Thursday, 17 Nov 2022

Written Answers Nos. 1-30

Sports Funding

Ceisteanna (2)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Ceist:

2. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if any progress has been made on development of a financial support scheme for Irish women’s soccer to provide a funding scheme funding to pay a core of the top-tier women footballers, and in the process supporting both the women’s national team and the women’s national league, allowing the best players a choice of staying in Ireland rather than being forced abroad to play at a professional level. [57002/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

This is a hugely exciting time for women’s football in Ireland. The wonderful achievement of the Irish women's team in qualifying for next year’s World Cup Finals presents a real opportunity to grow the women’s game even further at all levels including the women’s national league.

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) launched its 2022-2025 Strategy in February this year and developing the full potential of football for women and girls is a core objective of that strategy. I note also that a separate Women and Girls Football Development Plan is expected to be finalised shortly by the FAI and that they have recently announced a recruitment process for a Head of Women’s and Girls football to continue the development of the women’s game.

At present, Government funding for football is primarily aimed at supporting the delivery of programmes at local level, including programmes such as Football for All, Summer Soccer Schools and Late Night Leagues. Women in Sport Funding is also provided to the FAI to support participation by women and girls. €64,000 has been allocated to the FAI in Women in Sport funding for 2021 and 2022.

In accordance with the Government’s Memorandum of Understanding with the FAI, €5.8 million will be allocated to the FAI for football development each year between 2020 and 2023. From that amount, €0.8 million is to be dedicated to programmes that underpin the development of the League of Ireland and the Women’s National League.

While the issue of payments to players is a matter for the FAI, I believe that sports should endeavour to put systems and supports in place to give athletes and players the opportunity to stay in Ireland and compete at the highest level.

Sport Ireland has very recently received a proposal from the FAI seeking additional funding for initiatives that will raise the profile and standards of the Women’s National League and its players by providing an enhanced playing and training environment for Women’s National League of Ireland players and teams and this proposal will be reviewed and assessed by Sport Ireland in the normal course. Both Minister Catherine Martin and I strongly believe that Government can play a key role in accelerating the closing of the opportunity gap for women’s participation at the highest levels of sport. A range of National Governing Bodies of Sport are developing strategies in this regard and I look forward to engaging with them in the coming months.

Questions Nos. 3 to 9, inclusive, answered orally.

Sport and Recreational Development

Ceisteanna (10)

Steven Matthews

Ceist:

10. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way that her Department intends to protect referees at local matches from physical and verbal abuse; the engagement that has taken place with national governing bodies and match official representatives on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56769/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Any form of abuse, discrimination or inappropriate behaviour towards anyone involved in sport is absolutely unacceptable. Referees, and all other officials, and players, are an integral part of our sporting structure and deserve to be respected for the important role they play in sport. There have unfortunately been too many examples of this abuse in recent times and it cannot be allowed to continue.

It is important that sporting organisations across all sports provide a safe environment for referees, officials and players and, where abuse and threatening behaviour is aimed at them, appropriate action must be taken by the sporting organisations.

Sporting organisations have handed out strong sanctions for violent incidents that occurred during the summer and we need to see them follow through on sanctions for anyone involved in any such incidents. A culture of mutual respect needs to be supported by decisive action on and off the field of play.

While the primary responsibility for ensuring a respectful and disciplined environment rests with individual participants and their National Governing Bodies, my officials have commenced discussions with Sport Ireland on this serious matter with a view to seeing what horizontal actions can be implemented.

At next week's Sport Ireland annual Governance conference, which will be attended by representatives of the National Governing Bodies, there will be a specific component focusing on respect for referees and officials. I will be addressing the conference and will once again be calling on National Governing Bodies to make sure that they take measures to eliminate abuse of referees and impose the sanctions that they have put in place.

Equality Issues

Ceisteanna (11)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Ceist:

11. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the provisions that are in place to ensure that artists who are members of the Travelling community are properly represented and supported within the arts sector in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56904/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

The Travelling Community has a rich culture, with unique traditions and crafts which are an integral part of the heritage of this island.

My Department is represented on the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) Committee, which is chaired by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and in this context provides regular updates to the committee.

The Creative Ireland Programme is a culture based initiative in my Department that is designed to promote individual, community and national wellbeing. It engages and supports members of the Travelling Community including artists who are members of the Travelling Community. Funding through the Creative Ireland Programme is also deployed indirectly by key programme partners to support community-led initiatives for Travellers through, for example, its Creative Youth and Creative Communities initiatives.

