Written Answers Nos. 273-288
273. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 251 of 29 November 2022, the action that is being taken to address flooding at a property (details supplied) located along the River Clodiagh, in the Borrisoleigh area, which has caused damage to private property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62244/22]
View answerThe Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for the maintenance of arterial drainage schemes and flood relief schemes completed under the Arterial Drainage Acts, 1945 and 1995, as amended. The location concerned does not form part of any Arterial Drainage Scheme which would fall under the remit of the OPW.
Local flooding is, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address. The OPW operates the Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme and applications for funding from Local Authorities are considered for flood relief and erosion protection measures costing up to €750,000 in each instance. Funding of up to 90% of the cost is available for approved projects. Applications are assessed by the OPW having regard to the specific economic, social and environmental criteria of the scheme, including a cost benefit ratio and having regard to the availability of funding for flood risk management. Full details of this scheme are available on www.floodinfo.ie/
The responsibility for the condition of the channel and riverbank typically rests with the riparian owner who has an important role in ensuring that watercourses are managed and free flowing so that in extreme weather events the risk of flooding can be minimised. A guide to the rights and responsibilities of landowners is available online at www.flooding.ie
274. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if smaller size funding for local organisations of approximately €50,000 will be available under the new PEACE PLUS funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62272/22]
View answerThe new 2021-27 PEACEPLUS EU cross-border programme, which has been finalised by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), working in close cooperation with my Department and the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland, has been informed by extensive public engagement and consultation.
This has included two full scale public consultations held across the programme area for PEACEPLUS of Northern Ireland and the Border Counties of Ireland, from December 2019 to February 2020, and again from March to May 2021. A key theme to emerge from this development process has been the importance of ensuring that this vital new €1.1 billion EU programme is made as accessible as possible; particularly for smaller applicants like local community groups.
The PEACEPLUS programme has now been approved by Government, the Northern Ireland Executive and the North South Ministerial Council and formally adopted by the European Commission.
The new programme will have a particular focus on grassroots accessibility. PEACEPLUS will feature two new small grants programmes: Theme 1.2 Empowering Communities and Theme 6.2 Maintaining and Forging Relationships Between Citizens. These small grants programmes will allow smaller organisations and groups to access the programme with minimum bureaucracy.
Other measures to improve accessibility across the PEACEPLUS programme include pre-development support for potential applicants, which is already being provided by the SEUPB, as well as the simplification where possible of application procedures. These steps will ensure a better experience for applicants, as well as high quality applications.
275. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the parliamentary activities allowance is audited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62346/22]
View answerThe Parliamentary Activities Allowance (formerly known as the Party Leader's Allowance) is provided for in the Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Act 1938 (the Principal Act) as amended, most recently by the Oireachtas (Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices) (Amendment) Act, 2014.
The legislation provides that each Party Leader and Independent member in receipt of the allowance must prepare a statement of expenditure for the allowance, to have it audited by an independent auditor and furnish it with the auditor's report to the Standards in Public Office Commission.
276. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the way that Arthur’s Way can be listed as a cycle route along the Grand Canal towpath and partially on roads in the Celbridge-Leixlip hinterland with a short section in SDCC (details supplied); the barriers there are for inclusion in Sport Ireland's cycling database; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62339/22]
View answerSport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport. As part of its role relating to activities in the outdoors, Sport Ireland maintains the National Trails Register and promotes awareness and useage of recreational trails.
I have accordingly referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
277. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the main policy achievements of her Department since 27 June 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61659/22]
View answerInformation in relation to my Department's priorities are set out in its published Statement of Strategy 2021—2023 while, information and announcements on the ongoing activities of my Department are also made available on its website: www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-tourism-culture-arts-gaeltacht-sport-and-media/.
I have previously informed the House in response to Parliamentary Question No 79 of December 15, 2021, of the range of activities and achievements undertaken by my Department across its remit in its first 18 months of operation. I also provided a further update on progress being achieved in my response to Parliamentary Question No 153 of 29th September last.
