Richard Bruton
Ceist:544. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Education the status of the school building project for a school (details supplied); and the timeline for completion of the project. [13170/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSchools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (544)
Freagraí scríofa
The large scale capital project at the school is for the provision of a new 600 pupil school and ancillary accommodation. The project is at Architectural Planning Stage 3 – Tender Action and Award.
The original grant of planning expired in December 2022, but due to changes to the Planning Acts in September 2021, it was no longer possible to apply for an extension to the planning permission for the main building project and a new application was required. The new planning permission application was lodged, and subsequently granted in December 2023, with a number of conditions attached.
The Design Team are examining the implications of these conditions along with reviewing technical design information in relation to statutory and current technical design guidance.
My Department’s planning and building unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2024 in the context of overall requirements. The large scale capital project remains a priority for delivery.
My Department officials will be in contact with the School authority when the Design Team complete their review.
Public Private Partnerships
Ceisteanna (545)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Ceist:545. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Education to provide details on all planned PPP projects and ongoing PPP contracts; the status of each project; the anticipated or known capital cost; the anticipated or known cost to the Exchequer over the lifetime of the contracts; the annual total payment of PPP unitary charges and the percentage share of the total capital budget for her Department and all public bodies under the aegis of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13192/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Education has to date entered into six separate public private partnership (PPP) contracts. In terms of costs for the completed projects, the payments made by the State over the life of the PPP contract (typically 25 years after construction) include not just the cost of design and construction but also the cost of financing, operating and maintaining the facility (including services such as planned and reactive maintenance, grounds maintenance, cleaning, caretaking, security and waste management). The PPP company must provide a fully maintained facility for the duration of the contract and carries the risk in relation to rectification of any construction defects that occur during the term. If a facility is not available or services are not provided in accordance with the standards set out in the contract, the State is entitled to reduce its monthly payment until the required standard is restored.
Further information on the total contract values and project payments for all State PPP projects is available at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/6f72b-projects/
Schools Building Projects
Ceisteanna (546)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:546. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education if she will provide an update in respect of the schedule of school projects in Kildare (details supplied). [13243/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In relation to the proposed Special Unit for the school in Kildare, the school in question have been approved an additional accommodation project to provide 5 mainstream classrooms, 2 science labs and 4 Class SEN base. The project is currently at stage 2a (Developed Design Stage). My Department officials are currently engaging with relevant stakeholders in relation to providing an interim accommodation solution for an additional special class. The Department will continue to liaise with the school authority in this regard.
In relation to the campus project for 3 schools, this project has been devolved to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) for delivery as part of a bundled school building programme. The schools will be delivered as part of a campus development at Donaghcumper. The project is currently at Stage 1 of the architectural design process. The process of appointing the design team was recently completed in Q1 2024. The design team will now take the project through the various stages of design and architectural planning. It is not possible to provide a timeline for the project at this early stage. The NDFA have and will continue to engage directly with the school authorities to keep them informed of progress.
With regard to the reference to shortage of school places in two areas of Kildare, as part of planning for September 2024, data on applications for admission has been received by the department from post-primary schools across these areas of enrolment pressure, and updated data on offers and acceptances continues to be received as admissions processes transact.
The sharing of this data has been very effective in the identification of school place requirements across the areas. In the majority of areas across Kildare, through the work of schools, patrons, management bodies and the Department, there are sufficient school places available to meet the needs of children in the area. The Department is working with schools and patrons to make additional places available in a small number of areas where a need has been identified, including the areas referenced by the Deputy. For the Deputy's information, there are available first year places at certain schools in the relevant area.
While some applicants may not yet have received an offer of a school place for 2024/25, families can be assured that all children who require a school place will be provided with one. The Department is continuing to work with schools and patrons to ensure that there are sufficient school places available, and to put any required solutions in place.
In relation to the final element of this question the major project for this school is at Architectural Planning Stage 3 – Tender Action and Award.
The Department’s planning and building unit is currently assessing its work programme and priorities for 2024 in the context of overall requirements. The large scale capital project at this school remains a priority for delivery.
