Vol. 1029 No. 5
7. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update on the basic income for the arts scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56905/22]
8. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the date of commencement of payment of the basic income for the arts; the number that have started receiving weekly payments; and the number that are still awaiting the processing of payments. [56972/22]
Is ceist í seo mar gheall ar basic income for artists, the number of them who are in receipt of weekly payments and the number who are still awaiting processing of payments, given that this was meant to have started in April of this year.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 8 together.
The basic income for the arts, BIA, pilot was a key priority for me as Minister with responsibility for arts and culture. I see this scheme as an important intervention to support the arts sector recover after the devastation wreaked by the Covid pandemic. Covid clearly highlighted both the precarious nature of working in the arts but more so, it shone a light on the importance of the arts for us all. It is well established that artists suffer from precarious incomes. The scheme will research the impact of providing the security of a basic income on the creative practice of artists and creative arts workers.
The pilot was also the number one recommendation of the arts and culture recovery taskforce, which I established in 2020 to examine ways in which to help the arts recover post-pandemic. I was very pleased to have been able to deliver on this recommendation with the first payments on the scheme being made to recipients two weeks ago. A total of 2,000 recipients are being paid €325 a week for three years while 1,000 control group members are being paid €650 per year to engage in the data collection. The scheme will cost €35 million per year and €105 million in total. A total of 1,992 recipients have received their payments to date. A small number of participants have decided not to accept their place on the scheme and these places will be reallocated shortly. It will be weighted in such a way that they will be treated in the same way as the 2,000 original applicants were selected.
The research will examine over a three-year period the impact of a basic income-style payment on artists and creative arts workers. This research element is a hugely important part of the pilot scheme. The scheme recognises that there is a vast body of often unpaid or underpaid time that goes into the making of the creative work that we as a society enjoy. The ambition of the scheme is that by providing the security of a basic income, artists and creative arts workers can focus on artistic work and be in a position to increase their earnings from their creative practice as a self-employed artist or creative. I have established the scheme very firmly as a research project so that an evidence base can be developed around the impact of the policy. The scheme is a randomised control trial that consists of two groups of randomly selected people. The treatment group will receive the basic income while the control group will not receive it. Analysis of the results will involve a comparison of averages between the two groups. As the groups have the same characteristics at baseline and are large enough to be a statistically representative sample, any difference arising during the trial can be assumed to have been caused by the policy. I am very grateful to all the applicants who agreed to participate in the control group. Being able to compare and track their careers against those who will receive the BIA will be essential in demonstrating the impact of the payment on artists and their creative practices.
Participants will be surveyed at least twice a year and will keep a journal so they are in a position to give accurate data. Focus groups, interviews and seminars will also happen to collect more qualitative data on how the scheme is impacting participants' lives. Baselining research information has been received from recipients who have accepted their place on the scheme so that research has already kicked off. Research findings on the impact of the pilot on the individuals and their practices, the sector and ecology of the arts in Ireland will form an important part of the pilot. Data on income and earnings, time use, work and job quality, well-being and mental health will be collected using a longitudinal survey every six months plus focus groups, interviews and art form specific research topics.
The Government wants to give recognition to the value of the arts and the role of creative practice in Irish society. That is what this pilot scheme is all about. It is about addressing the earnings instability that can be associated with the intermittent, periodic and often project-based nature of work in the arts.
I believe that the BIA pilot scheme is a once-in-a-generation, transformational measure in the funding of the arts in Ireland. It makes a strong statement at home and abroad about the value that Ireland as a nation places on artistic practice both for its intrinsic value and in terms of our personal and collective well-being and also in terms of its importance to our identity and cultural distinctiveness on the global stage.
This is very important if you want an experiment. That is why it is a pilot scheme. I wish it well. I have raised points previously and will continue to feed them in. Hopefully, those points will be addressed as the pilot continues. What will happen with the underspend from this year because the introduction was delayed and artists did not receive payment as expected in April? The money allocated for this year was €25 million. Will this funding be re-purposed within the Department, for example, for a hardship scheme or other schemes or will it just carry over and be added to the €35 million that has been allocated in the budget for next year? I presume it is additional funding.
A total of €25 million was allocated for this year because we knew we would not have a full year of basic income and that it would take time to get the randomised process up and running to do the engagement. I welcome and appreciate the Deputy's constructive engagement throughout this process. He has been very supportive of this scheme, which I think comes from his and his family's direct experience of the arts. All will get the full three years of payment. That is guaranteed regardless of when it started. It is a three-year project. It started on 29 August 2022 and will be a three-year project. My plan is for the savings in 2022 to be re-purposed and we will give further consideration to that but it is guaranteed to be €35 million per year and to be a full three-year project.
I understood it was €35 million. I was referring to the funding that needs to be re-purposed and if it will be re-purposed for artists because it was set aside for artists in particular. The Minister knows from the 9,000 plus artists who applied for this that there is a demand so hopefully the Minister will be able to re-purpose and possibly focus on those who were unsuccessful or those who are down on their luck.