Minister Chambers and I continue to make significant progress across all areas of our Department's brief, supporting individual and community well-being and addressing the challenges the sectors under my remit have faced in their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and addressing the impact of the war in Ukraine. In the course of this work we have recently announced initiatives and policy achievements including:
- The enactment of Online Safety and Media Regulation OSMR Act 2022 which will establish a new regulator, Coimisiún na Meán to oversee the regulation of harmful online content and hold social media platforms to account. An Coimisiún will also support the broader media sector, in particular through the implementation of the Future of Media Commission’s recommendations
- The announcement earlier this year of the awarding of 2,000 grants for artists and creative arts workers through the new Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme giving effect to the number one recommendation of the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce established in 2020.
- The progression of the National Tourism Development Authority (Amendment) Bill 2022 which is at Committee Stage in the Seanad this week and which it is expected will be enacted before the end of the year.
- Government approval has been obtained for the priority drafting of the Registration of Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill and publication of the General Scheme of the Bill.
- The coming into effect of the Official Languages (Amendment) Act in December 2022, strengthening the Official Languages Act 2003 and making a significant contribution to the quality of services in Irish provided to the public by State bodies.
- Securing Government approval for the extension of the Creative Ireland programme to 2027, which will include delivery of new initiatives in Creative Industries, Creative Health and Well-being, Climate Action and Social Sustainability.
- The launch of the new Digital Plan for Irish in December 2022 which will make it easier than ever for businesses and State service providers to make Irish available as an option in their digital services to the public.
- The announcement in December 2022 of the restoration and redevelopment of the National Concert Hall. Following completion of the external assurance process, a core element of the public spending code, preparatory work for a planning application will commence in 2023.
Furthermore, for Budget 2023, Minister Chambers and I announced, on 28th September, 2022, details of a €1,142m gross funding allocation for the Department’s sectors.
This funding support brings a wide range of important new initiatives and a continuation of some existing measures to support further growth and development for these Sectors. The following are the key highlights of these measures:
Tourism
- Budget 2023 saw €15 million continued additional funding for a range of Fáilte Ireland initiatives, including Sustainable Tourism actions with a further €15 million allocated to marketing Ireland overseas as a destination, and the development of the Invitation project.
Culture and Arts
- €130m funding for Arts Council retained for a further year.
- €35m for pilot Basic Income for the Arts scheme.
- €2m funding increase for Culture Ireland for the promotion of Irish arts worldwide.
- New €7m capital funds for artists’ spaces, and for climate adaptation measures.
Irish Language
- Additional €8.5m to support the Irish language and the Gaeltacht.
Sport
- Additional funding to Sport Ireland of €8m – to support high-level performance sport, develop a new coaching fund, grow participation at all levels, and deliver first-ever national swimming strategy.
- Sport Ireland Campus Masterplan approved by Government and launched on 17 November
- €35 million Sports Energy Support Scheme initiated to assist sports clubs and organisations to manage increased energy costs over Winter / Spring 2022 – 2023.
Media
- €7.5m to enable Coimisiún na Meán commence the vital work of online safety and media regulation.
- €6m to new Media Fund’s Courts and Local Democracy Reporting Schemes as part of wider support package for local, regional and national media and journalism.
- Largest ever increase to TG4 will support the launch of a new dedicated Children’s Channel, as part of their continued provision of quality Irish language programming.
278. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the status of a lease for a facility (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61727/22]
View answerMy 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 is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred this question to them for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
279. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the measures that have been taken to strengthen and develop the arts and culture sectors since 27 June 2020. [61784/22]
View answerThe aim of the government’s Culture programme is to promote and develop Ireland’s world class artistic and creative strengths at home and abroad, maximising their value for the country, and supporting the sectors in their recovery. I have summarised hereunder the main measures that have been undertaken to strengthen and develop the arts and culture sectors since 2020.
