Written Answers Nos. 32-47
32. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cad iad an maoiniú agus na tacaíochtaí nua atá curtha ar fáil don Ghaeltacht agus don Ghaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [45547/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFoilseofar briseadh síos iomlán ar an gcaiteachas atá beartaithe faoi Chlár C de chuid Vóta mo Roinne sna Meastacháin Athbhreithnithe roimh dheireadh na bliana.
33. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of applications received under the recent sports capital grant scheme; the likely timescale for processing and approval; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45522/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra45. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will outline the number of sport capital and equipment grant applications per county, in tabular form, spitting them into capital and equipment applications; if she will outline the applications per sport (i.e., GAA/soccer/rugby etc.); when she forecasts that her Department will have these assessed by; if there will be a process for appeals after the initial announcement of allocations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45801/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 33 and 45 together.
The 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 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 2023 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Friday 8 September. A preliminary examination of the submitted applications is now underway but it is clear that the Programme has again generated a very large number of applications and it is likely that the total number will exceed the previous record 3,106 applications submitted under the last (2020) round.
Work is now underway on finalising the "Scoring Assessment and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round and I hope to have this published in the coming weeks. Simultaneously, I also plan to publish the full list of all applications received by county including the relevant sport type for each application received. Once these documents are published, the detailed assessment work can commence. In this regard, it is planned to assess the "Equipment-only" applications first with a view to announcing these grants in the coming months. Work will then commence on the assessment of the capital applications with the allocations likely to be announced later in 2024. As with all recent rounds of the Programme, an appeals mechanism will be available to any unsuccessful applicants.
34. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén méadú atá i meastacháin a Roinne do 2024 ar an gcaiteachas reatha agus caipitil don Ghaeilge agus don Ghaeltacht; cé mhéad de sin a bhaineann le soláthar caiteachais breise do phá agus tuarastail in Údarás na Gaeltachta agus Foras na Gaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [45690/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIs soláthar iomlán de €100.098 (€78.027m in airgead reatha agus €22.071 in airgead caipitil) atá curtha fáil i gClár C de Vóta mo Roinne do 2024 le hais €95.893m (€74.322m in airgead reatha agus €21.571m in airgead caipitil) don bhliain reatha.
Foilseofar briseadh síos iomlán ar an gcaiteachas atá beartaithe faoi Chlár C de chuid Vóta mo Roinne i 2024 sna Meastacháin Athbhreithnithe roimh dheireadh na bliana.
Is féidir liom a dheimhniú ag an tráth seo, áfach, go mbeidh €1.1 milliún sa bhreis ar fáil i 2024 le haghaidh caiteachais breise ar phá agus phinsin in Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Cuirfidh mo Roinn os cionn €12.3 milliún ar fáil d’Fhoras na Gaeilge in 2024. Anuas ar sin, tá €700,000 breise curtha ar fáil i mBuiséad 2024 don Fhoras Teanga Thuaidh Theas. Cuirfear an maoiniú breise seo ar fáil don dá áisíneacht sa bhForas Teanga, nuair a bheas sé ceadaithe ag an gComhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas (CATT). Mar gheall ar chúinsí polaitiúla i dTuaisceart Éireann, áfach, níltear in ann cruinnithe CATT a eagrú faoi láthair.
Chomh maith leis seo cuirfidh mo Roinn maoiniú breise ar fáil do Fhoras na Gaeilge, i ndáil le gnéithe imfhálaithe mar a bhaineann le Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge (€1,061,165) agus Colmcille (€118,519).
Bíonn mo Roinn ag scrúdú bealaí eile i gcónaí le tacú tuilleadh le pobal na Gaeilge, chun go mbeidh ar a gcumas an teanga a chur chun cinn agus a threisiú, mar a rinneadh i mbliana i gcomhar le Conradh na Gaeilge, Glór na nGael agus Gael Linn. Beidh an Roinn ag féachaint freisin ar dheiseanna tacaíochta aon-uaire a thabhairt do thograí ar leith nach dtagann faoi scáth chlár oibre CATT, mar shampla Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge.
35. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way she is supporting traditional Irish music across the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45031/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Arts Act 2003, the Arts Council has primary responsibility for the development of the arts in Ireland, specifically including the traditional arts. The Arts Council's commitment to the traditional arts is provided for in its 10-years investment Strategy - Making Great Art Work. The Arts Council offers a range of financial supports for festivals. The Council provides financial support to a number of single art form festivals, as well as many multidisciplinary arts festivals across different art forms, including the traditional arts. Its festivals investment scheme, is specifically designed to support local and voluntary organisations to develop arts festivals. The Arts Council also funds Culture Night, in collaboration with RTÉ which creates opportunities for musicians and artists of all genres. All details are available on the Arts Council's website. In Budget 24, I provided a record €134m funding for the Arts Council in recognition of the transformational impact of this funding and to support the sector.
Within my Department, there are a number of measures in place to support traditional arts and include:
• Annual funding is provided to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for its work in the protection and promotion of Irish traditional music and culture.
• In 2024, €7.6m which is the highest level of funding for Culture Ireland since its establishment will support more Irish artists, including traditional artists to launch and develop their careers on an international stage;
• The Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme is a three year, €105m scheme, involving 2,000 artists and creative arts workers nationwide. Research will be published shortly setting out the impact on the lives of participants to date;
• Increased funding for the Safe to Create Programme, including Minding Creative Minds, that supports all artists and creatives;
• a new pilot capital support scheme for Arts, Culture and the Night Time Economy will support development of vibrant late night arts and culture scenes in Irish cities, towns and villages as well as additional capital to assist in the provision of building and equipment needs, artists’ workspaces, and adapting facilities to reduce energy needs and carbon footprints.
• the Music Capital Scheme managed by Music Network provides funding for the purchase of musical instruments to both non-professional performing groups/ensembles and professional musicians;
• As part of the government’s Shared Island Fund, an allocation of €1 million was made to the Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA) to develop a new studio space and enhance its digitisation capacity to promote all-island Artist and Archivist collaborations;
• Creative Ireland Programme funding in 2023 is supporting the delivery of a number of creative projects nationwide including ones within the traditional arts;
• a small-scale local festivals and summer schools scheme designed to support local cultural festivals and summer schools that are 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;
• provides funding for cultural events such as St Patrick’s Festival, Other Voices, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann that in turns helps to sustain the traditional music sector;
• In collaboration with the local authorities, Fáilte Ireland's regional festival scheme is available to local community festivals;
• Tourism Ireland works with many festivals to provide exposure for them in key markets oversea.
• Some funding programmes within the Broadcasting and Gaeltacht areas also serve to promote many artists and creative talents from across the music sectors.
• Last month, I allocated €2m funding for the development of the Headquarters of Na Píobairí Uilleann at Henrietta Street, Dublin 1. My colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, allocated a further monies for the project, as did Dublin City Council. The development will include a Visitor Centre, Theatre and instrument making training facility.
In Budget 2023, my colleague the Minister for Finance announced the introduction of a tax relief for uilleann pipes and Irish harp making. The relief provides for an income tax disregard of €20,000 on the profits made from the manufacture, maintenance and repair of sets of uilleann pipes and Irish harp.
36. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Mairéad Farrell den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán céard í an fhaisnéis is déanaí maidir le toghcháin phoiblí do bhord Údarás na Gaeltachta; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [45645/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTar éis don Rialtas Scéim Ghinearálta agus Cinn an Bhille um Údaras na Gaeltachta (Leasú) a fhoilsiú i Nollaig 2022, seoladh an Scéim Ghinearálta agus Cinn an Bhille chuig an gComhchoiste Oireachtais don Ghaeilge, don Ghaeltacht, agus do Phobal Labhartha na Gaeilge le haghaidh grinnscrúdaithe réamhreachtaigh ar 2ú Feabhra 2023.
D’fhoilsigh an Comhchoiste a thuarascáil maidir leis an ghrinnscrúdú réamhreachtach tar éis dó í a leagan faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais in Iúil 2024. Tá fiche dó moladh sa tuarascáil agus tá siad á mbreithniú ag mo Roinn faoi láthair.
Táthar fós ag súil leis na toghcháin d'Údarás na Gaeltachta a reáchtáil i Meitheamh 2024.
37. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 130 of 12 July 2023, and as per the Performance Delivery Agreement between her Department and Galway Culture Company; the number of quarterly reporting meetings held to date with all public funders of Galway Culture Company, and the dates of same; if minutes are taken and published in respect of these meetings; the details of any management reports received by her Department to date from Galway Culture Company; the status of the drawdown of the €1 million in Galway 2020 legacy funding; the amount drawn down to date; the details of where any funds drawn down have been allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45679/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Performance Delivery Agreement (PDA) between my Department and Galway Culture Company was signed in June this year. The PDA outlines the delivery agreement for the drawdown, management and monitoring of the €1 million funding for the programme under the legacy framework. It sets out the milestones and associated key performance indicators, and subsequent quarterly financial and management reporting.