Through its Creative Health and Wellbeing initiative, my Department together with the Department of Health, HSE and Arts Council has rolled out a Traveller Wellbeing through Creativity pilot initiative in 2022 directly funding projects that resonate with Travellers and are co-produced by Travellers.

In addition, my Department has provided funding to support the Irish Travellers / Mincéirs and the State, 1922-2022 Conference , which took place in September. The 2-day conference was organised and led by the National University of Ireland Galway with support from my Department as part of the Decade of Centenaries Programme 2012 to 2023.

Details of these programmes are online.

The Arts Council is the national agency for funding, developing and promoting the arts in Ireland. In 2022, I secured an amount of €130m for the Council and this level of funding is retained in 2023. The Council has developed an Equality, Human Rights and Diversity (EHRD) Policy and Strategy. In this context, I understand that the Arts Council set up a partnership with Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre earlier this year. and through Pavee Point will be working with other Traveller organisations in order to increase Traveller inclusion, visibility and participation in the arts in Ireland.

It is important that arts policy is centred on respecting diversity of artistic practice, of public engagement, and of social and cultural traditions. In this context, I believe in the importance of supporting and promoting the cultural contribution of Travellers and Traveller organisations in Irish society.

Questions Nos. 12 and 13 answered orally.

Film Industry

Ceisteanna (14)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

14. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her attention has been drawn to the concerns recently raised by an organisation (details supplied) regarding the buy-out contracts and inadequate remuneration for actors and performers in relation to their intellectual property rights on publicly-funded film productions and the concerns raised by representatives of film crew about blacklisting and the lack of rights for workers on publicly-funded film productions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56981/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (Deputy Catherine Martin)

The buy-out of contracts relating to intellectual property rights as well as copyright issues in general, falls under the remit of my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

The EU (Copyright and Related Rights in the Digital Single Market) Regulations 2021 were signed into Irish law by the Tánaiste on 12 November 2021 and came into effect on the same date. These Regulations transposed the 2019 EU Copyright Directive into Irish law.

The new law strengthens the position of performers when making an agreement to transfer the rights of their work by requiring the following principles to be followed in making such an agreement:

- a right to appropriate and proportionate remuneration

- a 'transparency obligation' to help them access more information about how their work is being used;

- a 'contract adjustment mechanism' to enable them to obtain a fair share when the remuneration originally agreed becomes disproportionately low compared to the success of their work or performance;

- a 'right of revocation' allowing them to take back their rights when their works are not being used.

Concerns raised by the organisation referred to by the Deputy can be referred to the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). Under Section 481 procedures, applicants must provide details of any WRC decisions in relation to the qualifying company, the producer company or other companies in the film group, and where those decisions are a finding against such a company, confirmation that the finding has been followed or an explanation where the finding has not been followed must be provided.

A meeting with the organisation referred to will be attended by officials of my Department and Screen Ireland tomorrow to discuss copyright and the issue of protection of intellectual property within the film tax relief.

I would also call the Deputy’s attention to the Film Crew agreement between the ICTU film group of trade unions and Screen Producers Ireland, which has been operating successfully for two years.

Finally, under the Safe to Create Programme, a training programme has been developed on Dignity at Work issues, including tackling bullying and harassment, unconscious bias and bystander training. In the coming weeks, Screen Ireland funding will require a majority of persons working on productions to have completed these training courses.

Question No. 15 answered orally.

Sports Funding

Ceisteanna (16)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

16. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason that County Louth received the lowest level of funding in the country through the Sport Ireland Dormant Account Funding announced on 27 October 2022 despite the key recommendations in the Geiran Report including the need for greater levels of funding for sports clubs and organisations for Drogheda to address disadvantage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56924/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Grant allocations from Dormant Accounts to all Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) in each county are based on competitive bid processes scored in accordance with clearly defined and publicly available award criteria.

For each of the eight Dormant Account funding streams available for application by Local Sports Partnerships this year, applications were invited from all 29 Local Sports Partnerships, all of which submitted applications. Sport Ireland carried out a detailed assessment of these, involving an evaluation based on a scoring matrix that considered the quality, content and context of the project proposal. Louth Local Sports Partnership applied for 4 streams of Dormant Accounts funding in 2022 and was successful in 3 out of 4 of its applications. The three successful measures concerned a €30,000 allocation to a Community Sports Hub, a €5,000 allocation for Volunteer Supports and €6,500 for a Get Girls Active programme.

