Written Answers Nos. 140-155
140. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will confirm that vacancies for Higher Executive Officers in Government Departments are now taking applicants from the panel of Higher Executive Officers who are Irish-language speakers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47101/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra141. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will report on the percentage of Higher Executive Officers appointed to date in 2022 who are Irish-language speakers; if he will also report on the percentage of Higher Executive Officers overall who are Irish speakers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47102/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 140 and 141 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Public Appointments Service (PAS) is the primary recruiter for the civil service and establishes panels that individual civil service employers may access as vacancies fall to be filled.
A specific HEO Irish competition - DPER Circular 26/2021 - Interdepartmental Competition for Promotion to Higher Executive Officer (HEO) for positions with fluency in the Irish language in the Civil Service was published on 25 November 2021.
The panel from this competition is set to expire at the end of January 2023 and I am informed by PAS that 11 candidates have been assigned from the panel to requests from Departments. Departments would have specifically requested candidates from this panel as the role had some Irish Language requirement.
A general HEO competition - DPER Circular 08/2022 - Interdepartmental Competition for Promotion to Higher Executive Officer (HEO) in the Civil Service was published on 3 March 2022.
It included a reference to vacancies arising which require staff to provide a full range of services through the Irish language (Functional Bilinguals), which may be filled from this competition. In this regard individuals who have proficiency in the Irish language may indicate their interest on the application form.
The candidates from this competition would only be used for Irish roles if there were no dedicated competition in place or if the roles could not be filled from an Irish Competition. To date 63 candidates have been assigned from this panel and none of these candidates selected the option to be considered for Irish roles.
The Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 was enacted on 22 December last. It underpins a key Programme for Government commitment and it is notable that this coincides with Irish having become a full working language of the EU Institutions since January.
The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, in line with the provisions of this Act, has established a ministerial advisory committee with a view to developing a national plan for the provision of Irish language public services and has committed in its Civil Service Renewal 2030 strategy to implement said plan in full. My Department is represented on this Committee at Principal Officer level and the Public Appointments Service (PAS) is similarly represented at the Committee. The committee is chaired by the Director of Irish at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
The functions of this Committee are set out in the Act and include, as mentioned above, the preparation of a National Plan, within two years of its establishment, to increase the provision of services through the medium of Irish as well periodic surveying of the number of Irish speakers employed by the public service.
142. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if his Department, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer or Office of Government Procurement provide any advice to Government Departments or bodies under their aegis on whether future expenditure on software should include an application programming interface; if any such advice is provided by either office or department to Departments or such bodies with regard to the upgrading of existing systems to implement an application programming interface; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46602/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO), which is a division of my Department, works in collaboration with Government Departments and agencies across the Civil and Public Service. This is to ensure the delivery of the benefits of digital transformation of public services to both individuals and businesses. Providing advisory support is a key dimension of the work of OGCIO which includes approval of digital initiatives being undertaken by public service organisations.
Government as a Platform is one of the priority action areas in Connecting Government 2030: A Digital and ICT Strategy for Ireland’s Public Service, which was published in March 2022. This sets clear direction for public service bodies in relation to the approach to be taken to deliver human-driven, consistent, seamless, integrated, proactive and cross-sectoral public services. It also advises that consideration will be given to approaches such as standards for adopting and co-ordinating application programming interfaces in and across government, to support an interoperable all-of government digital environment.
The Office of Government Procurement (OGP), which is also a Division of my Department, does not provide any advice on the subject of application programming interfaces. While the OGP interrogate specifications with a view to making sure they are market ready, the technical specification of ICT systems being tendered for through OGP services rests with the relevant Public Service clients requiring those systems.
143. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide an update on plans to resolve long-term flooding at a location (details supplied); the engagement that he has had with other bodies and Government Departments to date in 2022; his intentions regarding the next steps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46660/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraRoscommon County Council is leading the response to the flooding risk at Lough Funshinagh, Co. Roscommon and is being supported by relevant agencies, including the Office of Public Works.
On 18 May 2022, Mr. Joe Murphy, Cathaoirleach, Roscommon County Council and Mr. Eugene Cummins, CEO, Roscommon County Council wrote to me highlighting the policy and legislative issues that Roscommon County Council believed needed to be addressed and amended to allow the Council pursue works at Lough Funshinagh.
As many of these issues are within the remit of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, I referred these matters to Minister Darragh O’Brien T.D. for his early consideration and I highlighted that OPW officials were available to discuss these matters with his Department and with other key stakeholders, as may be appropriate. I also recently met with Minister Peter Burke T.D. and officials from his Department in this regard.
