Written Answers Nos. 51-70
51. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén uair a thagann deireadh le tréimhse na gcomhaltaí de Bhord Údarás na Gaeltachta atá ann faoi láthair; an bhfuil sé dóchasach go mbeidh structúir nua boird i bhfeidhm roimh an dáta sin; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [10473/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMar 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, cé is móite de na comhaltaí atá ainmnithe ag na húdaráis áitiúla a bhfuil ceantar beag Gaeltachta i gceist, eadhon: Contaetha Chorcaí, Phort Láirge agus na Mí. I gcás na gcontaetha seo is ar feadh tréimhse dhá bhliain a mhaireann an ceapachán agus is ar bhonn an róta a leanas a mhaireann an tréimhse: An Mhí, Corcaigh agus Port Láirge.
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.
Mar 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. 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.
Táthar ag súil go mbeidh an t-athbhreithniú críochnaithe i mí Iúil 2022 nó mar sin. Déanfar na moltaí a mheas d’fhonn aon athruithe is gá ar an mBord a chur i bhfeidhm a luaithe is atá indéanta, ag cur san áireamh aon athruithe reachtaíochta nó eile a d’fhéadfadh a bheith ag teastáil.
53. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of efforts to bridge the gaps in participation in sport by women and persons with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10438/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIncreased participation in sport is a key objective of my Department. In the pursuit of that objective, we are committed to a Sport for All approach aimed at ensuring that all persons have the opportunity to partake equally in sport and physical activity, regardless of age, social-economic status, disability, or membership of, for example, the LGBTI+ community, the Traveller community or other ethnic minorities. Increasing participation amongst these groups is a core objective of the National Sports Policy 2018-2027.
At the end of November 2021, I launched a new Sports Action Plan covering the period up to the end of 2023, which includes a series of actions and initiatives aimed at increasing participation levels across the board. The plan's emphasis is heavily orientated towards increasing inclusion, diversity and equality in sport.
That plan contains a specific commitment to establish an Inclusion, Diversity and Equality Fund to promote increased and sustainable participation in sport among children, adolescents and young adults, those from lower socio-economic groups, persons with a disability, the LGBTI+ community, the Traveller community and other ethnic minorities. It further commits that this fund will apply the Sport for All ethos. Work is underway to embed the Sport for All approach in funding drawn down from the Dormant Accounts funds that are specifically aimed at increasing participation levels amongst disadvantaged communities and people with a disability. Forthcoming rounds of funding will place further emphasis on the Sport for All approach. The total amount of funding being allocated from the Dormant Accounts funding for such projects this year is €12 million, more than twice the amount available a number of years ago and representing a 20% increase on last year's provision.
The Deputy may also wish to note that Sport Ireland is in the process of developing a specific Diversity and Inclusion policy which is expected to be launched shortly.
In relation to participation in sport by women and girls, the aim in the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 is to eliminate the gender participation gap in sport entirely by 2027. The 2019 Irish Sports Monitor Report showed that the gender gap in sports participation was 3.4%, narrower than at any point over the past ten years.
While the Irish Sports Monitor report for the first quarter of 2021 showed that the gender gap was eliminated during the Covid-19 restrictions, the latest Irish Sports Monitor figures for Quarter 3 show that a gender gap is beginning to re-emerge as COVID 19 restrictions are lifted. The emerging gradient is a cause for focus and ongoing monitoring. To this end, many National Governing Bodies are delivering Women in Sport and Dormant Accounts Funded Programmes this winter which will actively target populations that have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic including females, economically and socially disadvantaged communities, people with a disability and ethnic minorities. These targeted activities form part of a Winter Initiative for sport to kickstart participation following the reduction in restrictions.
The Women in Sport funding programme is an important support for sporting bodies in putting programmes in place to increase women’s participation in their sports and to progress their strategic objectives for women in sport. Last year, Sport Ireland announced an investment of €4m in the Women in Sport Programme for the two years 2021 and 2022. 45 National Governing Bodies (NGBs) will receive funding under this investment. A further €265,000 was invested last year in the Local Sports Partnerships under the Programme.
