Written Answers Nos. 31-46
31. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount spent by her Department in supporting sports clubs and organisations in Cork in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6818/24]
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.
Details of all allocations and payments made under SCEP are published on the Department's website. 188 allocations totalling €16m were made to sports clubs and organisations in Cork under the 2020 round of SCEP. Payments totalling €6.5m were drawn down in respect of these and earlier SCEP allocations to sports clubs and organisations in Cork in 2023.
The latest round of the SCEP (2023) closed for applications on Friday 8 September, 2023. A preliminary examination of the submitted applications demonstrates that the Programme has again generated a very large number of applications. The total number of 3,210 applications exceeds the record number submitted under the last (2020) round.
The "Scoring System and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round has been finalised and published along with a list of all applications received by county including the relevant sport type for each application received. The detailed assessment work has commenced and it is planned to assess the "equipment-only" applications first and announce these grants in the coming months. Work will then commence on assessing the capital applications with the allocations to be announced later.
32. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reduction in revenue generated by TV licence sales (new, renewal and standing order) between July 2022 and January 2023, inclusive versus July 2023 and January 2024, inclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7105/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe statutory basis for the current TV licence system is provided for under Part 9 of the Broadcasting Act 2009. The legislation also provides for An Post acting as the statutory issuing agent for licence fee collection.
The total reduction in revenue generated by TV licence sales between 1st July 2023 and 31st January 2024, when compared to the corresponding period of 1st July 2022 to 31st January 2023, was €19,825,920. This can be broken down by a reduction in revenue generated by first time licences of €4,073,280, a reduction in revenue from renewals of €14,956,000 and a reduction in revenue from licences purchased by direct debit totalling €796,640.
The figures above exclude those 'free' licences issued to recipients of the Department of Social Protection Household Benefits Packages and therefore only include direct sales by an An Post as the statutory collection agent.
I will use this opportunity to once again remind everyone of their statutory obligation to be in possession of valid television licence, it is the law. TV licence receipts fund a wide range of public service content, enabling essential news and current affairs programming, as well as supporting the creation of high quality content from independent producers through the Sound and Vision scheme and commissions from our public service broadcasters.
As the Deputy will be aware, high-level discussions are ongoing around what future funding of our public service media looks like, with a final decision to be made after the reviews by the expert advisory committees are complete and their reports submitted. No matter the decision that is arrived at by Government, it is important to note that any change to the current funding model will require time, legislative changes will be required as well as an implementation period of any new model. In the interim, it is of vital importance that everyone continues to purchase their TV licence in order to support the continuance of the valued public service content that I previously outlined.
33. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media how much funding was allocated to Carlow as part of Ireland’s Ancient East touring region in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6713/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy role and that of my Department in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy development and in securing resources to assist the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, in implementing that policy.
The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland and I have accordingly referred the Deputy's question to that agency for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
34. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an outline of measures taken by her Department and its relevant agencies to encourage volunteering in sport. [7030/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThrough Dormant Accounts funding, Sport Ireland has a dedicated fund, "Volunteer Supports", to which the Local Sports Partnerships (LSPs) and National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) can apply for funding. The "Volunteer Supports" initiative aims to identify and assist targeted individuals who are volunteering in disadvantaged communities or with people with disabilities to gain community sport and physical activity leadership skills e.g. as coaches, leaders, referees, committee members. This initiative can also target secondary school aged learners who wish to develop their leadership skills.
This funding stream is intended to support individuals to operate in a volunteer capacity within disadvantaged communities or with people with disabilities. Opportunities are extended to support individuals who are under-represented at all levels of volunteering, including ethnic minorities, asylum seekers and refugees, Traveller and Roma, women and girls, and people with a disability. In 2023, there was a total investment of €1,260,000 on these volunteer-related initiatives.
Sports volunteering is afforded a high priority in our plans to develop sport in Ireland. Last month, I launched a new Sport Ireland Policy on Volunteering in Sport. This new policy, which was developed following a highly consultative process, identifies a wide range of initiatives to empower the sport sector to tackle the challenges currently faced through clear, evidence-based and data-driven solutions. The policy has identified four key policy objectives:
• Diversify the Volunteer Base.
• Recruit and Grow the Volunteer Population.