The only application in which the Louth LSP was unsuccessful concerned its proposed Urban Outdoor Adventure initiative, for which it sought €45,000. In this particular competition, 13 LSPs applied, and Louth LSP did not receive a high enough score to receive funding for its initiative. The scoring system deployed in this context encompasses a wide range of factors that include the level of disadvantage in communities of the type identified in the Drogheda Implementation Plan, the quality of the project, its goals and capacity to deliver increased participation as well as value for money and the project's sustainability and capacity for growth in the future. Further details are available from Sport Ireland upon request.

Dormant Accounts measures will continue to be highly prominent in our efforts to secure improved sports participation in disadvantaged communities, in Drogheda and elsewhere, and I would encourage all Local Sports Partnerships to engage actively with Sport Ireland in the roll-out of next year's funding programmes which will again involve considerable opportunities for all LSPs.

Furthermore, my Department also administers the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) . The 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. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising the investment in disadvantaged areas.

The final allocations under the latest round of the SCEP were announced in May of this year and the total allocation of over €166 million represented the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP. Included in this record level of allocations was over €4.3m for projects in Louth alone. I will announce the exact timing of a new round shortly but it is hoped to have it open for applications early in the new year .

Questions Nos. 17 and 18 answered orally.

Legislative Measures

Ceisteanna (19)

Alan Farrell

Ceist:

19. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views that more legislation needs to be implemented to protect an independent media sector in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56989/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

A free and independent media is a cornerstone of democracy and plays a vital role in informing citizens and holding powerful institutions and interests to account. Ireland has a robust legislative foundation and regulatory framework designed to protect media freedom and media plurality.

An independent media is underpinned by Article 40.6.1 of the Constitution which provides for the right of citizens to express freely their convictions and opinions. These provisions are reinforced by equivalent provisions in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (CFREU).

Building on this foundation, the Broadcasting Act 2009 establishes an independent regulator, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), which must seek to provide a regulatory environment that will sustain independent and impartial journalism. Section 98 of the Act sets out that public service broadcasters are independent in the pursuance of their objectives, which specifically safeguards the editorial independence of RTÉ and TG4. In addition, Part 3A of the Competition Act 2002 sets out the statutory process for assessment of media mergers in Ireland. This provides important protections for media plurality and diversity.

The legislative framework for media regulation is currently being updated by the progression of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill 2022, which will dissolve the BAI and establish a new regulator, Coimisiún na Meán. In particular, section 7 of the Bill requires that An Coimisiún shall continue to provide a regulatory environment that will sustain independent and impartial journalism.

The Deputy may also be aware that the European Commission recently published a proposal for a European Media Freedom Act. The core objectives of the proposal are to strengthen the internal market for media services and to protect media pluralism and independence. The proposal includes a range of provisions designed to foster an environment for quality, independent media in the EU, including protections for journalistic sources and editorial freedom as well as strong safeguards for the independence of public service media.

I had the opportunity to meet with Commissioner Jourová, the European Commission Vice-President leading on the proposed Regulation, last month and to broadly welcome the objectives of the proposal. My Department is currently analysing its detailed provisions and in particular whether any aspects of the proposal may require further implementation in domestic legislation. Officials will be engaging closely with the Commission and other Member States during its negotiation which will continue into 2023.

Question No. 20 answered orally.

Údarás na Gaeltachta

Ceisteanna (21)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

21. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán briseadh síos sonrach a dhéanamh ar an maoiniú breise d'Údarás na Gaeltachta fógartha i gCáinaisnéis 2023, de réir maoiniú caipitil, maoiniú reatha don riarachán, agus maoiniú reatha don fhorbairt pobal, agus a mhíniú cén fáth gurb é Údarás na Gaeltachta an t-aon eagras stát freagrach as forbairt tionscal agus fostaíocht a chruthú atá fós ag fáil níos lú maoiniú caipitil in aghaidh na bliana ná mar a bhí i 2008, i gcomparáid mar shampla le IDA Ireland agus Fiontar Éireann. [56974/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Tá cistíocht iomlán d’ós cionn €34m curtha ar fáil d’Údarás na Gaeltachta don bhliain reatha. Tá an ciste seo ag cabhrú go suntasach leis an Údarás chun a chlár oibre a chur chun feidhme. Tá comhdhéanamh an chiste mar seo a leanas:

- Fomhír C6 – Údarás na Gaeltachta (reatha) (riarachán): Tá soláthar de €13.080m curtha ar fáil d’Údarás na Gaeltachta i mbliana i gcomhair riaracháin, pá agus pinsin – sin méadú de €500,000 ar an mbuiséad ó anuraidh.

