Written Answers Nos. 167-186
167. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of OPW controlled sites and visitor attractions have been handed over to local authorities in the context of management and maintenance in the past ten years to date; the number of sites and attractions that the OPW have devolved responsibility to private companies and or persons over that same time period. [25884/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdditional time is needed to correlate the required information. The OPW will respond to the Deputy directly on the matter.
168. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his attention has been drawn to new research by an organisation (details supplied) which shows that the value of the social wage for full-time workers in Ireland is exceptionally low by European Union standards; if he has considered this research; and his views in relation to a social wage in Ireland. [25930/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, my Department is responsible for policy on allocating public funds across each area of Government spending and ensuring that expenditure is managed in line with these allocations by Departments. In this way, officials from my Department engage with their counterparts on proposals in relation to a variety of expenditure measures including in relation to social welfare, housing, and childcare. However, queries in relation to specific policy are in the first instance for the relevant Minister who has policy responsibility in that area.
From an overall expenditure perspective I would highlight the level of expenditure provided by the Government to support public services and individuals is €87 billion in 2022. This expenditure includes additional provision to support individuals and the economy to address the challenges of Covid as we emerge from the pandemic.
Regarding Social Protection supports, investment in the sector for 2022 is expected to reach €23.3 billion, including amounts allocated for Covid supports.
Looking at the impact of Social Protection expenditure, I have been advised by the Department of Social Protection of the following in relation to the impact of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment and Wage Subsidy Scheme Covid-19 supports, and social transfers more generally, on the At Risk of Poverty Rate. These Covid -19 supports had a significant impact on the At Risk of Poverty rate. The At Risk of Poverty rate for 2021 was 11.6%. This would have been 19.9% without these Covid-19 supports.
These Covid-19 supports also had a positive impact on the median household disposable income in SILC 2021. The median household disposable income in 2021 of €46,471 increased by 5.8%, but would have decreased by 6.2% without the Covid-19 income supports.
Including social transfers show the wider impact of the system on the At Risk of Poverty Rate. Social transfers include income from Department of Social Protection (DSP) sources such as jobseekers related payments, state pension, family and children related allowances, as well as other state supports such as education related allowances and housing allowances.
|
At Risk of Poverty Rate % |
2021* |
2020 |
|
Before Social Transfers |
38.6% |
36.5% |
|
After Social Transfers |
11.6% |
13.2% |
The 2021 SILC data show that social transfers performed well in reducing the at-risk-of-poverty rate, from 38.6% before social transfers to 11.6% after social transfers. This equated to a poverty reduction effect of 70% in 2021.
In comparison, the 2020 SILC data show that social transfers performed well in reducing the at-risk-of-poverty rate, from 36.5% before social transfers to 13.2% after social transfers. This equated to a poverty reduction effect of 63.8% in 2020.
* Up until 2019 the CSO used the ESSPROS definition of 'social transfers'. This means that occupational pensions, redundancy and retirement lump sums and social transfers from other countries were classified as social transfers. From 2020 we have moved to a national definition of social transfers, which includes transfers from Department of Social Protection (DSP) sources such as unemployment related benefits, state pension, family or children related allowances, etc., as well as education related allowances and housing related supports, but not occupational pensions or redundancy or retirement lump sums from employers.
Regarding housing investment the Housing Programme has more than tripled since 2016, from just under €1 billion to over €3.6 billion in 2022. The Government’s continued commitment to tackle the housing crisis is evidenced in the funding allocated to the Department of Housing in the revised National Development Plan. This is an unprecedented level of funding for housing provision. In 2022 the Department of Housing will receive a record c. €6 billion in Exchequer funding.
Housing for All commits to investing unprecedented amounts of funding to expand the State’s role and achieve the Government’s objective of delivering sustainable, good quality housing to purchase or rent at an affordable price. The Plan targets the delivery of over 300,000 new homes by 2030. Including over 90,000 social homes and 54,000 affordable homes. This is the most ambitious social and affordable housing build programme in the history of the State.
