Written Answers Nos. 184-203
184. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason that retired civil servants with qualifying pensions have not yet received the 1% pay increase that was granted in October 2021 which current civil servants have already received; when he expects that all persons eligible for this pension increase will have their increase applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27288/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, a general round increase in annualised basic salary of 1% or €500, whichever is greater, is provided for on 1 October 2021 in Building Momentum – A New Public Service Agreement, 2021-2022.
Under the current pension increase policy for pre-existing public service pension schemes, this increase falls to be passed on to those pensions awarded under the pre-existing public service schemes where the salary on which the pension is based does not exceed the salary of serving staff with the same grade and scale point, after the pay increase has been applied. If it qualifies, the pension is eligible for an increase to the extent that this will ensure alignment with the pay of serving staff.
This policy is outlined in detail in my Department’s Circular 10/2021, which is available here: www.gov.ie/en/circular/e3bc7-instruction-on-the-pension-increase-policy-in-the-public-service-until-end-2022/
As stated in Building Momentum at section 3.1.4: Where an individual is due an amount of pay restoration from July 2021 under section 19 of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017, they will not benefit from the general round increase in that year.
I can confirm from records from the National Shared Service Office (NSSO) that as of today, Tuesday 31st May - 23,993 eligible retired Civil Servants have received their October 2021 increase.
2,092 retired staff have yet to receive their October 2021 increases. The outstanding increases are currently being reviewed for action, with 779 to be inputted onto the payroll system for the coming payroll periods.
185. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will detail the release schedule for the Government’s capital tracker initiative, past and planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27427/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe most recent version of the capital investment tracker was released on 18 May 2022. Previous editions of the tracker were published in September 2017, September 2018, May 2019, January 2020, December 2020 and October 2021. The Tracker is drawn from data provided by relevant Government Departments and agencies. It focuses mainly on projects and programmes with costs greater than €20 million. This data is a snapshot in time and is current as of May 2022. Management and delivery of the projects and programmes are a matter for the Sponsoring Agency and Approving Authority in each case. The May 2022 update of the tracker provides progress updates on over 270 projects and 140 programmes, including almost 100 projects in excess of €50m, and incorporates user-friendly dashboards to aid in using the material.
The MyProjectIreland interactive map was launched in May 2019 alongside the first Project Ireland 2040 Annual Report. Developed in collaboration with Ordnance Survey Ireland, citizens can find updated information on the map on what has been achieved and what is planned for their own local area and includes user-friendly mobile and search functionality. The May 2022 update expands the coverage of the map to incorporate over 1,100 projects.
The Government is committed to continue to detail the delivery of the National Development Plan at regular intervals into the future to allow for full transparency on the implementation of Project Ireland 2040. This will be achieved through regular updates of the capital tracker and map as well as the publication of annual reports and regional reports highlighting Project Ireland 2040 achievements and giving a detailed overview of the public investments which have been made throughout the country.
186. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will list in tabular form all projects currently under way in the five cities in the State as reported in the myProjectIreland resource, and-or live capital tracker; if he will detail the reliability and up-to-dateness of the data presented in these resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27428/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDetails of the 320 projects from the May 2022 edition of the Project Ireland 2040 interactive map being progressed in the five cities are set out in the attached Excel file. This data is a snapshot in time and is current as of May 2022. The interactive map and capital tracker serves to highlight the diverse range of infrastructural projects being delivered throughout Ireland. The map and tracker are drawn from data provided by relevant Government Departments and agencies. Management and delivery of the projects is a matter for the Sponsoring Agency and Approving Authority in each case. For further information, please visit myProjectIreland and the capital investment tracker at gov.ie/2040.
187. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will consider allowing civil servants who moved from Dublin to rural Ireland due to the pandemic the opportunity to continue to work remotely or facilitate a transfer to work from a local office within their county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27467/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe experience of the COVID pandemic has had a significant impact on the world of work, with an overnight move by necessity to remote working in various sectors. There have been many positive aspects to this experience for both employers and employees. It has also highlighted certain challenges.
In the case of the Civil Service, remote working will be facilitated into the future on a blended basis. In this context, my Department, in collaboration with Civil Service employers, Trade Unions and Staff Associations, has developed a Blended Working Policy Framework for Civil Service Organisations.
The Framework focuses on the longer-term approach to remote working in the Civil Service and will assist in providing a consistent approach across the wider public service. The Framework supports commitments contained in a number of strategies which this Government has launched. These include, the National Remote Working Strategy, Our Rural Future, the Climate Action Plan and the National Planning Framework.