My other question relates to August 2025, when the pilot ends and if that becomes a cliff edge. Will the research and the report be produced in advance of that cliff edge so the Department can recalibrate the scheme or ensure people are aware of the end of the pilot? Will it continue to allow for the findings and research to take effect?
It is my plan to re-purpose. The details will be available shortly. It will support artists, energy supports they need and the issues that affect the arts, like any other sector. In respect of 2025, the research piece is ongoing. We already have the baseline from the participants who received their payment. Something will be published every six months so we will see the benefits and impact of it as it is ongoing so it will not be the case that suddenly in August 2025 we will have the effect of this. We will have that continuous assessment from the control group and the 2,000 successful applicants.
9. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way that negotiations are proceeding with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to reviewing or recalibrating sporting club commitments under the largescale sporting infrastructure fund scheme and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56519/22]
15. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 7 of 1 October 2020, if the referenced review of the largescale sports infrastructure fund has been completed and the intended timeframe in which she intends to reopen the fund to facilitate new applications from local authorities for funds in support of constructing new swimming pools. [56641/22]
I understand negotiations with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform are proceeding with regard to reviewing sport club commitments under the largescale sport infrastructure fund. Can the Minister of State provide us with an update on that?
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 15 together.
While Government support for larger sports projects was previously provided on an ad hoc basis, the largescale sport infrastructure fund, LSSIF, was launched in 2018 to provide an open and transparent system for applying for such funding. The first call for proposals was confined to national governing bodies of sport and local authorities.
Following a detailed assessment process, the first allocations under the LSSIF were announced in January 2020 and thus far, approximately €86.4 million has been allocated to 33 different proposals. These initial allocations include funding for eight swimming pool projects. Details of all applications made and grants awarded are published on my Department's website.
It should be noted that the allocations were announced in January 2020 just prior to the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic. The pandemic obviously gave rise to significant financial challenges for all grantees with many of them having to reprioritise their own expenditure plans due to reductions in their income streams. In more recent times, the high level of construction inflation has also presented considerable challenges for grantees. In view of these issues, it was considered timely to review progress on all projects allocated grants and meetings with all grantees have now taken place. It is encouraging that, based on these discussions with grantees, 22 of the 33 projects should be in a position to draw down funding in 2023. Accordingly, I expect to see significant progress on many of the LSSIF projects in the short to medium term and so there is unlikely to be any savings in the relevant subhead next year to allow a reallocation of funding. I am also aware that progress has been made by a number of grantees in securing additional sources of funding outside of the LSSIF process.
Dealing specifically with new swimming pool projects, work has commenced on the development of the first national swimming strategy based on a vision to provide everyone in Ireland with an opportunity to swim. The working group tasked with the detailed work of preparing the strategy is chaired by my Department and comprises representatives from relevant national governing bodies, NGBs, and stakeholders. An extensive consultation process has been undertaken across both stakeholders and the public and work is ongoing on the analysis of this after a very large number of responses were received. It is hoped to finalise the new strategy in the coming months and it will further guide future swimming pool investment policy.
In the medium term, I will continue to explore all options to assist those large-scale projects that have not progressed to date. In this regard, I am continuing to engage with my Government colleagues and officials have also been liaising with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to make the case for further funding for the LSSIF. Securing additional funding will also allow the consideration of a new call for LSSIF proposals, as well as advancing the current design projects to construction stage.
It is welcome to see that €6 million has been drawn down by those 33 projects, as the Minister of State has alluded to. The fundamental point here, though, is that regarding many of these larger organisations, and the Football Association of Ireland, FAI, comes to mind immediately, it is well documented that they are fairly cash-strapped now and are incapable of progressing many of these applications without some kind of a review and a leg-up. It is, therefore, great to see that this engagement has happened. I would be grateful if the Minister of State could provide a timeline regarding when he thinks these negotiations with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform might conclude.
I am thinking of one project in particular that is especially time-sensitive and which I have spoken to the Minister of State about previously. I refer to the FAI centre of excellence in Glanmire. It received planning permission about seven years ago. Time is ticking on this project and we must see if we can get it off the ground. It may not be in the guise we initially envisaged but at least work might be started on it. This project is particularly time-sensitive and the planning permission for this project will lapse in the next two to three years. I welcome hearing the Minister of State's thoughts on this issue.
We are continuing to engage with officials in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. In fairness, the FAI, and I can send a note to the Deputy specifically on the engagements regarding the project in Glanmire, is advancing and is the lead applicant for the Donegal Community Stadium for Finn Harps. We expect drawdown to happen there and, hopefully, there will be further progress on this in the coming months. The FAI is, therefore, advancing certain projects. It has also helped and is assisting many clubs in grassroots communities to draw down the record level of funding we gave in the sports capital and equipment programme. I will revert to the Deputy on the specifics of the project he referred to, which I know is important in Cork. As I said, we are continuing to engage. As we have increased drawdown potential, we expect two thirds of these projects to commence next year, which is significant progress compared with where we were at this year. We are conscious of the level of ambition that exists, the need in respect of certain projects that still have a funding gap and this is the basis of our engagement. I do not have a timeline for when this will conclude.