In response to Covid the Arts and Culture Recovery Taskforce published a report, ‘Life Worth Living’, in November 2020 which included ten recommendations to assist the recovery of the arts and culture sector post-pandemic. In April 2021, I established an Oversight Group tasked with appraising the recommendations set out in Life Worth Living report. The Life Worth Living – Oversight Group: Implementation Progress Report which is published on my Department’s website, charts the progress on the implementation of the recommendations made by the taskforce up to and including December 2021.
Over 2021 my commitment to the sector was evidenced by funding allocations, among them €25m to pilot a Basic Income Scheme for Artists; record Arts Council funding of €130m and the announcement of a €50 million funding package for the Live Performance Sector. During this year we saw the following initiatives:
- Launch of the Music and Entertainment Business Assistance Scheme
- Launch of Mná 100 podcast series
- Launch of 2021 Programme for the Decade of Centenaries 2012-2023
- Markievicz Award recipients for 2021
- Artists-in-Residence under the Decade of Centenaries Programme
- Launch of Cruinniú na nÓg 2021
- €455,000 funding for the promotion of Irish arts globally
- Recipients of €25 million funding under Live Performance Support Scheme was announced
The allocations made under Budget 2022 made possible the following measures:
- introduce a pilot Basic Income Guarantee scheme for Artists
- continue and expand its support of arts, artists and the arts sector as a whole including maintaining funding of €130m for the Arts Council
- provide supports of €50m for the live entertainment industry
- enhance support to the National Cultural Institutions
- support initiatives for the Night-time Economy
- increase support for the audio visual industry
The 2022 budget was cast in a time when the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the sectors my Department supports was still all-encompassing. Throughout 2022, the arts and culture sector in Ireland was either closed completely, or operating at significantly reduced capacity levels. The 2022 budget included funding aimed at supporting these sectors through the worst of the pandemic. From the total allocation for 2022 which was €1.222 billion, being €1.019 billion in current funding and €202 million in capital funding. Of the €1.019 billion in current funding, €219 million was provided on a once-off bases for COVID-19 support measures including initiatives to support Live Entertainment and Sport, and Business Continuity funding for the Tourism sector, all aimed at ensuring these sectors were sustained through the pandemic.
Budget 2023 provides for gross expenditure of €1,142.419m for my Department in 2023 consisting of current expenditure of €935.937m and capital expenditure of €206.482m and is available online at www.gov.ie/en/publication/eb6ec-budget-2023-expenditure-reports/. The overall allocation for Culture in my Department's Vote for 2023 is €352.382m, an increase of 83% on the initial 2020 allocation of €192.905m.
As we emerged from the pandemic, in line with the cessation of horizontal supports following the lifting of public health restrictions, sector specific interventions have been tapered and will not operate in 2023.
I have secured a comprehensive package for Arts and Culture for 2023, this includes:
- The retention of the record €130 million funding for the Arts Council in 2023 in recognition of the transformational impact of this funding and to support artists and arts organisations as we look to further develop the sector.
- An additional €10 million in 2023 to fund the Basic Income for the Arts pilot scheme, a 3-year, €105 million scheme involving 2,000 artists and creative arts workers which will support each beneficiary in developing and sustaining a professional arts practice.
- €2 million increase in funding for Culture Ireland for the promotion of Irish arts worldwide.
- €7 million in additional capital funding for artists’ spaces and climate adaptation, including a new scheme, details of which will be announced shortly.
- An additional €2.5 million will help ensure the National Cultural Institutions continue to provide high-quality programming, to promote learning and engagement opportunities and to safeguard the National Collections.
- Up to €500,000 for supports for artists and arts workers put in place by the department in partnership with the Irish Theatre Institute and others as part of the ‘Safe to Create’ programme, coordinated by ITI.
- Up to €2 million in capital supports for stakeholders in the Night Time Economy in the context of the implementation of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce Report. This is in addition to €4 million in current spending for a range of initiatives and pilot projects to support a more vibrant and diverse Night-Time Economy.