In relation to childcare the Government recognises that there are significant challenges facing the childcare sector including the costs of childcare for parents. In response to this the Government has continued to increase the level of investment in the sector. Since 2015, the levels of State support and investment in Early Learning Care and School Aged Care has increased by 166%, rising from €270 million in 2015 to €719 million in 2022.
169. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if an OPW inspector will contact a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25933/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am grateful for the additional detail you have provided, and since your last PQ my officials have also examined available public information.
This is a complex situation involving land registered to a dissolved company. There is as yet no acknowledgement that this land has devolved to the State under the provisions of Section 28 of the State Property Act 1954 (“the 1954 Act”). Although companies become dissolved their property can remain registered in their name in the Property Registration Authority, despite the fact that in some circumstances dissolved companies may have (prior to dissolution) transferred or contracted to transfer such assets to another party, but formal transfers of the legal interest has not been executed or where a transfer has been executed, it has not been registered. In such circumstances these properties often do not vest in the State under Section 28 of the 1954 Act. As previously stated property held on trust for another does not devolve to the Minister as provided by Section 28(2) of the 1954 Act.
The company, Whitony Limited, the registered owner, was dissolved in 2010 and it has up to 20 years in which it can be restored. In circumstances where a dissolved company is restored to the Register, the Companies Act 2014 provides that such a company shall be “deemed to have continued in existence as if it had not been struck off”. In such circumstances, the company may assert that the property of the dissolved company is no longer vested in the State under Section 28 of the 1954 Act and for this reason the Minister is limited in dealing with the property while restoration is an available remedy.
Given the limited knowledge which the Minister has in respect of this property, it is suggested that enquiries be made with the former directors and secretary of Whitony Limited (dissolved). It may also be possible that the property in folio DN30239F has been taken in charge by Dublin City Council, given it contains the roads and common areas in the estates. If the property in the folio has been taken in charge, this would not be apparent from the folio.
The provisions of the State Property Act 1954 ensure that property is never ownerless but this does not mean that the State enters into occupation of these properties. The State is not in occupation of this property. Accordingly, the Minister is not liable for any loss, damage or injuries that may occur.
My officials will contact the owner of the residential property and seek more details of the issues encountered on her property.
170. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the Ministerial contact details for persons (details supplied). [26116/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is set out below.
Michael McGrath T.D. – Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform
|
Contact Means |
Address |
|
Address |
Minister’s Office, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Government Buildings, Upper Merrion Street, D02 R583 |
|
|
minister@per.gov.ie |
|
Phone Number |
+353 1 676 7571 |
|
Website |
www.gov.ie/per |
|
Social media accounts |
Twitter - IRLDeptPER |
Ossian Smyth T.D. – Minister of State with responsibility for Public Procurement, eGovernment and Circular Economy
|
Contact Means |
Address |
|
Address |
Minister of State’s Office, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Government Buildings, Upper Merrion Street, D02 R583 |
|
|
mosper@per.gov.ie |
|
Phone Number |
+353 1 6045313 |
|
Website |
www.gov.ie/per |
|
Social media accounts |
Twitter - IRLDeptPER |
Patrick O’Donovan T.D. – Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works
|
Contact Means |
Address |
|
Address |
Office of Public Works, 1GQ, Georges Quay, Dublin 2, D02 Y098 |
|
|
ministersoffice@opw.ie |
|
Phone Number |
+353 46 942 2020 |
|
Website |
www.gov.ie/opw |
|
Social media accounts |
Twitter - opwireland |
171. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the Garda stations within the Dublin region that are scheduled to be refurbished by the Office of Public Works in Q3 and 4 of 2022; and the nature of works that will be carried out by station in tabular form. [26139/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Garda Stations and the nature of the works to be carried out are outlined in the table below and include only works valued in excess of €50,000.