It is welcome that there is ongoing engagement with organisations like the FAI and that they are progressing some projects. I emphasise the importance of the centre of excellence in Glanmire. It will be a project that will cover most of Munster. Especially now that Cork City has been elevated back into the League of Ireland Premier Division, it is imperative that, in conjunction with the FAI, we continue to develop the facility there. As I said, if it does not take the guise or the form we originally planned or envisaged, then some level of development can still take place. The only real outstanding question I have concerns the possibility of the funds not being drawn down on any project, be it in Glanmire or anywhere else. Will the Minister of State confirm what will happen to the money? Will it be ring-fenced for sport in that area and region, will it return to the Minister of State's Department or will it go to other outstanding projects?
I agree with what was said about Glanmire. Turning to the issue of clubs and organisations establishing and building major or minor sporting facilities, one of the issues that arises is the availability of land and sites for these projects. We are hoping to build many houses. As a former Minister of State in the Department of Justice and Equality, I am concerned about antisocial behaviour if we build more and more houses but no sporting facilities and infrastructure as part of this endeavour. Will the Minister of State agree with me that this is something that must be looked at and reviewed urgently and that we need to start ring-fencing land for sporting facilities, such as swimming pools, soccer pitches, football pitches, running tracks and so on?
I thank both Deputies for their questions. Turning to the comments from Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan first, I am conscious of the importance of the centre of excellence in Glanmire. It was great to see Cork City returning to the Premier Division. I look forward to the club's success next year. I am also conscious of the importance of having proper training facilities for the next generation of footballers. A sympathetic view is taken in respect of timelines and projected funding. This is very much done on a collaborative basis between my Department and the applicants. There is no specific cliff edge for the removal of funding. I encourage continued engagement between applicants and the Department. This is the nature of how these matters are dealt with.
There is an issue in certain parts of the country concerning land. Through the development plan process, it is incumbent on local authorities to ensure land is allocated for recreational use. Many local authorities are doing that. Our role is to facilitate grassroots and local authority applications to fund specific projects. As a Department, we are not presently in the space of purchasing land or owning a significant land bank for the provision of sports facilities. Good sustainable planning ensures this community development piece is aligned with housing supply. We must ensure that this is a core focus in any major plans in this regard.
12. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 604 of 26 April 2022, the progress that has been made in the development of the national swimming strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56522/22]
I heard the Minister of State's previous response regarding this issue of the national swimming strategy. Will he agree that every child should have the opportunity to learn to swim and that it is extremely important for physical and mental health? Where is the strategy? What is the Minister of State's vision for the strategy? What instructions has he given to the committee in respect of the parameters on this? I refer to the committee that has been established. When does the Minister of State expect to get its report?
The National Sports Policy 2018-2027 and the Sports Action Plan 2021-2023 commit to the development and implementation of a national swimming strategy. The strategy will be the first of its kind in Ireland and will be based on a vision to provide everyone in Ireland with an opportunity to swim. It will be suited to all ages and abilities and will seek to recognise swimming as a life skill with participation potential over the full course of life.
The working group tasked with the detailed work of preparing the strategy is chaired by my Department and comprises representatives from relevant national governing bodies for sport and stakeholders, specifically Swim Ireland, Sport Ireland, CARA, Ireland Active and the local authorities. An online public consultation process was launched on 9 September 2022 and closed on 7 October 2022. An extensive consultation across relevant stakeholders has operated in parallel with this process and is now drawing to a conclusion.
I have been very heartened by the response rates to the consultation, which are testament to the increased popularity of swimming and the critical role it can play in terms of our physical health and mental well-being. Work is ongoing on the analysis of the very large number of responses received to ensure that the strategy encompasses all of the issues raised and views expressed to the greatest extent possible. Thousands of submissions were made as part of the public consultation.
That is being dealt with through each submission. It is important where we have that scale of input from communities that we use that to the benefit of a positive national swimming strategy.
We had hoped to conclude it by year end and work is ongoing to bring it to a conclusion. However, I also want to make sure we get it right and it may be into early next year before it is concluded.
We are keen on matching the ambition and vision that is there with the pop-up pools we have established in certain areas where there is a deficit of swimming pool infrastructure. We are looking to partner with Swim Ireland continuously on that.
There are new innovative ways that we can deliver opportunities from a water safety perspective for communities across the country and this strategy will encompass all of that when it is published.
I congratulate the Minister of State on finally getting this off the ground because it has been promised for quite a number of years.
Maybe the Minister of State could tell the House what his ambition for and vision of this strategy are. I am sure the Minister of State is aware that schools are finding it difficult to provide swimming which is part of the curriculum, especially if they have to travel fairly long distances to get to a swimming pool and if there is a cost involved in that which they find it difficult to meet. There is also class time lost in many instances. Will this strategy include some form of national analysis of locations of swimming pools and the need for swimming pools in certain areas? Can the Minister of State be any more definite with respect to when this strategy will be published and concluded?