- €1 million extra for Screen Ireland for the continued implementation of the government’s 10-year Audiovisual Action Plan. This is in addition to a decision by Government to extend a key tax incentive for the film industry, Section 481, to 2028.
- An allocation of €3 million to develop, oversee and manage a new archive and exhibition space as part of the overall National Centre for Research and Remembrance. This is a significant and unprecedented project of national and international importance which is being developed in partnership with a number of agencies over the coming years including the National Archives and the National Museum of Ireland.
The Deputy may have noted the recent announcement in relation to the extension of the Government’s Creative Ireland Programme 2017-2022, which is led by my department. This article can be accessed via this link www.gov.ie/en/press-release/e172f-community-and-inclusion-prioritised-by-government-as-it-extends-creative-ireland-for-another-five-years/.
Through the Creative Communities initiative in the Creative Ireland Programme, I have significantly increased the funding provided to local authorities for implementation of their Culture and Creativity Strategies from just under €3 million in 2019 to €7.2 million in 2022. This funding supported additional community-led initiatives including in relation to children & young people, health & wellbeing of older people, economic development and climate action.
I welcomed the Government’s support last week for my proposal that the Creative Ireland Programme would continue for a further five years, encompassing the period 2023-2027. Throughout 2022, the 31 local authorities are developing, through public consultation, new 5 year Culture and Creativity Strategies to enable the delivery of community-led creative projects and initiatives.
Through Creative Youth, I launched a number of additional initiatives to support children and young people including Story Seeds with Fighting Words and Creative Technology with Kinia. Other schemes, launched since 2020, include Creativity in Older Age, the Creative Climate Action Fund and Traveller Wellbeing through Creativity.
280. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the current members of the Irish Museum of Modern Art; the Minister who appointed each member; and the current remuneration of each member, in tabular form. [61874/22]
View answerThe board of IMMA is as set out in the table below. All members are appointed by the Minister.
The Public Appointments Service has responsibility for providing an open, accessible, rigorous and transparent system to support Ministers in making appointments to State Boards, including the Board of IMMA. A selection process for new board members is underway and it is envisaged that a number of new members will be appointed shortly.
Also, the board of IMMA does not receive any remuneration, however reasonable travel and subsistence expenses are payable at the appropriate civil service rate.
|
Name |
Membership |
Appointed on |
Appointed by |
|
David Harvey |
Chair |
25-Nov-15 |
Minister of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs |
|
Emma Goltz |
Ordinary Member |
21-Nov-13 |
Minister of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht |
|
Dermod Dwyer |
Ordinary Member |
23-Nov-15 |
Minister of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs |
|
Mary Apied |
Ordinary Member |
23-Nov-15 |
Minister of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs |
|
Gerard Byrne |
Ordinary Member |
02-Feb-16 |
Minister of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs |
|
John A Cunningham |
Ordinary Member |
17-Jul-18 |
Minister of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht |
|
Margot Lyons |
Ordinary Member |
17-Jul-18 |
Minister of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht |
|
Eva Kenny |
Ordinary Member |
02-Dec-20 |
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media |
281. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the amount of funding that Sport Ireland has provided to the Irish Bowling Association in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [61875/22]
View answerSport Ireland is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, including the allocation of funding under its various programmes.
I have referred the Deputy’s question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to funding to the Irish Bowling Association in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to date in 2022. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
|
Bowling League of Ireland |
|||||
|
Year |
Core Funding |
Special Projects |
Women in Sport |
Dormant Accounts Funding |
Covid-19 |
|
2022 |
€50,000 |
€10,000 |
- |
TBA |
TBA |
|
2021 |
€32,000 |
- |
- |
- |
€40,000 |
|
2020 |
€32,000 |
€8,000 |
€5,000 |
€10,000 |
€94,828 |
|
2019 |
€30,000 |
- |
€5,000 |
- |
- |
282. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil a fhios aici go bhfuil fostaithe de chuid Fhoras na Gaeilge sa Stát seo ag íoc ÁSPC d'Aicme A agus ranníocaíochtaí pinsin ar scála pá aguisín 1A, ach go bhfuil an scála pá 2A aitheanta ag Foras na Gaeilge ina leith nuair a íoctar deontais leis na heagraíochtaí Gaeilge, agus an bhfuil sé i gceist aici a chinntiú go réiteofar an éagóir seo i dtaca le pá fostaithe agus iarfhostaithe de chuid an Fhorais. [61897/22]
View answerTá socruithe difriúla pá agus pinsin ag na Comhlachtaí Forfheidhmithe Thuaidh/Theas, cosúil le Foras na Gaeilge, ná mar atá ag an Státseirbhís. Léiríonn sé seo nádúr uathúil trasteorann na gcomhlachtaí seo, a bhfuil fostaithe acu sa dá dhlínse.