I, along with Minister of State Smyth, published the Framework on 31 March. The Framework provides broad strategic direction to individual organisations in the Civil Service to develop tailored policies on blended working that are appropriate to their business needs and employees. It is anticipated that Departments and Offices will have these policies completed as soon as possible but no later than end-Q2 2022.
In developing their own policies, Civil Service Departments and Offices will have the flexibility to determine matters such as the proportion of time individual employees work remotely versus onsite and the roles that are suitable for blended working.
Access to blended working by civil servants will be dependent on Departments/Offices having the ability to meet the needs of the business. In general, remote working will not be available to employees on a 100 percent basis, as some physical attendance at workplaces will be required to facilitate face-to-face meetings, training and other key events deemed necessary by the employer. Any requirements an employee may have for flexible working arrangements should be discussed directly with their employer.
My Department has also developed a Civil Service Mobility scheme which offers an opportunity for permanent Civil Service staff members to apply for mobility, within the Civil Service, through an open and transparent system. The scheme was phased in, by grade, over a number of years and mobility opportunities are in place since mid-2021 for all general Civil Service grades. The scheme is currently under further development to include the Professional and Technical grades.
188. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the timeline for full pay restoration for public sector workers on low incomes. [27619/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe process of unwinding the Financial Emergency (FEMPI) legislation commenced under the Lansdowne Road Agreement 2016-2018, with the remainder of the process largely completed under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018-2020 (PSSA). This will continue under ‘Building Momentum: A New Public Service Agreement, 2021-2022’.
At this point, salary rates up to €150,000, which account for 99% of the Public Service, have been fully restored. Section 20 of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 sets out that public servants with annualised basic salaries above €150,000 should be restored by a date no later than 1 July, 2022.
As the Deputy may be aware, I have established an Independent Review Panel into the recruitment and pay determination processes for Senior Public Service posts.
In addition, each year, under the terms of the FEMPI Act 2013, I am obliged to carry out an annual review of the operation, effectiveness and impact of the FEMPI Acts, having regard to the overall economic conditions in the State and national competitiveness. In this annual review, I am also to consider whether or not any of the provision of the relevant Acts continue to be necessary having regard to the purposes of those Acts, the revenues of the State and State commitments in respect of public service pay and pensions.
The 2021 annual review, a written report of which was laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas on the 25 June, 2021, recommended the continuation of the unwinding of the FEMPI measures in line with the provisions enacted in the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act, 2017.
189. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of staff employed in his Department by gender and by civil service salary scale in tabular form. [27602/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that as of end April 2022, there were 681 staff employed in my Department (of which 237 are employed in the Office of Government Procurement therein), comprised of 346 females and 335 males.
The gender breakdown at each grade is set out in the table below:
|
Grade |
Male |
Female |
Total |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Deputy Secretary |
3 |
0 |
3 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
2 |
2 |
4 |
|
Principal Higher Scale |
23 |
18 |
41 |
|
Principal |
12 |
4 |
16 |
|
Assistant Principal Higher Scale |
51 |
58 |
109 |
|
Assistant Principal |
25 |
26 |
51 |
|
Higher Executive Officer Higher Scale |
11 |
15 |
26 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
38 |
42 |
80 |
|
Higher Executive Officer Systems Analyst Higher Scale |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
Higher Executive Officer Systems Analyst |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Administrative Officer Higher Scale |
7 |
7 |
14 |
|
Administrative Officer |
25 |
35 |
60 |
|
Executive Officer Higher Scale |
6 |
8 |
14 |
|
Executive Officer |
30 |
25 |
55 |
|
Executive Officer Trainee Analyst Higher |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Clerical Officer Higher Scale |
0 |
8 |
8 |
|
Clerical Officer |
22 |
30 |
52 |
|
Clerical Officer Temporary |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
OGP Category Specialist Higher |
34 |
29 |
63 |
|
OGP Category Specialist |
24 |
13 |
37 |
|
Engineer Grade 1 Civil |
2 |
3 |
5 |
|
OGP Category Manager |
8 |
11 |
19 |
|
OGP Portfolio Manager |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Occupational Physician |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Advisory Council Grade 3 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Professional Accountant Grade |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Auditor |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Occupational Health Nurse |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
Civilian Driver |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Total |
335 |
346 |
681 |
190. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide further information regarding a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27972/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Transport Irish Coastguard Service (IRCG) are responsible for the financing of Coast Guard Station Projects. The Office of Public Works (OPW) provides advice on the design of such projects and manages their delivery in line with the requirements. Greystones is the number 1 priority project for the Coast Guard and funding approval is in place.
