Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 13 November 2012

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Culture and the Gaeltacht

2013 Allocations for Public Expenditure
Vote 33 - Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

5:15 pm

Photo of Sandra McLellanSandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government commits to supporting cultural tourism as one of the most elements of Ireland’s tourism product. Heritage is a key part of cultural tourism yet its budget is being reduced by 77%. How will the Minister implement this key aspect of the programme for Government if its budget is being cut by 77%? Does he intend to rely solely on the 13 world heritage sites mentioned in his report? What about the importance of local heritage as an educational tool for young children and a potential source of local employment? Does he accept that depending on just 13 key sites limits the potential for developing the domestic tourism market?

Is the Minister concerned about over dependency on philanthropy among the key national institutions? Can he give an assurance that his Department does not intend to introduce an admittance fee for entry into any of the key institutions? Has a budget been put aside for compensating turf cutters and, if so, how much money has been allocated? Where will the €500,000 saved on Údarás na Gaeltachta elections be spent? What does the Minister intend to do to get all of the cultural institutions to comply with the Official Languages Act? How much is being spent on pensions for former employees of Údarás na Gaeltachta?

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