- Fomhír C7 – Údarás na Gaeltachta (reatha) (forbairt pobail agus teanga): Tá soláthar airgid de €5.750m á chur ar fáil faoi fhmhír C7 de Vóta na Roinne - ionann le allúntas breise ar fiú €1m é i mliana. Cuirfidh sé seo ar chumas an Údaráis tuilleadh airgid a chur i dtreo na gcomharchumann agus na n-eagraíochta pobalbhunaithe ar fud na Gaeltachta chun tacú leo a gcláir oibre a chur i bhfeidhm, mar aon le forbairt óige, luathbhlianta agus na n-ealaíon sa Ghaeltacht de réir mar a aithnítear na tosaíochtaí.

- Fomhír C8 – Údarás na Gaeltachta (caipiteal) (deontais do ghnó agus clár tógála). Tá soláthar airgid de €14.45m á chur ar fáil faoi fhomhír C8 de Vóta na Roinne mar aon leis an soláthar de €1.5m a bhfuil cead tugtha don Údarás a thabhairt ar aghaidh ó 2021. Cuirfidh sé seo ar chumas an Údaráis fostaíocht a chruthú, uasghrádú a dhéanamh ar fhoirgnimh etc. agus páirtmhaoiniú a thabhairt do roinnt tionscadail straitéiseacha turasóireachta sa Ghaeltacht.

Ar bhonn ginearálta mar a bhaineann sé leis an gciste a chuirtear ar fáil don Údarás, dhéanfainn na pointí seo a leanas:

- Ó tháinig an Rialtas seo i bhfeidhm, ceadaíodh maoiniú breise d'Údarás na Gaeltachta mar chuid den Phlean Spreagtha Post i mí Iúil 2020, ina raibh soláthar caipitil suas le €8m breise ar fáil don Údarás chun uasghrádú riachtanach a dhéanamh ar a stoc foirgneamh agus ar chórais chóireála uisce.

- Ina theannta sin, cuireadh ardú €4.45m ar chiste caipitil ar fáil d’Údarás na Gaeltachta anuraidh chun fostaíocht a chruthú agus chun cliaint-comhlachtaí an Údaráis a chosaint ón mBreatimeacht agus ón bpaindéim COVID-19.

Údar sásaimh is ea é, dá réir, go bhfuil ardú 60% san iomlán curtha ar an soláthar caipitil atá ar fáil d’Údarás na Gaeltachta ó tháinig mé isteach mar Aire Stáit i 2020 i gcomparáid leis an mbunlíne caipitil de €8.5m i 2019. Níor mhiste a chur san áireamh chomh maith, ar ndóigh, go bhfuil fáil ag an Údarás ar fhoinsí eile maoinithe de chuid mo Roinne - beag beann ar an soláthar thuasluaite. Luafainn sa chomhthéacs sin an chistíocht a bheidh á chur ar fáil ag mo Roinn ó Chlár Tacaíochtaí Pobail agus Teanga na Roinne (fomhír C3) chun a chumasú don Údarás roinnt tograí caipitil faoi leith sa réimse oideachais, óige agus turasóireacht chultúrtha a fhorbairt sna blianta amach romhainn. Ar ndóigh, in éindí le foinsí maoinithe mo Roinne níor mhiste a lua chomh maith go bhfuil foinsí eile maoinithe ag an Údarás eadhon: an Ciste um Athghiniúint agus Forbartha Tuaithe chomh maith leis an gCiste um Forbairt Fiontraíochta Réigiúnaí – dhá chiste atá tar éis cur go suntasach le buiséad caipitil an Údaráis le blianta beaga anuas. Maidir le Cáinaisnéis 2023 a fógraíodh le déanaí, níor mhiste a lua ach go háirithe:

- Go mbeidh €1m breise ag dul chuig Údarás na Gaeltachta a chabhróidh le hobair na n-eagraíochtaí pobalbhunaithe agus leis na comharchumainn chun tacú le pobal na Gaeltachta go heacnamaíoch, go sóisialta agus go cultúrtha.

- Go bhfuil an maoiniú caipitil de €14.454m a fuarthas don eagraíocht in 2022 coinnithe arís do 2023.

Ní gá dom a rá go leanfaidh mé orm ag faire amach ar gach deis chun tacú leis an Údarás maidir leis an ról lárnach atá ag an eagraíocht chun fostaíocht a chruthú agus an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn sa Ghaeltacht.