• Retain Volunteers and Encourage Lifelong Volunteering.
• Recognise and Value Volunteers.
To address the target areas and to achieve the identified objectives there are several important actions that Sport Ireland will take, as set out below:
Investment in NGBs, LSPs and funded bodies to improve the volunteer experience.
Resource professional roles across the sport sector.
Establish a Volunteer in Sport Working Group.
Create a Volunteer in Sport Digital Resource.
Sport Ireland will lead on the implementation of this policy, and will work closely with the sport sector and key partners to deliver on its commitments. The next steps in the implementation phase of the policy will be communicated to all stakeholders in the coming weeks.
35. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views on an organisation (details supplied) playing Israel in a EuroBasket qualifier, despite the ongoing genocide committed by Israel in Palestine. [6878/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIssues regarding the participation by individuals and teams in international sporting competitions are matters for the relevant international governing bodies of sport. The international federations (FIBA, the International Basketball Federation in this instance) have a leadership role for their global games and it is at this level that strategic decisions should be taken rather than by individual countries’ National Governing Bodies (NGBs). Neither I nor my Department has any role in this regard. Such matters are ultimately a decision for the sporting organisations themselves, which are independent and autonomous entities.
In this instance, the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2025 Qualifier match between Ireland and Israel was originally scheduled to take place in Israel on 9 November 2023. Following the escalation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict last October, Basketball Ireland, the NGB for the game in Ireland, issued a statement in relation to the original fixture concerning the welfare of players travelling to a conflict area.
In consultation with FIBA, the original match was postponed to February on the understanding that it would be played at a neutral venue. The match was subsequently rescheduled for 8 February 2024 in Riga, Latvia, at Basketball Ireland’s request. Basketball Ireland has explained that, as forfeiting the game would lead to a significant fine and put at risk Ireland's participation in the 2025 and 2027 EuroBasket qualifiers, it made the decision to honour its fixture commitment.
Basketball Ireland made the decision to honour its fixture commitment and has set out its reasons for doing so and we must acknowledge its independence and autonomy in arriving at this decision. It should also be acknowledged that this situation places individual players in a very difficult position. It should also be noted that sporting entities in other countries have continued to honour fixture schedules with Israel.
In conclusion, I want to assure the Deputy that the Government continues to call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, the unconditional release of all hostages and for full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access.
36. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an outline of measures taken by the Department and its relevant agencies to tackle violence, racism, discrimination and other forms of abuse in sport. [6975/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is unequivocal in its stance against all forms of violence, racism, discrimination and other forms of abuse in sport and gives effect to this position through a variety of measures. In particular, Sport Ireland has a specific Policy on Diversity and Inclusion in Sport and this was published in May 2022. The policy expresses a vision for a sport sector that celebrates diversity, promotes inclusion, and is proactive in providing opportunities for lifelong participation for everyone.
Both my Department and Sport Ireland are fully committed to developing a strong and diverse National Governing Body (NGB) sector that delivers for the sporting community in Ireland. A key focus in this regard is to assist NGBs to develop sustainable and effective structures to facilitate increased numbers of participants and volunteers in sport.
Sport Ireland is currently developing a suite of resources relating to diversity and inclusion in and through sport. This will consist of targeted workshops and the development of resources which can be disseminated across all levels of the sport sector.
Moreover, through the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strand of the Dormant Accounts funded sports programme, Sport Ireland received a number of applications for funding from NGBs to strengthen their work in the area of equality, diversity and inclusion in sport, and to support the implementation of the Sport Ireland Policy on Diversity and Inclusion in Sport. Sport Ireland will continue to support NGBs in this regard.
I would also like to emphasise the national code of conduct template developed by Sport Ireland for Irish sports, which I launched in August 2023. In response to several high-profile incidents, Sport Ireland partnered with representatives from the Irish sports sector, including referees and officials, to develop this template code of conduct for sport in Ireland, the implementation of which we will be monitoring closely. This initiative aims to foster a culture of respect, integrity, and fairness within the sporting community by addressing and eliminating abuse towards referees, officials, coaches, players, and all participants involved. The newly created code of conduct template outlines a set of guidelines and principles that promotes the behaviour and conduct expected from athletes, coaches, parents/guardians, supporters, referees/officials, and club members, regardless of the sporting environment.
