Written Answers Nos. 40-61
41. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans for the future sports capital grants programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47506/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.
The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1 March 2021 and by the deadline a record 3,106 applications were submitted.
Approximately one thousand of the submitted applications were for 'equipment-only' projects. These applications were assessed first and grants with a total value of €16.6 million were announced on 6 August, 2021.
The remaining capital applications were then assessed and 1,865 individual grant offers with a total value of over €143.8 million were announced on Friday 11 February 2022.
Unsuccessful applicants were able to appeal the Department's decision. The deadline for submission of capital appeals was Monday 4 April and 146 appeals were received. The assessment of all appeals is complete and the consequent allocations amounting to €6.14 million were announced on Tuesday 31 May.
The total allocation of €150 million for capital projects, and €166.6 million for the 2020 round in total, represents the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP.
The priority in the short term is to advance the successful applications, which number almost 2,900, under the 2020 round to "formal approval" and grant drawdown stage. This requires detailed, ongoing engagement with all grantees.
Following completion of the appeal process, my Department has subsequently undertaken 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, the Department will announce the exact timing of the next round but it is hoped to have it open for applications in the new year.
42. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports in place to enable new swimming pools to be established in locations in which a need for such a facility has been researched and proven; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47583/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to my Department's responsibilities, capital funding for new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools was previously provided through the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP). A total of 52 pools has been completed under the LASPP and three swimming pool projects (Lucan, Buncrana and Edenderry) remain in the programme with the Lucan project currently under construction.
My Department's capital support for any new swimming pools is now being provided through the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The National Development Plan provided a capital allocation of at least €100 million for the Fund over the period to 2027.
The first call for proposals under the LSSIF closed in 2019 with applications confined to local authorities and National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of Sport. All applications were assessed in accordance with the published Evaluation Procedures and Guidelines and the first allocations were announced in January 2020. Thus far, approximately €86.4 million has been awarded to 33 different proposals. These initial allocations include funding for 8 swimming pool projects as follows:
1. Laois: Portarlington Leisure Centre Swimming Pool [Allocation €300,000]
2. Sligo: Waterpoint Aqua Park [Allocation €300,000]
3. Kilkenny: The Watershed Development, [Allocation €1,443,750]
4. Limerick: Askeaton Pool and Leisure [Allocation €646,659]
5. Wicklow: Wicklow Swimming Pool and Leisure Centre [Allocation €864,177]
6. Louth: Dundalk Leisure Centre [Allocation €300,000]
7. Galway: Galway Regional Aquatic & Fitness Centre [Allocation €8,003,415]
8. Dublin: Samuel Beckett Civic Campus Phase 2 [Allocation €5,000,000]
The priority in the short term is to advance all LSSIF projects, including these swimming pools, to construction stage.
In relation to future swimming pool funding, my Department is currently undertaking a review of progress on all existing LSSIF grants. As part of this review, my Department is also considering the timing of any new call for proposals. The review work is at an advanced stage and is expected to be finalised shortly.
Furthermore, the National Sports Policy commits to the development of a National Swimming Strategy. As part of this, there will be a review of swimming pool provision to identify where gaps exist and how these can be met. A working group has been established and is meeting on a regular basis with a view to drafting the new Strategy.
The outcome of the LSSIF Review and the National Swimming Strategy will be important considerations when deciding how funding will be provided for any new swimming pool proposals.
43. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceist Pharlaiminte Uimhir 25 den 21 Meitheamh 2022, an ndearbhóidh sí go bhfuil oifigeach pleanála teanga ceaptha i mBearna agus Cnoc na Cathrach; an ndéanfaidh sí soiléiriú a thabhairt ar stádas chur i bhfeidhm Phlean Teanga Bhearna agus Chnoc na Cathrach; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [47572/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFaoi mar a chur mé in iúl roimhe seo i gCeist Pharlaiminte 32232/22 , rinne mé plean teanga an Limistéir Pleanála Teanga Gaeltachta: Bearna agus Cnoc na Cathrach a fhaomhadh faoin bpróiseas pleanála teanga i mí Bealtaine 2021.