Oifigí Roinne

Ceisteanna (22)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

22. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceist Phairliminte 47576/22, stádas an ghrúpa idir-rannach atá ag obair chun cúrsaí pleanála i gceantair Ghaeltachta a chur chun cinn; soiléiriú a thabhairt ar an gcruinniú is déanaí den ghrúpa; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [56943/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Is ar an Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta atá an fhreagracht maidir leis an Acht um Pleanáil agus Forbairt 2000, arna leasú - faoina dtagann gnóthaí i ndáil le cúrsaí pleanála sa Ghaeltacht.

Sa chomhthéacs sin, ar mhaithe le feabhas a chur ar an gcaoi a chuirtear forálacha ábhartha den Acht agus na rialacháin lena mbaineann i bhfeidhm i dtaobh gnóthaí Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht, tá an Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta i gcomhar le mo Roinnse agus páirtithe leasmhar eile - Údarás na Gaeltachta san áireamh - ag obair faoi láthair chun raon beartas ábhartha a ullmhú.

Ceann de phríomhaidhmeanna an ghrúpa idir-Rannach seo ná a chinntiú go ndéanfar nósanna imeachta agus córais a shaincheapadh, de réir mar is cuí, chun cur chuige éifeachtach agus caighdeánach a éascú do na húdaráis áitiúla ábhartha maidir le saincheisteanna a bhaineann le pleanáil i gceantair Ghaeltachta a bhainistiú.

Tríd an obair seo uile atá ar bun, tá i gceist cur chuige níos éifeachtaí agus níos éifeachtúla a aimsiú agus a fheidhmiú ar leas foriomlán na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta.

Mar bheartas faoi leith, tá i gceist go mbeidh treoirlínte ábhartha á bhfoilsiú go luath ag an Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta a mbeidh údaráis áitiúla agus forbróirí araon in ann leas a bhaint astu. Tá sé seo uile á dhéanamh ag an dá Roinn ar bhonn comhpháirtíochta mar thaca breise d’fheidhmiú rathúil an phróisis pleanála teanga atá mar bheartas lárnach sa Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge 2010-2030 agus an Plean Gníomhaíochta 2018-2022 lena mbaineann.

Tionóladh an cruinniú is déanaí den ghrúpa idir-Rannach ar 14 Samhain 2022. San iomlán, tháinig na Ranna agus an tÚdarás le chéile 9 n-uaire ó mhí Feabhra 2021.

Bhí an dara chruinniú de Ghrúpa Oibre atá comhdhéanta d’ionadaithe ó mo Roinn, an Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta, Údarás na Gaeltachta agus an ocht údarás áitiúil ábhartha ann ar 25 Deireadh Fómhair nuair a tugadh uasdhátú don ghrúpa faoi staid reatha na hoibre trí chéile.

Tourism Industry

Ceisteanna (23)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

23. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the outlook for the 2023 tourism year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56894/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

International travel has rebounded more quickly than anticipated this year and Tourism Ireland estimates that overseas tourism to Ireland in 2022 is currently tracking towards 75% of 2019 levels. This represents a remarkable recovery of inbound tourism since restrictions were lifted.

Internationally, tourism continues to recover steadily yet several challenges remain, from geopolitical to economic. The combination of increasing interest rates in all major economies, rising energy and food prices and the growing prospects of a global recession, as indicated by the World Bank, are major threats to the recovery of international tourism through the remainder of 2022 and 2023. Hotel capacity and labour shortages will continue to challenge the tourism industry here in Ireland in 2023. Nonetheless, the latest round of Tourism Ireland research gives cause for optimism for overseas tourism next year. The research, carried out in 10 important tourism markets, shows that the desire to travel is stronger than ever.

In Budget 2023 I secured additional funding of €15 million for overseas marketing of Ireland. As global competition heightens, sustaining extensive marketing campaigns will be vital to support the on-going recovery effort, building on the initial inbound tourism demand seen this year. Ensuring the resilience and growth of this demand is vital to the industry, to jobs and to communities’ right across the island of Ireland.

Next year Tourism Ireland will roll out an extensive, highly targeted programme of promotions. This will include the roll-out of a new global campaign, high profile broadcast opportunities in international media, social media and digital marketing, as well as working with the industry and travel trade overseas to facilitate sales.