A tender report is under review by Department Officials. When this review is complete my Department will be in contact with the School Authority and the Design Team to progress the project and to authorise the issue of the Letter of Intent to the lowest tenderer. Until the contractor is appointed it is not possible to provide an estimated completion date. However once the contractor has been appointed, it is expected that it will take approximately 15 months to complete the project.
Given the procurement matters involved, it is not appropriate at this stage to provide the detailed cost information requested by the Deputy.
An Garda Síochána
Ceisteanna (547)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:547. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department has had the need to contact An Garda Síochána due to verbal, written, including electronically, or physical threats being addressed to staff or Ministers, at any level, working within the Department during the period 2020 to date. [11604/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department contacts An Garda Síochána where their assistance is required. For security reasons, my Department does not provide details or comment on such incidences.
Arts Council
Ceisteanna (548)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:548. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the conditions imposed on arts companies that received funding grants from the Arts Council in relation to adherence to employment law; if sanctions are imposed on such companies if they are found to be in breach of employment law; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11614/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Arts Council is independent in its funding decisions under Section 24 of the Arts Act 2003. In view of this, neither I as Minister nor my officials can intervene in funding decisions of the Council and in that context have no authority to set or monitor conditions of Arts Council funding.
Details of the Arts Council's funding schemes, applications and guidelines are all published on the Arts Council's website at the following link: www.artscouncil.ie/available-funding
The Deputy may be interested to learn of the Arts Council's Policy on the fair and equitable remuneration and contracting of artists known as Paying The Artist. Further details of this policy and its implementation plan are published on the Council’s website at the following link: www.artscouncil.ie/about/artists-pay-policy/. This policy complements and builds on the Council's work regarding dignity and respect in the workplace and the Arts Council’s Equality, Human Rights and Diversity (EHRD) Policy which is also published on its website.
Sports Funding
Ceisteanna (549)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:549. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when a decision will be made on an application for a sports club (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11757/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme 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, including the application referred to by the Deputy, 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. These details can be accessed at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/1c0f6-scep-2023-applications-received/
The necessary 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.
Television Licence Fee
Ceisteanna (550)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:550. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of TV licences purchased, by month, in each of the months January 2022 to February 2024, in tabular form. [11759/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
TV Licence sales recorded by An Post from January 2022 to February 2024 are set out below.
|
- |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
January |
78,050 |
78,389 |
75,183 |
|
February |
70,648 |
71,891 |
61,601 |
|
March |
74,098 |
79,210 |
|
|
April |
73,942 |
68,795 |
|
|
May |
73,624 |
73,598 |
|
|
June |
75,067 |
73,421 |
|
|
July |
76,769 |
53,882 |
|
|
August |
77,736 |
54,664 |
|
|
September |
93,365 |
66,000 |
|
|
October |
94,905 |
67,722 |
|
|
November |
87,750 |
72,248 |
|
|
December |
71,970 |
64,458 |
The TV licence funds a broad range of public service content, enabling essential news and current affairs programming, as well as supporting the creation of a high quality content on culture, sport, entertainment, music and more. It supports not only RTÉ, but also content created and broadcast by many independent producers on a range of national and local broadcasters. As such it remains critically important that people continue to pay the TV Licence fee. It is not only required by law, it underpins availability of public service content which is of paramount importance to our democracy and society.
Television Licence Fee
Ceisteanna (551)
Thomas Gould
Ceist:551. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of cancelled direct debits for the television licence in each of the months January 2022 to February 2024, in tabular form. [11760/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An Post, who are the statutory TV licence issuing agent, provides a number of payment options including direct debits, online payment, phone payment, over-the-counter payment at Post Offices, and TV Licence saving stamps. An Post notes that there is a long-term trend in licence holders moving to the direct debit payment channel. In 2012, 11.73% of TV Licences were purchased through direct debits and this had increased to 18.54% in 2022.
I am advised that according to An Post, there are a number of reasons why a direct debit arrangement is revoked or cancelled, and it does not necessarily mean that the household has decided not to purchase or maintain a valid TV licence. A licence holder may change banks, for example, and this can be seen in the spike in direct debit cancellations from April 2022 to March 2023 in the Table below, when Ulster Bank and KBC left the Irish market. In addition, a licence holder may have become eligible for a ‘free’ licence under the Household Benefits Package, administered by the Department of Social Protection. A licence holder may decide to move from direct debit payments to online purchasing, or another payment channel.