I mí Meithimh na bliana seo, d’fhógair Údarás na Gaeltachta go rabhthas ag lorg áisitheora chun tacú leis an eagraíocht an próiseas pleanála teanga a thabhairt céim chun cinn sa LPT seo.
Tuigtear don Roinn ó Údarás na Gaeltachta, atá freagrach as feidhmiú an phróisis ar an talamh sa Ghaeltacht, gur cheapadh duine i mí Iúil chun seirbhísí áisitheoireachta, meantóireachta agus comhairleoireachta a chur ar fáil d’ionadaithe Choiste Pleanála Teanga Bhearna agus Chnoc na Cathrach le cuidiú le baill an choiste an pobal a mhealladh agus a spreagadh le bheith páirteach sa bpróiseas pleanála teanga agus le tacú leo struchtúr foirmiúil a bhunú leis an bplean teanga atá ceadaithe don limistéar a fheidhmiú.
Tuigtear freisin go bhfuil Údarás na Gaeltachta ag súil go bhféadfar struchtúr foirmeálta a bhunú sa Limistéar Pleanála Teanga agus post d’Oifigeach Pleanála Teanga a fhógairt roimh dheireadh na bliana seo.
44. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide a comparison between Ireland's arts expenditure and that of Spain, France, and Denmark. [47589/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are limited robust methodologies for international comparisons of Government expenditure on culture. Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, collects data on general government expenditure by economic function using an international Classification of the Functions of Government (CoFoG).
COFOG was designed by the United Nations in the 1970s and Eurostat applies a version of COFOG developed by the OECD. Eurostat ensures the standardisation of methodologies across Member States as well as validating and disseminating the data.
Under the system, public functions are divided into ten classes, which are further broken down into subclasses. The 8th class is Recreation, culture and religion. It has six subclasses as follows:-
08 - Recreation, culture and religion
08.1 - Recreational and sporting services
08.2 - Cultural services
08.3 - Broadcasting and publishing services
08.4 - Religious and other community services
08.5 - R&D Recreation, culture and religion
08.6 - Recreation, culture and religion n.e.c. (not elsewhere classified)
While Class 8 as a whole is too broad to give any useful comparisons, the second and third sub-classes - 08.2 Cultural Services and 08.3 Broadcasting and publishing services - are of interest when comparing expenditure on the arts. New COFOG figures are published once a year in Spring for the penultimate complete calendar year. Eurostat published figures for 2020 on 22 February 2022. In each Sub-class, three sets of data are provided for each Member state and the EU average; amount of public expenditure, its percentage of total public expenditure and its percentage of GDP. The table below give the 2020 figures for Ireland along with the EU average.
|
08 Recreation Culture & Religion |
Expenditure |
% of GDP |
% of GDP |
% of total |
expenditure |
|
Subclass 2020 |
Ireland |
Ireland |
EU |
Ireland |
EU |
|
08.2 Cultural Services |
€793m |
0.2 |
0.5 |
0.8 |
1.0 |
|
08.3 Broadcasting & Publishing Services |
€683m |
0.2 |
0.2 |
0.7 |
0.4 |
In 2020, Ireland's expenditure on cultural services totalled 0.8% of total public expenditure compared with the EU average of 1%, while expenditure on broadcasting and publishing services at 0.7% exceeded the EU average of 0.4%. International comparisons based on GDP are complex in the case of the Irish economy.
The following table is of expenditure on a per capita basis based on Eurostat data (General Government expenditure by function (CoFoG) (online data code: GOV_10A_EXP).
|
Country |
General Government Expenditure on Cultural Services 2020 (€ Million) |
Population 2020 |
General Government Expenditure on Cultural Service per capita spending 2020 (€) |
|
Spain |
5,549.0 |
47,332,614 |
117 |
|
European Union - 27 countries |
69,404.5 |
447,485,231 |
155 |
|
Ireland |
793.5 |
4,964,440 |
160 |
|
France |
16,642.0 |
67,485,231 |
247 |
|
Denmark |
1,933.3 |
5,822,763 |
332 |
Per capita General Government Expenditure on cultural services in Ireland in 2020 therefore was higher than the EU average. In this context, it should be noted that expenditure on Arts and Culture by my Department in 2023 will over 82% higher than it was in 2020 due to a range of measures including the significant increase in funding for the Arts Council to its current record level of €130m, the introduction of the Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme, and higher levels of investment in Screen Ireland and cultural infrastructure.
45. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans for the Invitation initiative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47507/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhilst the tourism sector continues to emerge from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is also important that we plan for further recovery and rebuilding. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to develop a new tourism initiative to aid recovery in the sector. This new initiative will seek to promote and build on the warmth of our welcome, the beauty of our landscape and the richness of our culture.
Similarly, the Tourism Recovery Plan 2020-2023 includes a recommendation to develop a Global Invitation programme to stimulate international demand. 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.
To that end, my officials, in consultation with the tourism agencies, began this year the conceptual development process and consideration is also being given as to the most opportune timeframe for delivery to ensure that this initiative will help to galvanise the tourism response overseas and boost resilience in the sector.
€5 million in additional funding was secured in Budget 2022 to begin preparations for this project. This funding has been utilised by the tourism agencies for a range of preparatory work including concept development, consumer/trade/industry research, creative development, content capture and enhanced programme development.
A further €5 million has been secured in Budget 2023 to continue the development of this initiative and to bring it to life in as effective a manner as a possible. I hope to bring proposals to Government in the coming weeks outlining my ambition for this project and providing further detail on the work underway. I firmly believe that this project will provide an excellent opportunity to aid the recovery in multiple sectors that have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
46. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to support additional households to become host households for Gaeltacht summer colleges. [47532/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to support language acquisition and enrichment opportunities in Gaeltacht regions for second and third-level students from all over the country - in overall support of the Government’s objectives for the language as set out in the 20-Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010–2030 - my Department administers a scheme - Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge (SFG), under which a daily subsidy is payable to eligible Gaeltacht families who provide certified accommodation for those who attend one of the 42 Gaeltacht Irish language colleges recognised under the scheme.
In order to further support the sector, I have introduced a number of measures in the current year:
- An increase of 10% in the daily grant paid to host families under the Department’s Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge at a cost of c. €400,000.
- Provision of a €400,000 fund under the DEIS Gaeltachta initiative to give an opportunity to over 400 students from DEIS post-primary schools to attend a Gaeltacht Course
- Short courses of no less than 3 nights were also allowed under the scheme for this year only as an exceptional measure to further support the sector to re-open.
My officials are currently initiating further engagement in the coming weeks with relevant stakeholders with a view to advancing a number of new measures which will have as their overall objective the recruitment of new Gaeltacht households to the sector as well as the retention of existing Gaeltacht accommodation providers.
The Deputy may be assured that my Department remains committed to supporting the Irish summer colleges sector in line with the relevant commitments contained in the Government's Action Plan for the Irish Language 2018-2022.
47. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps she will take to promote and activate climate action in the wider sports sector, national governing bodies and Sport Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47522/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has a critical role to play in ensuring that the transition to a lower carbon economy fosters creativity, expands the possibilities for people visiting and living here to engage with nature, and that social and economic sustainability are at the heart of all future development in our sectors. We are doing this through a programme of specific actions under the Climate Action Plan that will promote sustainable practices across all of our sectors.
Under the Climate Action Plan, Sport Ireland is supporting Leave No Trace, which is an Outdoor Ethics Education Programme designed to promote and inspire responsible outdoor recreation through education, research and partnerships which will help to improve our outdoor recreation facilities and provide new opportunities for people to connect with nature. This action will be enhanced in 2023, when Sport Ireland will launch its interactive map of outdoor sports facilities.
Sport Ireland is currently undertaking a research project to map the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 to the United Nations Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, in order to capture and highlight the contribution of the National Sports Policy towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Sport Ireland expects to complete this project later in 2022.
Sport Ireland has also developed a comprehensive sustainability strategy for the National Sports Campus which will enable the campus to become an exemplar for sustainability.
The Department is currently developing a new Major Sports Events Policy, which was recently the subject of a public consultation process. The policy is still in development and it is envisaged that improving the sustainability of major sports events and exploring the use of high profile events as platforms to promote key Government priorities including sustainability, will be considered as part of that policy development process.