Finally, in terms of bridging the gap in administrative participation in sports, the Sports Action Plan sets a target for all NGBs to achieve 40% gender representation on their boards by the end of 2023. It is a particular priority for me to enable women to take more leadership positions in sport and the 40% target reflects this prioritisation. The most recent Board Composition Snapshot, which was published by Sport Ireland in December, shows that the overall percentage of women on boards of NGBs has increased from 24% in 2019 to 32% in 2021. The Snapshot also highlights that 39 NGBs have now achieved 30% or more women on their board, up from 19 NGBs in 2019. Sport Ireland will continue to provide support to NGBs towards achieving the target of 40% and will monitor and report on progress.
54. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the language planning process; the outstanding plans that still have to be ratified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10443/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOf the 26 Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas as defined under the language planning process, language plans in respect of 25 areas have been approved to date. The only outstanding language plan relating to Oileáin Árann, is currently being reviewed by my Department. To date, 20 Language Planning Officers and 4 Assistant Language Planning Officers have been engaged at community level to advance the implementation of agreed plans.
It should be noted that a total allocation of €5.8m has been allocated in Budget 2022 to directly support the process. This represents an additional €800,000 over the 2021 allocation.
Language plans in respect of four Gaeltacht Service Towns - Daingean Uí Chúis, Letterkenny, Galway City and An Clochán Liath - have been approved to date while language plans in respect of the towns of Tralee and Dungarvan are currently being evaluated by my Department.
The process of preparing language plans is underway for the following towns - Cahersiveen, Cork City, Castlebar, Clifden and Ballinrobe, while the preparation of plans has yet to begin in respect of Donegal Town, Béal an Mhuirthead, Macroom, Athboy and Navan.
In addition to the above, language plans in respect of three Irish Language Networks have been approved under the language planning process, namely, Ennis, Clondalkin and Loughrea. Foras na Gaeilge has also approved two Irish Language Networks north of the border which, although falling outside the scope of the Act, form an integral part of the language planning process.
A broader overview of the advances being made in support of the language and Gaeltacht regions - including the language planning process, is set out in the second progress report on the ongoing implementation of the Government's 5-year Action Plan for the Irish Language which my Department published on behalf of Government in October 2021.
55. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceist Pharlaiminteach Uimhir 136 an 20 Eanáir 2022, an dtabharfaidh sí soiléiriú ar stádas phlean teanga Oileáin Árann; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [10319/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMaidir le plean teanga na n-Oileáin Árann, mar a luaigh mé sa fhreagra a thug mé ar Cheist Dála uimhir 136 ar an 20ú Eanáir 2022, bhí deis agam roimh an Nollaig casadh le hionadaithe ó na hOileáin Árann atá gníomhach sa phróiseas pleanála teanga chun a bplean a phlé. Tá toradh an phlé sin agus an plean teanga féin á bhreithniú ag an Roinn i gcomhar le hÚdarás na Gaeltachta faoi láthair. Cé is móite den phlean seo, tá gach ceann eile den 26 limistéar pleanála teanga Gaeltachta i mbun fheidhmiú a gcuid pleananna nó ar tí é sin a thosú.
Maidir leis an bpróiseas pleanála teanga mar a bhaineann sé leis na Bailte Seirbhíse Gaeltachta agus Líonraí Gaeilge, go dáta, tá pleananna teanga curtha faoi bhráid mo Roinne agus ceadaithe i leith ceithre Bhaile Seirbhíse Gaeltachta den sé cinn déag uile atá aitheanta mar ábhar Bhailte Seirbhíse, agus tá trí Líonra Gaeilge aitheanta go nuige seo faoin bpróiseas. Tá 21 Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga agus 4 Oifigeach Cúnta Pleanála Teanga fostaithe faoin bpróiseas go dtí seo.
56. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceist Pharlaiminteach Uimhir 111 ar an 20 Eanáir 2022, an dtabharfaidh sí soiléiriú ar athbhreithniú atá idir lámha ag Údarás na Gaeltachta maidir leis na córais agus leis an gcur chuige atá i bhfeidhm ag an Údarás faoi láthair chun tacú le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge sna cliantchuideachtaí agus ar na bealaí ina ndéantar an t-ábhar a bhaineann leo a riaradh; stádas an taighde atá idir lámha ag an gcuideachta taighde Brioclage; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [10318/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMar is eol don Teachta, agus ceist faoin ábhar seo á freagairt roimhe seo le gairid, tá sé tugtha le fios ag Údarás na Gaeltachta go bhfuil athbhreithniú idir lámha acu ar na córais agus an cur chuige atá in áit ag an eagraíocht maidir le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge i gcliantchomhlachtaí a fhaigheann tacaíocht ón Údarás chun fostaíocht a chruthú sna ceantair Ghaeltachta.