As mentioned previously, direct debit payments are trending upwards but online purchases are growing even more strongly, moving from 26.61% of purchases in 2012 to 45.20% of purchases in 2022.
With these caveats in mind, the number of direct debit cancellations from January 2022 to January 2024 is shown below. The final cancellation figure for the February 2024 direct debit monthly run will not be available until the end of March.
|
- |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
January |
580 |
1,044 |
823 |
|
February |
519 |
1,407 |
N/A |
|
March |
609 |
1,391 |
|
|
April |
620 |
623 |
|
|
May |
657 |
777 |
|
|
June |
864 |
1,656 |
|
|
July |
1,008 |
2,327 |
|
|
August |
806 |
1,632 |
|
|
September |
1,155 |
1,588 |
|
|
October |
1,176 |
1,198 |
|
|
November |
1,361 |
1,009 |
|
|
December |
1,376 |
707 |
An Post provides information on monthly direct debits sales and this information is shown below from January 2022 to February 2024.
|
- |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
January |
13,480 |
13,156 |
12,851 |
|
February |
14,196 |
14,411 |
13,549 |
|
March |
13,929 |
14,038 |
|
|
April |
13,817 |
13,672 |
|
|
May |
13,605 |
13,480 |
|
|
June |
14,634 |
14,703 |
|
|
July |
14,112 |
13,779 |
|
|
August |
14,839 |
13,852 |
|
|
September |
17,821 |
16,973 |
|
|
October |
18,531 |
17,059 |
|
|
November |
13,472 |
12,861 |
|
|
December |
13,345 |
12,922 |
|
|
Total |
175,781 |
170,906 |
The TV licence funds a broad range of public service content, enabling essential news and current affairs programming, as well as supporting the creation of a high quality content on culture, sport, entertainment, music and more. It supports not only RTÉ, but also content created and broadcast by many independent producers on a range of national and local broadcasters. As such it remains critically important that people continue to pay the TV Licence fee. It is not only required by law, it underpins availability of public service content which is of paramount importance to our democracy and society.
Legislative Measures
Ceisteanna (552, 579)
Colm Burke
Ceist:552. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide an update on progress made to date in respect of legislation regarding a company (details supplied) and short-term lettings, which is to include the provision of a short-term tourist letting register through Fáilte Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11857/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:579. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will pause the introduction of a register (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13323/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 552 and 579 together.
The proposed Registration of Short Term Tourism Letting (STTL) Bill will provide the statutory basis for the establishment of a register for Short Term Tourist Lets (STTLs) in Ireland, as required under the Housing for All strategy, and for the implementation of the new EU Short Term Rental (STR) Regulation.
This Bill remains the subject of ongoing engagement with the EU Commission in accordance with the Technical Regulations Information System (TRIS) EU Directive 2015/1535.
As part of this engagement, officials from my Department and from Fáilte Ireland met with representatives of the Commission in Brussels on 11 December 2023 and then, on 15 December, provided a formal response to the Commission’s communication of 22 March 2023 setting out our proposed approach to achieve alignment between the proposed STTL Bill and EU law, in particular the new STR Regulation.
On 9 February 2024, the Commission responded positively regarding the principles outlined in Ireland’s formal response and to suggest that further consideration was required to ensure complete alignment. My officials met again with the Commission on 21 February 2024 in this regard and to provide further clarifications on the proposed approach. This was a very positive engagement and my officials have provided a further written response to the Commission via the TRIS process.
A conclusion to the TRIS process shortly will allow for for the publication of the Bill in the coming months.
Tourism Industry
Ceisteanna (553)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:553. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media how Fáilte Ireland can award the Employer Excellence Programme award to establishments (details supplied). [11924/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My 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. The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland.
