Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My first question is for the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers. Earlier, we touched briefly on the audit the Department is conducting on sport infrastructure throughout the country. Where are we on this? When is it intended to conclude it? Does the Minister of State have any idea on what the findings of the report will be?

As is the case with the Minister, Deputy Martin, the arts is a forte of mine. I want to ask about Creative Ireland, which one of my colleagues touched on briefly. Some time ago, partnerships were formalised through Creative Ireland. These were the local creative youth partnerships.

Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board, ETB, was one of the pioneering champions of local partnerships in respect of its partnership with the local authorities. Unfortunately, it was not selected when the Department and Creative Ireland were establishing those partnerships more formally. Instead, Kerry, Laois and Offaly, and Limerick and Clare ETBs were successful. Does that section of the Department have any plans for similar future endeavours? Major plans must be afoot in respect of schools not being able to carry out the normal activities Creative Ireland would ordinarily be doing. I hope the Minister and the Minister of State might have some insight into what plans Creative Ireland might have to further establish these creative local partnerships. It would be important and interesting to hear about that aspect.

I concur with my colleagues on the committee regarding the living wage for the arts and entertainment sector, which is a commitment in the programme for Government. The Government has asked the Low Pay Commission to design that initiative. Will the Minister and the Minister of State perhaps flesh out the plans to pursue that goal?

Turning to the hospitality sector, we touched on this aspect but I am not clear concerning one element. It was recommended that a representative from the restaurant and pub sector be appointed to the tourism recovery oversight group. Has that been done? I am not clear on that point. If it has not been done, when is it intended to do that? Will the same be done for the boards of Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland? I refer to the appointment of representatives from the restaurant and pub sector.

On the stay and spend scheme, we have to be honest that it has not been as successful as we would have liked. What is the vision for a new scheme that might be initiated? I will go to the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, first because he is pressed for time.