Tá trí chéim aitheanta ag an Údarás san obair athbhreithnithe inmheánach seo atá ar siúl agus ar cuireadh tús leis in Earrach na bliana 2021.
Bhain an chéad chéim le hathbhreithniú ar riachtanais na heagraíochta mar a bhaineann sé le cothú na teanga i gcliantchomhlachtaí agus ar na córais riaracháin agus tuairiscithe inmheánacha atá i bhfeidhm le pleananna teanga a aontú agus le monatóireacht a dhéanamh ar chur i bhfeidhm na bpleananna teanga sin.
Fostaíodh an comhlacht comhairleoireachta Meas Media le tabhairt faoin obair seo i gcomhair le feidhmeannaigh an Údaráis agus tuigtear don Roinn go bhfuil an chéad chéim den athbhreithniú críochnaithe agus céimeanna tógtha chun tús a chur le moltaí an athbhreithnithe a chur i bhfeidhm.
I measc na moltaí a tháinig as an gcéad chuid den athbhreithniú bhí:
- córais inmheánacha lárnach agus ar-líne a fhorbairt chun an obair thuairiscithe agus mhonatóireachta a dhéanamh níos éifeachtaí;
- ról na foirne in aontú pleananna teanga a thabhairt chun tosaigh níos luaithe sa phróiseas nuair atá fiosrúchán faighte ó ghnólachtaí atá ag iarraidh gnó a bhunú nó a fhorbairt sa Ghaeltacht;
- an gá atá le pleananna teanga a aontú ag tabhairt san áireamh riachtanais an chliant féin, an ceantar ina bhfuil siad lonnaithe, an margadh ar a bhfuil siad dírithe agus an earnáil ina bhfuil siad ag feidhmiú agus;
- an gá atá le tacaíochtaí breise agus nuálaíoch a thairiscint chun na cliantchomhlachtaí a spreagadh agus a mhealladh leis an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn sa ghnó go inmheánach agus go seachtrach.
Tá tús curtha leis an dara gné den obair le roinnt seachtainí anuas agus tuigtear don Roinn go bhfuil an comhlacht taighde Brioclage fostaithe agus ag tabhairt faoi thaighde a dhéanamh ar na cliantchomhlachtaí féin agus a gcuid fostaithe le heolas agus tuairimí a bhailiú uatha a bheidh mar bhunús do chlár tacaíochta athleasaithe/nua a bheidh le forbairt dírithe ar na cliaint a mhealladh agus a spreagadh chun an Ghaeilge a úsáid agus/nó a chur chun cinn ina ngnólachtaí, go hinmheánach agus go seachtrach.
Tá 15 cliantchomhlacht aitheanta chun páirt a ghlacadh in agallaimh dhíreacha agus díreoidh an taighde ar eolas, aischothú agus moltaí a bhailiú uatha. Lena chois sin, déanfar an taighde a iomlánú trí shuirbhé ar-líne a dhéanamh ar suas le 100 cliantchomhlacht eile.
Tá an tÚdarás ag súil go mbeidh an taighde seo críochnaithe faoi dheireadh Mhárta agus tuairisc curtha faoina bhráid i mí Aibreán 2022.
Bainfidh an tríú gné den obair athbhreithnithe seo le cur i bhfeidhm na moltaí a thiocfaidh ón obair thaighde seo ar na cliantchomhlachtaí, agus le forbairt ábhair agus tacaíochtaí breise a bheidh mar chuidiú leis na spriocanna thuas a bhaint amach.
58. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the progress to date at EU level in introducing new tourism-specific funding supports for member states; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10504/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, there is a wide range of EU funding programmes relevant to the tourism ecosystem, details of which can be found at:
op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/e0707433-aa5f-11e6-aab7-01aa75ed71a1 and ec.europa.eu/growth/news/new-online-guide-eu-funding-tourism-2021-05-12_en.