The OPW are actively engaged with Wicklow County Council in relation to the formal transfer of the site identified for the new Coast Guard Station in Greystones. Agreement has been reached on revised boundaries and layouts of the site. Parking arrangements for the Coast Guard vehicles have been agreed. Formal legal documents are at an advanced stage and it is planned that these will be completed in a matter of weeks.
The proposed building will consist of a boathouse / vehicle store along with support facilities which will include an operations/training room, a drying room and toilets.
191. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 231 of 31 March 2022, if the OPW will commit to the installation of traffic signs (details supplied) on both sides of the road at the terminal ends of the limit; and if an undertaking will be given to introduce upright repeaters soon after entry to the park and on roads currently without repeaters for example, on Wellington Road. [28167/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra192. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 232 of 31 March 2022, if he will share the analyses of the surface mounted counters; if he will provide the data from counters not in proximity to junctions, speed bumps or other traffic calming measures and similar which would influence the speed results (details supplied); and if he will provide a comprehensive analysis of the available data to show the impact of the 30 km per hour limit from 28 February to date, by location and direction of travel including but not limited to, the mean, mode and fastest speeds for motor vehicles and the change in traffic volumes by mode. [28168/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra193. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 234 of 31 March 2022, when the incomplete and additional remediation works that he outlined will be finished; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the filtered permeability on Military Road does not have signage to prohibit motorcyclists and would benefit from their addition. [28171/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra194. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 234 of 31 March 2022, if repeaters will be deployed on roads currently without repeaters given that speeding is experienced by cyclists and pedestrians on such roads (details supplied). [28172/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra195. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 234 of 31 March 2022, the discussion his Department had between the OPW, Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council relating to the change of speed limit in Phoenix Park and the implication for them to erect appropriate speed limit signs (details supplied) at the terminal ends of the 30 km per hour limit; and the agreement that was made between the relevant councils and the OPW given that drivers exiting Phoenix Park have no indication of the cessation of the 30 km per hour limit and the commencement of a new speed limit. [28173/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra196. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the by-laws (details supplied) on the Phoenix Park website will be revised to include the correct speed limit of 30 km per hour rather than the former 50 km per hour limit. [28174/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra197. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the corrective action that is planned to ensure adherence to the 30 km per hour limit in Phoenix Park given that it was introduced more than two months ago and the incidence of motorists travelling at or below the limit is low. [28175/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 191 to 197, inclusive, together.
The Office of Public works is currently implementing the Phoenix Park Transport and Mobility Options Study Post-Consultation Report in phases. This report is based on an extensive public consultation process. In February of this year, the speed limit within the Park was reduced from 50 kilometres per hour to 30 kilometres per hour; a two way cycle path was instituted on North Road; and two pilot schemes for a cul-de-sac on Upper Glen Road and making North Road one way were implemented.
The OPW and An Garda Siochána are committed to the implementation of the thirty kilometre speed limit within the Phoenix Park. A change in driver behaviour within the Park has been observed with most motorist respecting the lower speed to improve the safety for all of the visitors to the Park. OPW staff within the Park are required to adhere to the same speed limits as all other motorists. The OPW does not hold information on any enforcement actions by An Garda Siochána. It should be noted that neither the bye-laws of the Phoenix Park, nor the Phoenix Park Act, reference a speed limit within the Park.
On the specific issue of compliant signage, when the speed limit reduction was implemented all existing regulatory signage within the Park was updated. However, my officials have undertaken to review the regulatory signage to see if improvements could be made. The OPW continues to work closely with Dublin City Council and Fingal County Council on ensuring consistency of signage.
My officials continue to monitor the implementation of these changes throughout the Park. I understand that they are not aware of motorists travelling in the wrong direction on one way roads. Signage has been installed to prohibit motorcyclists on Military Road. This will continue to be monitored and signage will be adapted as required.
Surface mounted counters were installed in the Phoenix Park in late December 2021 to monitor traffic in the Park until June 2022. The monitors count vehicular and cycle traffic while also recording vehicle speeds for the duration of the survey. As part of the project, interpretive data analysis is under review by engineers within the OPW. These counters are providing critical information to help manage visitors within the park. It will provide further data for the parking strategy for cars and cycles within the Park.
The OPW is working with the National Transport Authority to provide much improved facilities for sustainable transport modes, such as cycling and connections to the wider public transport network. The design and plans for the 8km permanent one directional cycle lanes along both sides of Chesterfield Avenue, linking Castleknock to the city, are currently being advanced with the National Transport Authority & Dublin City Council.