Capital funding for energy efficiency measures is provided as part of the Department’s Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) and Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). A review of the SCEP is underway and consideration is being given to expanding those sustainability supports under future rounds of the Programme.
At grassroots level, individual sports clubs and organisations can play a critical role in embedding positive climate actions within their communities. The GAA’s Green Clubs Programme, for instance, has been recognised as a Sustainable Development Goals Champions Programme.
48. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there are any energy efficiency grants for sports clubs to upgrade their all-weather floodlights to LED lights or more energy-efficient lighting. [47374/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country. Over 13,000 projects have now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.
The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday 1 March 2021 and by the deadline a record 3,106 applications were submitted. The total allocation of €166.6 million under the 2020 round, including €150 million for capital, represents the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP.
Under the SCEP, LED floodlighting is funded and is specifically referenced in the "Guide to Making an Application", whereas non-LED floodlighting is ineligible. Under past rounds, including the latest 2020 round, many clubs were successful in receiving allocations towards sustainable improvements such as conversion to LED lights. Under the latest round, €150 million was awarded to capital projects, many of which entailed the development of floodlighting. At least €11 million has been allocated to projects which sought to, inter alia, install or improve floodlighting under the 2020 round alone.
Energy-efficiency promoting grants are also available to sporting clubs and facilities via the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). Further details can be found on its website at www.seai.ie.
49. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceist Pharlaiminte 71 den 20 Eanáir 2022, an ndéanfaidh sí soiléiriú a thabhairt ar stádas an ghrúpa oibre a bunaíodh mar thoradh ar thaighde a rinneadh do Thuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta; cad é líon na n-uaireanta a bhuail an grúpa oibre le chéile go dtí seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [47575/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAr mhaithe le tuilleadh comhoibrithe, comhthuisceana agus comhpháirtíochta a chothú i measc páirtithe leasmhara a bhfuil baint acu le seachadadh tacaíochtaí do theaghlaigh Ghaeltachta atá, nó ar mhian leo a gclann a thógáil le Gaeilge, beidh a fhios ag an Teachta gur bhunaigh mo Roinn grúpa oibre le gairid. Tionóladh an chéad chruinniú den ghrúpa ar an 19 Iúil 2022 in oifigí mo Roinne. Beidh an grúpa oibre ag teacht le chéile arís go luath don dara chruinniú.
Tá an grúpa - atá faoi chathaoirleacht na Roinne - comhdhéanta d'ionadaíocht ón eagraíocht Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta, ó Chomhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta, na hoifigeach pleanála teanga agus Údarás na Gaeltachta. Beifear in ann cuireadh chun freastal ar chruinniú a thabhairt do pháirtithe leasmhara eile amach anseo, más gá.
Aithnítear gur taca é bunú an ghrúpa seo d'fheidhmiú bisiúil foriomlán an phróisis pleanála teanga sa Ghaeltacht.
Ar bhonn níos leithne, níor mhiste a nótáil gur ceadaíodh allúntas suas le €1.6m thar an tréimhse 2021 go 2023 do Thuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta anuraidh. Tagann an ciste ardaithe seo sna sála ar an gciste €1.03m a cuireadh ar fáil don eagraíocht don tréimhse dhá bhliain go leith roimhe seo chun clár comhaontaithe ar leas teaghlaigh Ghaeltachta a fheidhmiú. Anuas air sin, bhí ar mo chumas tacaíocht bhreise a cheadú don eagraíocht i mí Iúil na bliana seo chun go mbeidh siad in ann an Pacáiste Tacaíochta Teaghlaigh atá á riar acu thar ceann na Roinne a bhainistiú agus a fhorbairt. Mar chuid den allúntas breise sin, tá soláthar ann chun oifigeach breise a fhostú san eagraíocht chun dáileadh a dhéanamh ar an bpacáiste.
Is féidir leis an Teachta a bheith cinnte de go leanfaidh mé orm, fad mo chumais, chun tacú leis an obair seo uile mar chuid d'fheidhmiú leanúnach Phlean Gníomhaíochta an Rialtais don Ghaeilge.
51. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update on work under way to promote female participation in sport and enhanced female participation in leadership within sport. [47529/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAddressing women’s participation at all levels in sport is an important element of the National Sports Policy.