We expect it to conclude early next year, more than likely. I had hoped to conclude it by the end of the year but 6,000 responses were received. As the Deputy will be aware, there are many consultations done in communities with often less than 100 responses in many instances. That shows the scale of the interest. We expect it to conclude early next year.
On the question of the deficits of infrastructure, we have a separate piece of work ongoing with Sport Ireland to map and match every piece of sporting infrastructure across the country so that one can quickly see where there are specific deficits within communities where there might be long commuter times. That must have a parallel role in how we invest our capital resources that where there is a specific deficit we can address that through funding streams going into the future. That is an important strategic piece of work.
We are keen as well to deliver new swimming opportunities. We have the traditional model, which is to build a big leisure centre in certain areas where there are then longer commutes for people. The pop-up pools have been a great example where one can bring a piece of infrastructure into a community that brings water safety and swimming lessons for communities that have never had the opportunity to have that, apart from a long commute. They are the types of new models of delivering infrastructure which we are examining. That is one element of it but there are other examples that Swim Ireland is working on. We are engaging with them on that.
I come from one of the fastest growing towns in the country, Midleton in east Cork. Recently, there was a feasibility study carried out on the need for a swimming pool in the area. Part of the problem is trying to find a site. Part of the problem is to get the local authority to buy-in to it. The population growth is projected to be significant. There is a local group established to put this forward but it is running into all kinds of obstacles. Can the Minister of State offer them any assistance, guidance or advice as to how they can proceed with the putting in place of a swimming pool in a large area which is to grow significantly in the next number of years in the two instances of finding a site and encouraging the local authority to support it as well, which is crucial?
That comes back to my original point that if one cannot find land and if the land is not zoned for it, one cannot go ahead and do anything. We need a national statement from the Minister of State on this matter directing local authorities to be proactive in this regard.
We need to see local authorities deliver more swimming opportunities for local communities. That is why we also have to look at different models of delivering that infrastructure. There has been a reluctance amongst local authorities to build the traditional leisure centre model and that is why the pop-up pools have been an enormous success. They have been in Donabate and in west Wicklow. There is one in Tubbercurry in Sligo presently.
Swim Ireland is looking at new models and ways to partner with communities and with local authorities on delivering new types of infrastructure which deliver the participation benefit and deliver the community benefit when it comes to the deficit of infrastructure that is there. That model is being assessed. It is obviously being piloted currently. They are partnerships between local authorities, communities and Swim Ireland, with the State purchasing some of the pop-up pools as well. That is an example that I would encourage local authorities to examine and assess where there is a deficit of infrastructure. The feedback has been extremely positive in communities that have had the pop-up pools.
There are additional examples, beyond pop-up pools, in terms of above-ground modular examples which we are exploring with Swim Ireland which are more cost-effective but deliver the participation benefit. That is all part of the national swimming strategy that we are examining, as I say, looking at different capital types which will deliver the capital benefit when it comes to swimming pools.
13. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of the sports capital and equipment programme; and when she expects the programme to open for applications for 2023. [56950/22]
20. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a review of sports capital is underway; if any changes in the format for the next round of funding calls are planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56605/22]
41. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media when the next round of sports capital funding will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56768/22]
51. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her Department's plans for a future round of the sports capital grants scheme; the timeframe for the commencement of the process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56984/22]
The sports capital and equipment programme makes an enormous contribution to thousands of sporting clubs, organisations and schools which have benefited from the fund. The programme supports jobs when delivering capital projects and also provides an economic and social stimulus in both urban and rural areas. Could the Minister of State provide an update on the current status of the sports capital programme and the future timing on next year's plans?
I propose to Questions Nos. 13, 20, 41 and 51 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 now benefited from sports capital funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion. The programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising investment in disadvantaged areas.
The 2020 round of the SCEP closed for applications on Monday, 1 March 2021 and by the deadline, a record 3,106 applications were submitted.
Approximately 1,000 of the submitted applications were for equipment-only projects. These applications were assessed first and grants with a total value of €16.6 million were announced in August 2021. The remaining capital applications were then assessed and 1,865 individual grant offers with a total value of over €143.8 million were announced on Friday, 11 February 2022.
Unsuccessful applicants were able to appeal the Department's decision. The deadline for submission of capital appeals was Monday, 4 April and 146 appeals were received. Consequent allocations on foot of successful appeals amounting to €6.14 million were announced on Tuesday, 31 May. The total allocation of €150 million for capital projects, and €166.6 million for the round in total, represents the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP.
The priority immediately is to advance the successful applications, which number almost 2,900, under this round to formal approval and grant drawdown stage. This requires detailed ongoing engagement with all grantees.
Following completion of the appeal process, my Department commenced a full review of all aspects of the previous round of the SCEP. A draft review has now been completed and I and the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, expect to be in a position to publish it shortly. Any recommendations arising from the review will be reflected in the next round and while there are always elements that can be improved, I do not envisage any major changes to the terms and conditions of the highly successful 2020 round. Following publication of the review, I will announce the exact timing of the round in the coming weeks. It is hoped to have the actual application process open early in the new year for the next round.