I can confirm that the Office of Public Works has scheduled refurbishment works to Garda Stations within the Dublin Region to be carried out in Q3 and Q4 of 2022.
|
Garda Station |
Nature of the works |
|
Cabra Garda Station |
Refurbishment/refit of portacabins to rear |
|
Capel Street |
Fit out for OSCAM office |
|
Coolock GS |
Reconfiguration of existing office- subdivision to 2 no. offices |
|
Coolock GS |
Conversion of existing container to PEM store – steel door, CCTV, access control, reception, and associated M&E |
|
Finglas GS |
Works to public office associated with current M&E/ Major project on site. |
|
Blanchardstown GS |
Painting to railings and boundary fencing to station |
|
Clontarf GS |
General repairs/ maintenance to outhouses |
|
Clontarf GS |
Repair and painting to high level rear soffit/ fascias. |
|
Coolock GS |
Upgrade/ alterations to canteen/ kitchen area. H&S issues. |
|
Coolock GS |
Upgrade of fire doors, provision of second exits, and internal painting/ repairs associated with works |
|
Howth GS |
Provision of accessible entry |
|
Lusk GS |
Cut back of trees and vegetation |
|
Malahide GS |
Maintenance works to attics |
|
Store Street GS |
Painting to rear facades |
|
Donnybrook Garda Station |
Upgrade of heating system and maintenance works to water services. LED Lighting upgrade. |
|
Donnybrook GS |
New male changing facilities (to be completed Q3 |
|
Crumlin Garda Station |
Maintenance & Upgrade Works to Heating Plant |
|
Crumlin G.S |
Works re: Scene of crimes |
|
Bray GS |
Roof repairs |
|
Bray GS |
Replacement of glass roof over atrium |
|
Bray GS |
Replacement of a section of boundary wall. |
|
Cabinteely G.S |
Showers on ground floor. |
|
Dun Laoghaire GS |
Universal Access in public area |
|
Dundrum GS |
Re-pointing stone wall |
|
Enniskerry GS |
External maintenance |
|
Kilmainham GS |
Structural works to “The Stables” building |
|
Pearse St. |
Roof repairs |
|
Ronanstown GS |
Male changing facilities & Store |
|
Tallaght GS |
External painting |
172. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update in respect of a premises at (details supplied). [26157/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe property referred to by the Deputy has been identified as a surplus vacant property and its future use is currently under consideration in line with OPW’s policy on surplus vacant property, which is as follows:
1. Identify if the property is required/suitable for alternative State use by either Government Departments or the wider public sector.
2. If there is no other State use identified for a property, the OPW will then consider disposing of the property on the open market if and when conditions prevail, in order to generate revenue for the Exchequer.
3. If no State requirement is identified or if a decision is taken not to dispose of a particular property, the OPW may consider community involvement (subject to a detailed written submission, which would indicate that the community/voluntary group has the means to insure, maintain and manage the property and that there are no ongoing costs for the Exchequer).
The future of the property is under consideration in respect of the development plans for the larger O'Connell Street site.
173. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the remaining allocations from the Brexit adjustment reserve for 2022 will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26251/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe allocation of resources from the Brexit Adjustment Reserve is aligned with the annual Estimates process, which has been the vehicle for allocating Brexit resources since the UK referendum on EU membership in 2016. Budget 2022 announced that around €500 million of the overall BAR allocation will be made available as a first tranche of funding, with the remainder available in 2023.
Areas for funding under the Reserve that have been identified include: enterprise supports; measures to support fisheries and coastal communities; targeted supports for the agri-food sector; reskilling and retraining; and checks and controls at ports and airports.
To allow Departments to proceed with programmes to be funded under the Reserve, some €54 million was allocated as initial funding in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2022.
Initial allocations were made to the Department of Further & Higher Education, Research, Innovation & Science (€14.5 million) for the Skillnet Digital Skills Programme and Erasmus after Brexit initiatives; the Office of Public Works (€1.8 million) to support their work developing the infrastructure for checks and controls at Rosslare Europort; the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine (€33 million) as initial funding for fisheries and horticulture measures; and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (€5 million) as initial funding for a variety of schemes, including customs readiness, to support business impacted by Brexit.