Tuigtear dom go bhfuil Ciorclán 22/2017 na Roinne Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe dírithe ar státseirbhísigh amháin agus go bhféadfadh sé nach mbaineann sé le cúinsí sonracha comhlachtaí seirbhíse poiblí eile, mar atá anseo.
Socraítear na scálaí atá infheidhmithe chun críocha pá maidir le foireann theas na gComhlachtaí Thuaidh/Theas de réir a gcatagóir ballraíochta sa Scéim Pinsin Thuaidh/Theas (i.e. cibé acu an bhfuil siad ina gcomhaltaí den Chroí-Scéim Pinsin nó an Scéim Cearta Forchoimeádta).
Tá scálaí pá Ranníocaíochta Pinsin Neamhphearsanta i bhfeidhm ar chomhaltaí na Croí-Scéime sin ó cuireadh tús léi in Aibreán 2005. Tá an Chroí-Scéim Pinsin Thuaidh/Theas bunaithe ar shocruithe pinsin státseirbhís Thuaisceart Éireann.
Leanann na scálaí pá seo d’fheidhm a bheith acu tar éis leasuithe “Hutton” ar an gCroí-Scéim i mí Aibreáin 2015, inar tugadh isteach roinnt beart chun inbhuanaitheacht fhadtéarmach na Scéime a chinntiú, bunaithe ar na hathruithe ar shocruithe pinsin státseirbhís Thuaisceart Éireann. Sular tugadh isteach na hathchóirithe seo, tugadh rogha aonuaire do gach ball foirne ó dheas chun ballraíocht a choinneáil sa Croí-Scéim nó bogadh chuig an Scéim Cearta Forchoimeádta nó a mhalairt.
Is fiú cuimhneamh air, mar aitheantas ar na rátaí ranníocaíochta méadaithe atá déanta ag comaltaí na Croí-Scéime Pinsin Thuaidh/Theas ó Aibreán 2015, go ndéantar foráil san Acht um Pá agus Pinsin na Seirbhíse Poiblí 2017 do dhíolúine ón Ranníocaíocht Aoisliúntais Bhreise nua do chomhaltaí na Croí-Scéime ón 1 Eanáir 2019. Tá deireadh leis an gceanglas maidir le hAsbhaint a bhaineann le Pinsean a íoc ón dáta seo freisin.
283. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán an bhfuil sé i gceist aici maoiniú breise a chur ar fáil d'Fhoras na Gaeilge ionas go mbeidh an Foras in ann an íocaíocht chuí a thabhairt do na heagraíochtaí Gaeilge arna maoiniú aige, sa tslí is go bhfaighidh na daoine atá fostaithe ag na heagraíochtaí sin an t-ardú pá, ar fiú 7.5% é, atá á thabhairt d'fhostaithe sa tseirbhís phoiblí. [61898/22]
View answerMar a thuigeann an Teachta, is áisíneacht de chuid an Fhoras Teanga Thuaidh Theas é Foras na Gaeilge. Is í an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas (CATT) a cheadaíonn na buiséid do na Forais Trasteorann uile, An Foras Teanga san áireamh. Mar gheall ar chúinsí polaitiúla i dTuaisceart Éireann, áfach, níltear in ann cruinnithe CATT a eagrú faoi láthair agus dá réir níltear in ann ardú buiséid a cheadú.