The Women in Sport funding programme is an important support for sporting bodies in putting programmes in place to increase women’s participation in their sports and to progress their strategic objectives for women in sport. Last year, Sport Ireland announced an investment of €4 million in the Women in Sport Programme for the 2021 - 2022 period. 45 National Governing Bodies (NGBs) are receiving funding under this investment. A further €265,000 was invested last year in the Local Sports Partnerships under the Programme.
Sport Ireland continues to promote women’s participation in sport. For example, recognising the importance that campaigns can play in encouraging and supporting women and girls to be active, the first ever HER Outdoors Week was held in August 2021. Due to the success of the campaign, Sport Ireland ran the event again this August. Over 350 events took place nationwide with over 7000 females participating across the 7 days. HER Outdoors week aims to celebrate and encourage more females to get out and enjoy the benefits of being in the outdoors while bringing visibility to the opportunities for females to get involved in outdoor physical activity. The campaign targets all females including females with a disability, females from diverse ethnic groups, older females, teenage girls, and females from disadvantaged areas, etc.
The Sports Action Plan sets a target for all NGBs to achieve 40% gender representation on their boards by the end of 2023. It is a particular priority for me to enable women to take more leadership positions in sport and the 40% target reflects this prioritisation. The most recent Board Composition Snapshot, which was published by Sport Ireland in December 2021, shows that the overall percentage of women on boards of NGBs has increased from 24% in 2019 to 32% in 2021. The Snapshot also highlights that 39 NGBs have now achieved representation of 30% or more women on their board, up from 19 NGBs in 2019.
Sport Ireland recently outlined their funding priorities for NGBs for 2023 onwards. From next year, Sport Ireland’s grant funding to sporting organisations will be more closely aligned to the Government’s key policies for sport with four specific funding priorities being included as an important element of Sport Ireland’s grant funding criteria. One of these priority funding areas for 2023 is the achievement of 40% gender balance on Boards of NGBs. This will ensure that the State’s investment in sport is delivering on this key policy objective. Failure by sporting organisations to achieve 40% gender balance on their boards will impact on future funding.
52. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the details of her engagements with the hospitality sector with regard to pricing and its impacts on tourism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46891/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraBusinesses are facing cost inflation and other economic stresses including rising costs in food and energy, increased wages in a competitive recruitment market and the cost of insurance. These are all factors that will find their way through to consumer prices.
The Hospitality and Tourism Forum, which is co-chaired by the Tánaiste and myself is the appropriate arena in which to discuss issues with the industry including pricing and its impacts on tourism, and other key questions arising as the sector rebuilds. The most recent meeting was held on 12th September 2022.
My Department continues to engage with bodies such as Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation and the Irish Hotels Federation in order to further understand underlying issues surrounding the recovery of the tourism sector and to emphasise the importance of maintaining a strong value proposition at the core of tourism.
53. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán conas a chinnteoidh sí go mbeidh Coimisiún nua na Meán ábalta plé leis na meáin Ghaeilge trí Ghaeilge agus riachtanais phobal na Gaeilge a thabhairt chun cinn. [47535/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTá mé den tuairim láidir go bhfuil gá le tuilleadh aitheantais a thabhairt do thábhacht theanga náisiúnta na tíre i leith chultúr agus fhéiniúlacht na hÉireann ar fud na hearnála craolacháin agus meán cumarsáide. Ní mór d’ábhar meán cumarsáide Gaeilge a bheith le feiceáil agus ionchuimsitheach agus ní mór teacht a bheith ag gach aoisghrúpa air.
Leis an mBille um Rialáil Sábháilteachta ar Líne agus na Meán, 2022, díscaoilfear Údarás Craolacháin na hÉireann, déanfar an Treoir maidir le Seirbhísí Meán Closamhairc (arna leasú) a thrasuí, déanfar foráil do chreat rialála cothrom le dáta do sheirbhísí craolacháin agus do sheirbhísí meán closamhairc ar éileamh, agus bunófar creat nua rialála do shábháilteacht ar líne, nuair a achtófar e agus a chuirfear tús leis.