Further allocations will be made throughout the year as the impacts of Brexit are worked through. Work is continuing across Government, with all Departments examining measures that need to be taken. For example, work is underway on the development of additional inspection facilities at Rosslare Europort, while the Department of Agriculture, Food & the Marine is developing proposals in response to the report of the Seafood Sector Task force.
174. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress that has been made in establishing an external review panel to examine the current recruitment process for senior public service posts and the process for determining the terms and conditions of employment of these appointments; if he has received advise from Department officials as to the appropriate terms of reference and scope of the review, as well as membership of the review panel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26252/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would refer the Deputy to my replies to recent Parliamentary Questions on this matter. The Government recently agreed to the establishment of an Independent Review Panel into recruitment and pay determination processes in place for Senior Public Service posts. The Panel is chaired by Dr. Donal de Buitléir, with Ms. Jenny Smyth and Mr. Bryan Andrews members of the Panel.
The review will focus on a number of important issues including an analysis of the current recruitment processes, the process in place for determining terms and conditions of employment and also current arrangements in place for Secretaries General at end of their term. Further details are set out in the Terms of Reference for the Review Panel which are published on my Departments website (www.gov.ie/en/publication/c105c-terms-of-reference-of-the-independent-review-panel-established-to-review-senior-public-service-recruitment-and-pay-processes/).
I anticipate that the Review Panel will be in a position to report their findings later this year.
175. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 236 of 22 June 2021, if he will provide an updated list of vacant properties in the same format; the estimated value of each property; and if any of these properties have been earmarked for use as a regional work hub. [26313/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that there are currently 72 vacant properties (buildings). Over half (48) of these are former Garda stations and residences, most of which closed under the 2012/2013 policing plans of An Garda Síochána.
The Office of Public Works (OPW), like other State bodies, is obliged to follow central Government policies and protocols on the disposal of surplus properties. The approach to managing vacant properties is firstly, to establish if the property is required for alternative State use, including the potential for it to be re-purposed either for Government Departments or for the wider public service.
As a matter of policy, no property is disposed of until there is certainty that there is no alternative State use for that property. The OPW, as a matter of course, consults with the Land Development Agency, Local Authorities, the Health Service Executive, the Department of Education and other State bodies in advance of any decision on the future of a property.
In 2021, the OPW also engaged with the Department of Rural and Community Development to discuss the use of the former Garda stations. The OPW provided the Department of Rural and Community Development with a list of former Garda stations which closed as part of the 2012 and 2013 Policing Plans. This was provided in order for that Department to evaluate the properties for community use and/or regional hubs. The OPW has not been made aware by the Department that any of the properties are required for regional hubs. In addition, a list of vacant properties and sites has been provided to the Departments managing the humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine.
Once it has been established that surplus properties are not suitable for alternative State use, the OPW then considers if open market disposal is a viable option. Prior to disposing of a property, the OPW may re-evaluate the property’s potential and decide whether there may be a benefit to retaining a strategic property or site for future use or development. In this specific context, the OPW must take a long-term view on the potential future utility of such properties rather than seeking short-term commercial gain.
Finally, the OPW may consider community involvement, subject to a detailed submission that demonstrates that the community or voluntary group seeking to use the property has the means to insure, maintain and manage it in order to reduce costs to the Exchequer.
The table below lists those properties that are being planned for disposal during 2022/2023, unless alternative State use is identified in advance of disposal.
In relation to properties being prepared for disposal on the open market, auctioneers are appointed by the OPW following a procurement process. The auctioneers determine an Advised Market Value (AMV) on the properties in advance of sale. However, the market will ultimately determine the value of the properties through the auction process.
176. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the measures that he intends to pursue in order to ensure that the remains of a group (details supplied) will be re-interred in Glasnevin Cemetery in line with the wishes of their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26325/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdditional time is needed to correlate the required information. The OPW will respond to the Deputy directly on the matter.
177. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of investigations, internal or external, commissioned by his Department into instances in which Departmental documents or information was leaked to the media, which were commissioned or conducted in each of the past ten years and to date in 2022; the nature of such leaks and investigations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26343/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has not commissioned or conducted any investigations of this nature in the past ten years.
178. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide details on the number of long leasehold and freehold contract agreements that his Department and the bodies under the aegis of his Department are currently a party to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26369/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key function of the Office of Public Works (OPW) is to provide office accommodation for Government Departments / Offices. In this regard, OPW holds a portfolio of property throughout the country to meet the various operational needs of the Civil Service, the Gardaí and various other State Bodies. The accommodation is provided in a mixture of State owned and leased offices and the OPW currently holds 337 leases associated with 278 office buildings.
The following table shows the current office leases held by the OPW. It does not include leases that Departments / Offices may have taken themselves directly from a landlord as the OPW is not privy to that information.
179. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the up-to-date position regarding the erection of a State monument in honour of a person (details supplied); if he will provide details of the most recent correspondence within Government in relation to this project; if there is a delay with the project; if so, the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25652/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy role as Minister with responsibility for leading the coordination of the Decade of Centenaries Programme 2012-2023 is to help ensure that the challenging events of this important and formative period in our history and related themes, are meaningfully, proportionately and sensitively remembered. The Government's approach to commemorations continues to be underpinned by the guidance of the Expert Advisory Group on Centenary Commemorations (EAG) and consultation with the All-Party Consultation Group on Commemorations.
I have allocated almost €2m in funding for local authorities in 2022 under the Programme, to support their leading role in developing community-led commemorative activities during this final phase of the Decade of Centenaries.
I am aware that Cork County Council and other stakeholders are currently developing a programme of events to commemorate the person referenced by the Deputy and a proposal for funding for this programme is currently under active consideration.
While the provision or maintenance of memorials, erection of monuments, plaques, busts or statues and the production of commemorative medals or pins are not at present supported under my Department's funding allocation to the Decade of Centenaries Programme 2012-2023, along with the Departments of the Taoiseach and Defence, I have made an allocation to Cork County Council for 2022 to assist with works to improve access and safety at the Memorial at Béal na Bláth in Cork. My understanding is that these works will be completed in the coming months and in good time for the centenary commemoration of the event there in August 1922.
I note also that there is already a statue in Merrion Square in Dublin and other statues in Cork dedicated to the person referenced by the Deputy.
180. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25699/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Basic Income for the Arts pilot research scheme closed for applications on Thursday 12th May 2022.
Selection will be a non-competitive process. Once an applicant satisfies the eligibility criteria they will be included in an anonymised random sampling process to determine the pilot participants from the pool of eligible applicants for the BIA Pilot. The process is the same for every applicant to the BIA and all eligible applicants will be included in the selection.
The Department has received a high volume of applications, in excess of 9,000 and it will not be possible to provide funding to all eligible applicants. Funding for the scheme will provide for 2,000 eligible applicants to participate in the pilot scheme.
All applicants were corresponded with directly via email on 19th May with an update on the scheme and indicating that they will next hear from the Department in June unless further information is required from them in the interim. All applicants will be contacted at that point to confirm if their application was eligible or not eligible to go forward for the randomised selection process to choose the scheme participants.
I am very encouraged by the high level of interest from artists and creative arts workers in participating in the scheme. Assessment of the applications has begun and this process will take a number weeks given the high volume of applications.
181. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated timeline for the introduction of the European Union Audiovisual Media Services Directive content-levy in Ireland as currently set out in the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25704/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra182. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she expects the first payments to be made to production companies from the proposed content-levy fund as currently set out in the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25705/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra185. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if part of the €5.5 million funding allocated to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland for 2022 has been allocated to research to be commenced by the authority on the establishment of the production-funding levy referred to in the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022; the estimated timescale for the completion of the research; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25708/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 181, 182 and 185 together.
In January 2022, the Minister published the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022 which will, inter alia, dissolve the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and establish a new regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, which will be responsible for overseeing updated regulations for broadcasting and video on-demand services and the new regulatory framework for online safety created by the Bill.