Accordingly, I have referred this question to that agency for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
Údarás na Gaeltachta
Ceisteanna (554)
Alan Dillon
Ceist:554. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to provide information on the upcoming elections for a representative from Mayo to Údarás na Gaeltachta; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12115/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The General Scheme of the Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2024, at it relates to the new selection/election process to appoint members to the board of Údarás na Gaeltachta, provides for an increase the membership of the board from 12 to 16 where ten members shall be elected on foot of elections from areas comprising of officially recognised Gaeltacht regions situated in the counties of Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Kerry, Cork, Waterford and Meath.
Under these new arrangements, the County Mayo constituency would return one member.
Officials in my Department continue to engage with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government in relation to progressing the drafting of this legislation.
Culture Policy
Ceisteanna (555)
John Brady
Ceist:555. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the estimated cost to introduce a pilot culture and media card scheme to the value of €200 for 18- to 24-year-olds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12205/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Any consideration of a culture card would need to be subject to a full appraisal and regulatory impact analysis and within the context of the Annual Estimates process. In terms of outline costs, Census 2022 identified some 438,491 people in the 18-24 years cohort, which would see a minimum cost of €87.7 million for the provision of a pilot culture and media card scheme to the value of €200 for this group. This does not include the cost of establishing and administering such a scheme.
It should be noted that, my Department actively supports a range of institutions, programmes and initiatives which create opportunities for young people around the country to engage with the arts and culture. The National Cultural Institutions which house the national collections, in particular, are free to access by the public. They also have a range of programmes, events and resources for young people including both in-person and online events and resources.
In addition, through the all-of-Government Creative Ireland Programme based in my Department, the Creative Youth Plan 2023-2027 provides access to children and young people, from birth to 24 years, to creative, cultural and artistic engagement across all aspects of their lives.
My Department is also investing ambitiously in the audio visual sector, all with a view to growing these sectors and providing new opportunities for younger people to participate in arts, culture and media activities. This group is also considered a key demographic for our work to stimulate the night-time economy.
More generally, I have supported significant investment in the Arts Council to a record level of €134 million which has a mandate to stimulate public interest for all age groups in the arts and to promote knowledge and appreciation of the arts.
Sports Events
Ceisteanna (556, 557)
Sean Fleming
Ceist:556. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a response will issue to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12268/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Matt Shanahan
Ceist:557. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of a submission and if she supports a proposed initiative by an organisation (details supplied); if so, when an official statement will be made confirming the €15 million in support funding, as requested; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12300/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 556 and 557 together.
Major sports events have the potential to deliver a range of benefits including increased participation in sport and physical activity, increased trade and tourism activity, and boosting national and community pride and wellbeing. Whether my Department, or the wider Government, supports the hosting of a major sports event in Ireland depends on a wide range of factors including the projected cost to the State, the expected economic benefits accruing to the State, and the event’s capacity to contribute to wider policy objectives.
My Department and I have been approached by Motorsport Ireland, in relation to Government support towards the hosting of rounds of the World Rally Championship, in the years 2025 to 2027. That proposal has been examined and assessed by my officials and my Department expects to be in a position to respond to Motorsport Ireland on the proposal shortly.
Question No. 557 answered with Question No. 556.
Broadcasting Sector
Ceisteanna (558, 559)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:558. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her Department's working definition of public service broadcasting; if the term should be taken to imply all activity by State-owned broadcasters, or only activity taken by such broadcasters in service of a defined public service mission; if there is a definition; whether there are plans to ring-fence funding for particular activity that meets this definition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12335/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraRichard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:559. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her views of the self-description by a company (details supplied) that it is a commercial public service broadcaster; whether her Department will take any action to publicly to clarify whether the term public service broadcasting is applicable to commercial providers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12336/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 558 and 559 together.
The Report of the Future of Media Commission defined Public Service Media as “publicly owned, publicly funded media organisations that primarily provide Public Service Content that is free at the point of consumption”. The Commission’s report also provides a definition of Public Service Content Providers (PSCP) as “non-publicly owned media organisations across the print, online and broadcasting sectors that provide Public Service Content to their audiences”.
While the definition of Public Service Media set out by the Commission relates to RTÉ and TG4, other broadcasters, including Virgin Media, together with a wide range of print and online media platforms, clearly also provide public service content.