The template can be found on the Sport Ireland website at www.sportireland.ie/sites/default/files/media/document/2023-08/Sport%20Ireland%20Code%20of%20Conduct%20Template.pdf.
37. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the ways her Department is supporting traditional Irish music in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6715/24]
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 including traditional. All details are available on the Arts Council's website. In Budget 2024, 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
• 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. The scheme includes several music genres including traditional.
• 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;
• funding is provided 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;
• 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;
• 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.
Finally, I have allocated €2m funding for the further 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.
38. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media with the recent restoration of the Northern Ireland Executive and the refunctioning of the North-South Ministerial Council, the action she will take to ensure the immediate release of the €700,000 allocated for North-South co-operation in the budget for 2024 to enable Foras na Gaeilge to reopen the scéim forbartha líonraí Gaeilge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6970/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, funding of the North South Language Body (Foras na Gaeilge and the Ulster-Scots Agency) has been a challenge in recent years due to the absence of the political institutions in Northern Ireland.
With the recent return of the Executive in Northern Ireland, officials in my Department continue to consult with their counterparts in the Department for Communities, the NI sponsor Department to the North South Language Body, regarding the 2024 budget. Once agreed, this budget will be brought to a future North South Ministerial Council meeting for final approval.
39. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has a strategy to ensure that bed accommodation for tourists visiting Ireland is increased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6692/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that Fáilte Ireland has completed a number of Accommodation Audits to establish a baseline on existing tourism accommodation capacity for local authorities in each destination and region. This includes a quality and gap analysis for additional accommodation development on a county-by-county basis along with the projected accommodation requirements. Additional capacity supply growth projections have been identified for all counties based on best estimates of demand recovery to 2030, the current gaps in the market by location and type, and changing consumer preferences for accommodation categories. These projections recommend a phased pipeline of new supply in line with location specific demand drivers based on identified gaps in the market.
Full audits have been completed for 18 counties to date, as follows: Clare, Donegal, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Mayo, Sligo, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Dublin, Cork, Roscommon, Galway, Longford, and Offaly. These audits have been issued to the respective local authorities who will draw on them as they shape their own tourism accommodation strategies.
This year, Fáilte Ireland intends to secure services for the development of a monitoring system to track the pipeline of tourist accommodation in Ireland focusing on planning, construction commencement and opening phases of development. This will allow Fáilte Ireland to pinpoint challenges that exist in terms of the development of tourism accommodation and to measure the impact arising.
Fáilte Ireland’s statutory register of all Short-Term Tourist Letting (STTL) accommodation in the State will, when implemented, provide a full picture of the stock of tourist accommodation. This will enhance Fáilte Ireland’s ability to promote wider tourism investment. In addition, the combined insights of the accommodation audits and the STTL will help shape and inform Ireland’s long term accommodation development plans to meet changing consumer demands and trends.
Furthermore, my Department is progressing the development of a new national tourism policy framework that will seek to mainstream sustainability – environmental, economic and societal – across the entire tourism sector. The new framework will shape how our tourism industry develops in the period to 2030. While I want to see the tourism sector grow, I want it to do so in a manner that is consistent with our broader sustainability targets and ultimately ensures that Ireland will be a brand leader in sustainable tourism practices. While initial consultations with key stakeholders were completed last year, I am establishing a focus group to look at sustainable targets which should meet in the next few weeks. Once the group meets, I will also launch a public consultation and hope to have the new policy framework finalised and published in the coming months. Issues around accommodation stock will be considered as part of the new Policy Framework and subsequent Action Plan.
40. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there are Department funds or help available specifically for provision of swimming pools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6875/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Sports Policy, which was published in 2018, provided for the establishment of a Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The aim of the LSSIF is to provide Exchequer support for larger sports facility projects where the Exchequer investment would be greater than the maximum amount available under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP).
The first call for proposals under the LSSIF closed in 2019 with new swimming pool projects and the refurbishment of existing swimming pools eligible to apply for LSSIF grant funding subject to published guidelines and regulations. The first LSSIF allocations were announced in January 2020 and thus far €124 million has been awarded to 33 different proposals including 8 swimming pool projects.