As noted in the PDA, Galway Culture Company will hold a quarterly reporting meeting with all public funders and a separate bilateral meeting with the Department on progress against milestones under this Agreement. Following the signing of the PDA, officials from my Department have met with Galway Culture Company twice in August (3rd and 22nd) and continue to be in regular contact in relation to the progression of the legacy programme. The first official quarterly meeting is due to take place in the coming weeks, with logistics currently being finalised.
In advance of the quarterly meetings, Galway Culture Company will provide the Department with a management report outlining progress on meeting agreed milestones under the key performance indicators, to include the following sections:
• overview of progress on delivery of the programme;
• updates on governance arrangements, risk management and staffing;
• budget versus expenditure;
• progress on Partnership Programmes; and
• progress in relation to monitoring and evaluation.
As is standard practice the minutes of these meetings will be officially recorded by my officials.
In relation to the drawdown of funding, Galway Culture Company has drawdown €78,476.67 to date. This allocated funding supports the three strategic objectives of the legacy programme which are:
Facilitate International and EU Relationships and Funding
Support to Place based Cultural Programming
Provision of supports to the cultural and creative sector
This initial drawdown directly supported a number of projects under each strategic category listed above. For example the Open Call Cybernate – a Digital Arts Residency Programme developed between Ireland and France and the Business and Creative Programme. It also provided for more general supports such as Irish translations, graphic design, and assisted in the Company’s fulfilment of legal and financial requirements under the PDA.
The second drawdown request was received last Friday and is currently being reviewed by Department officials in advance of processing.
The PDA monitoring and reporting requirements I have outlined ensure that my Department has the appropriate oversight of the implementation of the legacy programme and expenditure of the Government legacy programme funding allocation. My officials will continue to work closely with Galway Culture Company in this regard.
The website of Galway Culture Company provides details of the legacy programme including current and past projects and is regularly updated to highlight upcoming opportunities available to the creative and cultural sectors.
38. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there are any specific funding streams available for sports clubs to construct disabled facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45682/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn terms of my Department's responsibilities, the 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 the needs of disadvantaged areas and groups (such as people with disabilities) in the provision of sports facilities.
More information on the many items funded under the SCEP, which include modifications to sports facilities to improve access for people with disabilities, can be found in the latest Guide to Making an Application published on the Department’s website. It is a requirement of the SCEP that all projects must be accessible to persons with disabilities and capital projects must conform to the seven principles of universal design.
The 2023 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Friday 8 September. Work is now underway on finalising the "Scoring Assessment and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round and I hope to have this published in the coming weeks. Once published, the detailed assessment work can commence. In this regard, it is planned to assess the "Equipment-only" applications first with a view to announcing these grants in the coming months. Work will then commence on the assessment of the capital applications with the allocations likely to be announced later in 2024. Once all allocations are finalised, an announcement will be made in relation to the next call for proposals.
39. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her Department's role in monitoring and ensuring that social media platforms are not being used to amplify and enable hate groups to orchestrate campaigns around the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44147/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn March 2023 I commenced the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022 and in doing so, formally established Coimisiún na Meán. An Coimisiún is the independent regulator responsible for the enforcement of a new regulatory framework for online safety to protect people, particularly children, from some of the most serious forms of harmful online content.
On establishment, I met with the Executive Chairperson and Commissioners and emphasised the importance of the timely development and enforcement of online safety codes. It is through the codes that an Coimisiún will tackle, among other things, the availability of online content related to existing offences around hate speech and the publication or sending of threatening or offensive communications.
In June 2023, an Coimisiún published its work programme, which targets the adoption of the first online safety code, applying to video-sharing platform services, by the end of this year.
Government has also decided to designate an Coimisiún na Meán as Ireland's Digital Services Coordinator for the purposes of the implementation of the EU Digital Services Act. Work is on-going by my colleague the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to give operational and legislative effect to that decision and a Digital Services Commissioner has already been appointed to An Coimisiún. The DSA introduces new EU wide rules requiring online services to tackle the availability of illegal content on their services, which will be enforced by the European Commission assisted by a network of regulators in each member state, including an Coimisiún.
40. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the position regarding any Department-led initiatives that seek to improve the integration of people fleeing the war in Ukraine into sports clubs and sporting activities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45595/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraSport Ireland, as the agency responsible for the development of sport in Ireland, has actively encouraged all of Ireland’s National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and Local Sports Partnerships to welcome into the Irish sporting community all of those fleeing the war in Ukraine and I am pleased to note that the sector has responded in a very supportive and heartening manner.
The sector has extended, and continues to do so, a warm welcome to Ukrainians thus facilitating their integration into Irish society. I believe that in doing so, the sports sector has helped to provide a semblance of normality and hope to those displaced by the totally unprovoked and unwarranted aggression against Ukraine and I commend the sector for its generosity of spirit and practical support on the ground.
NGBs and local sports clubs continue to integrate Ukrainian refugees into their existing activities. This differs from sport to sport depending on their size, scale, geographical location and relevance of the sport as certain sports such as volleyball, athletics and football are more familiar to those arriving to Ireland from Ukraine. Examples of sports integration initiatives are set out below.
Volleyball/Volleyball Ireland
Examples of integration measures include:
• The indefinite waiving of player, coach and referee license fees for Ukrainian refugees to participate and officiate in the sport
• Ukrainian refugees will be exempt from National League registration deadlines
• Volleyball Ireland will cover the cost of associated club registration and participation fees for Ukrainian refugees
• Volleyball Ireland will provide any required training wear and other Volleyball equipment to support Ukrainian refugees to participate in Volleyball club programmes.
Athletics/Athletics Ireland
Examples of integration measures include:
• Athletics Ireland is offering Ukrainian citizens wishing to join athletics clubs in Ireland free membership
• Athletics Ireland in association with the Sanctuary Runners organised a global 'Run For Ukraine' with people taking part across the world
• Proceeds went to the Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal.
Football/FAI
Examples of integration measures include:
• The FAI allocated 2,000 tickets to the Ukrainian refugee community in Ireland for the UEFA Nations League game against Ukraine at the Aviva Stadium
• They also committed to a donation of €100,000 to the Irish Red Cross Ukraine Crisis appeal from the proceeds of ticket sales for the fixture
• Welcome packs were also developed to support integration at grassroots club football.
41. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of tribunals, public investigations and commissions of investigations in process; the length of time each has been under way; when each will conclude; the cost to date of each; and the estimated cost of each at completion. [44814/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no tribunals of inquiry or commissions of investigation operating under the remit of my Department.
42. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide a timeline for a detailed breakdown in each of the subheadings, A to E, in the Department’s budget 2024. [45557/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe detailed breakout of each of my Department's programme areas and subheads for 2024 will be made available as part of the Revised Estimates Volume to be published later this year.
43. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department sees the value in the unscripted TV sector; if she has requested additional tax incentives to be provided for unscripted TV production; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45798/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the screen sector, the unscripted TV sector has been extremely successful over the past decade or so, growing exponentially both in Ireland and internationally. A wide range of unscripted programming has become household names - Love Island, The Great British Bake Off and The X Factor. In Ireland, we have many home-grown unscripted TV shows that everyone is familiar with - Ireland's Fittest Family, Operation Transformation, Ireland's Got Talent and Celebrity Bainisteoir to name but a few.
All tax reliefs and incentives are a matter for my Cabinet colleague the Minister for Finance. While there are currently no tax reliefs for unscripted tv production, in Budget 2023, the then Minister for Finance indicated that he had requested his Department to explore the opportunities for Ireland in the ‘unscripted production sector’ to encourage international players to locate here and help bolster and sustain employment in indigenous businesses.
Minister McGrath and I had a bilateral meeting in advance of Budget 2024 and we discussed the unscripted sector at that meeting. A tax relief for the unscripted sector would be considered a state-aid under EU rules and would require state aid approval from the European Commission. I understand that there are no other member states that have a tax relief for the unscripted sector. In Budget 2024, the Minister for Finance indicated that his Department will shortly begin engagement with the European Commission with a view to developing an incentive for the unscripted production sector to align with state aid rules.
44. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to outline any plans her Department has to repurpose vacant and or derelict commercial sites as creative spaces for artists. [45742/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraNeither I nor my Department has access to or ownership of any privately owned commercial sites nor any responsibility for them. Any actions relating and derelict commercial sites is a matter my colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage and for local authorities. My Department has no specific remit in this area.