Various tourism enterprises, businesses, destinations or Local Authorities can, if they wish, submit applications for funding (when calls for funding issue) under various EU funding programmes, such as:
- Ireland Wales 2014-2020 (EU Interreg Programme), details available at irelandwales.eu/
- European Capital of Smart Tourism, details available at smart-tourism-capital.ec.europa.eu/index_en
- European Destination of Excellence, details available at ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/tourism/eden_en
- LEADER, details available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/46cecf-leader-programme-funding/ (in respect of rural tourism projects)
My Department continues to engage with Fáilte Ireland, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the European Commission regarding state aid options for the continuation of grant schemes and funding streams, including the Temporary Framework, which is currently under review by the Commission. In that regard my Department is working closely with Fáilte Ireland to ensure that there will be no delay in funding to tourism stakeholders as a result of switching between state aid vehicles, and that any such change will be seamless.
My Department is also engaged in on-going work in consultation with the tourism agencies in developing an application for funding under the PEACEPLUS programme, details available www.seupb.eu/PEACEPLUS. This new programme will support peace and prosperity across an eligible area of Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland (Counties Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo). My Department intends to make a submission when Calls for Applications in respect of tourism projects are launched later in 2022.
In addition my Department will continue to explore all available funding avenues in respect of tourism, through its on-going participation in EU’s Tourism Advisory Committee.
59. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps she is taking to promote the Irish tourism and hospitality sector in 2022. [10091/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the tourism sector has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic so I was therefore pleased to secure a record level of funding for tourism in Budget 2022: €288.5 million in total, an increase of €67.5 million over the 2021 allocation. The allocation includes €50 million for business continuity supports and a €35 million increase to the Tourism Marketing Fund to support the delivery of a marketing strategy to help restore inbound tourism to Ireland.
As part of its marketing strategy, Tourism Ireland has established a recovery framework which will be underpinned by an extensive programme of promotional activity throughout 2022. The organisation has a flexible, three-phase plan to RESTART, REBUILD and ultimately REDESIGN demand. Over €80 million will be invested in the programme in 2022, which will allow Tourism Ireland to up weight its campaigns in key international markets.
Tourism Ireland’s Green Button campaign will continue to drive demand throughout 2022, with its largest-ever TV campaign running in our top four markets – Great Britain, the United States, Germany and France. This campaign will also be expanded in Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, the Nordic countries, Switzerland, Austria, Canada and the UAE.
St Patrick’s Day offers a unique opportunity to promote the island of Ireland around the world and once again this year, hundreds of iconic landmarks and buildings around the world will take part in Tourism Ireland’s Global Greening initiative.
Tourism Ireland will continue to work with airlines and ferry companies through a programme of jointly funded marketing initiatives to support the restoration of air and sea access routes which are so vital for tourism’s return to growth.
Fáilte Ireland are doubling their domestic marketing investment in 2020 to €10 million to drive domestic demand including short breaks all year round. In that regard, they have embarked on extensive marketing and communications campaigns, including their "Keep Discovering" campaign, which continue to encourage domestic holidaymakers to take vacations in Ireland, particularly during quieter shoulder seasons.
Fáilte Ireland will also deliver four new Regional Tourism Strategies, setting out a 10-year vision and 5-year action plan for each region, and aim to ensure tourism businesses are visible, searchable and most importantly bookable through its Digital that Delivers programme. The agency has also provided a Keep Discovering Marketing Toolkit on their website which offers free marketing tools, templates, helpful guides and curated images to assist tourism businesses in attracting more visitors.
Fáilte Ireland also remains focused on helping businesses to promote Ireland as an international destination and continues to assist Irish tourism attractions and activities across the country to try to influence the travel itineraries of tour operators and Destination Management Companies for 2022 and beyond.
I can assure the Deputy that I am continuing to work closely with the sector on recovery. The Tourism Recovery Oversight Group, which I appointed in 2020, continue to oversee the implementation of the Tourism Recovery Plan and monitor the sector’s recovery more generally. This Group report to me on a regular basis and its work will inform future policy considerations as I continue to work alongside my Government colleagues to support the tourism sector over the coming year and beyond.
62. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the development of local sports plans; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10432/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, in collaboration with my Department, is currently engaged in the process of developing a framework to assist and guide the preparation by the relevant local authorities of the local sports plans. It is anticipated that this framework will be available around mid-year, following which local authorities can progressively prepare their sports plans according to their local priorities and timeframes.
63. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if Foras na Gaeilge, which operates on a North-South funding mechanism, will be impacted by the recent uncertainty of the Northern Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10373/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraForas na Gaeilge is one of the agencies of the North South Language Body (NSLB), the other being the Ulster-Scots Agency.
The NSLB's existing agreed baseline budget in respect of 2022 is based on the full uplift that had been agreed by the body's sponsor-Departments in both jurisdictions for the year 2021. This equates to a total of €12,387,239 in 2022.
In addition to the existing agreed baseline budget allocation, further funding of €0.7m has been allocated by my Department to the NSLB for the full 2022 calendar year. However, as the financial year in Northern Ireland runs from April to March, officials of my Department are currently engaging with their counterparts in the Department for Communities in order to agree the total increase in the body's budget for 2022. While this approval process is at an advanced stage at official level, a decision on a response to the southern Government's €0.7m offer is not expected until the Norther Ireland Executive is re-established.
64. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if additional resources will be provided for the marketing of Hidden Heartlands in view of the recent reconfiguration of tourism regions and the particular challenges facing part of that region due to Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10503/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2022 I secured an additional €67.6 million funding for tourism, thereby bringing the overall tourism services budget to €288 million. The administration of this funding is an operational matter for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland. Fáilte Ireland's plans for 2022 include driving demand through a doubling of investment in domestic marketing to €10 million.
I have asked Fáilte Ireland, to provide the Deputy with further details of their marketing plans for Ireland's Hidden Heartland for 2022. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
66. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the shared island approach to tourism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10437/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe importance of tourism to the economy on both sides of the border and the clear logic in taking a joint approach to the promotion and development of the sector led to tourism being one of the areas chosen for formal North South cooperation, through the structures created by the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. That cooperation has been hugely beneficial, with the tourism sector now an exemplar of what can be achieved when we work together on this island with a shared purpose and for clear mutual benefit.
Through Tourism Ireland, we have developed a hugely successful approach to promoting our collective tourism offering to markets all around the world, which sustains and creates jobs in the sector in towns, cities and regions across both jurisdictions on the island.
Tourism Ireland promotes the island of Ireland in more than 21 markets overseas as a compelling holiday destination, using the Ireland brand to position the island as strongly as possible against more than 200 other destinations with which Ireland competes. Tourism Ireland promotes the experience brands – including the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, Ireland’s Ancient East, Dublin and Northern Ireland’s Embrace a Giant Spirit – on a range of platforms, including online, via publicity and their overseas trade platforms.
North-South engagement and collaboration in the area of tourism has added value to the marketing of the island to potential overseas visitors for both jurisdictions. Significant achievements over this time include:
- the branding and marketing of the Causeway Coastal Route
- the Global Greening initiative around St. Patrick’s Day
- the development of screen tourism, including Game of Thrones
- the Taste the Island food and drink initiative
- and maximising the tourism benefits of major sporting events such as the Irish Open (golf) and the Giro d’Italia as well as other initiatives such as ‘The Gathering’ and Derry/ Londonderry UK City of Culture.
My Department and both tourism agencies will continue to foster north-south co-operation to enhance an all-island tourism offering and grow international visitor numbers to the entire island. My officials continue to liaise with their counterparts in the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland - through monthly meetings and also quarterly operational meetings with both the Department for the Economy and Tourism Ireland.
On 20 January 2022, I took part in a Shared Island Dialogue event hosted by the Department of the Taoiseach, which focused on all-island tourism. Over 160 tourism and civil society stakeholders from across the island joined the event online to discuss the success of tourism cooperation on the island of Ireland over the past 20 years and explore how best to enhance opportunities for domestic and international visitors in the years ahead.