The Broadcasting and other Media Regulation Acts 2009 and 2022 uses the term ‘public service broadcaster’, in referring to RTÉ, TG4 and the Houses of the Oireachtas Channel. In this regard, Sections 114 and 118 of the 2009 Act outline RTÉ’s and TG4’s principal objects and powers, and requires that they provide services “which shall have the character of a public service”. The Acts oblige both RTÉ and TG4 to provide a comprehensive range of programmes that reflect our cultural diversity, programmes that entertain, inform and educate, provide coverage of sporting, religious and cultural activities, provide news and current affairs, and cater for society at large including those with special or minority interests. As such, all of the programming by these two broadcasters can be considered to be in line with their statutory obligations and with their duties as public service broadcasters, and public funding is provided to support such activities.
With regard to other broadcasters, Section 70 of the 2009 Act makes provision for Coimisiún na Meán to enter into television programme service contracts with other audiovisual content providers. Virgin Media holds a Section 70 contract which includes the requirement that the broadcaster is responsive to the interests and concerns of the whole community, upholds democratic values and has a reasonable proportion of news and current affairs programmes. As such, Virgin Media can be characterised as a provider of public service content.
Departmental Staff
Ceisteanna (560)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:560. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of exit and-or severance and-or redundancy packages granted by her Department, bodies under her aegis and bodies she funds in full or in part, of €100,000 and above but less that €200,000, by the amount and by each body, in each of the years 2019 to 2023 and to date in 2024. [12359/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department in its current configuration was established in September 2020 and the reply relates to the period from that date.
There were no severance or redundancy payments of €100,000 and above but less than €200,000 made over that period in respect of my Department.
For the bodies under the aegis of my Department, this is an operational matter for each body. It should be noted that while my Department provides grant assistance to many organisations and programmes across the Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport & Media sectors, we do not have any operational role in those organisations.
State Bodies
Ceisteanna (561)
Jennifer Murnane O'Connor
Ceist:561. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the whole-time equivalent, WTE, staff vacancies, by job title, currently at Coimisiún Na Mean; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12563/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Coimisiún na Meán. Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to that agency for direct response to the Deputy.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51
I refer to Parliamentary Question 12563/24, which has been referred to Coimisiún na Meán by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and to which we are pleased to respond. Since the establishment of Coimisiún na Meán on 15 March 2023, the organisation has undergone a period of significant growth. At that time, when An Coimisiún assumed the responsibilities of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), the organisation had 39 employees. As of 3 April 2024, just over one year later, Coimisiún na Meán currently has 106 employees.
Our workforce plan calls for us to grow to 252 whole-time equivalent staff; we currently have Ministerial approval for 204 and have sought approval for the remainder.
As of the week commencing Monday, 1 April, there are 86 WTE active staff vacancies within Coimisiún na Meán. These vacancies are in the following areas: Regulatory Policy, User Support, Media Landscape, Platform Supervision and Investigations, Corporate, Legal and Data and Technology.
Job Title, Number of Positions
· Assistant Principal - Platform Supervision X 6
· Assistant Principal - Registration and Platforms X 2
· Assistant Principal - Broadcast Licencing & VOD, Media Landscape X 1
· Assistant Principal - Funding, Media Landscape X 2
· Assistant Principal - Broadcasting VOD Compliance & Complaints X1
· Assistant Principal - Public Service Media X 1
· Assistant Principal - Research, Media Landscape X 2
· Assistant Principal - Regulatory Policy X 1
· Assistant Principal - Head of Governance (Risk Management & Policy) X1
· Assistant Principal - Data Engineer X 1
· Assistant Principal - Data Scientist X 1
· Higher Executive Officer - Data Analyst X 3
· Higher Executive Officer - Platform Supervision (PS&I) X 8
· Higher Executive Officer - Registration and Platforms X 3
· Higher Executive Officer - Regulatory Operations X 3
· Higher Executive Officer - Investigations X 4
· Higher Executive Officer - Research, Media Landscape X 4
· Higher Executive Officer - Funding, Media Landscape X 4
· Higher Executive Officer - Broadcasting VOD Compliance & Complaints X 2
· HEO - Media Development X 2
· HEO - Public Service Media X1
· Assistant Principal - ICT X 3
· Assistant Principal - International Relations X 2
· Higher Executive Officer - ICT X 2
· AP - Commission Secretariat X1
· Higher Executive Officer - People and Organisational Development Lead X1
· Higher Executive Officer - Policy Manager X 6
· Higher Executive Officer - Contact Centre, User Support X 2
· EO - Facilities X1
· AP - Assistant Director, Legal X 6
· Higher Executive Officer - Complaints & Dispute Resolution, User Support X2
· Higher Executive Officer - Procurement Manager X 1
· Clerical Officer - Regulatory Policy X 4
· Clerical Officer - User Support X 2
We may refine our recruitment priorities in the light of changing business requirements and the outcome of recruitment campaigns.