Leis an mBille, bunófar Rialtóir nua neamhspleách, Coimisiún na Meán, chun maoirseacht a dhéanamh ar na creata rialála agus chun iad a chur i bhfeidhm agus chun ról tábhachtach a bheith aige in earnáil na meán níos leithne a fhorbairt agus a mhaoiniú.
I gcomhar le comhlachtaí eile, beidh ról láidir ag an gCoimisiún i dtacú leis an nGaeilge i seirbhísí meán cumarsáide. In Alt 7 den Bhille um Rialáil Sábháilteachta ar Líne agus na Meánleagtar amach roinnt feidhmeanna reachtúla do Choimisiún na Meán maidir leis an nGaeilge. Faoi alt 7, beidh oibleagáid ar an gCoimisiún úsáid na Gaeilge a chur chun cinn agus a ghríosú tríd na meáin chumarsáide a fheidhmíonn sa Stát, i dteannta le forbairt clár i nGaeilge a chur chun cinn agus a spreagadh.
Ina theannta sin, foráiltear in alt 53 den Bhille go n-úsáidfear 25% d’fháltais tobhaigh chun ábhar a léiriú a fhéadfaidh Coimisiún na Meán a thabhairt isteach chun léiriú ábhair Gaeilge a mhaoiniú.
Beidh ceathrar Coimisinéirí i gceannas ar Choimisiún na Meán i dtosach báire, lena n-áirítear Coimisinéir um Fhorbairt na Meán. Tá an próiseas earcaíochta le haghaidh an Choimisinéara um Fhorbairt na Meán ar bun, a fógraíodh an post an 29 Iúil. Meastar go mbeidh príomhfhreagracht ar an gCoimisinéir um Fhorbairt na Meán maidir le cur chun feidhme fheidhmeanna na Gaeilge a leagtar amach sa Bhille agus maidir le cur chun feidhme na moltaí a bhaineann leis an nGaeilge ó Thuarascáil Choimisiún um Thodhchaí na Meán, lena n-áirítear maoirseacht a dhéanamh ar athbhreithniú cuimsitheach ar sheirbhísí Gaeilge a chur ar fáil ar fud chóras na meán.
Maidir le cumas Choimisiún na Meán teagmháil a dhéanamh leis na meáin chumarsáide Ghaeilge agus leis an bpobal trí Ghaeilge, measfar gur comhlacht poiblí é an Coimisiún faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2021. Leis an Acht, cuirtear oibleagáidí feabhsaithe ar chomhlachtaí poiblí chun seirbhísí agus cumarsáid trí Ghaeilge a chur ar fáil.
54. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps her Department is taking to promote Sliabh na Calliagh at Loughcrew, County Meath, as a tourism destination. [46930/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Ancient Destination Experience Development Plan (DEDP), which was launched in May 2021 by Fáilte Ireland, is a five-year destination development plan. It is designed to be a roadmap for enhancing the existing visitor proposition to achieve the objectives of addressing seasonality, increasing visitor numbers, improving dwell time and visitor dispersion across the destination.
Two of the strategic Development Pillars in the Ancient DEDP involve unlocking the heritage assets and revealing the natural assets of the Boyne Valley. To do this, the DEDP aims to develop the portfolio of accessible heritage assets that will deliver best-in-class experiences, benefiting an area with UNESCO status and creating a collection of visitor experiences linking the heritage story through the natural assets of the area.
A catalyst project in the implementation of the Ancient DEDP is to review and re-imagine the Boyne Valley Drive. The project roadmap for this is now completed and it includes a delivery action plan. Timelines for the project are currently under consideration but it is hoped it will be initiated in 2023 and completed by 2025. The project extends across Meath and south Louth.
“Developing clusters” and “Connecting the Region” are the headings under which the Boyne Valley Drive will be re-imagined. This has involved the identification, prioritisation, and development of a range of strategic complementary projects within each identified cluster using time as the conduit that roots the visitor in the destination creating a consistent sense of place.
Loughcrew Cairns and Slieve na Calliagh collectively comprise the highest point in County Meath. This, along with the importance of the cairns, offers visitors an important connection to the landscape and the 5000-years of history. Protecting the monuments and managing visitors’ experience of this elevated landscape is key to any development of this cluster.
