
In accordance with the existing arrangements which govern the ongoing implementation of the process, it is the responsibility of Foras na Gaeilge in this instance to advance the commencement of the plan's implementation in accordance with the conditions set out in the aforementioned letter of sanction and in line with its overall responsibilities in this regard, as defined under the Act.
I hope that this serves to clarify matters and that Foras na Gaeilge can expedite matters in partnership with An Clár as Gaeilge, in the overall interests of the Irish language in the area.