An additional €15 million has also been allocated to Fáilte Ireland, which will underpin a range of measures to support the sector in 2023, including domestic marketing, transforming the digital capabilities of tourism businesses, boosting the industry’s recruitment and retention efforts, sustainable tourism initiatives, long-term investment in the US College Football Classic series, and the establishment of a register of short-term letting properties as part of the Government’s “Housing for All” reforms.

While the sector faces many challenges, I am confident that the supports that the Government has put in place will ensure that Ireland's tourism industry is well positioned to maintain current levels of recovery and to grow sustainably in the coming years.

Oifigí Roinne

Ceisteanna (24)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

24. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Catherine Connolly den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán maidir le Ceist Pharlaiminte 47575/22, soiléiriú a thabhairt ar stádas an grúpa oibre a bunaíodh mar thoradh ar thaighde a rinneadh do Thuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta; líon na n-uaireanta a bhuail an grúpa oibre le chéile go dtí seo; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [56945/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Ar 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, agus mar a chuir mé in iúl sa Teach seo cheana, bhunaigh mo Roinn grúpa oibre le gairid. Tionóladh an chéad chruinniú den ghrúpa ar an 19 Iúil 2022 in oifigí mo Roinne. Tá mo Roinn ag oibriú i dtreo dáta a aontú don dara chruinniú den ghrúpa sna seachtainí atá amach romhainn.

Tá an grúpa - atá faoi chathaoirleacht na Roinne - comhdhéanta d'ionadaíocht ón eagraíocht Tuismitheoirí na Gaeltachta, ó Chomhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta, Oidhreacht Chorca Dhuibhne, na hoifigigh phleanála teanga agus Údarás na Gaeltachta. Beifear in ann cuireadh chun freastal ar chruinniú a thabhairt do pháirtithe leasmhara eile amach anseo, más gá.

Mar thoradh ar an gcéad cruinniú, tá aiseolas bailithe ag mo Roinn ó na páirtithe leasmhara a léiríonn na seirbhísí a chuireann siad ar fáil do theaghlaigh Ghaeltachta. Beidh an t-aiseolas sin mar ábhar plé ag an gcéad chruinniú eile.

Ar bhonn níos leithne, níor mhiste a nótáil gur ceadaíodh allúntas suas le €1.6m thar an tréimhse 2021 go 2023 don eagraíocht Tuismitheoirí 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.

Comhthreomhar leis sin uile, tá cistíocht faoi leith idir mhaoiniú na Roinne agus mhaoiniú Údarás na Gaeltachta ag Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta atá ag cabhrú le cur chun cinn na Gaeilge mar theanga teaghlaigh sa Ghaeltacht.

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.

Oideachas Gaeltachta

Ceisteanna (25)

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

Ceist:

25. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cad a dhéanfar chun a chinntiú go mbeidh rochtain níos fearr ag pobail faoi mhíbhuntáiste ar an nGaeilge agus ar na ceantair Ghaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [56953/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Ar mhaithe leis na cineálacha deiseanna bhfuil an Teachta ag tagairt dó ina cheist, d’fhógair mé níos túisce i mbliana go bhfuil ciste ceithre céad míle euro (€400,000) ceadaithe agam chun leathnú suntasach a dhéanamh ar an gciste scoláireachta do lucht freastail iar-bhunscoileanna DEIS na tíre chun freastal ar chúrsa Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht le linn an tsamhraidh.

Faoin gciste breise atá ceadaithe faoin mbeartas dar teideal: DEIS Gaeltachta - ar cuireadh tús leis in dhá mhíle agus a naoi deag, bhí an deis ag breis agus ceithre céad scoláire as iar-bhunscoileanna DEIS ar fud na tíre tairbhe a bhaint i mbliana as tréimhse foghlama sa Ghaeltacht. Is ciste caoga míle euro (€50,000) a bhí ann roimhe seo.

Is fiú suas le ocht gcéad caoga euro (€850) na scoláireachtaí a chuirfear ar fáil faoin gciste atá á riar ag Bord Oideachais agus Oiliúna na Gaillimhe agus Ros Comáin thar ceann na Roinne.

Tá sé mar sprioc agam leis an mbeart seo níos mó deiseanna a chruthú do dhaoine óga nach bhfaigheadh an deis de ghnáth, le dul chun na Gaeltachta ar chúrsa Gaeilge. Ní amháin gur ar leas na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta atá an beart praiticiúil seo ach beidh sé ar leas an tsochaí trí chéile mar a bhaineann sé le hionchuimsiú sóisialta.