The changes made to date are significant and more improvements are planned over the coming months and years for all visitors. A parking strategy for cars and cycles is currently under development with a public survey due to open shortly. I would encourage all visitors to the park to engage with this survey.
198. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to list the disability consultative groups and members of these groups that her Department engages with; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27503/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, overall responsibility for coordination of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021, rests with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
My Department is represented on the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group (NDISSG) which comprises key Government Departments, the National Disability Authority and the Disability Stakeholders Group. The NDISSG is chaired by Minister of State, Anne Rabbitte T.D., meets quarterly, and provides regular reports on the implementation of relevant actions contained in the Strategy coming within the remit of my Department.
I am further advised that my Department has established a Disability Consultative Committee (DCC) as recommended under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy. Officials in my Department are currently in contact with the National Disability Association (NDA) in relation to the assignment of representatives of the Disability Stakeholders Group to this Committee.
My Department also continues to engage with disability groups in relation to the development of specific policies and initiatives across its broad remit.
For example, representatives of both ADI (Arts & Disability Ireland) and DADA (Disabled Artists & Disabled Academics) participated in the Stakeholder Consultation process in relation to the development of the pilot Basic Income for the Arts Scheme.
Development of the National Sports Policy 2018-2027, Sports Action Plan 2021-2023, High Performance Strategy 2021-2032 and the recently published Sport Ireland Policy on Diversity and Inclusion in Sport featured engagement with organisations representing disability sport, such as Paralympics Ireland, Special Olympics Ireland, Vision Sports Ireland, the Irish Wheelchair Association and CARA (which is a national pan-disability organisation working to increase sport and physical activity opportunities for people with disabilities).
Ongoing engagement with these organisations is critical in achieving our aims to increase participation in arts, culture and sport by people with disabilities.
I trust that the above information is of assistance to the Deputy. If the Deputy has a specific enquiry in relation to my Department's engagement with any particular representative group my officials will be happy to provide details on request.
199. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount of funding that was given to independent productions by (details supplied) in 2020, 2021 and 2022. [27617/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Broadcasting Act, 2009 requires RTÉ to make specific amounts available each year for the commissioning of television and radio programmes from the independent production sector.
The statutory minimum provision set in 2009 was €40m, and the Act provides that for subsequent years this amount is adjusted in line with the annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) measured from August 2008 to the August immediately preceding the financial year concerned.
In accordance with Section 116(10) of the Broadcasting Act 2009, RTÉ is obliged to make a report to me as Minister on its commissioning activities, and copies of the report are required to be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
In 2020, RTÉ was required to allocate €40.2m to its Independent Programme Account, however, only €36.5m was paid out, which was €3.7m below the statutory requirement. RTÉ had advised in early 2020 that as independent productions were largely halted due to COVID-19 restrictions, it would not be possible to meet their statutory obligations for the year. Nevertheless, in compliance with statutory obligation, €40.2m was deposited into the Independent Programmes account with the unspent funds (€3.7m) being carried over and expended in 2021 as provided for in the Act. It should be noted that in all previous years, the actual amount expended by RTÉ exceeded the statutory minimum.
RTÉ’s 2021 Report has recently been submitted and while it is yet to be laid before the House of the Oireachtas, I can advise that expenditure of the year amounted to €44.7m, some €4.9m above the statutory minimum requirement for the year. This included the unspent amount carried forward from 2021.
The Act requires RTÉ to report concerning the previous year’s funding of independent productions, and therefore, information concerning RTÉ’s funding of independent productions in 2022 will be available in 2023.
200. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of staff employed in her Department by gender and by civil service salary scale in tabular form. [27606/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that there are 403 employees in my Department, 242 Female and 161 Male. There are a total of 38 Civil Service Pay scales in use by these staff as listed on the table below:
|
Grades |
Civil Service Salary Plan |
Female |
Male |
|
Advisory Counsel Gr 3 Ppc |
Assistant Principal |
1 |
0 |
|
Aistritheoir Grad 3 - Full PRSI |
Administrative Officer |
1 |
0 |
|
AO Standard Scale – Ppc |
Administrative Officer |
11 |
9 |
|
Archivist-Ppc |
Administrative Officer |
10 |
7 |
|
Assistant Secretary Ppc |
Assistant Secretary |
0 |
1 |
|
Asst Principal Higher |
Assistant Principal |
4 |
6 |
|
Asst Principal Higher Ppc |
Assistant Principal |
1 |
1 |
|
Asst Principal Mod |
Assistant Principal |
7 |
6 |
|
Asst Principal Ppc |
Assistant Principal |
24 |
13 |
|
Asst Secretary |
Assistant Secretary |
2 |
2 |
|
Civilian Driver |
Clerical Officer |
0 |
2 |
|
Clerical Off - Full PRSI |
Clerical Officer |
25 |
13 |
|
Clerical Off H/S F/Prsii |
Clerical Officer |
5 |
4 |
|
Clerical Officer Higher Scale |
Clerical Officer |
3 |
0 |
|
Clerical Officer Temp Ppc |
Clerical Officer |
9 |
9 |
|
Engineer Grd 2 |
Assistant Principal |
0 |
2 |
|
Eo Higher Scale |
Executive Officer |
5 |
2 |
|
Eo Higher Scale – Ppc |
Executive Officer |
14 |
2 |
|
Eo Ord (Ex Rev) |
Executive Officer |
2 |
0 |
|
Eo Standard Scale |
Executive Officer |
1 |
0 |
|
Eo Standard Scale – Ppc |
Executive Officer |
40 |
26 |
|
Head Services Officer Ppc |
Service Officer |
0 |
1 |
|
Heo Higher Scale |
Higher Executive Officer |
5 |
4 |
|
Heo Higher Scale Ppc |
Higher Executive Officer |
8 |
5 |
|
Heo Inspector |
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
0 |
|
Heo Standard Ppc |
Higher Executive Officer |
37 |
19 |
|
Heo Standard Scale |
Higher Executive Officer |
4 |
1 |
|
Kpr Of Manuscripts Ppc |
Assistant Principal |
2 |
0 |
|
Placenames Officer Ppc |
Administrative Officer |
0 |
1 |
|
Principal – Ppc |
Principal Officer |
6 |
9 |
|
Principal Higher Scale - Ppc |
Principal Officer |
2 |
1 |
|
Principal Officer |
Principal Officer |
1 |
4 |
|
Principal Officer Higher |
Principal Officer |
2 |
3 |
|
Professional Acct Gr 1 Ppc |
Assistant Principal |
1 |
0 |
|
Sec General Level 3 On/Aft 1/6/11 |
Secretary General |
1 |
0 |
|
Senior Archivist – Ppc |
Assistant Principal |
3 |
0 |
|
Senior Archivist |
Assistant Principal |
0 |
1 |
|
Services Officer Full PRSI |
Service Officer |
4 |
7 |
|
Grand Total |
|
242 |
161 |
Civil Service pay scales apply to all staff employed in my Department as set out in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's most recent pay circular published on www.gov.ie/en/circular/ef515-application-of-1st-february-2022-pay-adjustments/
201. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she plans to re-introduce funding for the repair of local roads in Gaeltacht areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27648/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraScéim na mBóithre Áise, to which the Deputy is referring, has been suspended for some years now. Under the provisions of the scheme, which was administered by my Department, financial assistance was provided to the relevant local authorities to undertake repairs in respect of Gaeltacht roads which met the terms of the scheme.
As with the rest of the country, responsibility for such roads in Gaeltacht regions now rests with the relevant local authorities.
202. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the Make 2023 the Year of the Invitation initiative that was outlined in the programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27674/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhilst the tourism sector is still navigating the survival stage of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is also important that we plan for recovery and rebuilding in the tourism sector. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to seek to emulate the success of the Gathering by creating a similar themed year. Similarly, the Tourism Recovery Plan 2020-2023 includes a recommendation to develop a Global Invitation programme. There is no doubt that a project of this nature will provide a much needed boost in overseas visitors and strong reconnections with diaspora groups.
€5 million in additional funding has been secured in Budget 2022 to begin preparations for a themed project aimed at attracting overseas visitors to Ireland to celebrate our authentic arts, culture and heritage. This project will provide an excellent opportunity to aid the recovery in multiple sectors that have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
This Programme for Government commitment provides a unique opportunity to deepen the connections with the Irish diaspora and showcase our natural landscape and historic and cultural assets while building on what makes Ireland unique; our welcome and our people. To that end, my officials, in consultation with the tourism agencies, have begun the conceptual development process and consideration is also being given as to the most opportune time for delivery to ensure that this initiative will help to galvanise the tourism response overseas, accelerate recovery and boost resilience in the sector.
203. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the Irish Sea Way initiative which is in the programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27675/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy and implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, as well as certain other bodies. With specific regard to the development of tourism product offerings, such as the proposed Irish Sea Way walking trail, these are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland in line with its tourism development functions. I have referred this question to them for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