I thank the Minister of State for his response in relation to this important programme. We understand the importance of sport to communities around the country and it is imperative to fund it. Money spent on sport is money saved on healthcare down the road.
Certainly, the 2020 sports allocation programme has been hugely successful and I commend the Minister of State on his efforts in relation to the national fund of over €166 million that was allocated for both equipment and sports capital.
The Minister of State mentioned the draft review of the 2020 programme is under way. When does he expect it to be published? Will it be before the end of the year? The potential timing for 2023 is important because many sporting organisations that did not apply before March 2021 are eager to apply in 2023. I would appreciate an update on this.
I join other Deputies in asking similar questions. When will the next round of sports capital grant funding be out? I acknowledge the enormous success of the previous round and its benefit. It is fabulous as a local representative from Cork East to see the projects under way in a number of sports clubs. We are looking forward to welcoming the Minister and Minister of State from the Department at some stage. It is important that we get an indication of when the next round will come down the tracks. Many clubs have prepared projects under the Covid-19 restrictions. They would like to get a picture of when the next round will come up for debate, discussion and application. We all look forward to it. I commend the Minister and the Minister of State on behalf of many very happy clubs undertaking projects at present. I thank them for all the work they and the Department have done.
I thank Deputies Dillon and O'Connor for their questions and remarks. We expect the review to be published by the end of the year. It is pretty much ready. We will have to consider it and then it will be published. It should be ready very shortly. I appreciate the question asked by Deputies O'Connor and Dillon on the importance of planning for the next round and the level of ambition in communities when it comes to sports capital and equipment programme. This is why we are anxious to advance a further round. We expect it to open early next year. This is why it is important for clubs, whether or not they have received funding, so they can continue to have phased progress of their ambition for their clubs and communities. This will build a more active society as younger people and those of all generations participate in sport. We are ambitious to advance this. As I have said, we will make a formal announcement when we have an exact timing on it. We expect it to be early next year.
I appreciate the response of the Minister of State. Certainly in my constituency, more than 99 sporting organisations and schools benefited from the fund. In total €4.8 million was allocated through the sports capital programme. More than €470,000 was allocated through the sports equipment programme. This is a significant contribution to sport. Given the record number of applications I commend the Department on the information, presentation and support they give to applicants who are not familiar with the process in respect of doing the paperwork and forwarding the required quotations. I look forward to the programme opening in 2023. It is very important and I thank the Minister of State for his response.
The questions we are asking this morning are to get a picture of when we will know about the next round of sports capital grants. As I outlined earlier, it is very important that we have forward planning. The Government, I hope, has slightly more than two years left prior to the next general election. I would love to be in a position while we are in government be able to visit, with my constituency colleague, Deputy Stanton, the sports clubs in our constituency to ask what help and assistance they want with sports capital grants. We are very proud to see the impact of the project the Government undertook with the previous sports capital grants programme and the equipment grant programme. They have been superb. It would be fantastic to get an indication of when the next round will be brought forward.
There is great teamwork in our constituency. It is great to be able to work with a colleague like that. I want to bring the Minister of State back to the question of sites. We have enthusiastic clubs and whether they are building sports fields or getting a lawn mower, the grant can make a big difference to them. I say well done to the Minister, the Minister of State and the officials. The issue now seems to be how we can give money and not how we cannot give it. The philosophy and vision have turned around in a big way. Many clubs cannot find a place for a sports field, running track or swimming pool, as I said earlier. In many communities, clubs do not have the wherewithal or finance to get started. As part of the review, will the Minister of State have a look at how clubs and communities can be assisted, particularly clubs from more disadvantaged areas that will really find it difficult? Perhaps local authorities do not see this as a priority. Will the Minister of State look at this and take it on board as an issue?
I thank all three Deputies for their remarks. I will respond to Deputy Dillon first. I have close roots in Mayo and the people there have huge pride in supporting the county. It is great to see the level of interest in grassroots participation there. I also agree that we have an excellent team in the Department in Killarney. They are very proactive in engaging with clubs and communities and providing them with assistance. It is great to see the teamwork and collaboration through sport between Deputies O'Connor and Stanton. As I have said previously to Deputy O'Connor, we expect it to be open very early next year. That is as good a signal as possible to clubs that they can plan ahead and work on their next level of ambition. For some clubs, this will mean following through on their existing allocation. Others will want to apply again. Some did not come in on the previous occasion as people have said. It is to give them this opportunity. Deputies O'Connor and Stanton come from a proud sporting community where many people successfully participate in many sports for their county and country.
With regard to land, local authorities need to use their open spaces to partner with clubs and communities. They can apply on behalf of clubs when it comes to specific proposals. We are very flexible in trying to ensure they can do this. The sports capital and equipment programme will not become a land purchasing programme because that would totally undermine grassroots investment in facilities and infrastructure.
Facilities.