Déantar Foras na Gaeilge a chómhaoiniú ar an mbonn 75% ón Roinn seo agus 25% ón Roinn Pobail, Tuaisceart Éireann. Déantar Tha Boord o Ulstèr-Scotch a chómhaoiniú ar an mbonn 25% ón Roinn seo agus 75% ón Roinn Pobail.
I mbuiséad 2021, chuir mo Roinn ardú dár luach €1,379,000 ar fáil don Fhoras Teanga Thuaidh Theas. Cuireadh an t-ardú sin i bhfeidhm ina iomláine ar bhuiséad áisíneachtaí an Fhoras Teanga in 2022.
Tá ardú dár luach €700,000 curtha ar fáil i mbuiséad mo Roinne don Fhoras Teanga Thuaidh Theas do 2022 agus arís do 2023. Ní rabhthas in ann an t-ardú sin a chur i bhfeidhm i mbuiséid na n-áisíneachtaí go dtí seo, de thairbhe nach rabhthas in ann cruinniú CATT a ghairm.
Bheifí ag súil go gcuirfí ardú i bhfeidhm a luaithe agus a bheifear in ann cruinniú CATT a ghairm agus na buiséid a fhaomhadh.
284. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the additional €2.5 million in sound and vision funding will include a provision for spending in news and current affairs programming and to support live programming; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61942/22]
View answerThe Broadcasting Fund is provided for under Part 10 of the Broadcasting Act, 2009, and supports the Sound and Vision Scheme and Archiving Scheme.
The Broadcasting Fund is funded primarily by 7% of television licence revenues, but can also be augmented by Exchequer funding. Since taking office, I have secured significant additional resources for the Scheme, which has enabled increased and targeted investment in the wider broadcasting sector, including funding rounds specifically for radio content.
Over that period the Scheme has delivered €5m in ring-fenced rounds for the commercial radio sector, which has also received almost €2m additional funding through other rounds. The additional €2.5m in Exchequer funding that I announced in the Dáil on 30th November 2022 will also be ring-fenced for the commercial radio sector.
The provisions of the Broadcasting Act limit the funding which can be provided under Sound and Vision to the production of programming on Irish culture, heritage and experience. While live programming that meet these criteria is permissible, the funding of local or national news and current affairs programming is not. However, in Budget 2023, I secured €6m for the establishment of the new Media Fund on an administrative basis. This will initially fund two schemes, a Local Democracy Reporting Scheme and a Court Reporting Scheme. They are to be administered on a platform-neutral basis and I expect that local radio will be well-placed to benefit significantly under these schemes. My intention is that these will be in play before the end of 2023, with the other schemes recommended by the Future of Media Commission to come on stream at later dates.
285. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will provide an update with regards to activity regarding the Fáilte Ireland Food and Drink Strategy 2018-2023; and if there will be a new strategy developed for the period 2024-2029. [61973/22]
View answerAs the matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland, I have referred the matter to Fáilte Ireland for direct response to the Deputy. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
286. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the supports provided to strengthen and develop sports facilities and organisations since 27 June 2020. [62171/22]
View answerSport Ireland is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, including the allocation of funding under its various programmes. This includes programmes such as Core Funding for National Governing Bodies of Sport, High Performance Programme, and Women in Sport Programme.
I have referred the Deputy’s question to Sport Ireland for direct reply in relation to funding and other supports provided by it to sporting organisations since 2020. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
With regard to Covid-19 funding, a total Covid-19 funding package of €80 million was provided in 2021 to support the sport sector. This followed on from a funding package of €88.5m in 2020. This significant investment over the two years was a critical support which benefited all levels of the sport sector, including thousands of grassroots clubs across the country. It has ensured that the important sporting infrastructure that has taken many years to develop was protected.
Sport Ireland is currently in the process of allocating a further Covid-19 funding package amounting to €15 million for 2022.