Urban planning and development policy is primarily a matter for local authorities and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. County and city development plans are drawn up by local authorities in accordance with their functions under the Planning and Development Acts. In this context I understand that the Dublin City Development Plan 2022-2028 came into effect in December 2022.
Recent decades have seen the development of a nationwide infrastructure of arts centres including venues overseen by local authorities and supported through my Department’s capital schemes. These arts centres are also supported through capital schemes largely operated by my Department. Capital funding schemes such as Cultural Development Incentives Scheme (CDIS 1994 – 1999), and the Arts and Culture Capital Enhancement Support Schemes (ACCESS & ACCESS II 2000 and 2006 respectively) were developed by the Department in the past in order to construct and upgrade existing arts and culture facilities. A number of arts and cultural organisations based in Dublin City Centre were awarded funding under these schemes. Projects supported included the provision of new integrated art centres, theatres and studio space and the refurbishment of existing performance spaces. This investment has been widely acknowledged as a significant intervention in the provision of quality cultural space throughout the regions.
In recent years a number of further arts & culture capital schemes have been rolled out. The primary focus of these schemes is towards the refurbishment and enhancement of existing arts and culture facilities. Details of expenditure on many of these schemes are published on my Departments website at the following link;
www.gov.ie/en/publication/b1eab-creative-arts-grants-and-funding-previous-schemes/#grants-for-arts-and-culture-infrastructure.
The Deputy will be aware that my Department is working with the National Cultural Institutions (NCI) and the OPW to deliver an ambitious programme of flagship projects that will redevelop and future proof the Institutions for generations to come. Most of these projects are based in Dublin city and include the National Concert Hall redevelopment, along with progressing a number of other ambitious projects including the National Archives, the Abbey Theatre and the National Library. My Department is also progressing appraisals and design at the National Gallery and the Chester Beatty Library.
I am aware of the particular issues around the lack of suitable affordable workspaces for artists in the city of Dublin, and the difficulties in the provision of artistic venues here. On the 22nd June I announced, along with the Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy, details of a €9 million Capital Works programme called Space to Create. The shortage of workspaces is particularly acute in Dublin and Space to Create will see artists provided with turnkey workspaces and/or opportunities to use performance, gallery space and flexible office spaces by Dublin City Council. The Deputy may be also interested to know that the Arts Council has been engaging with Dublin Port Company, on the possibility of creating artists' workspaces in buildings in the port area.
Last month, I allocated €2m funding for the development of the Headquarters of Na Píobairí Uilleann at Henrietta Street, Dublin 1. My colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, allocated further monies for the project, as did Dublin City Council. The development will include a Visitor Centre, Theatre and instrument making training facility.
Together with the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste, I recently announced five new all-island Arts investment projects, which are being delivered with a total allocation of €7.4m from the Government’s Shared Island Fund. Three of the five projects are based in Dublin city and include capital projects by the Irish Architectural Archive (IAA), the Irish Film Institute (IFI) and the Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA) -
A new pilot capital support scheme for Arts, Culture and the Night Time Economy will support development of vibrant late night arts and culture scenes in Irish cities particularly in Dublin city, towns and villages as well as additional capital to assist in the provision of building and equipment needs, artists’ workspaces, and adapting facilities to reduce energy needs and carbon footprints.
Under the Creative Ireland Programme (2023-2027), my Department has partnered with other departments and local authorities with substantial investment to deliver thousands of community-led creative projects many in Dublin city.
Under Budget 2024, I secured a total of €367.406m for Arts and Culture, up from €356.982m in 2023. This is an increase of €10.424m equivalent to 3%. Broadly, of the €10m increase, I allocated €4m to the Arts Council, €1.5m to Screen Ireland, €1m to Culture Ireland, and the balance of €3.5m to various other programmes. There has been sustained investment in arts and culture in recent years; I was very pleased to secure this level funding for this important sector in 2024. The Arts Council currently provides programming and revenue supports to a range of arts centres in Dublin city. Record funding of €134m annual funding for the Arts Council will be in place for 2024.
47. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to confirm how much Government expenditure was spent on tourism supports and projects in Cork in 2022 and to date in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45753/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy and implementation of that policy is a matter for the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, as well as certain other bodies. With specific regard to expenditure on tourism supports and projects in Cork, these are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland in line with its tourism development functions. I have referred this question to them for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