We need to ensure it is focused on investment in actual participation as a core objective.
17. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán na dátaí tosach feidhme do gach foráil ar leith in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021 a leagadh amach go soiléir i bhfoirm tábla, chomh maith le liosta sonrach de na forálacha sin atá i bhfeidhm cheana féin agus liosta eile sonrach de na forálacha nach bhfuil i bhfeidhm go fóill, agus liosta de dhátaí agus sonraí faoi gach cruinniú a bhí ag an gCoiste Comhairleach um Sheirbhísí Gaeilge ó bunaíodh é. [56973/22]
Is ceist í seo mar gheall ar Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021 a rith muid anseo sa Teach in 2021. Tá forálacha ann nach bhfuil tagtha i bhfeidhm. Cad iad na forálacha sin agus cén uair a bheidh siad ag teacht i bhfeidhm?
Cuireann Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021, a achtaíodh i mí na Nollag 2021, le hAcht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003. Cuireadh tús feidhme ar 20 Meitheamh 2022 leis na forálacha teicniúla seo: alt 1 a thugann míniú maidir leis an bpríomh-Acht; agus alt 2, a dhéanann leasú ar alt 2 den phríomh-Acht. Chomh maith leis sin, tá tús feidhme curtha leis na forálacha seo a leanas ar 20 Meitheamh 2022 fosta: alt 8, a bhaineann le bunú an choiste chomhairligh um sheirbhísí Gaeilge; agus alt 20, a bhaineann le gearrtheideal, comhlua agus tosach feidhme an Achta. Tháinig na forálacha in alt 6 maidir le fógraíocht phoiblí i bhfeidhm ar 10 Deireadh Fómhair 2022. Mar thoradh air seo, cinnteoidh comhlacht poiblí gur i nGaeilge a bheidh 20% ar a laghad d’aon fhógraíocht arna déanamh ag an gcomhlacht in aon bhliain agus go ndéanfar 5% ar a laghad d’aon airgead a chaithfidh an comhlacht ar fhógraíocht in aon bhliain a úsáid chun fógraíocht a dhéanamh i nGaeilge trí na meáin Ghaeilge. Tá roinnt bearta eile ar na bacáin agus comhráití déthaobhacha tosaithe chomh maith chun a chinntiú go mbainfear an sprioc earcaíochta de 20% roimh dheireadh 2030 amach. San áireamh anseo tá feasacht a chruthú faoi na deiseanna le Gaeilge san earnáil phoiblí, tacú tuilleadh le foghlaimeoirí Gaeilge atá ag obair san earnáil phoiblí cheana féin, agus tionscnaimh fhéideartha agus nuálacha a fhiosrú le Ranna Stáit eile chun sineirge a aithint.
I measc na bhforálacha nach bhfuil feidhm tugtha leo fós tá a leanas: alt 3, ceann comhlachta phoiblí a cheapadh agus tuarascáil ar chomhlíonadh oibleagáidí faoin Acht a chur ar fáil; alt 4, dualgas comhlachtaí poiblí na teangacha oifigiúla a úsáid ar stáiseanóireacht oifigiúil; alt 5, dualgas comhlachtaí poiblí maidir le hainmneacha, seoltaí agus teidil i nGaeilge, foirmeacha oifigiúla agus lógónna; alt 7, leasú teicniúil maidir leis na caighdeáin teanga; alt 9, tosach feidhme a thabhairt do na caighdeáin teanga agus treoirlínte a chur ar fáil ina leith; alt 10, leasú ar alt 21 den phríomh-Acht mar a bhaineann le faireachán agus Oifig an Choimisinéir Teanga, leasú teicniúil ar alt 29 den phríomh-Acht, agus leasaithe ar ailt 31 agus 32 den phríomh-Acht mar a bhaineann leis an gcoiste logainmneacha; alt 15, leasú ar an gCéad Sceideal a ghabhann leis an bpríomh-Acht; alt 16, leasú ar alt 12 d’Acht na nGiúiréithe a bhfuil sé beartaithe a chur i bhfeidhm roimh dheireadh Aibreán 2023; alt 17, aisghairm maidir le hailt den phríomh-Acht a chuirfidh deireadh leis na scéimeanna teanga; alt 18, deireadh a chur leis an gCoimisiún Logainmneacha; agus alt 19, foráil idirthréimhseach maidir le dréacht scéimeanna.
Maidir le tús feidhme a thabhairt do na forálacha éagsúla atá luaite agam, tá sceideal leagtha amach ag m'oifigigh chuige sin atá mar dhoiciméad oibre a athraíonn ó am go ham de réir mar a théann an obair ar fheidhmiú an Achta ar aghaidh. É sin ráite, tá sé i gceist agam tús feidhme a chur le roinnt de na forálacha luath sa bhliain nua. Críochnóidh mé an freagra níos déanaí.