As part of Budget 2023, €35 million is being made available to help alleviate the impact of increased energy costs for sports clubs and organisations with a view to ensuring that everyone can continue to enjoy the benefits of sport and physical activity over the winter months. The Sports Energy Support Scheme (SESS) is being run by Sport Ireland and the funding will be distributed in the main through the National Governing Bodies of Sport in like manner to the suite of Covid supports provided to the sports sector throughout the past 2 years.
The Scheme will support sporting organisations with the rising energy costs associated with the provision of sport, for example, around increased indoor activity and the provision of outdoor floodlighting, with a particular emphasis on sports clubs with dedicated facilities.
With regard to capital support for the development of sporting facilities, 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, including many football developments, have now benefited from funding since 1998, bringing the total allocations in that time to over €1.15 billion. The Programme for Government commits to continuing the SCEP and to prioritising the 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. The final allocations under this latest round were announced in May of this year and the total allocation of over €166 million represented the highest level of allocation ever made under the SCEP. The priority in the short term is to advance the successful applications under the 2020 round to "formal approval" and grant drawdown stage which requires detailed engagement with all grantees. My Department is now undertaking a full review of all aspects of the 2020 round of the SCEP and any recommendations arising will be reflected in the terms and conditions of the next round. Following the completion of the review, I hope to announce the exact timing of the next round but it is hoped to have it open for applications early in the new year.
Funding is also provided by my Department for sports facilities under the Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Fund (LSSIF), designed for projects where the grant sought is greater than the maximum available under the SCEP. The first allocations under the LSSIF were announced in January 2020 and, thus far, approximately €86.4 million has been awarded to 33 different proposals. While the priority in the short term is to advance all of the projects that were allocated funding, as it is now over two years since the first allocations were made, and in view of the issues faced by grantees as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was considered timely to review progress on all projects allocated grants. My Department has now met with all successful grantees and work is at an advanced stage in drafting the review. Once the review is complete the scope for awarding any additional grants, adjusting the level of existing grants and the timing of any new call for proposals will be considered.
287. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps that have been taken to bring the Old Baggot Street Hospital into use as accommodation for refugees given there is an extreme need for accommodation for refugees and asylum seekers; and the measures that he has taken since the feasibility report in relation to this site which was completed in March 2022. [61862/22]
View answerMy Department has continued to work with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth around the Emergency Refurbishment (Ukraine) project and supporting the specific accommodation needs, particularly in respect of multi-occupancy vacant properties that may be suitable and available for use as accommodation, subject to refurbishment being carried out.
To that end, Dublin City Council were requested to conduct an initial site inspection on the Royal City of Dublin Hospital, Baggot Street to ascertain if it was a suitable building to be refurbished to house Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (Ukrainians). The site investigation report found that the building in its current condition is not habitable and the work required to bring this facility into a habitable condition would take a substantial period of time and money for a housing solution that is temporary in nature.
As this property is very large and located in a central location, it may be more appropriate for a long term accommodation strategy and my Department is engaging with other Departments about the potential use.
288. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if grants or supports are available for research projects (details supplied); the way that funding can be availed of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61635/22]
View answerMy Department provides financial support for the protection of eligible heritage buildings and historic structures through two grant schemes which are, in the main, administered by the local authorities. These are the Historic Structures Fund (HSF) and the Built Heritage Investment Scheme (BHIS). My Department does not provide funding of the type outlined in your question.
One option that may be available is the Community Heritage Grant Scheme which is administered by the Heritage Council. The Heritage Council is funded by my Department, however it is independent in the administration of its grant schemes and I have no role in relation to the awarding of funding.
The Heritage Council newsletter or website, heritagecouncil.ie, will announce if and when funding is available for 2023.
Arrangements have also been put in place by all bodies under the aegis of my Department to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. This provides a speedy, efficient and cost effective system to address queries directly to the relevant bodies.
The contact email address for the Heritage Council is oireachtas@heritagecouncil.ie.