I hope that this answers your question and if you have any other queries, please do not hesitate to ask.
Sports Funding
Ceisteanna (562)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:562. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will support a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12618/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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, which includes an application from the club referenced by the Deputy, 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.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (563)
Robert Troy
Ceist:563. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will publish a list of the NGOs funded by her Department; and the level of funding each NGO received in the past three years, in tabular form. [12729/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department, and the bodies under its aegis, fund a wide range of non-profit organisations in the sporting, cultural and language area.
In the absence of an agreed definition of an NGO it is not possible to say if any of these non-profit groups consider themselves to be NGOs. It is not a category of funding recipient that is distinguished within the programmes which my Department operates
Departmental Meetings
Ceisteanna (564)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:564. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the number of engagements, including online meetings, webinars, briefings and in-person meetings, she or officials from her Department and bodies under the aegis of her Department have had with an organisation (details supplied), including its representatives, from 1 January 2019 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12749/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department in its current configuration was established in September 2020. Neither I nor officials from my Department have had any direct engagements, including online meetings, webinars, briefings and in-person meetings, with the National Women’s Council of Ireland since then.
However, I am advised that a representative from the NWCI attended the following events in which I or my officials were in attendance; March 2020 'Celebrate the Changemaker', November 2020 Women's Parliamentary Caucus in which the NWCI provided secretariat support, April 2021 the Director of the NWCI attended a meeting of Women's Voices, and a representative spoke at the launch of the Advisory Committee on the Representation of Women and Women’s Stories within the collections of the National Cultural Institutions in September 2023.
The Deputy may wish to note also that my Department is represented on the Steering Committee for the National Strategy on Women and Girls chaired by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the membership of which includes representatives of the National Women's Council of Ireland.
With regard to Agencies/Bodies under my Department's remit, such arrangements would be an operational matter for the respective Agency/Body.
Sports Funding
Ceisteanna (565)
Kathleen Funchion
Ceist:565. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if there is a delay in issuing sports capital grants applied for in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12753/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme 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. These details can be accessed at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/1c0f6-scep-2023-applications-received/
The necessary 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.
Sports Funding
Ceisteanna (566)
Aindrias Moynihan
Ceist:566. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the up-to-date position on a sports capital grant application (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12781/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme 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, including one from the club referred to by the Deputy, 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. These details can be accessed at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/1c0f6-scep-2023-applications-received/
The necessary 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.
Departmental Budgets
Ceisteanna (567)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:567. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the percentage of her Department's capital budget allocation that has been spent in the first two months of 2024; and if she will provide the same figures for the corresponding period in 2023, in tabular form. [12792/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Details of 2023 and 2024 capital allocations can be found in the published Revised Estimates Volume for 2024, available at www.gov.ie/en/collection/e20037-revised-estimates/ (pages 148-156).
Details of capital expenditure by my Department, and all Government Departments, are published by the Department of Finance on a monthly basis at www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/fd5ef4-the-fiscal-monitor/.
Details pertaining to final capital outturn for 2023 are contained in my Department’s 2023 Annual Appropriation Account, which is currently being audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General and will fall to be published by that Office in due course.
Sports Funding
Ceisteanna (568)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:568. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when a grant will issue to a club (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12827/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The latest round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme 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, including one from the project referred to by the Deputy, 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. These details can be accessed at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/1c0f6-scep-2023-applications-received/
The necessary 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.