Fáilte Ireland aims to capitalise on the potential of existing sites like Slieve na Calliagh. In this context, specific to Loughcrew Cairns and Slieve na Calliagh, DEDP project 2, in partnership with the Office of Public Works (OPW), will:
- Undertake an examination of existing site review documents to establish areas of prioritisation in addressing visitor management requirements for the site and future inclusion in strategic projects between OPW and Fáilte Ireland.
- Provide experience development support for the identification of a range of management options for the site, accounting for the current archaeological management requirements of the site.
55. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the basic income for the arts pilot scheme. [47258/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver 9,000 applications were made under the scheme with over 8,200 assessed as eligible according to the published guidelines for the scheme. Eligible applications were then included in a randomised anonymous selection process to choose the participants. This process was overseen by EY acting as an independent verifier. Over 8,200 eligible applicants were included in the anonymised randomised selection to select the 2,000 BIA recipients and the control group of 1,000 participants.
The process of applicants accepting their places on the scheme and providing bank details to facilitate payment is almost complete and I would expect the first payment to issue shortly.
This is a research project and the main element of the research programme is a longitudinal study with the same survey being delivered every 6 months for 3 years. The data collected as part of the research will inform future Government policy in relation to how best to support artists.
56. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the interactions she has had with the Minister for Social Protection to ensure disabled artists in receipt of the basic income for the arts will not lose their disability allowance or blind pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47515/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was determined since the outset of the Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme that artists with disabilities would be in a position to participate in the scheme to the greatest extent possible within the legislative framework to ensure the research captured the experience of disabled artists.
To that end bilateral engagement has been ongoing between my Department and the Department of Social Protection for over a year, to get agreement that the payment will be treated as earnings from self-employment and can be taken into account in earnings disregards that applies to many social welfare payments including Disability Allowance. That means that the basic income for the arts will be treated like any other income a person on social welfare earns from employment.
The actual impact of the Basic Income on a person's welfare entitlements will depend on each individual’s circumstances, applicants will need to engage with the Department of Social Protection on the matter. The Department of Social Protection has undertaken to engage directly with disabled artists who are selected for the pilot to help them understand the impact accepting the payment would have in their individual circumstances.
The Department of Social Protection were also represented on the Oversight Committee I established tasked with advising on how best to implement the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce Report of which the basic income for the arts was the number one recommendation.
57. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if additional supports will be made available to support sporting organisations recovering from the impact of Covid-19. [47579/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland engages with sporting organisations on an ongoing basis and continues to support the sector in its recovery and development post-pandemic.
Significant Government funding of over €162 million was provided in the last two years to help sports organisations to recover and grow post-pandemic, support our grassroots networks of clubs and local sports partnerships, and ensure that people of all ages and abilities return to sport and physical activity.
Covid-19 is continuing to impact on the sport sector and the levels of active and social participation in sport have not yet returned to pre-Covid levels. In recognition of the ongoing challenges, funding is being made available again this year to support the sector.
Sport Ireland has been engaging with the National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) and is inviting applications under a grant funding scheme to support the sector in addressing challenges specifically associated with the pandemic. Sport Ireland is communicating directly with NGBs at present regarding the application process and the terms and conditions of the scheme. Similar to previous Covid-19 funding schemes, any funding will be allocated through the NGBs.
As the Deputy will be aware, a current funding allocation of €89.4 million has been announced for Sport Ireland in Budget 2023. This allocation will enable Sport Ireland to continue to support this valued sector next year.
58. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she expects the review into the large-scale sports infrastructure fund to be completed; the timeframe to reopen the fund once it has been received; and the process Monaghan County Council will have to engage in following the review in order to secure funding to provide a public swimming pool in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan. [46981/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPreviously, Government support for new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools was provided through the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP). 52 pools have been completed under the LASPP and 3 swimming pool projects remain in the programme.
In relation to funding support for new pool projects, the National Sports Policy was published in 2018 and provided for the establishment of a Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The National Development Plan provided a capital allocation of at least €100 million for the Fund over the period to 2027.