My Department will continue to work with the Department of An Taoiseach on implementing our commitments to the North/South development of tourism as included in the Shared Island chapter of the renewed National Development Plan. This includes supporting Tourism Ireland in its mission to grow tourism into the island of Ireland, to promote the recovery of the sector post-pandemic and to work with the Northern Ireland Executive on developing large scale North/South tourism initiatives which will support the sustainable growth of the sector including cross-border walking and cycling trails as well as new marketing opportunities.
67. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an dtabharfaidh sí soiléiriú ar stádas an phlean oibre atá faoi chaibidil ag a Roinn chun Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021 a chur i bhfeidhm; cathain a fhoilseofar an plean; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [10317/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIs mian liom a dheimhniú don Teachta go bhfuil mé ag obair i gcomhar le hoifigigh mo Roinne chun feidhm a thabhairt d'fhorálacha an Achta leasaithe sa tréimhse amach romhainn. Chuige sin, tá plean oibre ullmhaithe ag oifigigh mo Roinne a thugann léargas d'fhoireann an aonaid ar na céimeanna éagsúla a bheidh le glacadh sna míonna amach romhainn chun forálacha an Achta a fheidhmiú. Is doiciméid inmhéanach don Roinn atá ann, a bheidh á leasú go leanúnach agus muid ag gluaiseacht ar aghaidh. Ní bheadh sé cuí, dá réir, é a fhoilsiú ag an tráth seo.
Is í mo phríomhthosaíocht ag an tráth seo próiseas a reáchtáil ar mhaithe le beirt comhalta a earcú a bheidh ionadaíoch ar an gCoiste Comhairleach a bhfuil foráil déanta dó san Acht ar son phobal labhartha na Gaeilge taobh istigh agus taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht. Chuige sin, tá scríofa ag mo Roinn chuig an tSeirbhís um Cheapacháin Phoiblí ag iarraidh orthu an próiseas sin a thosú. Tá sonraíocht poist á ullmhú ag mo chuid oifigigh le tabhairt don tSeirbhís um Cheapacháin Phoiblí ionas go mbeifear in ann tús a chur leis an gcomórtas gan mhoill.
Beifear ag lorg moltaí maidir leis na chomhaltaí eile a bheidh le hainmniú ag comhlachtaí poiblí don Choiste in am tráth.
Is féidir liom a dheimhniú don Teachta go bhfuil maoiniú breise faighte agam i mbliana chun acmhainí foirne breise a fhostú i mo Roinn féin ar mhaithe le dlús a chur le feidhmiú an Achta agus in Oifig an Choimisinéara Teanga chun próisis monatóireachta na hoifige sin a neartú. Tá an próiseas earcaíochta maidir leis an bhfoireann bhreise sin beagnach críochnaithe ag an tráth seo.
69. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the commencement of provisions of the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10425/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to assure the Deputy that I am working in conjunction with officials of my Department to give effect to the provisions of the amended Act in the period ahead. To this end, officials of my Department have developed a rolling work plan which sets out the various steps to be taken in the coming months.
As the Deputy will be aware, this is a long-term project involving comprehensive research and the development of a National Plan for the Provision of Irish-Medium Public Services. A statutory Advisory Committee will be established for this purpose and progress will be reported to Government on an annual basis. The Act sets targets that will challenge all in Government, in particular the target of 20 per cent of new recruits to the public service being competent in Irish by the end of 2030. Among the functions of the Advisory Committee under the Act will be the provision of advice to public bodies as to the level of competence required by a person in order for them to provide services through the medium of Irish.
My main priority at present is the process to be conducted under Section 18B of the Act to recruit members of the Advisory Committee to represent the Irish-speaking community from both within and outside the Gaeltacht. To this end, my Department has written to the Public Appointments Service asking them to commence this process. In tandem with this, my officials are preparing a role specification for use by the Public Appointments Service when administering the competition. Nominations will be also sought in relation to the other members nominated by public bodies in due course.
I have secured additional resources within my Department allocation in Budget 2022 to accelerate the implementation of the new legislation, as well as for the provision of additional resources to the Office of An Coimisinéir Teanga this year to strengthen that office's monitoring systems. Recruitment of these additional staffing resources is nearing completion.
It is my intention to organise, over the months ahead, a series of information seminars for public bodies in relation to the provisions of the new Act, while commencing relevant sections of the Act at appropriate intervals.