Tá an chéim seo i gcomhréir leis an ngealltanas faoi leith sa Phlean Gníomhaíochta don Ghaeilge dhá mhíle agus a h-ocht déag go fiche fiche dó (2018-2022) maidir le hearnáil na gcoláistí Gaeilge.

Is fiú a lua ar bhonn ginearálta gur cheadaigh mé ardú fiche fán gcéad (20%) chomh maith i mbliana ar an deontas laethúil atá iníoctha le teaghlaigh Ghaeltachta a chuireann lóistín ar fáil do lucht freastail chóras na gColáistí Gaeilge faoi scéím mo Roinne.

Fágann na beartais faoi leith seo ar fiú timpeall ocht gcéad seasca míle euro (€860,000) iad le chéile, go mbeidh tuairim is cúig ponc a dó milliún (€5.2m) san iomlán á infheistiú feasta ag mo Roinn go bliantúil san earnáil seo faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge ar leas na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta.

Departmental Policies

Ceisteanna (26)

Neale Richmond

Ceist:

26. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will report on her Department's work to reform Ireland's night-time economy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56302/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

I published the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce in September 2021. It is a Cross-Government Report containing 36 actions across a broad range of issues associated with the Night-Time Economy, all with the aim of increasing the diversity of events, increasing cultural opportunities and encouraging innovation and creativity in the Night-Time Economy.

This year has seen many positive interventions in the Night-Time Economy with new pilot initiatives kick-started and progress made across a number of actions in the Report.

I recently announced funding to recruit pilot Night-Time Advisors in 9 cities and towns to enhance their night-time culture and recruitment for these positions will get underway shortly.

I also launched the Night-Time Economy Support Scheme earlier this year, with an allocation of €4 million. This Scheme provided support for cultural activity in pubs, nightclubs, cafés and other suitable licensed and unlicensed premises during off-peak times. Over 470 applications were received with well over 2,000 events taking place.

The Minister for Justice recently published the General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill, a key recommendation of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce and a major step in the right direction for all those making a living in the Night-Time Economy.

Our National Cultural Institutions are also driving change in the Night-Time Economy, with support from my Department. The National Concert Hall sold out two nights for last month’s “Haunted Dancehall” electronic music festival. Likewise, IMMA held a successful “Summer Nights” series from May to September as part of this initiative and the NMI recently ran a pilot evening event in their Turlough Park site. These venues showed how they can open up our traditional spaces to new and exciting late night events.

I have allocated €6m for next year’s budget towards the implementation of a range of measures to support the Night-Time Economy, including the development of soundproofing grants for late night venues.

I hope to see more innovative pilot projects developed in 2023 which will build on the progress already being made as a result of the work of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce.

Sports Events

Ceisteanna (27)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

27. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update on Ireland's participation in a joint bid to host Euro 2028. [56829/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

The football associations in the UK and Ireland announced in February 2022 their intent to bid to jointly-host the UEFA European Championships in 2028.

Ireland had been due to host part of the 2020 iteration of those championships and so I am well aware of the significance and scale of the tournament and what a positive experience it would be to jointly host it in 2028.

On 22 March 2022, the Government decided to support an Expression of Interest from the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) in hosting the EURO 2028 tournament. To that end, my Department has been engaging closely with the FAI, Dublin City Council, other Government Departments and agencies and UK partners in order to better evaluate the case for bidding for Euro 2028.

Following an extensive examination of the costs and benefits to Ireland of hosting the tournament, Government decided on Tuesday 15 November to support the FAI’s submission of a joint preliminary bid with UK partners for EURO 2028. Preliminary bid dossiers for the bid were submitted to UEFA on 16 November.

I look forward to working with the FAI, Dublin City Council, other Government Departments and agencies together with our UK partners to submit as strong as possible a bid in April 2023 and to host a fantastic tournament for all partners in 2028.

Northern Ireland

Ceisteanna (28)

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

28. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an interim report in respect of the work of her Department under the shared island dialogue. [56854/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

The Shared Island Dialogue series is part of the Government’s Shared Island initiative, launched in October 2020, to harness the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement to enhance cooperation, connection and mutual understanding on the island and engage with all communities and traditions on a shared future. The Dialogues are ensuring broad-based and inclusive participation by civil society representatives across the island. In this way, we are supporting contributions from people directly involved, affected or with expertise or experience on a particular theme.