Minister Martin and I recently confirmed that a new round of the LSSIF will open for applications in the first half of 2024, with the dates, terms and conditions to be published in due course. I would encourage all eligible projects to consider applying for this competitive application process when it opens later this year.
41. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when she proposes to announce major/minor grant awards for sport and sporting accommodation with particular reference to the need to ensure the maximisation of opportunities in that area in the short, medium and long-term future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6886/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCapital funding for sport is provided though the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) and the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF).
The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme 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 latest round of the SCEP (2023) closed for applications on Friday 8 September, 2023. A preliminary examination of the submitted applications demonstrates that the Programme has again generated a very large number of applications. The total number of 3,210 applications exceeds the record number submitted under the last (2020) round.
The "Scoring System and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round has been finalised and published along with a list of all applications received by county including the relevant sport type for each application received. The detailed assessment work has commenced and it is planned to assess the "equipment-only" applications first and announce these grants in the coming months. Work will then commence on assessing the capital applications with the allocations to be announced later.
The National Sports Policy which was published in 2018 provided for a new Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF). The aim of the fund is to provide Exchequer support for larger sports projects and facilities where the required Exchequer investment is greater than the maximum amount available under the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP).
In January 2020 allocations of €86.4 million in LSSIF funding were awarded to 33 different proposals. In December Minister Martin and I announced additional funding amounting to a total of €37.6 million, with 27 existing LSSIF projects benefitting, bringing the total awarded to date to LSSIF-funded projects to €124 million. This additional funding for projects was provided, in response to delays experienced by grantees arising from the pandemic and construction inflation.
Minister Martin and I have also confirmed that a new round of the LSSIF will open for applications in the first half of 2024, with the dates, terms and conditions to be published on the Department’s website in due course.
42. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to address the significant shortfall of sports pitches and other sports facilities, that is growing particularly acute in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, considering the huge growth in people participating in sport, in particular women and girls; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7001/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates two capital funding programmes for sport, namely the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme and the Large Scale Sports Infrastructure Fund. Both of these capital programmes are demand-driven. Local authorities also play a key role in identifying land for sports and recreation as part of the local development plan process.
The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme 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 SCEP has transformed the sporting landscape with improved facilities in every town and village in the country. The programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to targeting the investment in disadvantaged areas. As well as being open to individual sports clubs, applications are accepted from local authorities. Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council has previously received significant SCEP funding for sports facilities.
The latest round of the SCEP closed for applications on Friday, 8 September 2023. A preliminary examination of the submitted applications demonstrates that the programme has again generated a very large number of applications. The total number of 3,210 applications exceeded the record number submitted in the previous round. This includes twelve applications from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
The scoring assessment and assessment manual for the 2023 round has been finalised and published along with the full list of applications received by county, including the relevant sport type for each application received. The detailed assessment work has commenced, and it is planned to assess the "equipment-only" applications first and announce those grants in the coming months. Work will then commence on assessing the capital applications, with allocations to be announced later.
Minister Martin and I have also confirmed that a new round of the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF) will open for applications in the first half of 2024, with the dates, terms and conditions to be published on the Department’s website in due course.
43. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an update in relation to the sports action plan and its requirement to have 40% gender representation on the boards of the National Governing Bodies of Sport. [6712/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAddressing female participation at all levels in sport is an important element of the National Sports Policy and a core priority for myself and Minister Catherine Martin. That includes women in leadership positions such as board members of National Governing Bodies (NGBs).
The Sports Action Plan set a target for all NGBs to achieve 40% gender representation on their boards by the end of 2023. It is a priority to enable women to take more leadership positions in sport and the 40% target reflects this prioritisation. The average percentage of women on boards of NGBs has increased from 24% in 2019 to 43% at end-2023. In relation to the overall percentage of women on boards in the Irish sports sector, which includes Local Sports Partnerships, this now stands at 44%. Progress continues to be made and I was pleased to note that the FAI achieved the 40% target with the appointment of two new female directors last weekend.
Those NGBs who have not obtained the target of 40% gender balance on their boards will only be permitted to draw down 50% of their funding allocation from Sport Ireland this year until such time as they reach the 40% target. Sport Ireland will continue to provide support to NGBs towards achieving the target of 40% and will monitor and report on progress.
44. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her assessment of the recent film industry section 481 stakeholder forum; her plans are to address the concerns, issues and proposals raised at the forum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7002/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast Thursday, a stakeholder forum was held in Dublin and attended by representative bodies of all parts of the Irish audiovisual industry. While there was a small number of presentations on elements of Section 481 requirements, the entire focus of the day was on ensuring that everyone attending from the industry was given ample opportunity to voice their opinions. Because of the large number of stakeholders who registered to attend, the format employed ten tables of eight stakeholders each with a moderator and notetaker. Over three breakout sessions, each table discussed every element of the Oversight Committee's recommendation and in turn, presented findings to the full forum. Following all presentations, each table returned to the topic to discuss the findings of the other nine tables. A professional rapporteur conducted the entire event.
The views expressed were diverse and there was a range of opinions on the future direction of the tax relief. I understand, however, that there was a spirit of collaboration at the event and participants showed respect for opposing viewpoints. All views are being collated at present and will be presented in due course. Stakeholders attending included trades unions, film crew and construction guilds, creative guilds, local authority film commissioners, casting directors, talent agencies, film studios, Animation Ireland, Screen Producers Ireland, VFX Ireland, Arts & Disability Ireland, Women in Film & Television, Audiovisual Ireland and Women in Animation.
Many of the matters raised at the forum, including employment contracts and copyright, are the responsibility of Cabinet colleagues and these were represented by their officials as observers at the forum. As well officials from my Department, relevant officials attended from the Departments of Finance and Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Revenue Commissioners. Screen Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán and Oireachtas members also attended as observers.
In organising the forum, regard was taken of the demand on busy industry professionals to give up a days work. The forum was held at this time of the year to allow for the greatest level of attendance. Despite this I am informed that some could not attend due to pressure of work. As Minister, I would like to thank all of the participants for their attendance and their contribution to the event.
45. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the timeline for the announcement of successful applications from sporting clubs for the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6987/24]
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 latest round of the SCEP (2023) closed for applications on Friday 8 September, 2023. A preliminary examination of the submitted applications demonstrates that the Programme has again generated a very large number of applications. The total number of 3,210 applications exceeds the record number submitted under the last (2020) round.
The "Scoring System and Assessment Manual" for the 2023 round has been finalised and published along with a list of all applications received by county including the relevant sport type for each application received. The detailed assessment work has commenced and it is planned to assess the "equipment-only" applications first and announce these grants in the coming months. Work will then commence on assessing the capital applications with the allocations to be announced later.
46. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update following the recent holding of Stakeholders Forum for Section 481; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6365/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast Thursday, a stakeholder forum was held in Dublin and attended by representative bodies of all parts of the Irish audiovisual industry. While there was a small number of presentations on elements of Section 481 requirements, the entire focus of the day was on ensuring that everyone attending from the industry was given ample opportunity to voice their opinions. Because of the large number of stakeholders who registered to attend, the format employed ten tables of eight stakeholders each with a moderator and notetaker. Over three breakout sessions, each table discussed every element of the Oversight Committee's recommendation and in turn, presented findings to the full forum. Following all presentations, each table returned to the topic to discuss the findings of the other nine tables. A professional rapporteur conducted the entire event.
The views expressed were diverse and there was a range of opinions on the future direction of the tax relief. I understand, however, that there was a spirit of collaboration at the event and participants showed respect for opposing viewpoints. All views are being collated at present and will be presented in due course. Stakeholders attending included trades unions, film crew and construction guilds, creative guilds, local authority film commissioners, casting directors, talent agencies, film studios, Animation Ireland, Screen Producers Ireland, VFX Ireland, Arts & Disability Ireland, Women in Film & Television, Audiovisual Ireland and Women in Animation.
Many of the matters raised at the forum, including employment contracts and copyright, are the responsibility of Cabinet colleagues and these were represented by their officials as observers at the forum. As well officials from my Department, relevant officials attended from the Departments of Finance and Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Revenue Commissioners. Screen Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán and Oireachtas members also attended as observers.
In organising the forum, regard was taken of the demand on busy industry professionals to give up a days work. The forum was held at this time of the year to allow for the greatest level of attendance. Despite this I am informed that some could not attend due to pressure of work. As Minister, I would like to thank all of the participants for their attendance and their contribution to the event.