Under my direction senior officials from the OPW met with officials from Roscommon County Council on 20th June 2022 with those discussions focused on identifying possible approaches to a viable solution to manage the flooding risk at Lough Funshinagh. There is on-going engagement with the Council and further meetings are being scheduled to follow up on the matters discussed.
On 7 July 2022, my officials and I met with representatives of the Lough Funshinagh Community and their elected representatives to hear their concerns and representations in relation to the situation at Lough Funshinagh and I reassured them of my continued support to finding a viable solution to the flooding risk at Lough Funshinagh.
I can assure the Deputy that I am doing all that I can to support both the community and Roscommon County Council in progressing this matter to find an effective and sustainable solution to address the flooding risk in the area.
144. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he or his Department receive reports from a company (details supplied) on the financial returns to its shareholders; if so, the amount in each of the years 2014 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46845/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraNeither the Minister nor the Department receive specific reports from Premier Lotteries Ireland (“PLI”) on the financial returns to its shareholders. Nor does the Regulator of the National Lottery.
Pursuant to Section 47(2) of the National Lottery Act 2013, the Regulator receives a copy of the annual audited accounts of PLI and, in turn, provides this to the Department for laying before the Houses of the Oireachtas. To date:
- PLI has provided annual accounts in respect of the financial years 2014 to 2021 and these have been provided to the Department.
- PLI’s annual accounts for the years 2014 to 2020 have been laid before the House of the Oireachtas.
These accounts include certain information within the scope of the PQ, being relevant to a definition of financial returns to its shareholders:
- Dividends paid
- Repayment of shareholder loans
The table below sets out the figures for each of the above as extracted from PLI’s annual accounts for the financial years 2014 to 2021.
Premier Lotteries Ireland
Reports and Financial Statements for the financial years 2014 to 2021
Provided to Regulator under S.47(2) of the National Lottery Act 2013 and Cl.15.22/ Sch 7 of the Licence
|
A |
B |
C |
D |
|
|
Financial Year |
Laid before Houses of the Oireachtas |
Dividends Paid |
Repayment of Shareholder loans |
Reference to Accounts |
|
2014* |
Yes |
Nil |
Nil |
Directors' report, Note 16, Note 23 |
|
2015 |
Yes |
Nil |
Nil |
Directors' report, Note 16, Note 23 |
|
2016 |
Yes |
Nil |
Nil |
Directors' report, Note 16, Note 23 |
|
2017 |
Yes |
Nil |
Nil |
Directors' report, Note 17, Note 24 |
|
2018 |
Yes |
Nil |
Nil |
Directors' report, Note 17, Note 24 |
|
2019 |
Yes |
Nil |
Nil |
Directors' report, Note 19, Note 26 |
|
2020 |
Yes |
Nil |
20.0 |
Directors' report, Note 19, Note 25 |
|
2021 |
Pending |
Nil |
52.5 |
Directors' report, Note 19, Note 25 |
*For the period from 22 May 2013 (date of incorporation) to 31 December 2014
145. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the current status of a report (details supplied) that was commissioned by him into the treatment of good causes funding in other jurisdictions and to undertake a consultation on same; the timelines for the publication of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46846/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Lottery is a significant asset which plays an important role in generating funds for Good Causes throughout Ireland and across a range of areas including sport and recreation, culture and heritage, community health, the arts, and youth affairs.
The National Lottery Fund transferred €289m to the Exchequer in 2021 which represents a significant 14% increase on 2020 and is a record, unprecedented figure under the license commenced by Premier Lotteries Ireland (PLI) in 2014.
Circa €6 billion has been raised for Good Causes since the National Lottery commenced operations in 1987.
As agreed by Government, I commissioned an independent, external review to explore potential policy options to help provide a more transparent and effective model for distributing National Lottery. One of the key inputs to the report is a review and report on examples of systems used in other jurisdictions for the allocation of Lottery funding.
I believe that work on finalising and submitting the report is close to completion and I understand that the report will be available for my consideration in the near future. I will bring the Report to Government and publish it thereafter.
146. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide details of the pursuit training which park rangers receive and if he will confirm that the pursuit observed on North Road on 26 March 2022 of a car by a park ranger in an OPW pick-up truck was conducted by a suitably qualified individual and was in compliance with all necessary protocols and relevant legislation. [46854/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll Park Rangers are fully trained for the various duties relevant to their role. This includes training relating to traffic management and customer service.
147. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a contract (details supplied) will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46869/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commissioners of Public Works are finalising the contract referred to with the Chief State Solicitors Office and expect that this will be completed in the next couple of weeks.
148. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of the plans of the OPW for remedial works (details supplied) following the recommendations made in a report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46872/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Voluntary Homeowners Relocation Scheme was introduced by the Government in 2017 to address the very serious flooding of those properties that flooded in the Winter of 2015/16, including those properties flooded by turloughs. The scheme is administered by the Office of Public Works (OPW).
To be eligible for assistance under this once-off Scheme, a homeowner had to meet a number of conditions, including that floodwater entered and damaged the building during or as a result of flooding during relevant dates such as to render it uninhabitable and that there is no viable engineering solution that could protect the property from future flooding.
Remedial Works is a unique and once-off scheme that has been designed as part of the Voluntary Home Relocation Scheme. These works are identified engineering solutions to be implemented by the relevant local authority that would protect properties that would otherwise be eligible for relocation and for which there is no other funding source. The OPW can provide initial funding to the local authority to carry out preliminary assessments and reports to inform the viability of any engineering solution. If an engineering solution will provide the required level of protection to a property from future flooding of the same magnitude as that experienced in the Winter of 2015/16 and is considered value for money in the context of the cost of relocation, the OPW can provide the local authority with the funding necessary to implement the works.
In the case referred to by the Deputy, the Council applied to the OPW for funding for the Council to commission a report that would inform any potential engineering solution for the property concerned. This was approved. The Council has received the report and has been considering its contents. A meeting between the OPW and the Council is due to be held shortly to consider the matter, and the property owner will be contacted shortly thereafter.
149. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will provide a schedule of the costs for all live studies, reviews and research projects undertaken or commissioned by him; and the details of the person or body that is conducting each study, review and research project in tabular form. [47050/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFurther to my reply to Parliamentary Question 246 on 20 September, 2022, the further information requested by the Deputy for my Department, including the Office of Government Procurement, is set out in the tables below.
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
|
Purpose of review / research / study |
Provider |
Cost |
|
The development of guidance for Departments preparing action plans to address the recommendations of an Organisational Capability Review |
Institute of Public Administration |
€15,300 |
|
Review of the Public Service Innovation Fund |
Internal by staff of the Dept |
No additional cost |
|
Review of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 |
Internal / IPSOS MRBI |
€32,964 |
|
Research into the impacts of open data use in Ireland |
External Research fellow |
Funded by Science Foundation Ireland |
|
Well-being and public policy – utilising a well-being perspective to inform public policy |
Internal by staff of the Dept |
No additional cost |
|
Well-being and public policy – utilising a well-being perspective to inform the budgetary process |
Internal by staff of the Dept |
No additional cost |
|
Spending Reviews 2022 – A key platform for evidence informed policy making across the Civil Service |
Internal by staff of the Dept |
No additional cost |
|
Public consultation for views on digital public services and to inform priorities for these services |
Internal by staff of the Dept |
No additional cost |
|
An Analysis of the IDA Regional Property Programme |
Internal by staff of the Dept |
No additional cost |
|
An analysis of Own Resource Income within Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland |
Internal by staff of the Dept |
No additional cost |
|
Independent Review Panel established to review Senior Public Service recruitment and pay processes |
Panel Members: Dr. Donal de Buitléir, Jenny Smyth and Bryan Andrews |
Fees are payable on a pro rata basis to IRP members depending on the time taken to finalise the Review based on an overall annual cost of €44,460 |
|
Review of the Process for the Distribution and Utilisation of National Lottery Funds |
Internal with support from Indecon Consultants |
€44,280 |
|
IGEES Analytical Notes |
Internal by staff of the Dept |
No additional cost |
|
Lives of Older People in Ireland – utilising the Well-being Framework for Ireland to describe people’s lives |
Internal by staff of the Dept |
No additional cost |
|
Report on alignment of Current Budgetary Expenditure with Policy Objectives specifically as it relates to ex ante evaluation of current expenditure. |
Internal by staff of the Dept |
No additional cost |
Office of Government Procurement
|
Purpose of review / research / study |
Provider |
Cost |
|
Study to examine the efficiency and effectiveness of the public procurement processes in Ireland |
OECD |
€50,000 |
|
Review of inflation provisions in contracts published under the Capital Works Management Framework |
Ernst & Young |
€252,690 |
|
Consultant Engagement Review under the Capital Works Management Framework |
Internal by staff of the OGP |
No additional cost |
|
Review of the operation of the roles of the Standing Conciliator and Project Board (introduced by the OGP in 2016), relative to dispute resolution procedures in the public works contracts |
Internal by staff of the OGP |
No additional cost |
150. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if additional funding will be granted for clearance works along the Kilmastulla River in Birdhill, County Tipperary given that the level of funding that is currently being provided is not sufficient to get the necessary works carried out in a timely manner, and that the banks near the mouth of the river have subsided and considerably slowed the flow of the river; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47061/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the maintenance of Arterial Drainage Schemes and catchment drainage schemes designated under the Arterial Drainage Acts of 1945 and 1995. The maintenance of all drainage schemes carried out under earlier Acts, for locations known as Drainage Districts, is the responsibility of the relevant Local Authority.