The Bill will also transpose the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive into Irish law. Article 13(2) of that Directive gives Member States the option to levy media service providers under their jurisdiction or which are not under their jurisdiction, but that are targeting audiences in their territories, to fund the production of European works. Following a Regulatory Impact Assessment provision was made for a content production levy within the General Scheme of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill.
Section 53 of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022 provides for the imposition of a content production levy (termed the ‘European works levy’) on media service providers (i.e. providers of broadcasting and video on demand services) to fund a scheme (termed ‘the European works scheme’) to support the production of European works, including Irish works. The Bill provides that both the levy and the associated scheme would be administered by Coimisiún na Meán.
It is important to note that any levy system will have to abide by the principles of proportionality and non-discrimination under EU law. Accordingly, any levy will be imposed equally on all on audiovisual media services targeting the Irish market, both Irish based and those based outside Ireland. This means that Irish media service providers such as RTÉ and Virgin Media Television will also be subject to this levy. In addition, both Irish and services established elsewhere in the European Union would be eligible to apply to the content production fund established as a result of the levy.
Furthermore, it should be noted that any levy will only apply to income earned within the State. For example, if a provider such as Netflix earns 2% of their overall EU revenues in the State, the levy can only apply to that 2% of their overall revenues.
In light of the aforementioned factors, it is not envisaged that the content production levy would be put into effect until Coimisiún na Meán has carried out independent research into the viability of such a levy in an Irish context. One of the initial priorities of An Coimisiún will be to carry out this research and to present recommendations to the Minister in this regard.
Given the importance of An Coimisiún, Government has approved its establishment on an administrative basis prior to the enactment of the Bill. While An Coimisiún will, as set out in the Bill, ultimately be funded through levies on regulated services I secured €5.5 million in Budget 2022 to provide start-up funds to resource the establishment process.
The immediate priority in this context will be the recruitment of key staff with the relevant skills and expertise to establish and lead An Coimisiún and to lay the groundwork for the commencement of its functions as set out in the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill. It will be necessary to have such key staff in place to oversee research into the levy and make recommendations to the Minister in this regard.
183. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the dates of the meetings of the Audiovisual Action Plan steering group in each of the years 2020, 2021 and for the first five months of 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25706/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra184. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the work that her Department is carrying out in relation to each of the recommendations from the Audiovisual Action Plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25707/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 184 together.
Meetings of the Audiovisual Action Plan Steering Group took place on 30th April 2020, 24th November 2020, 11th May 2021, 20th December 2021 and 26th April 2022.
The second Progress Report on the Implementation of the Audiovisual Action Plan was published on 17th August 2021 and is available to view at this link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/de571-implementation-of-the-audiovisual-action-plan-second-progress-report/
Since then, further progress has been made on the remaining recommendations including increased funding for Screen Ireland in 2022 to invest further in the sector, and the extension of section 481 to the Digital Games sector with European Commission approval being sought at present.
The next meeting of the Audiovisual Action Plan Steering Group is due to take place on 5th September 2022.
186. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the Ministerial contact details for persons (details supplied). [26125/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe contact details requested by the Deputy are set out in tabular form below:
Minister Catherine Martin, T.D.
|
Department |
Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht Sport and Media |
|
Address |
23 Kildare Street, Dublin 2, D02 TD30 |
|
|
ministers.office@tcagsm.gov.ie |
|
Phone Number |
01 631 3817 / 01 631 3802 |
|
Website |
www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-tourism-culture-arts-gaeltacht-sport-and-media/ |
Minister of State Jack Chambers, T.D. (with responsibility for Sport and An Ghaeltacht)
|
Department |
Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht Sport and Media |
|
Address |
23 Kildare Street, Dublin 2, D02 TD30 |
|
|
airestait@tcagsm.gov.ie |
|
Phone Number |
01 631 3922 / 01 631 3983 |
|
Website |
www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-tourism-culture-arts-gaeltacht-sport-and-media/ |