Breis eolais nár tugadh ar urlár an Tí
É sin ráite, tá i gceist agam tús feidhme a chur le roinnt de na forálacha luath sa bhliain nua agus an fuílleach a thosú amach sa bhlian tar éis dul trí próisis comhairliúcháin atá leagtha síos san Acht agus treoirlínte cuí a bheith dréachtaithe.
Maidir leis an gCoiste Comhairleach um Sheirbhísí Gaeilge, tháinig an coiste seo le chéile trí huaire go dtí seo - ar an Aoine, an 25 Iúil 2022, ar an Aoine, an 26 Lúnasa, agus ar an Aoine, an 28 Deireadh Fómhair. Déantar miontuairiscí a thógáil ag cruinnithe an choiste agus tá fáil orthu ar shuíomh gréasáin mo Roinne faoin leathanach tiomnaithe don choiste comhairleach agus a chuid oibre. Tá beartaithe go dtiocfaidh an coiste le chéile arís ar an Aoine, an 25 Samhain agus i lár mhí na Nollag chomh maith.
Is maith an chuid deiridh den fhreagra sin a chloisteáil, go bhfuil sceideal leagtha amach ag an Aire Stáit. I gcás roinnt de na forálacha, ní fheicim cén fáth go bhfuil moill ann in aon chor toisc go mbaineann siad le rudaí teicniúla. Ba chóir go mbeadh siad athraithe. Chomh maith leis sin, tá roinnt forálacha san Acht a shíl muid a thiocfadh i bhfeidhm chomh luath agus is féidir nach bhfuil i bhfeidhm. Tá ceann amháin ó thaobh dualgais na gcomhlachtaí maidir le stáiseanóireacht, lógónna agus úsáid na teanga. Tá sé sin á úsáid mar leithscéal nach bhfuil comhlachtaí nua Stáit á bhunú go uathoibríoch le teideal Gaeilge. Nuair a bhí Bille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla á phlé againn, leag muid amach sceideal nó amchlár dúshlánach. Níl na dátaí sin sroichte nó an tAcht feidhmithe go hiomlán, áfach, agus táimid fós ag fanacht dá bharr.
Tá i gceist agam tús feidhme a chur le roinnt de na forálacha luath sa bhliain nua agus an fuílleach a thosú amach sa bhliain tar éis dul trí próisis chomhairliúcháin atá leagtha síos san Acht agus treoirlínte cuí a bheith dréachtaithe.
Maidir leis an gCoiste Comhairleach um Sheirbhísí Gaeilge, tháinig an coiste le chéile trí huaire go dtí seo - ar an Aoine, 25 Iúil 2022, ar an Aoine, an 26 Lúnasa, agus ar an Aoine, an 28 Deireadh Fómhair. Déantar miontuairiscí a thógáil ag cruinnithe an choiste agus tá fáil orthu ar shuíomh gréasáin mo Roinne faoin leathanach tiomnaithe don choiste comhairleach agus a chuid oibre. Tá beartaithe go dtiocfaidh an coiste le chéile arís ar an Aoine, an 25 Samhain, agus i lár mhí na Nollag chomh maith. Mar a dúirt mé, tá sceideal leagtha amach ag oifigigh mo Roinne agus táimid ag obair chun na forálacha a chur i gcríoch.
An bhfuil an tAire Stáit sásta an sceideal sin a roinnt linn nó an é nóta inmheánach sa Roinn atá i gceist? Bheadh sé áisiúil go mbeadh a fhios againn cathain a chuirfear na forálacha éagsúla i bhfeidhm. Chabhródh sé linn brú a chur ar an Aire Stáit agus ar an gcóras i gcoitinne chun a chinntiú go mbeidh an tAcht seo i bhfeidhm ina iomláine agus gur féidir linn bogadh ar aghaidh chuig reachtaíocht dhifriúil atá de dhíth chun cur leis an nGaeilge agus leis an nGaeltacht.
Cén fáth go bhfuil moill ar roinnt de na gnéithe seo? Is rud é sin nach bhfuil soiléir. I gcás roinnt acu, níl a fhios agam. Luaigh an tAire Stáit an coiste comhairleach ach níl sé freagrach as an gcuid is mó acu. Cén fáth nach bhfuilimid tar éis feidhmiú a dhéanamh ar an bhforáil a fuair réidh leis na scéimeanna teanga, mar shampla?
Táimid ag obair chun gach rud a thosú. Mar a dúirt mé, tá struchtúr nua sa Roinn agus tá oifigigh ag obair chun gach alt san Acht a chur i bhfeidhm. Thosaigh muid leis an gcoiste comhairleach agus le hailt eile a bhaineann leis, mar a dúirt mé, ar aon le tosach feidhme na Achta. Tá foireann nua ann sa Roinn ag obair chun gach rud a thosú.
18. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán cén fáth ina bhfuil an tríú tuarascáil athbhreithnithe le ceithre bliana anuas á lorg ag Foras na Gaeilge, agus tuarascáil eile i ndán dóibh ina dhiaidh sin, faoi chóras na gceanneagraíochtaí Gaeilge, cé mhéad airgead ina iomlán atá á chaitheamh ar na tuarascálacha seo, agus an bhfuil sé i gceist aici tabhairt faoin dteip leanúnach atá le feiceáil fud fad éarnáil Stát na Gaeilge tairscintí a mhealladh i dtaca le hobair athbhreithnithe agus comhairliúcháin.. [56975/22]
Baineann an cheist seo le Foras na Gaeilge. Tá an fhoras tar éis an tríú tuarascáil athbhreithnithe a thosú laistigh de ceithre bliana. Cuireann sé sin leis an ualach atá ar na ceanneagraíochtaí Gaeilge ar ndéanann an fhoras maoiniú orthu. An bhfuil a fhios ag an Aire Stáit an fáth le seo? Ar cuireadh ar an eolas é mar gheall ar an tuarascáil athbhreithnithe anseo agus cad é a thuairim ar an gceist seo?
Tá iarrachtaí leanúnacha déanta ag Foras na Gaeilge teacht ar sholáthróirí leis an obair seo a dhéanamh, agus cé go raibh suas le €200,000 féideartha ar fáil anuraidh leis an obair a chur i gcrích, níor léiríodh aon spéis ann. Tá iarrachtaí á ndéanamh anois ag an bhforas an obair a bhriseadh síos ar bhealach difriúil agus í a chur i gcrích céim ar chéim. Is iarratas ar thairiscintí iomaíoch chuige sin atá fógartha ar eTenders faoi láthair.
Tá uasmhéid de €50,000 luaite leis an gconradh seo, ach ní féidir a rá go cinnte go dtí go mbeidh sé socruithe in áit cé mhéad a chaithfear ina leith. É sin ráite, déanfar measúnú ar na hiarratais a fhaightear chun a chinntiú go bhfaighidh an fhoras luach ar airgead ar an gcaiteachas atá beartaithe.
Is cur chuige céimnitheach atá le glacadh leis na codanna éagsúla seo a chur i gcrích agus is chuige sin atá iarratas ar thairiscintí ar an gcéad chuid seo fógartha ar eTenders anois. Níl aon cheist ann ach go bhfuil dúshlán áirithe ag baint le tairiscintí a mhealladh le tabhairt faoi shaincomhairleoireacht in earnáil na Gaeilge. Is ar an ábhar sin atá an togra áirithe seo briste síos ag Foras na Gaeilge ina chéimeanna níos soláimhseáilte. Bhí an taithí chéanna ag mo Roinn le tamall anuas agus tá sé beartaithe ag m'oifigigh an cheist a ardú leis an Oifig um Sholáthar Rialtais féachaint an féidir réiteach na faidhbe a aimsiú.
Léiríonn an freagra sin an fhadhb atá ann agus níl a fhios agam conas teacht timpeall air. Muna féidir teacht orthu siúd atá cáilithe chun breithniú a dhéanamh, is fiú an t-airgead sin - ní suim bheag é €50,000 - a chaitheamh ar na ceanneagraíochtaí atá iniúchadh nó athbhreithniú á lorg acu.
Tuigim go bhfuil gá le Foras na Gaeilge agus an státchóras athbhreithniú a dhéanamh i gcónaí ar chaiteachas poiblí atá á dtabhairt d’eagrais. Muna féidir teacht ar na scileanna sin lasmuigh, caithfidh go bhfuil siad laistigh den Roinn Airgeadais nó áit éigin eile ionas gur féidir an státchóras féachaint ar conas is féidir é seo a dhéanamh. Ní díreach ó thaobh na Gaeilge de a bhíonn moill ar athbhreithniú agus cuireann sé sin rudaí as riocht go minic.
Tá iarrachtaí déanta ag Foras na Gaeilge teacht ar chomhlacht nó ar chomhairleoir leis an obair seo a dhéanamh. An bhliain seo caite, bhí €200,000 luaite leis an obair. Fós, níor éirigh leis an bhforas aon dream chun spéis a léiriú ann.
Ní dhearnadh aon dul chun cinn dá réir. Tá an foras ag féachaint ar an obair a bhriseadh síos agus a dhéanamh ina píosaí. Tá iarratas ar eTenders ann faoi láthair. Cé go bhfuil suim airgid €50,000 luaite leis an obair, ní féidir leis an bhforas dearbhú a thabhairt ar an méid a gcosnóidh an obair.
Mar a luaigh an Teachta, tá dúshlán ag baint le tairiscintí a mhealladh le tabhairt faoi shainchomhairleoireacht in earnáil na Gaeilge. Is mar thoradh ar an dúshlán sin atá an togra áirithe seo briste síos ina chéimeanna chun go mbeidh an obair soláimhseáilte. Maidir leis an iarratas ar eTenders, déanfar measúnú ar na hiarratais a fhaightear. Beidh luach ar airgead ar cheann de na critéir mheasúnaithe. Is cur chuige céimnitheach atá le glacadh leis na codanna éagsúla seo a chur i gcrích. Tá an t-iarratas ar thairiscintí ar an gcéad chéim den obair fógartha ar eTenders faoi láthair.