The Kilmastulla River at Birdhill is part of a Drainage District that is maintained by Tipperary County Council and the OPW has no responsibility for the maintenance of this river, nor the authority to carry out any works there.
151. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if each OPW-staffed heritage site has at least one defibrillator on site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47249/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe installation of defibrillators at OPW heritage sites has been done on a case by case basis. At some of the sites with shorter seasons, for example, it is not feasible to have a defibrillator onsite as it would not be possible to carry out the necessary maintenance on the unit while the site is closed. The OPW is reviewing the position regarding defibrillators with a view to ensuring more fulsome coverage, and plans to install a defibrillator at every heritage site.
The following list details which OPW heritage sites have at least one defibrillator on site.
|
Site |
Defibrillator on site |
|
Altamont |
Yes |
|
Anne's Grove Gardens |
No |
|
Áras an Uachtaráin |
Yes |
|
Arbour Hill Cemetery |
No |
|
Ardfert Cathedral |
No |
|
Askeaton Castle |
No |
|
Athenry Castle |
No |
|
Aughnanure Castle |
No |
|
Ballyhack Castle |
No |
|
Barryscourt Castle |
No |
|
Battleof the Boyne Visitor Centre |
Yes |
|
Blasket Islands and Centre |
Yes |
|
Boyle Abbey |
No |
|
Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre |
Yes |
|
Cahir Castle |
Yes |
|
Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery |
No |
|
Casino Marino |
Yes |
|
Castletown |
Yes |
|
Céide Fields Visitor Centre |
Yes |
|
Charles Fort |
Yes |
|
Clonmacnoise Visitor Centre |
Yes |
|
Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre |
No |
|
Custom House Visitor Centre |
Yes |
|
Derrynane |
Yes |
|
Desmond Castle |
No |
|
Desmond Hall |
No |
|
Donegal Castle |
No |
|
Doneraile Estate |
No |
|
Dublin Castle |
Yes |
|
Dún Aonghasa |
Yes |
|
Dungarvan Castle |
No |
|
Dunmore Cave |
Yes |
|
Emo Court |
Yes |
|
Ennis Friary |
No |
|
Farmleigh |
Yes |
|
Ferns Castle |
No |
|
Fota Arboretum |
Yes |
|
Garden of Remembrance |
No |
|
Glebe House & Gallery |
Yes |
|
Glendalough Visitor Centre |
Yes |
|
Grangegorman Military Cemetery |
No |
|
Heywood Gardens |
Yes |
|
Hill of Tara |
No |
|
Ilnacullin |
Yes |
|
Ionad Cultúrtha an Phiarsaigh, Connemara |
No |
|
Irish National War Memorial Gardens |
No |
|
Iveagh Gardens |
No |
|
Jerpoint Abbey |
No |
|
JFK Arboretum |
Yes |
|
Kells Priory |
No |
|
Kilkenny Castle |
Yes |
|
Kilmainham Gaol |
Yes |
|
Listowel Castle |
No |
|
Loughcrew |
No |
|
Maynooth Castle |
No |
|
National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin |
Yes |
|
National Botanic Gardens, Kilmacurragh |
Yes |
|
Newmills Corn & Flax Mills |
No |
|
Old Mellifont Abbey |
No |
|
Ormond Castle |
Yes |
|
Parke's Castle |
No |
|
Pearse Museum/St. Endas |
Yes |
|
Phoenix Park |
Yes |
|
Portumna Castle |
No |
|
Rathfarnham Castle |
Yes |
|
Reginald's Tower |
No |
|
Rock of Cashel |
Yes |
|
Roscrea Heritage |
No |
|
Ross Castle |
No |
|
Royal Hospital Kilmainham |
Yes |
|
Scattery Island Visitor Centre |
Yes |
|
Sceilig Mhichíl |
Yes |
|
Sligo Abbey |
No |
|
St. Audoen's Church |
No |
|
St. Mary's Church, Gowran |
No |
|
St. Stephen's Green |
Yes |
|
Swiss Cottage |
Yes |
|
The Mainguard |
No |
|
Tintern Abbey |
No |
|
Trim Castle |
Yes |
152. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if it has been decided when the next call for funding under the sports capital grant will be made; and if changes are planned in the format of the next call. [46702/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) closed for applications on Monday 1 March 2021 and by the deadline a record 3,106 applications were submitted. The final set of allocations under this round (on foot of capital appeals) was announced on Tuesday 31 May.