In January 2022, I launched a Shared Island Dialogue on tourism - Tourism on the shared island: Building on past success to create a sustainable future. The Dialogue brought together tourism agencies, organisations, interest groups and civil society stakeholders, from North and South, to examine the success of tourism cooperation on the island of Ireland and explore how best to enhance opportunities for domestic and international visitors in the years ahead. In the course of the event, discussion focused on the benefits that have been delivered for people through North/South cooperation on tourism through the framework of the Good Friday Agreement as well as avenues for increased cooperation and collaboration into the future including on growing sustainable tourism on the island.

In February of this year, my colleague Minister of State Jack Chambers TD represented the Government in a Shared Island Dialogue on sport – Breaking down barriers and tackling shared challenges: Sport cooperation on the island . The audience was made up of current and former sports stars, sports organisations, clubs, community groups and health and wellbeing professionals from across the island who came together to examine the role that sport plays in building and improving community relations, and discussed how to enhance cooperation through sport across the island. Discussion at the Dialogue focused on the positive role sport plays in breaking down barriers and building relationships between communities North and South; how we can best engage people in sport particularly young people and those from minority communities; and opportunities for improved collaboration between clubs, organisations and communities on the island.

Just last month, together with Northern Ireland Minister for Communities, Deirdre Hargey MLA, I delivered the opening address at a Dialogue on Arts and Culture on a Shared Island. Artists, musicians, writers, members of cultural and creative community organisations, and government agencies North and South, came together in Mandela Hall, Queen’s University, Belfast to discuss shared challenges and opportunities facing the arts and cultural sector across the island. A discussion on Challenges and Opportunities on a Shared Island heard from artists and arts organisations looking at the North/South and East/West cooperation and collaboration, and institutional perspectives on challenges and opportunities in supporting and promoting artists and arts organisations. A second discussion on Building Cultural and Creative Communities focused on sharing good practice and learning in building cultural and creative communities, with particular attention from a community and voluntary sector point of view.

Further information on all of these dialogues is available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/3eb3c-shared-island-dialogues/#identities-on-a-shared-island-new-generation-perspectives.

As well as participating in the dialogues, I will continue to contribute to the Shared Island initiative more broadly. In July, the Government announced investment from the Shared Island Fund which included €7.4m to support the delivery of a suite of new Arts capital investment projects on the island. These are being developed in consultation with the Arts Council and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. I will continue to work with my colleagues across Government on this important initiative.

Departmental Strategies

Ceisteanna (29)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

29. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the provision of a night-time economy manager in Drogheda to help develop a night-time economy strategy; when the role is expected to be filled; the grade of the role; the time period of the contract; if other relevant information will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56925/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

I recently announced the locations of the 9 towns and cities which will take part in the new Night-Time Advisor pilot initiative. The selected pilots are Dublin City, Cork City, Limerick City, Galway City, Kilkenny, Drogheda, Sligo, Buncrana and Longford Town. The selection process was led by the City and County Management Association (CCMA) with support from my Department and an independent panel reviewed and selected the successful applications. This is in direct response to Action 19 in the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce which I launched last year.

My Department is working with the CCMA to finalise details in relation to the role including grade structure and to ensure that the recruitment process to appoint the officers gets underway as soon as possible.

It is expected that the new Night-Time Economy Advisors will help to drive and support a more sustainable Night-Time Economy in their specific areas. They will work with businesses, communities, venues, residents and artists to create a more vibrant night-life for all and bring vitality back to our city and town centres in a safe and sustainable way. The new Advisor will be tasked with establishing a new Night-Time Economy Committee which will be diverse, inclusive and dynamic. The Advisor will have to ensure that all existing local structures are assessed to ensure synergies are developed where possible.

A consultation process will also be undertaken leading to the development of an action plan setting out a range of interventions to support the co-ordinated development of the area’s Night-Time Economy.

I would like to thank the CCMA for their role in leading this process and I look forward to getting the Advisors in place and getting started.

Sports Facilities

Ceisteanna (30)

Christopher O'Sullivan

Ceist:

30. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update on the development of a velodrome on the National Sport Campus. [56833/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

On Tuesday, the Government approved a new Masterplan for the development of the Sport Ireland Campus. The Masterplan, which will be published later today, provides a framework for the further development of the campus over the next 15 to 20 years and identifies the next key high-level projects for development.

The first high-level project for delivery under the new masterplan is likely to be the National Velodrome and Badminton Centre.

A planning application for the project was lodged with Fingal County Council by Sport Ireland in August and a decision is expected in the coming weeks.

My Department will be engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to funding to progress the key high level projects identified in the Campus Masterplan, with a specific near term focus on the National Velodrome and Badminton Centre.