It was open to all local authorities and National Governing Bodies (NGBs) to apply for funding. All applications were assessed in accordance with the published Evaluation Procedures and Guidelines and the published scoring system. The first allocations under the LSSIF were announced in January 2020 and, thus far, approximately €86.4 million has been awarded to 33 different proposals. These initial allocations included funding for 8 swimming pool projects under Stream 2 of the LSSIF all of which are now at various stages of the due diligence process in keeping with the public spending code.
In relation to any future LSSIF funding, my Department is currently undertaking a review of progress on all existing LSSIF grants. As part of this review, my Department is also considering the timing of any new call for proposals. The review work is at an advanced stage and is expected to be finalised shortly.
Furthermore, the National Sports Policy commits to the development of a National Swimming Strategy. As part of this, there will be a review of swimming pool provision to identify where gaps exist and how these can be met. A working group has been established and is meeting on a regular basis with a view to drafting the new Strategy.
The outcome of the LSSIF Review and the National Swimming Strategy will be important considerations when deciding how funding will be provided for any new swimming pool proposals.
60. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports her Department is providing to keep children in sports. [47509/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIncreasing participation levels in sport for all age cohorts is a priority of the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 and is a key objective for my Department. In pursuit of that objective, we are committed to a Sport for All approach aimed at ensuring that all persons have the opportunity to partake equally in sport and physical activity, regardless of age, social-economic status, disability, or membership of, for example, the LGBTI+ community, the Traveller community or other ethnic minorities. Increasing participation amongst these groups is a core objective of the National Sports Policy 2018-2027, and will be an essential action if we are to achieve the target of 60% of the population participating in sport and physical activity.
At the end of November 2021, I launched a new Sports Action Plan covering the period up to the end of 2023; this includes a series of actions and initiatives aimed at increasing participation levels across the board including an Innovation Fund to promote innovative collaborative projects aimed at increasing sustainable participation in sport, an Inclusion, Diversity and Equality Fund, and a youth-centred stakeholder forum to guide the adoption of the strategic framework recommended in the Children’s Sport Participation and Physical Activity Study 2018.
In May 2022, my Department held a Youth Stakeholder Forum on sport where we gathered young people together at the Sport Ireland Campus in order to identify the barriers that are keeping young people from sport, and to gain some insight into how those barriers could be addressed. A report on that forum has been drafted and will help inform and direct the measures my Department takes to address youth participation in sport.
In May 2021, Sport Ireland published its Participation Plan 2021-2024 - Increasing Participation in Changing Ireland. The Participation Plan outlines how Sport Ireland will continue to help people to get active by removing barriers to participation in sport and physical activity in the coming years. Sport Ireland is undertaking several initiatives for children and young people under its Participation Plan. The Sport Ireland Participation Plan actions will be delivered through Local Sports Partnerships, National Governing Bodies, strategic partners, clubs, communities and individuals.
The Sport Ireland Participation Plan is built on, and guided by, the National Sports Policy 2018-2027 (NSP) and the Sport Ireland Strategy 2018-2022. The Participation Plan takes into consideration Healthy Ireland – A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013–2025 and the National Physical Activity Plan as well as global and national developments.
As the Deputy will be aware, a current funding allocation of €89.4 million has been announced for Sport Ireland in Budget 2023. This allocation will enable Sport Ireland to continue to support the sport sector next year, including support for increased participation at all levels.
61. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the total amount her Department has spent on Galway 2020; the number of times she has met with representatives of Galway 2020 since she took office; and the dates on which those meetings took place. [46931/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo date, my Department has spent €14 million on Galway 2020 European Capital of Culture. The breakdown of expenditure for the delivery of Galway 2020 including that from my Department is set out in reports published on the Galway 2020 website.
Meetings between my Department and representatives from Galway 2020 take place at official level. These included fortnightly which took place between senior officials in my Department and the Executive of Galway 2020 Company for the duration of the delivery of the cultural programme up to end June 2021.
Since then, regular meetings have been held as the operations for the delivery of the European Capital of Culture wound down and the plans for legacy developed. The next meeting is currently being planned for early October. It may be also noted that in between scheduled meetings, my Department remains in regular contact with representatives from Galway 2020 on any matters arising.