The priority in the short term is to advance the successful applications, of which there are almost 2,900, to "formal approval" and grant drawdown stage which requires detailed engagement with all grantees. Now that the appeals process is complete, my Department has also begun a full review of all aspects of the 2020 round of the SCEP and any recommendations arising will be reflected in the terms and conditions of the next round. Following the completion of the review, I will announce the exact timing of the next round but it is hoped to have it open for applications early in the New Year.
153. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if Tourism Ireland plans to have a billboard advertisement campaign in major bus and train stations and in major international airports in the United States to promote tourism in Ireland. [46834/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of developing national tourism policy and the tourism agencies (Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland) deal with the implementation of this policy. Tourism Ireland is the agency responsible for promoting the island of Ireland overseas as a tourism destination.
The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Tourism Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Tourism Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
154. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department will be providing details of the funding schemes that are available for local festivals and events; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46961/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra155. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department will be providing details of the funding schemes that are available for local festivals and events that will be funded by the Arts Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46962/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 155 together.
The Arts Council offers a wide range of financial supports across art forms and arts practices, including festivals. The Arts Council sees festivals as key producers and presenters of the arts and are critical to engaging large and diverse audiences. The Arts Council also provides financial support to a number of single art form festivals (e.g. theatre, dance, film) and such festivals are supported within the policy context of those art forms. The Council also supports many multidisciplinary arts festivals, meaning those festivals that programme across different art forms, including literature, music, street arts, theatre, visual arts and different areas of arts practice. Their Festivals Investment Scheme, for example, is specifically designed to offer support to local/voluntary organisations to develop arts festivals. The larger festivals regularly supported by the Council include the Wexford Festival Opera and the Galway Arts Festival. Further details can be accessed on the Arts Council’s website at the following link www.artscouncil.ie/Arts-in-Ireland/Festivals/
My Department run a Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools Scheme. The Scheme is designed to support local cultural festivals and summer schools which are not in receipt of other central Government monies, and which may not be eligible under funding criteria for larger scale events supported by Fáilte Ireland, the Arts Council and similar bodies. The maximum funding available under this scheme is capped at €5,000. Details of the 34 events that were supported under the Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools taking place around Ireland in 2022 can be found via this link www.gov.ie/en/press-release/247c6-minister-martin-announces-funding-for-small-scale-local-festivals-and-summer-schools/
The Department also provides funding to support Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ), which is the largest group involved in the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music both at community and national level. Annual funding is provided to CCÉ for its work in the protection and promotion of Irish traditional music and culture. Many of us welcomed the return of the Fleadh Cheoil that took place in Mullingar from 31 July to 7 August. As the greatest annual gathering under the auspices of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, the Fleadh is principally organised at community level by the local branches in partnership with the local authority, media and other partners and sponsors.
The Creative Ireland Programme is a culture-based programme led by my Department to promote individual, community and national well-being. Its core proposition is that participation in arts, cultural and heritage-based activities drives personal and collective creativity, with significant implications for individual and societal well-being and achievement. Under the Creative Communities initiative in the Creative Ireland Programme, my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage provide funding to each of the 31 local authorities to enable them to implement their individual Culture and Creativity Strategies 2018-2022. These Strategies were developed in 2017 following extensive local public consultation and are unique to each local authority, reflecting the breadth of cultural and creative work being undertaken in each area as well as the strategic priorities identified by the local community. Within this context, many festivals and events have received support from their local authorities. Further information is available on www.creatieireland.gov.ie/en/creative-communities/
Fáilte Ireland supports local authorities in the development of tourism in their area including funding for capital investment, festivals and events. Festivals and participative events are also an important part of Irish tourism activities and in this context, Fáilte Ireland operate the Festival Innovation Programme Fund, which can be found at this link: www.failteireland.ie/Identify-Available-Funding/Festivals-Innovation-Programme.aspx
Festivals and events also play a significant part in attracting and holding visitors in particular areas of Ireland at different times of the year. Tourism Ireland works closely with many festivals to provide exposure for them in key markets overseas. The St Patrick’s Festival, Galway 2020, Cork Jazz Festival, and Wexford Festival Opera are just some examples of festivals which have received extensive coverage through Tourism Ireland’s marketing overseas. Tourism Ireland also work with Culture Ireland to bring the best of Ireland’s artists, writers, poets, musicians and dancers to the attention of enthusiasts and new audiences.
