Results 401-420 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 27 and 79 together. As I have previously stated in response to questions on the overall development of the national sports campus project, I have been engaged in discussions with the NSCDA as to how we might best advance matters in the medium term taking into consideration the current difficult economic constraints. Notwithstanding these constraints, I am...

Written Answers — Decentralisation Programme: Decentralisation Programme (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: Apart from some minor current expenditure related mainly to travel expenses in respect of visits to the proposed decentralised locations, no other expenditure has been incurred by my Department on plans to decentralise the bodies under its aegis. No sites or offices were acquired as part of the planned decentralisation of the bodies.

Written Answers — National Cultural Institutions: National Cultural Institutions (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: The proposals in the Report of Special Group on Public Sector Numbers and Expenditure Programmes (McCarthy Report) have not been adopted by the Government as policy but are rather a suite of options which will be considered in the context of the 2010 Estimates. The generally held view among the cultural institutions here and abroad is that the introduction of admission charges will reduce...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: The table below shows the allocations made in each of the last 5 years and the amounts of these allocation outstanding as at end August 2009. For a variety of reasons it can take grantees several years to draw down allocations. Some of the more common reasons include: delays in finalising the legalities required to protect the State's investment; delays in the planning process; and...

Written Answers — Tourism Promotion: Tourism Promotion (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: In my address to the Fáilte Ireland National Conference in November 2008, I gave an undertaking to put in place an initiative to develop the exciting potential of cultural tourism. The Cultural Tourism Initiative was subsequently launched on 11 February 2009, when I hosted a meeting with the heads of the State tourism agencies, cultural institutions and arts bodies. I set out the areas in...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: The expenditure on flights, hotel stays and similar expenses resulting from seven overseas engagements during my period of office from the 7 May 2008 to date is €45,095. A figure of €10,359 was incurred during the time of my predecessor, by the late Deputy Seamus Brennan as Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism from 14 June 2007 to 7 May 2008 on one overseas engagement.

Written Answers — National Lottery Funding: National Lottery Funding (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: The elements of the Department's Vote which are part-funded by the proceeds of the National Lottery are as follows: Subhead C.1: Grants for sporting bodies and for the provision of sports and recreational facilities under the Sports Capital Programme; Subhead C.3: Grant-in-Aid provided to the Irish Sports Council in respect of general assistance to sports organisations and expenditure in...

Written Answers — Sports Funding: Sports Funding (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: As I have previously indicated to the House, the drastically changed economic circumstances means that the taxpayer cannot continue to fund the entire cost of schemes such as the grants for Gaelic players. I met representatives of the GPA on 29 June last with a view to agreeing a sustainable new scheme that would recognise the outstanding contribution of Gaelic players to our indigenous...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: The Sports Capital Programme, which is part-funded from the proceeds of the National Lottery and administered by my Department, is the primary vehicle for Government support for the provision of sports facilities and equipment in this country. This information sought by the Deputy is available on my Department's website www.dast.gov.ie as are details of the individual grantees in each...

Written Answers — Ministerial Travel: Ministerial Travel (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I have been to the Department's decentralised headquarters on a total of 3 occasions. Video conference facilities are used on a regular basis for discussion with my officials there for both Departmental business and when meeting with industry delegations and delegations led by Oireachtas members. It has not been possible to travel to Killarney during Dáil sitting days.

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: Since 1998, through the Sports Capital Programme, the Government has invested over €725 million in over 7,400 separate sporting projects. This investment has transformed the Irish sporting landscape with improved facilities in virtually every village, town and city. The facilities funded range from basic sports facilities and new equipment for the smallest clubs, to regional integrated...

Written Answers — Arts Plan: Arts Plan (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: The development of a new national theatre project is a complex undertaking. There are a myriad of technical, procedural and legal factors to address in making progress on it. The successful delivery of this project is a priority for the Department and Government in the Programme for Government and the National Development Plan. Arising from the original Government decision, an interagency...

Written Answers — Local Authority Staff: Local Authority Staff (24 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: The development of the arts by local authorities are covered by the Local Government Act, 2001 and therefore come under the remit of the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Meanwhile, I am informed that there is an Arts Officer in each local authority area.

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (22 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: All successful applicants under the Department's Sports Capital Programme are required to submit at least three comparable quotations to the Department for each aspect of the works being funded before an allocation is formally approved. In order to ensure value for money in the provision of facilities, the terms and conditions of the Programme specify that in each case, the contract/order...

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (22 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 240 and 241 together. In April 2007 an amount of €32.4m was allocated to 67 projects under the ACCESS II (Arts & Culture Capital Enhancement Support Scheme). In May 2008, the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism allocated a further €10.2m in funding to 13 additional projects which had been placed on the reserve list for funding by the independent...

Written Answers — Sports Capital Programme: Sports Capital Programme (22 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: There are no legal issues outstanding in relation to any allocation made to the grantee in question under the Sports Capital Programme. All allocations made to the grantee in question under the Programme prior to 2007 have been paid. Payment of the 2007 allocation of €100,000 was authorised by my Department on 14 September last. A further allocation of €20,000 was made to the grantee...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (22 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: The percentage of payments made by my Department since 19 May 2009 to suppliers and other contractors which were paid in full within 15 days, 30 days and longer than 30 days was 84.13%, 12.30% and 3.57% respectively.

Written Answers — Arts Funding: Arts Funding (22 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 244 and 245 together. In 2008 Culture Ireland awarded €3,226,000 to 380 grant applicants across artforms under the quarterly grant scheme which enabled Irish artists to present their work in 44 different countries. Culture Ireland's strategic programme of showcasing the work of Irish artists to international programmers and presenters to facilitate their...

Written Answers — Tourism Industry: Tourism Industry (22 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 246 to 250, inclusive, together. Latest figures from the Central Statistics Office show a reduction of 10.4% in the number of overseas visitors to Ireland for the first seven months of 2009 compared with the corresponding period of 2008. While any reduction in the number of overseas visitors is disappointing, it must be seen in context. Ireland enjoyed...

Written Answers — Sport and Recreational Development: Sport and Recreational Development (22 Sep 2009)

Martin Cullen: I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 253 together. I presume that the Deputy is referring to the Sports Capital Programme and I will confine my reply to that Programme. Under the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department funding is allocated to sporting and community organisations at local, regional and national level throughout the country. Since 1998, over...