Horse Racing Industry
Ceisteanna (569)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Ceist:569. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 173 and 174 of 6 March 2024, the amount of funding provided by either Horse Sport Ireland or Sport Ireland to equestrian-related bodies in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; under what programmes and for what purposes, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12907/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding under its various programmes. Sport Ireland channels the funding through the relevant National Governing Body of sport. Sport Ireland allocates its funding for equestrian sport to Horse Sport Ireland.
I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to funding provided by Sport Ireland to Horse Sport Ireland. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
With regard to funding provided by Horse Sport Ireland, I have no responsibility to the Dáil in this matter. I note that, in his reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 173 and 174 of 6 March 2024, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD, informed the Deputy that he has requested the relevant funding information from Horse Sport Ireland and upon receipt of same will forward it directly to the Deputy.
Sports Events
Ceisteanna (570, 571, 572)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:570. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 252, 253 and 254 of 27 February 2024, if the Irish taxpayers' commitment to the Ryder Cup is open-ended (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12931/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaul Murphy
Ceist:571. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 252, 253 and 254 of 27 February 2024, her views on whether the cost analysis review should be made available to the public; if she will ensure this report is published (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12932/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaul Murphy
Ceist:572. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 252, 253 and 254 of 27 February 2024, her views on whether it is right for the public to pay more than €60 million to host the Ryder Cup in Adare, given this is four times the total core funding given to sports organisations in this country (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12933/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 570 to 572, inclusive, together.
In July 2019, after an extended period of consideration and negotiation, including an assessment of the costs and benefits, the Government approved a package of financial support for the hosting of the event, to which the Deputy refers. The main payment to the event organisers to host the event is an event licence fee which in total is scheduled to cost €22.5 million, not including VAT, which is paid to the Exchequer.
To strengthen the professional game in Ireland in the run up to the event, additional financial support of €8.5 million is also being provided for professional golf events i.e. the Irish Open, the Challenge and Legends Tour Events, scheduled to take place in Ireland up and including 2027. Marketing of the event will also form a key part of the preparations for the hosting and a budget of €8 million will be provided for marketing through and with the European Tour. The above figures are exclusive of VAT which will be in the order of €5 million.
Separate to this, an operational budget will be required to support the staging of the event to cover matters such as policing, local authority support, transport provision, as well as an opening ceremony, and fanzones. These supports will ensure that Ireland can maximise the opportunity which this tournament affords Ireland, the Mid-West and Limerick City and County. The Government agreed, in principle, to an allocation of €19.365 million for this operational budget. Major sports events have the potential to deliver a range of benefits including increased participation in sport and physical activity, increased trade and tourism activity, and boosting national and community pride and wellbeing. Whether my Department, or the wider Government, supports the hosting of a major sports event in Ireland depends on a wide range of factors including the projected cost to Government, the economic benefits accruing to the State and the event’s capacity to contribute to wider policy objectives. The hosting of a state-supported major sports event is usually governed by a comprehensive contractual agreement which, in this instance is between the State and the European Tour. Under such an agreement, the Government commits to the provision of a certain level of services together with a certain level of payment to support the hosting of the tournament. The purpose of such agreements is to set out clearly the expectations of both parties, to limit financial liability and to highlight the obligations required of both parties to successfully host the event. The level of services to be provided by the Government, plus payments to be made, in support of the hosting of the Ryder Cup in 2027, is set out in this reply. The Economic Impact Assessment for the event, which is currently being reviewed to take account of the passage of time, contains commercially sensitive information and estimates for future services that have yet to be tendered for and supplied, and is therefore not suitable for publication.
It is estimated that hosting the Ryder Cup in 2006 in Kildare was worth €143 million to the Irish economy and, on the basis of an Economic Impact Assessment undertaken in 2019, the Department is confident that the 2027 event will be worth well in excess of that amount. The current investment is accordingly considered appropriate given the likely returns arising from the 2027 event.
It should be noted that a post-event economic report will be undertaken, following the hosting of the Ryder Cup in 2027, and it is expected that this report will subsequently be published.